January 2, 2008 at 10:08 am
Hi All,
I have about 1 year + of exp in both aspects of DBA + Dev + BI. Did about a little bit of all 3 aspects.
I am planning to take up 70-431 cert this year. I read a number of forums in regards of the best material to study. Maybe someone could conclude the best material and strategies required for me to prepare for this cert.
1) I read about many comments on the flaws of MCTS_Self Paced Training Kit by Microsoft Press and purchasing the right version? How would I know which version of this kit I should purchase to avoid buying the one with the flaws? Any tips? ISBN no ?
2) Are the practise test in the MCTS_Self Paced Training Kit by Microsoft Press sufficient?
3) I have also read many comments on Transcender.Any comments if this is a better choice ?
4) How much will a kit by Transcender cost me and what does it consist [study material / sample questions….]? Does it have all that I need to prepare or do I need to buy any additional materials?
5) What is the best strategy to prepare for this cert?
6) Any site or place with great deals [$] on study material ?
7) How much does the cert cost me ?
I don’t want to spend time thinking and making choices on the material. I would like to set my goal and start preparing for this cert.:pinch: Greatly appreciate thoughts, advise, suggestions and opinions from everyone.
Thank You !
[font="TimesNewRoman"] “I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work”........Thomas Alva Edison[/font]
January 3, 2008 at 1:08 pm
One small piece of advice. Know management studio backwards. The simulations in that exam catch a lot of people. A colleague of mine got 100% on the questions, yet failed the exam because he messed up some of the sims.
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
January 4, 2008 at 3:54 am
Same with my friend... so dont reply much on dumps, but rather on the simulations. the simulations in the dumps are also not accurate.
Regards,
Dove
January 4, 2008 at 4:01 am
I'll go stronger than that.
Don't use dumps at all. It's cheating, it reduces the value of the certifications, and if you get caught, your certifications will all be revoked, permanently.
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
January 4, 2008 at 8:17 am
Anyone out there can answer this question for me ..Thank You !
1) I read about many comments on the flaws of MCTS_Self Paced Training Kit by Microsoft Press and purchasing the right version? How would I know which version of this kit I should purchase to avoid buying the one with the flaws? Any tips? ISBN no ?
[font="TimesNewRoman"] “I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work”........Thomas Alva Edison[/font]
January 4, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Not sure about different versions but the ISBN-13 of my copy is 978-0-7356-2271-5
As far as whether the questions are sufficient - IMO they are more than sufficient provided you understand the concepts in the book and are not just memorising the content. However it is useful to try the free sample questions from Transcender and others.
January 8, 2008 at 7:33 am
As far as question # 1 goes, make sure you download the errata for the book (regardless of version) before studying. Every version of the book has its "flaws" in that regard and people are finding new errata every day.
At least if you download the errata list (the book will tell you where you can find it), you'll be closer to studying the correct material then if you don't. @=)
January 8, 2008 at 8:29 am
Thank You All for your response.
I am going to start preparing right away.No more wasting time. 😀
[font="TimesNewRoman"] “I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work”........Thomas Alva Edison[/font]
January 8, 2008 at 10:43 am
I learned a lot about certification when some questions asked like this. What's up with all those people that want dumps rather than studying hard for the exam? It benefits ourselves in the future anyways........
[font="Verdana"]Imagination is more important than knowledge-Albert Einstein[/font]
January 8, 2008 at 1:42 pm
SQL King (1/8/2008)
What's up with all those people that want dumps rather than studying hard for the exam?
Lazy perhaps. Seeking the quick and easy path.
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
January 9, 2008 at 4:05 am
The only way that kind of lazy works IRL is if you have a boss that doesn't care if you can actually adminster or develop on SQL Server and allows you to sit around collecting a paycheck.
Of course, playing Devil's Advocate... I suppose if you're too busy to study because you're busy developing or admin'ing with a firefighter's mentality... But if you're so good at SQL Server that you're constantly busy, why would you need the dump to begin with? You could probably pass the test without too much effort.
Okay, DA argument doesn't work. And what's worse is I don't think dumps can prepare you for the sims. Only practice can do that.
January 9, 2008 at 4:15 am
You know, it occurs to me to add a few more replies to the original post.
RE Q#2) Yes & no. If you're new to SQL 2k5 or haven't used a lot of the features, Transceder tests will probably help. They include questions (and sims) that the self paced training kit doesn't include. But if you're on a budget, you might not want to get the Transcender.
RE Q#3) The flash cards that come with transceder are kind of cool. And Transceder has more tests & practice questions than the self paced training kit. I thought it was worth it. Other people may not.
RE Q#4) Depending on access, $119 or $159. See http://www.transcender.com/product.aspx?product%5Fid=Cert%2D70%2D431&dept%5Fid=102210 for more details.
RE Q#5) Download the list of objectives from Microsoft's website. Read books (online or grab some from bookstores), get a copy of Developer or an Eval copy and run through the exercises, read BOL for topics you don't understand. Check topics off as you learn them. Go over chapter review questions & case studies. Run through practice tests. Do ad naseaum until you're comfortable with the material.
RE Q#6) Go to used bookstores (or Amazon.com) to pick up used study books instead of new. Look for coupons from Barnes & Noble / Books A Million / Borders (get on their mailing lists) to get discounts for new books. Check local training places to see if they've discounted their courses (New Horizons, Enterprise Integration, etc). Sometimes they discount really close to the course time because they don't have enough students.
RE Q#7) The cert itself is $125.00.
Hope that helps with the other questions.
January 9, 2008 at 8:28 am
Thank You
Your explanation is very detail and I hope others can also benefit from it.
I am going to use the information to prepare for my 70-431.
Wish me all the Best !
:Wow:
[font="TimesNewRoman"] “I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work”........Thomas Alva Edison[/font]
Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply