Regarding MSITP DBA Certification...

[dBjason]

Hello,

I've been doing database work now for about 10 years. The new economy has of course altered my career plans and thoughts on education.

I'm considering taking the MSITP DBA coursework and certification. The education would, undoubtedly, improved my abilities.

My question is: Is that certification considered valuable? Would I notice a higher callback percentage by having it on my resume?

I'd really love to hear some thoughts from people in this group.

Thanks for any/all thoughts! Any other tips would also be appreciated!

Best Regards,
Jason

 

[mrdenny]

It is valuable if the people you are trying to work for consider it valuable. It wont hurt you to have them.

Denny
MVP
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2008 BI / MWSS 3.0: Configuration / MOSS 2007: Configuration)
MCITP (SQL 2005 DBA / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2005 DBD / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 BI)

My Blog

 

[TheBugSlayer]

Hey dBason, I was in a quite similar situation though most of my experience SQL experience is in development. I was unemployed for a while and it turns out to almost be a blessing as I got a grant to complete both the SQL Server 2008 Developer and Database Administrator path. I took my clases at Comptec and completed the training.

My complaint however is that courses for "Exam 70-450 PRO: Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008" and "Exam 70-451:
PRO: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008" were delivered using SQL Server 2005 material. This was in the last quarter of 2009 and we were told that Microsoft would release the 2008 material in March this year...Nothing has happened yet. A MS rep told me last time that they don' t always release material for all exams.

On top of that, CompTec kind of mislead me so I went and took 70-444 and passed it, thinking that with 70-444 and 70-433 I would complete the MCIT SQL Server 2008 developer path...turns out it doesn' t work that way so now I am half way through each. Plus I got tired of waiting for the 70-451 material and the deadline for MS' Second Shot was about to come so I went ill prepared to take 70-451 and failed it. To sum up, I have 70-432, 70-433, 70-444 and 228 from waaay back (SQL 2000). Now I have to get the 70-450 and 70-451 dumps somehow and go pay $124 for the exam.

So my advice to you is one, make sure you know which path you' re taking and two, complete the exams for the SQL version you' re learning only so you can achieve the MCITP.

Good luck.

MCITP SQL Server 2005, MCTS SQL Server 2008 (DBD, DBA)

 

[dBjason]

Just a quick thanks to MrDenny and BugSlayer for the advice.

Rather lame that they swapped versions like that; I'll make sure to get the right examinations.

As well, further research made me decide that no matter what, the certification can only help. I'm lucky to be in a position where I have the time to study the material; I think it's a good idea to go ahead and take advantage of that. It can only improve my skills and carreer.

Thanks again for the info,
Jason

 

[mrdenny]

If your school delivered the classes using the wrong material thats on them. Microsoft doesn't release a class to the training centers until the MOC (Microsoft Official Curriculum) is ready. If a training center puts together their own class with the same name, that's on them.

Denny
MVP
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2008 BI / MWSS 3.0: Configuration / MOSS 2007: Configuration)
MCITP (SQL 2005 DBA / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2005 DBD / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 BI)

My Blog

 

[TheBugSlayer]

MrDenny, you' re right. But the school, a Microsoft education partner, said that MS would release the material sometime after the training. The difference between 2005 and 2008 were easy to catch up on so I said why not...I was unemployed then and making good use of the time...Maybe the schooled used that to lure us in. Oh well, when I am ready I will get the dumps and prepare. I need to complete both paths. 3 MCTS and no MCIT...it bothers me.

MCITP SQL Server 2005, MCTS SQL Server 2008 (DBD, DBA)

 

[mrdenny]

Don't get the dumps, learn the material instead. Using brain dumps is a violation of the terms of service for the exam and is considered cheating on the exam.

Just studying the questions from the exam and the answers doesn't do anything to show how much you know. It just shows that you know how to memorize some questions and answers.

If you intend to just memorize the info in the brain dumps then you may as well not take the exams and save yourself the money.

Denny
MVP
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2008 BI / MWSS 3.0: Configuration / MOSS 2007: Configuration)
MCITP (SQL 2005 DBA / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2005 DBD / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 BI)

My Blog

 

[TheBugSlayer]

Hi Denny, well first of all let me apologize to dBJason for taking over his thread, hopefully he finds this useful too.

The problem precisely is that there is no material, i.e. This quote from

http://learning.microsoft.com/manag...S&cats={d4e8e42c-3d5a-4a6e-915d-d99556a49bd7}

"Some of the Microsoft resources for SQL Server 2008 and for exam 70-451 are still under development. Consequently, candidates who want to prepare for exam 70-451 should use the SQL Server 2005 resources included in this learning plan." The same goes for 70-450. It' s been there for over a year and it' s frustrating. I personally don' t feel confident preparing for a MS test using material developed by other companies who are not MS affiliates. I have some experience, which allows me to figure a lot of things out in the exams. I studied for 70-450 using SQL 2005 material, went to the exam hoping for the best and I failed with a 434 score! Now I am half way through each path...I don' t know what else to do if using dumps is illegal. I don' t think work experience only will prepare you for the exam. There are just too many features, many of which I do not use at work...What to do?

MCITP SQL Server 2005, MCTS SQL Server 2008 (DBD, DBA)

 

[mrdenny]

Start working with the other features in your off time. It is definitely possible to pass the exams without study material being available. Every SQL exam I've passed since SQL 2000 I've done without any study material. Most of which I've passed before the tests have gone RTM while the product are barely been released.

For the SQL 2008 exams, using the SQL 2005 material should be good enough for most everything. There's a few SQL 2008 specific features that won't be included but it should get you most of the way.

If you've stored a 434 you'll want to do a lot more studying and working with the product before you'll want to sit the exam again.

Denny
MVP
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2008 BI / MWSS 3.0: Configuration / MOSS 2007: Configuration)
MCITP (SQL 2005 DBA / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2005 DBD / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 BI)

My Blog

 

[TheBugSlayer]

Thanks MrDenny. I hope MS does not release a new version before I complete any of the two paths.

MCITP SQL Server 2005, MCTS SQL Server 2008 (DBD, DBA)