July 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm
I have been preparing for MCTS 70-432 for the past 1 year. I was planning to take the certification exam sometime this month; at least until I saw SQL Server 2012 certification on Microsoft website.
As I understood it, it's now 2 test to "upgrade" from MCTS 70-432 to MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) - http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-sql-server-mcsa.aspx
My questions are:
1) Is anyone (besides me) really annoyed by Microsoft's decision to keep changing the names of these certifications. Wasn't it MCDBA not too long ago? And changed to MCTS and MCITP; and now MCSA and whatever.
2) With the change coming, is still worth for me to take the 70-432 exam? I mean, before too long, no one will remember what's MCTS? Just wondering what'll the job marketability be like in your opinion? Will it all about MCSA now or will most companies still look for MCTS 70-432?
Thanks for any advise.
July 16, 2012 at 1:04 am
My questions are:
1) Is anyone (besides me) really annoyed by Microsoft's decision to keep changing the names of these certifications. Wasn't it MCDBA not too long ago? And changed to MCTS and MCITP; and now MCSA and whatever.
+1 I am equally annoyed. 😉 But it's Microsoft's product & they can name it whatever they like. We have no say. I believe the introduction of MCTS & MCITP was to generalize the certification with other MS certificates but MCSD and MCSE were most popular and that’s what driving them to go back to old certification names.
2) With the change coming, is still worth for me to take the 70-432 exam? I mean, before too long, no one will remember what's MCTS? Just wondering what'll the job marketability be like in your opinion? Will it all about MCSA now or will most companies still look for MCTS 70-432?
I don’t consider it a problem at all. Recruiters (agencies & corporates) are aware of these changes. If they are not, you wouldn’t like to see those. Certification helps in job hunt but it’s not the only criteria of selection. A good interviewer will not compromise with certificates in place of hands-on-experience. Thus you be sure that any certificate that you earn or planning to earn will have great value. As a general practice, the latest is always better.
July 16, 2012 at 1:06 am
Most employers don't seem to have a clue about qualifications - don't get me wrong, they're important, but they won't keep abreast of new available offerings.
Personally I'm working towards a full set of MCTS and MCITP (70-432, 70-450) for SQL Server plus the two exams for SQL Server Development (so I'm double-MCITP qualified). Add another, let's say 3 years solid experience, and this puts me in the right place to consider the MCM exams.
Once I've got my four exams under my belt, that's the point at which I would look to upgrade the exams I have and take the 2012 modules/exams.
It's a bit annoying that Microsoft can't be consistent but then again it's a blessing and a curse. Just think, you could list on your CV (resume):
Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS)
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
If that doesn't get you an interview then I don't know what will 🙂
---
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July 16, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Thank you so much for all the opinions and insights.
I am primarily Oracle DBA (at my current job); and certified at both 10g and 11g. However, we do have a few MSSQL servers - 2000, 2008 to cater to the off the shelf softwares that cannot go on Oracle DB.
Having said that. I doubt I'll be going for MCITP; unless for some reason I find myself in the job market for MSSQL dba position. At my current shop, I have had 3+ years experience in MSSQL (more limited in my opinion compared to Oracle since we don't use much MSSQL) - hence it took me the past year of preparation to be confident enough to try the exam.
Anyway, I love Oracle's consistent certification path: OCA -> OCP -> OCM and if a new version comes out, I just have to take one "upgrade" examination to be certified with the latest version - essentially the differences between the older and newer versions.
July 18, 2012 at 7:30 am
Hi all,
In a similar situation and also slightly annoyed. Also by the fact that 1 exam before = £99, now its 3 for the bottom tier so £297!!!!!!!
Slight cost increase for bottom level certification.
Anyway..... I have a question.
Does anyone know if\how these certifications expire? IIRC you only used to be able to use Microsoft letters after your name and on emails for a set period.
I dont want to do an exam that expires the next day!
Dan
July 18, 2012 at 8:07 am
danielfountain (7/18/2012)
IIRC you only used to be able to use Microsoft letters after your name and on emails for a set period.
The SQL exams never expired before. You can still use MCDBA for SQL 7 (if you have it)
The new certs have to be renewed, think it's every 3 years.
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
July 19, 2012 at 8:44 pm
What do you mean by "new certs have to be renewed"? How do you renew it? Have to sit for another exam?
July 19, 2012 at 9:12 pm
At some point, I will apply for the three exams required for me to upgrade my MCITP to MCSE. But right now I've been wondering "is it the right decision". I know MS wants to make their certifications more valuable but for us who have been investing in the MS platform for so long (training and exams) it 's kinda awkward to have to study for many more different exams (some of us don't have a Prometric test center near their homes and need to travel far, spend money in motels, training, etc.). Since I work with Oracle databases as well I find the Oracle certification more straightforward and more "stable" because I'm not sure where Microsoft is heading to the next few years since they change the rules of the game so often. Don't get me wrong. I love SQL Server and I think it's the best thing since sliced bread but some of MS decisions have let me down in so many ways that I don't know anymore. We have so few resources and we invest in something that may change the next year. Sorry for my rambling. Please change my mind. And carry on the discussion. 🙂
Best regards,
Andre Guerreiro Neto
Database Analyst
http://www.softplan.com.br
MCITPx1/MCTSx2/MCSE/MCSA
July 20, 2012 at 1:10 am
ab289 (7/19/2012)
What do you mean by "new certs have to be renewed"?
Exactly that, they're not permanently valid (like the older exams were),they have to be renewed
How do you renew it? Have to sit for another exam?
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-sql-server-data-platform.aspx
Note MCSE certification requires candidates to show continued ability to perform in their chosen solution area by completing a recertification exam every three years.
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
December 13, 2012 at 8:25 am
Sorry for being missing for so long; have been busy at work. Happy to report I passed 70-432.
codebyo (7/19/2012)
... it 's kinda awkward to have to study for many more different exams (some of us don't have a Prometric test center near their homes and need to travel far, spend money in motels, training, etc.). Since I work with Oracle databases as well I find the Oracle certification more straightforward and more "stable" because I'm not sure where Microsoft is heading to the next few years since they change the rules of the game so often.
Couldn't agree more. And in this economy, travelling, hotels, training expenses are hard to come by. Oracle is more consistent with their certifications exams; which is also the reason I like Oracle more. It's hard to keep up with Microsoft, in my opinion.
GilaMonster (7/20/2012)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-sql-server-data-platform.aspx
Note MCSE certification requires candidates to show continued ability to perform in their chosen solution area by completing a recertification exam every three years.
I think this is just an attempt to get more of my money. And this is why I do not like MS Certification. I mean, if it's MSSQL2012 certification, then yes, I agree, a candidate needs to be recertify. But if it's the same MSSQL2008 - 70-432 exam (for example), why the requirement and as a candidate, why waste the money?
December 13, 2012 at 8:42 am
MSSQL_NOOB (12/13/2012)
I mean, if it's MSSQL2012 certification, then yes, I agree, a candidate needs to be recertify. But if it's the same MSSQL2008 - 70-432 exam (for example), why the requirement and as a candidate, why waste the money?
It's not. What they're doing is removing the version specificity from the cert, so you will have the MSCE (Data Platform) cert, no mention of 2012. The release cycle for new versions is 3 years, so if you have to recertify every 3 years, you'll be writing exams for the latest available version each time, not the same exam again.
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
February 8, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Hi Guys
I am starting to study for MCTS and MCITP (70-432, 70-450). Anyone have an idea of the length of study it takes to pass the exam? Just looking for round about.
February 11, 2013 at 10:55 am
JD, It really depends on your experience level with SQL 2008.
This link contains a list of topics covered by 70-432.
If you know these topics like the back of your hand, go ahead and take the test. If not, this is your study guide. You can get practice exams from Measure-UP or Transcender, and see how you do, but avoid "dumps" or any service promising actual exam questions, as these violate the rules.
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