To help you achieve your certification goals, Microsoft Canada is pleased to offer you a certification study kit. Six different kits were created based on popular demand. Each kit relates to a specific certification and contains the associated Microsoft Press Book along with other resource materials. We hope these give you the additional motivation to take that exam you’ve been meaning to get. The rest is up to you!
Source: Jump Start Your Career
SQL Server 2005 Virtual Labs
SQL Server 2005 is Microsoft's next-generation data management and analysis software that will deliver increased scalability, availability, and security to enterprise data and analytical applications while making them easier to create, deploy, and manage. In these labs, you will get to experience many of the new features in SQL Server 2005 including XML support and deep business intelligence integration.
Source: SQL Server 2005
Foolproof Upgrades for SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 is a major new release of Microsoft's flagship database platform. But how do you know when is the right time to upgrade? At what point...
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Sponsored by Quest Software
Improve SQL Tuning with Best Practices
Tuning SQL statements on Microsoft SQL Server with native tools or by hand can be time consuming and labor intensive. Let SQL Server expert Kevin Klin...
[More]
Common Table Expressions
Common Table Expressions(CTEs) are new to SQL Server 2005. CTEs are defined in the ANSI SQL-99 standard. We need to begin learning about the new featu...
[More]
Source: SSWUG White Paper Center
If you can't tell, this is the table with all of the well known, highly reputable Practice Test Providers. If you supplement your regular study guides and your practice labs with these materials, you should have little to no problem passing the exams. These companies are some of the best in the industry, so of course we're going to recommend that you opt to use one of these Practice Test Providers before you try one of the others.
Site Name
Site URL
Site Status
Notes
APPDev
http://www.appdev.com
Microsoft Certified PartnerArminCo
http://www.arminco.com
Microsoft Certified PartnerBoson
http://www.boson.com
Microsoft Gold Certified PartnerBrainbuzz
a.k.a CramSession
http://www.Brainbuzz.com
Clean
CramSession is a U.S. based corporation based in Tampa, FLCram Session
http://www.cramsession.com
CleanExam Force
http://www.examforce.com
Clean
Exam Force Practice Tests can now be found in the back of the ExamCram Series books that are known worldwide.MC MCSE
http://www.MCMCSE.com
Super Clean
MCMCSE is not only a 'Clean' site, they make it known that braindumps are illegal and should never be used.MeasureUp
http://www.measureup.com
Microsoft Certified Practice Test Provider
The name speaks for itself. MeasureUp is one of the only two MCPTPs in existence right now.PrepLogic
http://www.preplogic.com
CleanRedmondExams
http://www.redmondexams.com
CleanSelf Test Software
http://www.SelfTestSoftware.com
Microsoft Certified Practice Test Provider
SelfTestSoftware is the other of the two MCPTPs.Transcender
http://www.Transcender.com
Clean
Now owned by Kaplan IT Learning (SelfTestSoftware), Transcender is fast becoming one of the top Legitimate Test Prep sites on the internet.
Source: CertGuard - Our Reviews
Study Mode
Tests administered in Study Mode allow you to request the correct answer(s) and explanation to each question during the test. These tests are not timed. You can modify the testing environment during the test by selecting the Options button. To take a test in Study Mode, follow the instructions below:
- How many questions do you want to include in your test:
The demo test bank only contains 6 questions.
The full (registered) test bank includes 150 questions.- Click OK to begin or Cancel to exit this test.
Source: Assessment Options - Microsoft (70-431) SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance
70-431
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance
Download it!70-441
PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Download it!70-442
PRO: Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Download it!70-443
PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Download it!70-444
PRO: Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Download it!
Source: Selftest Software Exam Preparation Software - Free Demos
Microsoft Learning Newsgroups
Microsoft Learning newsgroups are peer-to-peer forums where you can find others who have similar goals related to pursuing Microsoft certification. Expand your technical skills, seek help or guidance, and help others. You can access the newsgroups on this page with a network news transfer protocol (NNTP)–based newsreader, such as Microsoft Outlook Express. You can also use our Web-based newsreader to access all of the Microsoft Learning–related newsgroups.
•
Find out about using an NNTP-based newsreader.•
Find out about using a Web-based newsreader.•
MCTSMicrosoft Certified Technology Specialist: Web-based client
•
MCITPMicrosoft Certified IT Professional: Web-based client
•
MCPDMicrosoft Certified Professional Developer: Web-based client
•
MCADMicrosoft Certified Application Developers: Web-based client | Newsreader
•
MCDBAMicrosoft Certified Database Administrators: Web-based client | Newsreader
•
MCDSTMicrosoft Certified Desktop Support Technicians: Web-based client | Newsreader
•
MCSAMicrosoft Certified Systems Administrators: Web-based client | Newsreader
•
MCSDMicrosoft Certified Solution Developers: Web-based client | Newsreader
•
MCSEMicrosoft Certified Systems Engineers: Web-based client | Newsreader
•
MCTMicrosoft Certified Trainers: Web-based client | Newsreader
•
Microsoft Office SpecialistDiscuss desktop solutions with others who on a daily basis demonstrate their proficiency with Microsoft Office System products.
Web-based client | NewsreaderVisit the Microsoft Dynamics newsgroups and exchange ideas with a community of business professionals and product experts from around the globe.
Compare notes with others who have found the Microsoft Learning Skills Assessment tool a valuable aid in understanding technical readiness. Web-based client | Newsreader
Source: Microsoft Learning Newsgroups
If you are trying to pass exam 70-431 or upgrade with 70-431 and 70-447...We now have 6 Microsoft Press titles (including the 431 training kit) for 30% off in addition to the discount on all related E-learning titles & practice tests I poasted about earlier. The offer details (promo codes and links, etc) are buried a little on the prep guides in the Preparation Tools and Resources sections: 70-431 and 70-447… that is a great marketing strategy, I think—hide the offers! So no one can find them! Excellent.
If you're not sure whether you should be trying to pass 431 or 447 (I don’t have any intention of passing either, for the record), here is some background.
If you work on SQL Server 2005, or will be moving to it soon, then you might consider earning the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): SQL Server 2005 certification. This cert requires one exam (70-431), and as the name implies, is 100% focused on technology skills. It is also a pre-requisite to earn the professional-series credentials, if that is your intent.
The professional-series (Microsoft Certified IT Professional or MCITP) are intended to help you demonstrate job-role skills on top of the technology skills. I.e. I know how SQL works and I can use it to get the job done. These are not the end-goal for everyone, but they do require additional exams and a different skill set on top of the MCTS. The path are pretty straightforward, and we’ve added dev and business intelligence as specific focus areas:
- MCITP: Database Developer (pass 431, take 441 and 442)
- MCITP: Database Administrator (pass 431, take 443 and 444)
- If you are MCDBA, your path to MCITP: DBA is just two exams: 431 and 447.
- If you are focused on Business Intelligence, that is a separate two-exam path (445 and 446--no 431 required).
What's different from MCDBA, our certification for prior versions of SQL? Well, right off the bat you can see that the path to a technology-specific certification is shorter. One exam to MCTS. Although it is also only one exam to earn an MCP certification along the way to your four-exam MCDBA, we have heard from customers and employers that MCP alone doesn't provide enough information. MCTS: SQL Server 2005, on the other hand, makes it pretty clear what skills the holder has; very specific certification and a short path to get there. (On the down side, yes, it is a lot more wordy than "MCP"...).
To earn your MCITP: DBA you have a total run of three exams vs. the four required for MCDBA. The intent is that if you are focused in one area, you can stick to that for your certification and not expend energy on unrelated areas or try to pass tests on areas that you don't work in. On the other hand, if it makes sense for you to show your skills on a range of job-roles, you can do that, too. I hope I didn’t muddle this more. If I did, clear your mind listening to Rob Linsky explain it in our SQL live meeting (find the link here).
getting the kids off the street: Business Intelligence exams
Our website says 445 and 446 are scheduled to release in February. This just in: it's March, which is one month after February. These exams (which add up to the MCITP: Business Intelligence certification for SQL Server 2005) are actually live now... we are updating the prep gudies at the languorous, leisurely pace* for which we are famous.
- Exam 70-445: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence - Implementation and Maintenance
- Exam 70-446: PRO: Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
* I'm just kidding, it is actually the opposite: our page updates are sometimes delayed because of how much content is constantly being thrown at our MSCOM web production team. They barely go home at night.
Glossary
- ADO (ActiveX Data Objects)
An easy-to-use application programming interface (API) that wraps OLE DB for use in languages, such as Visual Basic, Visual Basic for Applications, Active Server Pages, and Microsoft Internet Explorer Visual Basic Scripting.
- aggregate functions
Functions that provide summary data over sets returning a singular value.
- alert
A user-defined response to a SQL Server event. Alerts can either execute a defined task or send an email and/or a pager message to a specified operator.
Source: Exam Cram - 0789735881 - MCTS 70-431: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft® SQL Server 2005
Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Querying (MSPress)
By: Itzik Ben-Gan, Guest Authors: Lubor Kollar, Dejan Sarka, Foreword by: David Campbell
Technical Editor: Steve Kass
Publication Date: March 29, 2006
ISBN: 0735623139
640 printed pages
Source: insidetsql.com
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Exam Demos
Brief Description
Hot area, active screen, drag and drop, build list and reorder, create a tree, testlet exam format, and simulation question types
Download examples of MCP exam question types and testlet exam format.
Source: Download details: Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Exam Demos
To get started, have a look at
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpmembersite.mspx
https://mcp.microsoft.com/mcp/Default.mspx
When you purchase Exam Insurance and take your initial exam by April 30, 2007, you get a one-year subscription to Microsoft TechNet Plus Direct (US$349 value). TechNet Plus Direct is the must-have online resource for the latest Microsoft updates, tools, and guidance. Hurry though. You must register and take your first exam by April 30 to qualify.
Here are the certs I'm currently investigating:
If you hold your:
You can earn your:
By passing:
MCDBA
MCTS: SQL Server 2005 = Exam 70-431
MCDBA and MCTS: SQL Server 2005
MCITP: Database Administrator = Exam 70-447
Microsoft Exam 74-132 : Designing a Portal Solution with Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies
Microsoft Exam 74-133 : Customizing Portal Solutions with Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies (including Microsoft Content Management Server)
Microsoft Exam 70-234 : Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000
