MCSD MCAD Exams + Training

I would like to obtain certification and only trying to
get the details right, please help.

I am a software developer with over 8 years
experience, I have programmed in Fortran-77,
Pascal, Quick Basic, Visual Basic 4/5/6,
C++ MFC, Java, C# and ASP.Net. I also
have some SQL-Server/T-SQL experience as
well as XML/XSD/XSLT/etc.

Currently I have been reading ...
Microsoft ADO .NET (Core Reference)
by D. Sceppa, ISBN 0735614237

I have been using VisualSudio.Net for 2 years (on an on-off basis).

I prefer C# over VB.Net.

---

MCAD requires 2 exams plus 1 elective. The first two can be ...
70-315 ASP.Net with C#
70-316 Windows Apps with C#
70-320 Web Services with C#

and for the elective I can choose
70-229 SQL Server 2000

---

MCSD rquires 4 exams plus 1 elective. The first four can be ...
70-315 ASP.Net with C#
70-316 Windows Apps with C#
70-320 Web Services with C#

and for the elective I can choose
70-229 SQL Server 2000

---

I therefore conclude that:

1) The exams are the same in both cases but by doing 2
more exams I become MCSD.

2) If I were to do these exams in the right order I could
achive both qualifications, one after the next?

Are the two statements correct?

---

For training I am thinking of using
Self-Pased Training Kit (red-books) ISBN: 0735619255
and SQL Server 2000 Database Design and Implementation
ISBN: 0735619603

as well as one of ...

http://www.transcender.com/
http://www.testking.com/
http://www.measureup.com/

which one of the above is recommended?

Is that all I all require? I am paying for these myself and I would like to
buy the right stuff first time round.

---

I remember that previously Microsoft Certification
required WOSA (Windows System Architecture)
before any of the other programming languages. Is
that no longer the case?

MCAD leads to MCSD. What does MCSD lead to?

How long are the certifications valid for? Should I
worry about SQL Server 2003/etc? How long
will these exams be available for? It is possible
that after purchasing the training materials Microsoft
would repalce the exams with new ones?

---

Please help.

Tushar

i am working towards my mcad. my focus is asp.net and c#. i passed both
70-315 and 70-320 on the first attempt. i am now preparing for 70-229 and i
will be an mcad once i pass it.

70-315, 70-320 and 70-229 can all also be applied towards the mcsd.net.
passing 2 more applicable exams would qualify one as an mcsd.net.

i used transcender and self test software to prepare for 70-315 and 70-320.
i found self test software to be more helpful than transcender. i've never
used measureup or testking.

i bought the M$ self study books for 70-315 and 70-320. both books were of
little help in preparing me for these exams.

bear in mind that the final version of visual studio 2005 won't be released
until mid 2005 (at the earliest). thus, i don't expect any .net
certification exams based on vs 2005 until at least 2006 (if at all). the
final version of sql server 2005 also won't be released until mid 2005 (at
the earliest). thus, i don't expect any certification exams based on sql
server 2005 until at least 2006 (if at all). in short, i expect the current
crop of mcad and mcsd.net exams to be valid for at least 2 more years.


"Tushar" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> I would like to obtain certification and only trying to
> get the details right, please help.
>
> I am a software developer with over 8 years
> experience, I have programmed in Fortran-77,
> Pascal, Quick Basic, Visual Basic 4/5/6,
> C++ MFC, Java, C# and ASP.Net. I also
> have some SQL-Server/T-SQL experience as
> well as XML/XSD/XSLT/etc.
>
> Currently I have been reading ...
> Microsoft ADO .NET (Core Reference)
> by D. Sceppa, ISBN 0735614237
>
> I have been using VisualSudio.Net for 2 years (on an on-off basis).
>
> I prefer C# over VB.Net.
>
> ---
>
> MCAD requires 2 exams plus 1 elective. The first two can be ...
> 70-315 ASP.Net with C#
> 70-316 Windows Apps with C#
> 70-320 Web Services with C#
>
> and for the elective I can choose
> 70-229 SQL Server 2000
>
> ---
>
> MCSD rquires 4 exams plus 1 elective. The first four can be ...
> 70-315 ASP.Net with C#
> 70-316 Windows Apps with C#
> 70-320 Web Services with C#
>
> and for the elective I can choose
> 70-229 SQL Server 2000
>
> ---
>
> I therefore conclude that:
>
> 1) The exams are the same in both cases but by doing 2
> more exams I become MCSD.
>
> 2) If I were to do these exams in the right order I could
> achive both qualifications, one after the next?
>
> Are the two statements correct?
>
> ---
>
> For training I am thinking of using
> Self-Pased Training Kit (red-books) ISBN: 0735619255
> and SQL Server 2000 Database Design and Implementation
> ISBN: 0735619603
>
> as well as one of ...
>
> http://www.transcender.com/
> http://www.testking.com/
> http://www.measureup.com/
>
> which one of the above is recommended?
>
> Is that all I all require? I am paying for these myself and I would like
to
> buy the right stuff first time round.
>
> ---
>
> I remember that previously Microsoft Certification
> required WOSA (Windows System Architecture)
> before any of the other programming languages. Is
> that no longer the case?
>
> MCAD leads to MCSD. What does MCSD lead to?
>
> How long are the certifications valid for? Should I
> worry about SQL Server 2003/etc? How long
> will these exams be available for? It is possible
> that after purchasing the training materials Microsoft
> would repalce the exams with new ones?
>
> ---
>
> Please help.
>
>
>

comp sci kid