Opinion on 70-431

[lcolson1959]

Does anyone have some comparisons between the 70-228, 70-229 and 70-431. It would seem, from books I have glanced at, that 70-431 is easier compared to 70-228. How is that possible and/or am I missing something??

 

[GeertVerhoeven]

Hi,

I've did the 70-431 a while ago. The main difference is that the 70-431 is just an introduction exam. Afterwards you need to continue with exams like 70-441, 70-442 ... depending on the track you want to take (Developer, Administrator or Business Intelligence).

Since it is an introduction exam, most questions are more global which makes it easier.

The 228 and 229 exams are the only exams for the database track so these exams are indeed not so easy.

I'm currently preparing for the 70-441 exam and I can say that it is a lot more difficult then the 70-431.

Hope this info helps.

Greetz,

Geert

Geert Verhoeven
Consultant @ Ausy Belgium

My Personal Blog

 

[SQLBI]

Sitting this one tomorrow, got the Self Paced Training Kit and i'm continually getting 80%-90% on the practice exams from the CD, hopefully this signifies my readiness.

Anyone else don 70-431 recently and willing to offer any advice?


Cheers,
Leigh

The problem with common sense is that it isn't that common!

 

[Skittle]

I took it last week and just failed.

I found the format caused me problems.
It has two sections which each have individual time limits.
The simulations section had 2 hours which was way more than I needed. The other section was the traditional multi-choice questions but I found some of them very oblique and I had to rush a few of them because I didn't feel I had enougth time.

Since I passed 70-228 and 70-229 first time, I'd have to say I found this one harder.

Dazed and confused

 

[SQLBI]

Well i failed it too... Wasn't prepared for the 2nd section either and whilst i knew what i wanted to do, i obviously didn't do it correctly. IMHO, this format will definitely separate those that know the product and those who bought the brain dump!

Still, now i know what is required i can focus my learning more and nail it 2nd time around...

Fortunately my company operates a 3 strikes and you pay for it yourself policy!

Cheers,
Leigh

The problem with common sense is that it isn't that common!

 

[tk808]

Hello,

I'm going to take this one soon. How much code do we need to know for this? I'm going through the MS Press book and find that I need to spend a lot of time on the transact SQL sections because it's so detailed.

Any insight?

I've already gotten my default and another named instance up and running for testing.

thanks in advance!

 

[SQLBI]

Hi again...

I re-took this one at the weekend and failed again, albeit this time with a higher score of 630... so near yet so far.

Based on the chart i was given at the end, i'd done enough on the technical questions, yet i was let down by the competency based element.

Hopefully i'll be 3rd time lucky!

tk808, you will at some point need to examine a block of T-SQL and either state whether it will run or fail or select the correct block from 4-5 options. I'd say as a start, pay attention to EndPoint creation (http and tcp) and the basic constructs to set up service broker.





Cheers,
Leigh

The problem with common sense is that it isn't that common!

 

[Skittle]

I think to pass it you need to spend a great deal of time on endpoints - well beyond the info covred in any of the sylabus books I have seen.

I will be trying for a second time around August.
Simply can't spend the time on it before then.


Dazed and confused