SQL Server 2012 Certification Nearly Here

February 16, 2012 Leave a Comment

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

Looks like I better get my study cap on Smile

Filed under Certification, SQL Server, SQL Server 2012

SQL Server 2012 Virtual Labs

February 5, 2012 Leave a Comment

Want to play around with SQL Server 2012 but don’t have an environment to play around in?  Check out the following SQL Server 2012 Virtual Labs:

SQL Server 2012: AlwaysOn Availability Groups (SQL 142)

In this hands-on-lab you will learn take advantage of the new AlwaysOn features in SQL Server 2012. You will learn how to implement High-Availability and Data Recovery using SQL Server 2012 Availability Groups.

SQL Server 2012 – Working with Contained Databases (SQL 145)

In this lab, learn how to implement Contained Databases in SQL Server 2012.

SQL Server 2012 – What’s new in Manageability (SQL 147)

In this hands-on-lab you will learn about new manageability features in SQL Server 2012. You will learn how to take advantage of new features in SQL Server Management Tools, PowerShell, and features that will increase your productivity.

SQL Server 2012 – Installation and Configuration (SQL 149)

In this hands-on-lab you will build out a network environment that includes a Domain Controller, an multiple instances of SQL Server 2012.

SQL Server 2012 – Security and Compliance (SQL 150)

In this in hands-on-lab you will learn how to implement security and compliance in SQL Server 2012.

SQL Server 2012 – Upgrading to SQL Server 2012 (SQL 151)

In this hands-on-lab you will learn on how to upgrade to SQL Server 2012.You will learn how to use SQL Server Upgrade Advisor and Distributed Replay to upgrade a SQL Server 2005/2008 database to SQL Server 2012

SQL Server 2012 – What’s new in T-SQL (SQL 152)

In this hands-on-lab you will learn about the new T-SQL enhancements for SQL Server 2012.You will learn about new scalar functions, T-SQL constructs and how to take advantage of these new features.

SQL Server 2012 – Installing and managing SQL Server 2012 on Windows Server Core (SQL 153)

In this hands-on-lab you will learn how to deploy SQL Server on Windows Server core, and how configure connectivity and management of a Windows Server core based installation.

SQL Server 2012 – What’s new in Data warehousing and EIM

In this hands-on-lab you will learn about the enhancements in SQL Server 2012 for Data warehousing.

Filed under Certification, Denali, Links, SQL Server 2012, Training

Retired SQL Server Certifications

January 11, 2012 2 Comments

The following SQL Server exams are due to retire on 31 July 2012:

  • Exam 70-453 – Upgrade: Transition Your MCITP SQL Server 2005 DBA to MCITP SQL Server 2008
  • Exam 70-454 – Upgrade: Transition Your MCITP SQL Server 2005 DBD to MCITP SQL Server 2008 DBD
  • Exam 70-455 – Upgrade: Transition Your MCITP SQL Server 2005 BI Developer to MCITP SQL Server 2008 BI Developer

This is in addition to exams that were retired on 30 June 2011

  • Exam 70-431 – TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance
  • Exam 70-441 – PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
  • Exam 70-442 – PRO: Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
  • Exam 70-443 – PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
  • Exam 70-444 – PRO: Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
  • Exam 70-445 – TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005, Business Intelligence ‒ Development and Maintenance
  • Exam 70-446 – PRO: Designing a Business Intelligence Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
  • Exam 70-447 – UPGRADE: MCDBA Skills to MCITP Database Administrator by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
     

    Although these exams have, or will be, retired, the certifications relating to these exams are still relevant and will not disappear from your Microsoft Transcript. 

Filed under Certification, Links

New Certifications Coming for SQL Server 2012

October 25, 2011 Leave a Comment

Microsoft will be releasing the beta versions of the new SQL Server 2012 exams next spring (For those outside of the Good Ol’ US of A, spring starts around the 20th or 21st March so I’m assuming the exams will hit beta in March 2012.).  The following exams are scheduled for release:

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
70-464: Developing a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database
70-465: Designing Database Solutions for SQL Server 2012
70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Platform

For news about release dates, check out the Microsoft Learning blog at http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/ or subscribe to the SQLPass newsletter.

Recertification

With the release of the new SQL Server 2012 exams comes the requirement for recertification.

Recertification will apply to Professional-level SQL Server 2012 certifications (i.e. Non-MCTS certifications) and will need to be undertaken every three years. Read the recertification policies for more information.

Filed under Certification, Denali, SQL Server 2012

Free SQL Server 2008 R2 Training

June 27, 2011 1 Comment

There’s been an update to the SQL Server 2008 R2 Developers Training Kit (May 2011).

This training kit is a great resource for developers, trainers, consultants and evangelists who need to understand SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2 improvements from a developer perspective. It contains a rich set of presentations, demos, hands-on labs and videos that are perfect for self-paced learning or for conducting your own training.

There’s also some SQL Server Developer content in the Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 Training Course.

In this introductory unit, the Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 evangelism team welcomes you to the training course and goes over the significant changes to Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4. We’ll also cover what you’ll see in the course and how to follow along with the labs.

If you’re into Business Intelligence, check out the SQL Server 2008 R2 Business Intelligence Training Course. (a.k.a. SQLInsights).

The SQL Server 2008 R2 Business Intelligence Training Course (SQLInsights) will help you learn how to build your first Microsoft Business Intelligence solution. SQLInsights is a great resource for developers, consultants and evangelists who need to learn the basics of how to build solutions that deliver integrated reporting, analytics and dashboard experiences. It contains a rich set of videos and hands-on labs that are perfect for self-paced learning.

Filed under Certification, Training

Exam 70-454: Transition Your MCITP SQL Server 2005 DBD to MCITP SQL Server 2008 DBD

June 7, 2011 Leave a Comment

Just a quick post on some of the resources I’ve been using to prepare for exam 70-454.

SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) Readiness Videos

Although these readiness videos were designed to provide SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Master candidates with an overview of what the MCM covers, they also contain a wealth of information on content covered in other SQL Server 2008 certifications.  Each module also provides a comprehensive list of additional readiness resources such as whitepapers, blog posts, other videos, and applicable SQL Server Books Online sections.

This web page contains links to further study aids for each of the online training modules.

Training Kits

SQL Server 2008 R2 Developers Training Kit

Virtual Labs

Webcasts

Microsoft e-Learning/Tutorials

Books

Articles

    SelfTest Software

Filed under Certification, Links

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