The Microsoft Certified Master program has a prerequisite reading list - things you need to read before you start the training. I've started an MCM reading list wiki on SQLServerPedia with summaries, sort of like a Cliff's Notes guide in an effort to help guide studying efforts. Early on in my studies, I was surprised by something.
As one of the bloggers behind The Master Blog, Joe Sack is a public face for the SQL MCM program. Joe also blogs at MSDN, and he manages the SQL MCM prerequisite reading list. The MCM program isn't even his "day job" - he's also a Senior Premier Field Engineer, which means he sees a lot of high-end SQL Server challenges. I emailed Joe to ask him a few questions about the program.
A few weeks ago, I glowed about how much I thought the MCITP exams had improved since the old braindump days. I had a really good experience with the 70-432 and 70-450 exams on SQL Server database administration, and I was happy that the exams focused on good decisions, not mindless memorization of syntax.
Now, about the 70-433 and 70-451 exams for SQL Server database developers....
This week I'm focusing on the Microsoft Certified Master program. I'm making a run at the MCM certification for SQL Server 2008, and from the outside, the whole thing looks pretty overwhelming.
How do Microsoft certifications work?
Microsoft exams are about $125, and people usually self-study for them if they're knocking out exams one at a time. When you pass any one exam, you become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). That one designation by itself doesn't hold much weight.
