MCSD Cert

[Bstrick75]

Has anyone taken the MCSD. I'm curious as to weather it was a relatively difficult. Also, I wanted to know if you felt having the certification was benifical to you. Is it better to take the MCDBA?
I've been wondering... Is there any certifications that you can take for specific languages?

 

[danceman]

I recieved my MSCD last oct
in VB 176, VB 175, VFP 155 and of course requirement
Analyzing Requirements adn Defining Solutins 100

I bought microsoft press books on VB and 100, good books
really know the tables and fiels in 100. must be half the test. failed it the first time.

the worst was VFP this test must have been made by someone who lost their mind. I have 7 years of VFP experence. I also have been an instructor. that is the most porly prepared test I have ever seen.

example
you have taken over the maintenance of an app. there are four modules, user interface, data handling, invoice input, invoice update. they all have some erros in them. Of the listed modules, which one would you keep?

there is no otherinput as to what can of problems there are I only select the user interface to keep since this would have the least effect to the user, being the user does not see the inside workings.

has it been worth it, Its hard to say. I believe the salary I have now might have been somewhat influenced by it. will know more later this year.

good luck. Attitude is Everything

 

[thegameoflife]

I took the track without knowing much if not any (looking back) VB.

You need a fair amount of knowledge in VB to really use what learn in the classes. The tests are hard so make sure you study.

The MCDBA is mostly SQL if I'm not mistaken.


The certs do help with getting job if you have previous experience. I don't think many of a company these days are going to hire a programmer with no experience.

 

[Rob999]

I've passed the VB 6.0 desktop and distributed exams, and the Solutions Architectures exam - with only SQL 229 (Designing and Implementing SQL Server Databases) to go. It's pretty straightforward but you'll need some experience - or not only will it be inordinately difficult, but pretty much useless as well. Even if you can get a job based on the MCSD alone (unlikely, though I like my present position and really am not up on the marketplace in my area) you'd probably be quickly replaced by someone who knows their stuff if you didn't. In addition to knowing the product, I used the Exam Cram books and Transcender.

BTW, I think the MCDBA is more for SQL Server Administrators, as opposed to Programmer/Developers.

And the MCSD IS for specific languages - either Visual Basic (6.0 or .Net) or C++ or C# with .Net.