May 11, 2007 at 10:25 am
What's the order in which to take the new generation of SQL Server tests (70-431, 70-443, 70-444)?
Thanks.
May 11, 2007 at 12:44 pm
431 is the "starter" that covers a very broad amount of information.
443 and 444 begin delving into more detailed type questions.
I'm still reading through my study guide for 443, although I have heard of people actually taking them in reverse depending on their normal skill levels and what they do from day to day being more geared to taking them out of order.
May 11, 2007 at 1:42 pm
So there are no prerequisites set by Microsoft. Let's say that you need to have passed 431 in order to get eligible to take either 443 or 444.
Can anyone take any test without any restrictions ?
May 17, 2007 at 8:51 am
Given what Steve Jones has said in another thread, I'm planning on taking 431 first before I take 447. Apparently 431 is the hardest of the Admin exams. I figure if I take the hard one first and pass it, passing the others won't be so bad.
It's a strategy that's paid off for me in the past. When I was doing MSCA/MCDBA (at the same time), I took the Server 2000 exam before the Windows Pro 2000 exam. When I passed the Server and realized how much I actually knew, I scheduled the Pro exam for the next week and passed it without breaking a sweat.
I'm hoping this strategy gets me through the MCITP upgrade. @=)
May 17, 2007 at 9:36 pm
No order required. 70-431 gives you the MSTS cert, but you can take them as you want.
I took 441 as the beta, then 443, then 444, then 431. It was mostly because I was working on books, but I definitely thought 443 and 441 were easier than 444. Lots of perf stuff on 444. Then 431 covers such a wide area, I htought that was pretty hard.
May 21, 2007 at 11:52 am
Just wondering if any of the any of them require class time. I just received the study guides from Microsoft Press as a birthday gift. Planning on digging into them ASAP.
Thanks in advance.
Kurt
Kurt W. Zimmerman
SR DBA
Lefrak Organization
New York, NY
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwzimmerman
May 21, 2007 at 12:35 pm
The problem with classes is they are VERY expensive and usually they try and get you to pass the test through ye old "Memorize it and then forget it" technique. If you pass a cert after taking a class like that, then good for you, but I can guarantee that during interviews, potential employers can sniff out whether you're a memorizor or if you've had real experience.
I don't usually do class time because I can't afford it. I set up a SOHO (small office / home office) network at home with eval software and cheap re-conditioned boxes bought at local computer shows. Then I install the eval software, do the exercises in various books and from various websites (like SQL Server Central.com) and after that, I try and break the machines by doing things the interface/code isn't meant to do.
This helped me understand what was and wasn't possible on SQL 2000 and I was able to pass my exams with confidence. I am doing the same on SQL 2005 (even though I use it at work) and it's helping with my studies this time too.
May 21, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I know the classes are rather expensive. I was just wondering if the class was required. I'm much like you, I'd rather "learn" the material than have crammed into short term memory and loose it a day after the exam.
Kurt
Kurt W. Zimmerman
SR DBA
Lefrak Organization
New York, NY
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwzimmerman
May 21, 2007 at 12:56 pm
You don't have to take any class or buy any book. Neither are actually cert exam pre-reqs as far as Microsoft is concerned. Though they will eagerly sell you both (as will several other companies) if you ask them the question. @=)
May 22, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Classes aren't required. The books aren't really either (and that coming from an author!), but the books do help you focus and go in some order for things relevant for the exams. I'd recommend a book for each exam, doesn't matter which one, mine or others, just have one to guide you along.
Instead of a class, I'd spent the $349 for TechNet if you don't have it and get copies of all the software, buy more RAM, 2-4GB for your machine and run some VMs of SQL Server, and then $60 for a book.
May 23, 2007 at 8:19 am
Thanks Steve for your input. I received the Microsoft Press Sql Server 2005 Database Administrator Core Requirements textbooks as a gift. Included with it are not only the 3 texts 70-431, 70-443 & 70-444 but a dvd w/ practice tests, ebooks & trial software.
Kurt
Kurt W. Zimmerman
SR DBA
Lefrak Organization
New York, NY
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwzimmerman
May 23, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Good luck and let us know how you do!
May 31, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Hi Friends,
I am also preparing 70-431,443,444 certification exams.
Do u have dumps or docs plz send me my mail-id
My mail id is siva.meti@gmail.com
Thanks & Regaurds
sivameti
May 31, 2007 at 3:58 pm
We don't provide dumps. We'll help answer questions and get your prepared if you don't understand things, but no dumps allowed on this site.
June 4, 2007 at 8:50 am
i've passed at least 10 MS tests and never took a class. Even started as a paper MCSE 7 years ago by studying for at least 20 hours a week until i was able to pass.
you have to do some internet research, but it seems every generation of product MS picks an "official" study book for that product and bases the real test questions from that book. Back in the day there was a book with a practice CD and the real exchange 2000 test had almost the entire question pool from the questions on that CD. Even Cisco did it with the CCNA. I was bored one month and studied until i got it without ever touching a router.
i'm about to start really studying for 70-431 and will post once i find out which book MS is getting it's questions from.
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