tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post7514257558096614973..comments2024-01-03T13:12:30.352-05:00Comments on Wise man or Wise guy? You decide: Thoughts on SQL Server CertificationAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-78420507584066169892012-03-20T14:45:33.597-04:002012-03-20T14:45:33.597-04:00I have no idea. I believe the # of questions can ...I have no idea. I believe the # of questions can vary on the test. I had my score when I walked out of the room, so I don't know why you wouldn't have had your score immediately. Have you checked you transcript on Prometric's web site?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-12819568170744717192012-03-20T13:59:42.435-04:002012-03-20T13:59:42.435-04:00The reason I ask is, everything I read/reviewed in...The reason I ask is, everything I read/reviewed in preparation for the test, and even during the prep class I took, I was told the test would be between 45-50 questions. So that is what I prepared for. When I sat down to the test, it was 80 questions, but still in the same 2.5 hour time frame as the 45-50 question expectation. I took it through Prometric and they still havent provided me with results. I think I have reason to be suspicious ...?<br /><br />ErikAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-44334126030957522622012-03-20T12:49:05.104-04:002012-03-20T12:49:05.104-04:00I really don't remember how many questions tha...I really don't remember how many questions that there were. <br /><br />All the tests are available through Prometric in the US anyway. If you go to the MS Learning site there's a link to Prometric on the exam page.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-87660942351367987592012-03-20T12:07:22.073-04:002012-03-20T12:07:22.073-04:00How many questions were on your 70-432 exam? Who ...How many questions were on your 70-432 exam? Who did you take the test through? What about anyone else?<br /><br />ErikAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-37699651624155014112011-09-28T15:26:43.588-04:002011-09-28T15:26:43.588-04:00Like you said, Jack, if you have worked with SQL S...Like you said, Jack, if you have worked with SQL Server long enough (I have 8 years of experience as a DBA/Developer), you can definitely sit the exam without studying and pass. I took it in May of last year and passed, without the study guides...I'm the type that says, "...let's just see what happens...if I fail, then I'll study and take it again...". Funny thing is that I thought that I was taking the DB Developer track exam! :-)Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15089398697274967713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-10029168675539513682010-09-29T14:01:22.490-04:002010-09-29T14:01:22.490-04:00Wish I could have been more help, but without expe...Wish I could have been more help, but without experience it is hard to pass. Without experience you really need some more reading like blogs and books like the Inside SQL Server series and other books mentioned in the comments on this post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-51976365136542942992010-09-29T13:57:53.951-04:002010-09-29T13:57:53.951-04:00Jack,
I have done all practice exams included on t...Jack,<br />I have done all practice exams included on this book and honestly I can pass them all but is just because I have memorized the questions, I was looking for other sources for new tests but I don't know how reliable or accurate they could be.<br /><br />Thanks for the tips, I agree on the fact that a certified professional should be able to perform well and have the necessary experience for the Job. I will go through the practice exams and practical scenarios in order to improve my skills.<br /><br />Thanks for having this blog, it's a great help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-67806857820813675882010-09-29T11:06:26.567-04:002010-09-29T11:06:26.567-04:00Have you looked at your results and where you did ...Have you looked at your results and where you did poorly and spent extra time on those areas?<br /><br />Without experience I think you are going to struggle to pass and, honestly, you should struggle to pass a certification test if you don't have real world experience. <br /><br />I'd definitely suggest going over the practice exams and working on your week areas.<br /><br />You might also get some help from this book: http://www.amazon.com/Real-MCTS-Server-2008-70-432/dp/1597494208/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_3Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-21132903970780804942010-09-29T10:41:38.838-04:002010-09-29T10:41:38.838-04:00Hello Jack,
I just started a new Job a few months...Hello Jack,<br /><br />I just started a new Job a few months ago, my boss want's me to pass the 70-432 since business tasks require MS SQL server 2008 experience. I came here with no SQL server experience what so ever and couldn't pass the test for a second time now. I have read the Mike Hotek's training Kit twice but I am still afraid this book isn't enough or maybe I just haven't done enough studying. Can you advise on what to do in order to pass the exam?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-1273339269012064912010-03-23T17:27:38.429-04:002010-03-23T17:27:38.429-04:00Nitya,
I considered Denny's book, but I reall...Nitya,<br /><br />I considered Denny's book, but I really wanted the practice tests that came with the Exam Prep. I'm sure Denny's book was a good resource though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-46561076777916537292010-03-23T17:19:08.872-04:002010-03-23T17:19:08.872-04:00I passed by using @mrdenny's book. Now preppin...I passed by using @mrdenny's book. Now prepping for 70-450Nityahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03341631921813480515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-54478296964870482342010-03-19T09:09:31.865-04:002010-03-19T09:09:31.865-04:00I definitely agree that certifications are not a s...I definitely agree that certifications are not a substitute for experience. I am a good test-taker, always have been. I had the opposite experience in college. I had a roommate with a lower GPA who learned more than I did in college and I used to tell him that all the time.<br /><br />The certification tests, at least the DBA ones, have gotten better and are not as much about memorizing syntax and settings, but more about situations and design, which actually makes them easier to pass if you have experience.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-77958566707871885972010-03-19T09:03:31.158-04:002010-03-19T09:03:31.158-04:00I've been in IT for 25 years and have never ob...I've been in IT for 25 years and have never obtained a certification. Why? For starters, I'm a terrible test taker. I didn't do so well in college because of that fact. I did do well in my masters because there were no tests involved -- it was all practical.<br /><br />My college freshman physics professor said, "If you use something often enough, you'll memorize it. If not then you can always look it up. It's knowing how to apply the knowledge that's important." I wholeheartedly agree. I worked with a guy once who graduated with a bachelor's in accounting with a 4.0 GPA, but truly did not understand the difference between debits and credits. He had a photographic memory and as a result was a great test taker. However, being able to repeat some bit of knowledge doesn't guarantee any understanding of it.<br /><br />I think that certifications are necessary in the absence of experience, but at an early point experience speaks much louder than book learning. I would far rather hire someone who is capable of learning and adapting than someone who can spit out information but not be able to apply it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-16082636347035044052010-03-15T18:27:43.836-04:002010-03-15T18:27:43.836-04:00Piotr,
Congrats on the dev success last year. I&...Piotr,<br /><br />Congrats on the dev success last year. I'm actually planning on taking those as well. Not planning the BI certs as least not this year.<br /><br />For me just a way to get the stuff I'm missing at work.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-52704869238131168962010-03-15T15:27:01.306-04:002010-03-15T15:27:01.306-04:00Congrats Jack.
I took the MCITP DEV path last year...Congrats Jack.<br />I took the MCITP DEV path last year and I must say that I learned something after all. I realized that in many cases I was reinventing the wheel so to say and some applications could've been written simpler/better. And I agree that having certs helps your CV to stay on the desk rather than in the bin when you look for new 'challenges'.Piotr Rodakhttp://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/piotr_rodak/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-74789386702734183762010-03-15T11:06:06.540-04:002010-03-15T11:06:06.540-04:00Gail, At this point I think I'd like taking t...Gail, At this point I think I'd like taking the beta exams. I just thought the test would go deeper and be harder.<br /><br />Jonathan,<br /><br />Yeah, I'm a bit surprised that there is not a better/dedicated resource for 70-450. I'm using the MS Learning Plan and the objectives as a guide for studying. I've already read Grant's book and I have Kalen Delaney's Internals book which I haven't started yet. I'm also reading the MVP Deep Dives book. It looks to me like 70-450 is an extension of 70-432 and I'll get the advanced questions I was looking for.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-17911656859635544662010-03-15T10:42:52.289-04:002010-03-15T10:42:52.289-04:00My story is very similar. I actually needed to ta...My story is very similar. I actually needed to take the certification to get our Microsoft Dynamics Partnership. I am scheduled to take the 70-450 on Thrusday.<br /><br />There is really no reading list or training out there for the 70-450. I am reading @BrentO book SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting and @GFritchey book SQL Server 2008 Query Performance Tuning Distilled.<br /><br />I am looking forward to hearing what you think of the 70-450.Jonathan Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13427447802290724631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-67591888916436735832010-03-15T10:24:52.913-04:002010-03-15T10:24:52.913-04:00If you don't think that was long enough, do so...If you don't think that was long enough, do some beta exams next time they're available.<br /><br />Over 3 hours and more than twice as many questions as normal. Lotsa fun.Gail Shawhttp://sqlinthewild.co.zanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-12111713650264468232010-03-15T10:08:34.650-04:002010-03-15T10:08:34.650-04:00Thanks Steve.
Alvin, I don't see any harm in ...Thanks Steve.<br /><br />Alvin, I don't see any harm in taking the tests. MS has the Second Shot promotion going on now through June so you get 2 chances pass for 1 registration so it's even better. <br /><br />I'd bet you could pass 70-432 without much if any study. I'm not doing as much for 70-450 because if it is similar I think I can pass anyway.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10597545408348167623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-75978030327911031502010-03-15T09:54:46.037-04:002010-03-15T09:54:46.037-04:00Congratulations on passing the test.
Now I can...Congratulations on passing the test.<br /><br />Now I can't help but wonder if I should be doing the same.Alvin Ramardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106689659668378141.post-39930634530624821012010-03-15T09:22:26.950-04:002010-03-15T09:22:26.950-04:00Congrats on passing!Congrats on passing!Steve Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06169768977524144602noreply@blogger.com