June 20, 2013 at 7:52 pm
OK, I'm desperate to figure out how many exams I have to take after I finish the SQL 2008 exams for Database Administration. Once I get my MCITP in SQL 2008 do I have to take 1 2012 exam or 3? Boy oh boy, I'm really hoping it's only 1...
Waiting with baited breath...
June 21, 2013 at 12:52 am
Easiest thing, go look at the Microsoft exam certification page where they describe all the exams, list all the exam paths and all the certifications.
I think it's 3, but I'm not looking at the site and could be thinking of some other upgrade.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
June 21, 2013 at 9:46 am
Wow, I'm really bummed. Sure looks like it's 3 more exams after finishing the 2008 MCITP. Below is the upgrade path for the SQL 2008 DBA cert. I'm still going to work hard to pass the 70-450 but it doesn't reduce the total number of exams I have to take. Drinking a skinny mocha to dull the pain...
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/sql-certification.aspx#fbid=-30rJSRheqE
If you have an MCITP: Database Administrator or MCITP: Database Developer certification, you can upgrade to the MCSE: Data Platform certification.
Step
Title
Required exam
Certification earned
1
Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1
457
2
Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2
458
3
Transition Your MCITP on SQL Server 2008 to MCSE: Data Platform
459
July 19, 2013 at 4:16 am
Hi Elizabeth
I know this post is a month old so you may have started taking the tests already, but I've just completed the last of the three upgrade exams, so thought I'd chip in.
As you've said, the three exams you need are 70-457, 70-458 and 70-459. Of the three, I found 70-458 by far the most challenging as it required some quite in-depth studying of SSIS which I had relatively little experience with. The other two were ok, and didn't require much as much study.
You can get most of the information from the Microsoft Learning website, but essentially the exams cover:
70-457 - Admin, Querying
70-458 - Admin, SSIS/Master Data Services/Data Quality Services/Data Warehousing
70-459 - Admin, Development
I used the three Microsoft MCSA books for studying, and went through all the examples for the "Implementing a Data Warehouse" book. For the other two books I read through most of the Querying book (mostly because I found it quite an enjoyable read!) and skim-read the Admin book, focussing on the bits that were new to SQL 2012 - e.g. AlwaysOn. According to the Microsoft Learning website, most of the 70-459 exam content seemed to be covered by the Querying and Admin books, so I just used those plus Books Online for any bits that weren't covered. In any case, if you read the Skills Measured you'll see that exam is more about the application of knowledge than the knowledge itself, so that's where on-the-job experience and general reading around the subject will help enormously.
I must say, I've enjoyed the whole process of studying for these exams, and learned quite a few new things along the way - which is why I force myself to go through this process every few years (roll on SQL 2014!). I thought the study books were all well-written and the exams were very fair in the sorts of questions they asked.
So good luck, and I hope you do well. Any help I can give you without breaking NDAs, I'm happy to give, so ask if you've got any more questions.
Duncan
July 22, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Duncan, thanks for the great information! I appreciate your input. Have you used any practice tests? I've used the ones from CBT Nuggets, which were way too easy and also Measure Up, which were much closer to the test questions. When I start studying for the 2012 certs I'm planning on using Measure Up.
Happy Studying!
July 23, 2013 at 2:37 am
Hi Elizabeth
I just used the book questions, which were ok for making sure I'd learnt everything but not for exam practice. However, I've done so many of these exams now that I kind of know what sort of questions to expect if you see what I mean, so practice exams aren't as important as they used to be.
I used to use Transcender back when I was doing the 2005 certs and those I found excellent but Transcender don't seem to do the full suite of SQL exams now. If you've found MeasureUp to be good, I'd stick with them - and particularly for the Data Warehouse stuff if you don't use it every day. You may not need it for the other two sections. However, bear in mind also that Admin is part of both exams, so as long as you're strong in that area you can probably get away with being less strong elsewhere.
As I said, I didn't find any of the exams too tricky after having done the full progression from MCDBA through 2005 and 2008, and if you're doing the upgrades you're probably in a similar position. Just focus on revising the things you did for previous exams and spending a bit more time on new SQL 2012 features.
Duncan
July 23, 2013 at 9:14 am
Thanks, Duncan, all very good advice. I'm just starting on the certification path and have found the exams really hard. I'm still trying to figure out my best method for studying. Thanks again!
July 23, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Hi
So which exams have you done so far? Are you still working on the 2008 ones?
If you've got a few to take and are not in a hurry, there's always the chance that Microsoft will reintroduce the second shot campaign. The last one finished in May, but it's always worth keeping an eye open as it makes taking the exams a lot less stressful!
July 23, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Hi Duncan,
I've passed the 70-432 so I have a MSTS. I recently took the 70-450 and failed it by one question, which was extremely frustrating. If there was more time to retake the 70-450 I would definitely take it again. I've learned so much about 2008, so that's a plus.
I need to ramp up on SQL 2012 and BI so I'm going to work on learning the new features. I'll probably wait awhile for my next exams because we're trying to ramp up on BI and don't know much about that.
Thanks for all your input!
Elizabeth
July 24, 2013 at 2:20 am
Hi Elizabeth
According to the Microsoft Learning website 70-450 will be retired in January next year, which does give you a bit of time yet. The dilemma would therefore be whether you want to retake that one and do 3 more to get the MCSE, or whether you want to do the straight 2012 exams - 3 for MCSA and 2 more for MCSE. If you're moving to BI though, you may want to get the BI MCSE rather than the data platform one, which changes things again!
However, people I know who have retaken exams have generally passed second time - in large part because they get many of the same questions again and have gone away and worked out what the answers should be. So it may not be bad idea to retake 70-450 as a confidence-booster.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
Duncan
July 24, 2013 at 10:29 am
<According to the Microsoft Learning website 70-450 will be retired in January next year, which does give you a bit of time yet. The dilemma would therefore be whether you want to retake that one and do 3 more to get the MCSE, or whether you want to do the straight 2012 exams - 3 for MCSA and 2 more for MCSE. If you're moving to BI though, you may want to get the BI MCSE rather than the data platform one, which changes things again!>
!!! Holy Cow! Everything I read said that it was retiring July 31st, so I assumed I didn't have a choice. I've studied so hard and got so close that I've been really bummed. Failing by just one question was maddening. Now I'll have to decide whether to throw my hat in the ring one more time. I really wanted the MCITP and I think I'm very close.
I'm torn because we're trying to get up to speed on BI stuff so it will be a tough decision. I'm looking for BI training now. I'm also going to give a PASS presentation in August and have to prepare for that, so I won't do any studying until I've prepared for that.
Anyway, thanks so much for the encouragement and info, Duncan! 🙂
July 25, 2013 at 1:38 am
No problem Elizabeth. Good luck whatever you decide, and I hope the presentation goes well. Let me know if I can be any more help at any time.
Duncan
August 18, 2013 at 4:56 am
Elizabeth Block (6/20/2013)
OK, I'm desperate to figure out how many exams I have to take after I finish the SQL 2008 exams for Database Administration. Once I get my MCITP in SQL 2008 do I have to take 1 2012 exam or 3? Boy oh boy, I'm really hoping it's only 1...Waiting with baited breath...
Hi Elizabeth,
Did you take the exams?
I am on the way.
August 18, 2013 at 4:59 am
Hi Duncan,
I want to know which book you uses in preparing 70-458, Now I just use 70-463 training kit, I am not sure is it useful or not.
Thanks.
August 19, 2013 at 9:27 am
Unfortunately I failed the 70-450 exam by one question. I've been taking some time off but am considering taking 70-450 one mroe time. I'm waffling a little because we're now ramping up on 2012 and BI, so I'm not positive what I'm going to do. I'd really like to get my MCITP but I do need to work on BI very soon. Being so close to passing 70-450 makes me want to try it once more. Good luck in your testing!
BTW, I've used a couple practice tests and MeasureUp seems closest to the real exam. I've used the practice tests from CBT Nuggets, and those were way too easy. I think if I had had the MeasureUp tests for 70-450 I would have passed. One of the things I like about the MeasureUp tests is in the answer section they give you links to the technet articles, which you really have to read and know to pass the MS test. I like CBT Nuggets for a broad overview of the technical topic but the practice tests were not as helpful as I'd like.
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