70-315, 70-316, 70-320

I have several years work experience in C++ and Unix (17
years in the programming field - no Microsoft experience)
and after being layed-off 2 years ago, I decided learn more
about the latest technology by taking some certificates and
courses. I'm also hoping that the certificates (Java and
MCAD) will help somehow to make me more employable. I took
the 70-315 and got a score of 753. I went through the
Kalini books, Transcender and MeasureUp practice tests and
the MOC books, where I took the courses. Not one of these
sources alone covers everything. I thought the 70-315 test
was very difficult and there were many questions on
material I had not seen before. Then I took the 70-316
test and found it much easier, I used the same type of
study material and scored 860 - well maybe there was a
learning curve with the 70-315. Then today I took the
70-320 and felt that there were at least 14 questions I
wasn't sure about or wasn't familiar with material. I
scored 744.

The skills objectives for the exams covered an enormous
amount of material (breadth vs. depth)- which I felt was
easy to understand - but there was just so much of it to
learn. The tests covered a small fraction of what I
actually learned (and didn't learn). I memorized material
and studied to understand the concepts. A lot of the
documentation/articles on Visual Studio.NET and MSDN went
into a great deal more depth than what was expected on the
exam and were interesting. Transcender questions cite
their references which was helpful.

 

I forgot to mention that I needed to complete the 70-320 by
12/11, so I did not study the MOC book on Web Services -
and in general did not study as much as I had for the other
two tests. Nevertheless, my point is, without work
experience in .NET, you need to use as many different study
resources as possible.

 

Hi Elaine,

Did you get/use the Microsoft prep kit for the MCAD?

Im now trying to pass the 316, 320 and 229. Ive been in the industry over
20 years, mostly hardware in design, mfg and field; software debug, drivers,
cpu level, some internal microcode, assembly, then embedded C/CPP,
sprinkling of Java, tcl/tk, vb, vb.net, and now csharp. But it seems the
cert is a must have.

Other problem is? Ive been in startups, some pay, most dont. Ive got no
budget for any training. Ive got time and would love to attend a few week
long courses. Im wondering if Microsoft makes the full kits needed for
MCAD? How good are they? And are there any used ones?

Its a real struggle to find work! Im so desparate, Im kind of thinking
about putting on a nice suit, and standing at a freeway exit with a sign
reading: will code C# for food

If that doesnt work? Ill make another sign: social secratary seeks situation

 

I looked at parts of the Microsoft prep Kit by getting them
from the library and they are on ebooks at the library too.
And they definitely are not enough for exam preparation.
I did not like these books as well as the Amit Kalani books.
Check out the prices on bookpool.com. I think that the
practice tests are also essential and I have only seen
Transcender and MeasureUp. Transcender is good especially
because they cite references which can easily be looked up.
MeasureUp is reviewed by Microsoft.

As far as training goes, some schools might have Financial
Aid for tuition - but I don't know how it works. The
Microsoft web site recommends schools that offer the
Microsoft Official Courses (MOC). But I don't think you
need the courses to pass the exams if you do readings and
programming exercises from a variety of sources. Others on
the MCAD newsgroup have only used one source, like the Amit
Kalani book - but it doesn't cover everything. This web
site has links to MSDN pages mapping to skills for some of
the exams: http://codeclinic.com/certification.htm