Orcas Implications on Current MCTS Web Developer Path

Hi, I'm starting down the path to obtain my MCPD in Web Development which I
understand requires the following:

MCTS - Web Developer (70-536 + 70-52
70-547

If my end goal is MCPD should I wait until Orcas comes out to begin taking
tests? I'd hate to study for a test, pass it, and find out a few months later
that I have to start over because the tests changed. And I really don't want
to have to obtain my MCTS twice. Are there tests in the current plan that I
can take now that will still be used in the new path?

Any insight would be appreciated!

John2021

Hi John,

I completed 70-547 (via the same path you're looking at) earlier this year,
so was wondering the same questions prior to that.

Trika from MS learning has a post on her blog about "re-fleshing" of
credentials. This might help answer your questions.

http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/...fications.aspx

Most of the new orcas related exams aren't event in beta yet and I haven’t
seen any mention of a replacement for 70-536.
So if your already into the study for 70-536 I would go ahead with it.

70-536 covers so much of the core framework stuff that has remained in place
throughout framework versions. It's still very valid and I'd assume will
remain as part of the cert path.

Hope this helps.

-Iain

Iain

Iain,
Thanks for the feedback. I'm scheduled to take the test in a couple of
weeks, but really am unsure where to go from there. From what I've read, the
70-536 will still be valid in the next wave of certification tests but the
other tests will probably be replaced by .Net 3.5 exams. So it sounds like I
should stop at after this test and wait for the new exams to be released.

By the way, does anyone know how beta exams work? If one comes out next
month, and I take and pass it, will I actually earn credit for that exam? or
would I have to retake it once the final exam is released?

Thanks,
John

"Iain" wrote:

> Hi John,
>
> I completed 70-547 (via the same path you're looking at) earlier this year,
> so was wondering the same questions prior to that.
>
> Trika from MS learning has a post on her blog about "re-fleshing" of
> credentials. This might help answer your questions.
>
> http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/...fications.aspx
>
> Most of the new orcas related exams aren't event in beta yet and I haven’t
> seen any mention of a replacement for 70-536.
> So if your already into the study for 70-536 I would go ahead with it.
>
> 70-536 covers so much of the core framework stuff that has remained in place
> throughout framework versions. It's still very valid and I'd assume will
> remain as part of the cert path.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> -Iain
>

John2021

No probs,

If you pass a beta exam, you do have it count as the same credit towards a
qualification as the final exam will.
It’s a nice perk, considering sitting the exam is free.

The obvious drawback is beta exams can be trickier to study for as there are
no training kits or focused e-courses released.

Good luck with 70-536!

-Iain





"John2021" wrote:

> Iain,
> Thanks for the feedback. I'm scheduled to take the test in a couple of
> weeks, but really am unsure where to go from there. From what I've read, the
> 70-536 will still be valid in the next wave of certification tests but the
> other tests will probably be replaced by .Net 3.5 exams. So it sounds like I
> should stop at after this test and wait for the new exams to be released.
>
> By the way, does anyone know how beta exams work? If one comes out next
> month, and I take and pass it, will I actually earn credit for that exam? or
> would I have to retake it once the final exam is released?
>
> Thanks,
> John
>
> "Iain" wrote:
>
> > Hi John,
> >
> > I completed 70-547 (via the same path you're looking at) earlier this year,
> > so was wondering the same questions prior to that.
> >
> > Trika from MS learning has a post on her blog about "re-fleshing" of
> > credentials. This might help answer your questions.
> >
> > http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/...fications.aspx
> >
> > Most of the new orcas related exams aren't event in beta yet and I haven’t
> > seen any mention of a replacement for 70-536.
> > So if your already into the study for 70-536 I would go ahead with it.
> >
> > 70-536 covers so much of the core framework stuff that has remained in place
> > throughout framework versions. It's still very valid and I'd assume will
> > remain as part of the cert path.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > -Iain
> >

Iain

Hi,

Why do you guys think one should wait for the other exams? As written
on Microsoft's site .NET 2.0 mainstream support will be retired in
2011. So the MCTS will be valid till then and you have to update the
certification every 3 years anyway..
So what would be the point of waiting for .NET 3.5 certification?
and what does it mean when you say the other tests will be REPLACED
by .NET 3.5?
I am taking 536 in a week and thinking of taking 528 one month later.

Thanks

gravz84

Yes, you're 100% right that 2.0 will be around for a while and the
certification obtained will still be valid. I think the reason I'm a little
confused is because my goal is really to obtain an MCPD which consists of
MCTS + one exam. Currently the requirements are:
MCPD Web Devloper: MCTS ASP.Net 2.0 + Exam: 70-547

And it sounds like the new requirements will look something like:
MCPD Web Developer : MCTS ASP.NET 3.5 + MCTS ADO.NET 3.5 + EXAM: 70-547

Is there such thing as MCPD 2.0 and MCPD 3.5 like there is for MCTS? I don't
think there is but I could be wrong. It's going to take me a few months
before I will be able to study for the MCPD and I would hate to obtain MCTS
2.0 and have the requirements change to MCTS 3.5 before I had a chance to
take the MCPD test.

Check out the link below, maybe I'm misunderstanding his example.

http://blogs.msdn.com/howard_dierkin...-for-mcpd.aspx

Are there any other thoughts out there on the subject?

Thanks,
John

Obv
"gravz84" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Why do you guys think one should wait for the other exams? As written
> on Microsoft's site .NET 2.0 mainstream support will be retired in
> 2011. So the MCTS will be valid till then and you have to update the
> certification every 3 years anyway..
> So what would be the point of waiting for .NET 3.5 certification?
> and what does it mean when you say the other tests will be REPLACED
> by .NET 3.5?
> I am taking 536 in a week and thinking of taking 528 one month later.
>
> Thanks
>

John2021

I see you concern John, and wish I could give you a straight answer.
As far as I know there is no MCPD 2.0/3.5 etc
Once you get the MCPD you just refresh the underlying MCTS exams within 3
years.
But I’m not 100% sure if the existing path will remain if you're still in
the process of getting it. My guess is the option will remain open, as 2.0 is
still very new to many organizations. So to limit the MCPD to only 3.5
underlying technologies could be counterproductive. It's a very high level
exam focusing on design /development concepts more than intricacies of the
underlying technologies.

Plus with the speed the .Net framework is progressing many could be left
feeling in a "snakes and ladders" scenario if the exam pathway keeps
changing under their feet.

Howards post is a bit old so it may be slightly superseded?
If this helps with anything, the preparation guide for MCTS:WCF exam is now
out:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-503.mspx

You will see that this doesn't require 70-536.
If you pass 70-503 you get the MCTS:WCF straight off.

Also maybe try contacting Trikah () at MS learning,
she’s very helpful and may be able to put your concerns to rest.

Iain

Damn this is confusing! Well that's that then, my 536 is totally
wasted huh..
but I am still hoping that the pathway for MCPD from 536->528->547
will be kept alive since it's been only a year since they even
released the MCTS 2 series.

gravz84

Iain,
Thanks for the great follow-up. I sent Trikah at Microsoft an email and will
post any response I get from her in this thread.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

"Iain" wrote:

> I see you concern John, and wish I could give you a straight answer.
> As far as I know there is no MCPD 2.0/3.5 etc
> Once you get the MCPD you just refresh the underlying MCTS exams within 3
> years.
> But I’m not 100% sure if the existing path will remain if you're still in
> the process of getting it. My guess is the option will remain open, as 2.0 is
> still very new to many organizations. So to limit the MCPD to only 3.5
> underlying technologies could be counterproductive. It's a very high level
> exam focusing on design /development concepts more than intricacies of the
> underlying technologies.
>
> Plus with the speed the .Net framework is progressing many could be left
> feeling in a "snakes and ladders" scenario if the exam pathway keeps
> changing under their feet.
>
> Howards post is a bit old so it may be slightly superseded?
> If this helps with anything, the preparation guide for MCTS:WCF exam is now
> out:
> http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-503.mspx
>
> You will see that this doesn't require 70-536.
> If you pass 70-503 you get the MCTS:WCF straight off.
>
> Also maybe try contacting Trikah () at MS learning,
> she’s very helpful and may be able to put your concerns to rest.
>

John2021

I wouldn't stress gravz, I'd say until you hear otherwise that 536 is stable
and still very relevent and may still be a requirement for MCTS :ASP .Net 3.5

No worries John,
yeah, let us know what the reply is.

cheers,
-Iain

"gravz84" wrote:

> Damn this is confusing! Well that's that then, my 536 is totally
> wasted huh..
> but I am still hoping that the pathway for MCPD from 536->528->547
> will be kept alive since it's been only a year since they even
> released the MCTS 2 series.
>

Iain