Everything SQL
August 28, 2012 Leave a comment
Second Shot is available for single exams and featured certification packs until May 31, 2013
For more info and to get your voucher, visit http://aka.ms/secondshot .
Spread the word on Twitter with hashtag #SecondShot.
June 8, 2012 1 Comment
The following SQL Server 2012 upgrade exam are now available:
Exam 70-457: Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1
Exam 70-458: Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2
May 12, 2012 1 Comment
Microsoft has announces that short answer code questions will start appearing in exams soon.
Short answer code questions test a candidates ability to write code that will solve the problem described in the question.
More information can be found at Born to Learn – Short answer code questions coming soon!
April 26, 2012 10 Comments
Microsoft has released 2-for-1 exam vouchers to assist with the transition to SQL Server 2012, Windows 8 (Client), Windows Server 2012 (Private Cloud) and Visual Studio 2012. Individuals may purchase up to five "2 for 1" exam vouchers per technology path and need to sit qualifying exams by 30th June 2012.
Qualifying Technology Paths*
SQL Server 2012
To be eligible for free SQL Server 2012 exam vouchers, you must sit one of the following SQL Server 2008 exams:
Windows 8 (Client)
To be eligible for free Windows 8 (Client) exam vouchers, you must sit one of the following Windows 7 (Client) exams:
Windows Server 2012 (Private Cloud)
To be eligible for free Windows Server 2012 (Private Cloud) exam vouchers, you must sit one of the following Windows Server 2008 (Private Cloud) exams:
Visual Studio 2012
To be eligible for free Visual Studio 2012 exam vouchers, you must sit one of the following Visual Studio 2010 exams:
Additional information can be found here 2 for 1 Exam Vouchers
*Purchase a qualifying exam at full price with the voucher code provided when you click on "Request your Voucher" above and take the exam by June 30, 2012. When you do this you will receive an email containing one exam voucher valid for any qualifying next version exam in your chosen technology path. Your next version exam voucher code will be valid for 90 days after the availability of the next version Certification.
April 11, 2012 9 Comments
Today Microsoft released details of it’s new certification program which is designed to address the growing need for IT Pros and Developers to have skill sets that run both broad and deep.
At first glance it appears that Microsoft has simply reintroduced acronyms used in previous certification streams (such as MCSD , MCSA and MCSE) however this isn’t so and it’s important to understand that these acronyms now represent new certification structures and requirements, not just a renaming of terminology.
So What Has Changed?
As you can see from the diagram below, the new certification program consists of three core levels:
You will also notice that Microsoft has introduced recertification as a requirement of MCSD/MCSE level certifications.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
Associate level certifications validate the core skills required to work with a technology at a beginners level. They also represent the prerequisite certifications required to obtain Expert level certification.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) & Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)
The Expert level is Microsoft’s flagship set of certifications validating that skills obtained are relevant in the constantly changing tech environment. The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is the destination for established IT Professionals who have expertise working with Microsoft technology solutions. The Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) is the destination for established Developers who have expertise developing solutions with Microsoft tools.
As previously stated, Microsoft has also introduced recertification as a requirement of this certification level.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM)
This certification is for the select few who wish to further differentiate themselves from their peers and achieve the highest level of skills validation.
Example: SQL Server 2012 Certification Path
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
Prerequisite: No certification prerequisites exist however Microsoft recommends that candidates have at least 2 years experience with the technology being tested.
There are three exams required to obtain the MCSA: SQL Server 2012 certification:
SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Path
Please Note: SQL Server 2008 certification exams will be retired in July 2013 and exams 70-457 and 70-458 are expected to be available by August 2012.
Candidates who have achieved an MCTS on SQL Server 2008 will be able to earn the MCSA: SQL Server 2012 certification by passing two exams:
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
Prerequisite: MCSA: SQL Server 2012
The MCSE level consist of two platforms (Data and Business Intelligence) and there are two exams (per platform) required to achieve MCSE certification:
MCSE: Data Platform:
MCSE: Business Intelligence Platform:
SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Path
Please Note: SQL Server 2008 certification exams will be retired in July 2013 and exams 70-457, 70-458, 70-459, and 70-460 are expected to be available by August 2012.
Candidates who have achieved an MCITP on SQL Server 2008 will be able to earn an MCSE: Data Platform or MCSE: Business Intelligence Platform certification by passing three exams. This upgrade path will also earn the candidate the MCSA: SQL Server 2012 certification.
MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 / MCITP: Database Developer 2008
MCITP: Business Intelligence 2008
Microsoft Certified Solutions Master
The MCSM level consist of two platforms (SQL Server and Intelligence):
MCSM: Data Platform
Prerequisite: MCSE: Data Platform
Full requirements are still being finalised. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/MCSM-sql-server-data-platform.aspx
MCSM: Intelligence
Prerequisite: MCSE: Business Intelligence Platform
Microsoft Certified Architect
Prerequisite: MCSM: SQL Server and MCSM: Intelligence
MCA: SQL Server
Offers and Promotions
Microsoft, in conjunction with Prometric, has released the following offer and promotion to assist candidates with achieving MCSA and/or MCSE certification.
Certification SKU Offer
If you purchase a set of exams to achieve MCSA or MCSE certification, you will receive a 15-20% discount (depending on the number of exams in the set) off the purchase price.
Two-for-One Promotion
Purchase and take a full-priced exam before 30 June 2012 and you will receive, at no cost, a voucher valid for a MCSA or MCSE exam in the same technology. More information about this offer can be found here.
Additional Information
Microsoft Certification overview page: http://aka.ms/MSCerts
Microsoft Certification overview video: http://aka.ms/MSCertsVideo
MCSE information page: http://aka.ms/MCSE
MCSE video on YouTube: http://aka.ms/MCSEvideo
MCSE Data Platform: http://aka.ms/MCSEDP
MCSE Business Intelligence: http://aka.ms/MCSEBI
The New MCSAs and MCSEs, Your Questions Answered:
March 16, 2012 4 Comments
The final version of Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 by Ross Mistry (@RossMistry) and Stacia Misner (@StaciaMisner), is now available.
Although this book expects readers to have an understanding of SQL Server from a database administrator and business-intelligence perspective, anyone who has an interest in SQL Server will find its content valuable as it provides insight into new and improved capabilities of 2012 as they apply to achieving mission-critical confidence, breakthrough insight, and using a cloud on your terms.
The PDF version of this book can be download from here (288 pages; 10.8 MB) and a hardcopy is also available for purchase from here (US$14.99).
PART I DATABASE ADMINISTRATION (by Ross Mistry)
1. SQL Server 2012 Editions and Engine Enhancements
2. High-Availability and Disaster-Recovery Enhancements
3. Performance and Scalability
4. Security Enhancements
5. Programmability and Beyond-Relational Enhancements
PART II BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT (by Stacia Misner)
6. Integration Services
7. Data Quality Services
8. Master Data Services
9. Analysis Services and PowerPivot
10. Reporting Services
March 9, 2012 Leave a comment
Just checked Prometric and all the SQL Server 2012 Beta exams are available for booking. Perfect timing as I’m attending SQL Connections in Las Vegas at the end of March and have also signed up for the 2 day pre-conference workshop on SQL Server 2012 Update for Developers. Woot!
March 9, 2012 1 Comment
Microsoft has released 5 new SQL Server 2012 Microsoft Virtual Academy courses.
Breakthrough Insights using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 – Analysis Services
The 7 modules of this course will introduce you to concepts and practices such as:
Breakthrough Insights using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 – Scalable Data Warehouse
The 7 modules of this course will teach you:
Breakthrough Insights using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 – Reporting Services
The 9 modules of this course will teach you:
Cloud on your terms with Microsoft SQL server 2012: Scale on Demand
The 3 modules of this course will teach you:
Mission Critical Confidence using Microsoft SQL Server 2012
The 9 modules of this course will teach you:
March 8, 2012 3 Comments
I read an interesting article by Paul Randal the other day on whether certification was worth it (How valuable are certifications) and it got me thinking about whether Microsoft was serious about certification or does the program exist purely to “keep people happy” (and to drive sales of MOC).
Over the years Microsoft has been criticised for taking far too long to release certifications relevant to current technologies and for not doing enough to stamp out cheating (which devalues certification). Microsoft has also come under fire for releasing certifications but not releasing relevant study material (Self-paced Training Kits, e-Learning and classroom training etc.). Unfortunately these “issues” have further contributed to the belief that certification is a waste of time. Well, it appears times are changing.
Relevant and Up-to-Date Certifications
Microsoft Learning has listened to suggestions from certification candidates and is addressing the need for relevant and up-to-date certifications by ensuring it offers both training and certifications to enable IT Pros and Developers to develop and validate their skill. One example of this effort is the recently announced Private Cloud Certification (Beta in April 2012) and the upcoming Private Cloud Jump Start course. Another example is the recently announced SQL Server 2012 certifications (Beta in March 2012) and the SQL Server 2012 Developer Training Kit BOM. For me though, the most exciting aspect of Microsoft’s change in direction is recertification.
Recertification is Microsoft’s way of ensuring that certifications remain meaningful and valuable, and that a person continues to demonstrate competence in a given technology even as the technology changes through service packs, revisions, and new product version releases.
Recertification is currently required for MCPD: Windows Azure Developer and MCPD: Windows Phone Developer certifications (every two years) and for Professional-level SQL Server 2012 certifications (every three years). Hopefully Microsoft will make recertification a requirement for all technologies.
Exam Security
This is a difficult area to address and unfortunately cheating will exist as long as certification exists. That said, Microsoft has implemented a number of strategies to combat cheating and has even gone as far as publishing real-life stories of piracy and cheating. Exam security is not limited to cracking down on brain-dumps, theft or impersonation though. Take the MCM program for example.
A few years ago Microsoft released the MCM program which in my opinion addresses some of the criticism it received for not stamping out cheating (and the devaluation of certifications) as these certifications can’t be gained through study alone (thus ruling out the use of brain-bumps) as they contain a practical (lab) component. Significant security measures have also been implemented to ensure the integrity of the MCM is maintained and that people sitting exams are who they say they are.
As with recertification, I hope Microsoft extends lab based exams to all certifications and also implements the same MCM security related measures for all exams and certification candidates.
Need to report suspected cheating or piracy? Visit the Microsoft Certification Exam Policies site or send an email to TCTips@microsoft.com
Conclusion
I’ve always been passionate about certification and at times have been frustrated with the “perception” that certification is a waste of time because they become out-dated and that anyone can pass a certification exam by downloading a dump.
Microsoft appears to be listening to suggestions and heading in the right direction with some of the initiatives they’ve implemented and I hope they continue to refine and release additional initiatives/incentives to ensure certifications retain their relevancy.
Have questions about Training and Certification? Pop by the Training and Certification and Born to Learn forums where dedicated members will gladly point you in the right direction.,
February 16, 2012 6 Comments
UPDATE: As per this thread on Born to Learn (SQL Server 2012 Certifications), beta exams will go live mid-March 2012.
While reviewing threads on the MSDN Training and Certification Forum, I read a reply from Nilkamal0007 in relation to a question on SQL Server 2012 certification. What caught my eye about this particular reply was that Nilkamal0007 provided links to exam content published in Microsoft’s exam catalogue; something I didn’t know had been published. So what does this mean? It means that the Beta cycle for these exams is close to going live.
I don’t know the exact release dates for the new SQL Server 2012 certifications (or when the beta period actually begins) however the exam catalogue does show the following:
Published: June 8, 2012 (In development)
70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
Published: June 11, 2012 (In development)
70-464: Developing a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database
70-465: Designing Database Solutions for SQL Server 2012
Published: June 12, 2012 (In development)
70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server
70-462: Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database
70-463: Building Data Warehouses with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Platform
Master-Level Certifications
The first exam for the new SQL Server 2012 Master-level certification is scheduled to be available in beta version in June.
Looks like I better get my study cap on 
