MCTS 70-431 Certification basic questions
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HI,
I am planning to take this certification and wanting to know seniors opinion on this.
I have good knowledge of SQL 2000 and with 2005 I know my way around the basic administration and maintenance.
Can you suggest me on the following points.
1.Average time and effort required to take this.I understand it depends on individual but I just wanted to know how long it took for someone with 2-3 exposure to sql server.
2. The MCTS self paced training kit from microsoft ---Is this a good one to rely on and break through the exam?
3.Will this certification carry weigth on how it projects the person once they get through it.
4. Do most of the emmbers here breeze through it or does it take a couple of attempts?
Any input will be appreciated.
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lavani.sari (2/19/2009)
I have good knowledge of SQL 2000 and with 2005 I know my way around the basic administration and maintenance.Thats what is more important. Basics should be strong foe example, Backups, Recovery models, Basic Server Security and Server communication, Logins and Roles, Indexes, Basic T- SQL
1.Average time and effort required to take this.I understand it depends on individual but I just wanted to know how long it took for someone with 2-3 exposure to sql server.
It took 3 months for me to preapre for the fist MS certificate exam(70-431). Basically you need to practice more on SSMS and how to work with it
2. The MCTS self paced training kit from microsoft ---Is this a good one to rely on and break through the exam?
Nope, Be preapred to cover atleast 3-4 book for each exam. Self paced training kit would not be suffice. You can look for Tata McGraw hill's all in one kit
3.Will this certification carry weigth on how it projects the person once they get through it.
I did not get what you meant here?
4. Do most of the emmbers here breeze through it or does it take a couple of attempts?
Depends on your knowledge and experience. You need to swim through SQL and literally live in SQL serverand actually its amazing:D. If you are working in the same field it should not be a problem but, still practice makes man perfect. For this exam you need to know more about Recovery models, backups, SQL server installation, basic T-SQL
All the best !!
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lavani.sari (2/19/2009)
1.Average time and effort required to take this.Expect the exam to take the full three hours they allow. If you try to go too quickly, you're going to miss details, and in this exam, the details are everything.
2. The MCTS self paced training kit from microsoft ---Is this a good one to rely on and break through the exam?
I don't have any experience with that kit, but I would say that the most important thing you can do is practice, practice, practice. If you don't have a thorough knowledge of the SQL Server tools, you won't pass.
3.Will this certification carry weigth on how it projects the person once they get through it.
Yes and no. It isn't an expert-level certification like the MCDBA or MCITP, but it may help you get past some recruiters' or companies' filters since it does show competency in using Microsoft's tools. (It is also required if you want to eventually get an MCITP certification.)
4. Do most of the emmbers here breeze through it or does it take a couple of attempts?
I passed on my first try. The key is practice, like I mentioned before. If you know the concepts, know how to apply them, and know the tools, you'll do fine.
Good luck!
Ed
Ed Leighton-Dick | Consultant | Microsoft Data Platform MVP | MCSE | PASS Regional Mentor
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Krishna and Ed ,
Thank you so much for the feedback!
I want to ultimately take MCDBA ...and I know this is the starting point...So On my way to the preperation now.
I guess will take me atleast 3-4 month prep and an attempt so will defenitely take it up as a challenge.
Lavanya
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lavani.sari (2/20/2009)
I want to ultimately take MCDBA ...and I know this is the starting point...No, it's not. The MCDBA was for SQL 2000 and is retired. It has nothing to do with the newer certs (MCTS, MCITP, ...)
See - http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certifications.mspx
As for is it worth it, it's not a substitute for experience and should not be considered as such. I'd rather hire someone with experience and no cert than a cert and no experience. It's useful, but it doesn't prove that you know what you're doing as a DBA.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverabilityWe walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass -
Krishna (2/19/2009)
lavani.sari (2/19/2009)
2. The MCTS self paced training kit from microsoft ---Is this a good one to rely on and break through the exam?
Nope, Be preapred to cover atleast 3-4 book for each exam. Self paced training kit would not be suffice. You can look for Tata McGraw hill's all in one kit
Why is the Microsoft book not enough? I've read posts from many people that say they passed it using just that book.
I have the MCTS self paced training kit and am going to get the cbt nuggets exam pack as well. Hopefully that will be enough??
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mikeg (2/24/2009)
Krishna (2/19/2009)
lavani.sari (2/19/2009)
2. The MCTS self paced training kit from microsoft ---Is this a good one to rely on and break through the exam?
Nope, Be preapred to cover atleast 3-4 book for each exam. Self paced training kit would not be suffice. You can look for Tata McGraw hill's all in one kit
Why is the Microsoft book not enough? I've read posts from many people that say they passed it using just that book.
I have the MCTS self paced training kit and am going to get the cbt nuggets exam pack as well. Hopefully that will be enough??
Yes, it is definitely but the more books you read the more concepts you get to know and different ways to approach a problem. CBT is good as well.
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Krishna (2/24/2009)
Yes, it is definitely but the more books you read the more concepts you get to know and different ways to approach a problem. CBT is good as well.
If you wouldnt mind, what books did you use? Thanks!
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Specifically for this one:
MS Press Kit
Tata McGraw Hill- All in One
CBT 70-431 back
and our good old friend BOL
Should be enough for this exam
All the best 🙂
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how long would you say it takes to study for this exam say if you can do 2-4 hours a day?
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Try to learn something about everything and everything about something. - Thomas Henry Huxley:w00t:
SQL-4-Life
Posting Best Practices[/url]
Numbers / Tally Tables[/url] -
Christopher Stobbs (3/4/2009)
how long would you say it takes to study for this exam say if you can do 2-4 hours a day?humm.. I think its a bit tough to say like that Christopher, it really depends on your experience and how much you practiced. It's really a simple exam with enough practice, they cover more about basic administrations skills like High Availability, basic TSQL, views and all that.
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cool thanks.
I've work with SQL for a few years and with regards to the SQL side and UI of SSMS I think I'm pretty knowledgeable.
I've just done some demo questions and they seem ok, nothing too stressful, but I noticed 90% of the questions where admin based.
I'm right in saying that this is more of an admin exam?
Also is this the book that everyone is referring to for preparation?
"MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-431): Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005"
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Try to learn something about everything and everything about something. - Thomas Henry Huxley:w00t:
SQL-4-Life
Posting Best Practices[/url]
Numbers / Tally Tables[/url] -
Then, that's it you don't have to worry too much if you think you have enough experience. Still as you know: "Practice makes man perfect"
Yes, that book is mandatory and in addition some more as i stated in the one before.
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Chris, judging by your posts here, you shouldn't have much trouble with the exam.
It's implementing and maintaining, so yes, more admin than dev. Beware the sims, that's where most people fail.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverabilityWe walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass -
I hope you not just saying that cause I'm South African 🙂
no seriously, thanks Gail, you made my day, coming from you that is big confidence booster 🙂
wish me luck my Studying starts tomorrow he he he
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Try to learn something about everything and everything about something. - Thomas Henry Huxley:w00t:
SQL-4-Life
Posting Best Practices[/url]
Numbers / Tally Tables[/url]
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