February 11, 2011 at 3:37 pm
I have many years of experience supporting databases on SQL 2000, 2005 and 2008, and am just now looking toward a certification test.
Before being hired at my present job, my employer purchased some TrainSignal SQL 2008 videos which include a Transcender voucher. I enjoyed the videos, which gave a great overview to parts of SQLServer I haven;t had a lot of hands-on with. I installed Transcender and downloaded the exam for 70-432.
But I didn't score as well on the practice exam as I had hoped. The videos demonstrated SQL Maintanance and configuration mostly through the GUI feautures of Management Studio, showing text commands only for tasks for which there are no GUI objects. Much of my experiences is also using the GUI. The Practice Exam leaned heavily on multiple choice questions where you had to identify which text command syntax was correct, even for tasks for which there is a right-click menu item to open a dialog box to perform the same task.
But what really counts is the way the MS exam is written. So without violating the NDA, can someone tell me if I need to study all the the text commands, or will experience and practice doing these tasks thought the GUI adequitely prepare me to pass?
February 11, 2011 at 3:45 pm
I haven't taken any exams so I can't answer the question that you are asking. However, I would recommend learning the commands that go along with the GUI as I have found them to be 1) helpful in learning more about what is actually going on behind the scenes, 2) something that enhances learning as it forces you to dig and read a bit more and 3) able to work through issues when your server is locked up and you come in through the DAC connection and use scripts.
Just my thoughts though....
Have a great weekend.
David
@SQLTentmaker“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” - Jim Elliot
February 11, 2011 at 4:00 pm
We're currently studying for the 70-432 certification also. I passed the 70-431 exam, so have some experience here.
As David stated, knowing the T-SQL behind the scenes will give a greater understanding of the process. My opinion is that the GUI will get you about 66% of the way, but there's plenty that you'll need to code by hand.
I guess my question would be: do you want to pass the exam, or actually learn more about the job? I crammed for my 70-431, passed and got a job. Studying for the 70-432 exam, I'm making a bigger attempt to learn the material as opposed to passing the test.
One practical piece of advice, to learn the T-SQL, is to use the GUI to create a backup job. Then script out the T-SQL and play with the various options to see how it affects your backups. IIRC, we were tested on how to verify a backup, which is done thru T-SQL. You could similar stuff with the various objects that are a part of the maintenance plans.
HTH.
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February 11, 2011 at 6:36 pm
So without violating the NDA, can someone tell me if I need to study all the the text commands, or will experience and practice doing these tasks thought the GUI adequitely prepare me to pass?
To tell you whether you need to know T-SQL syntax to successfully sit for the test would be violating the NDA 😀
My suggestion: by a book. Reading the material and working through the exercises will greatly help you out. Especially if you do not already work with SQL Server. If you plan on taking the 70-450 exam there are only 2 books printed that cover this material.
I find the best way to learn the T-SQL portion of task: STOP using SSMS. Now I don't do the T-SQL commands to create a maintenance plan or SQL Agent job, although you could. It is must easier to use SSMS and more efficient. Now if you have to do it across an enterprise or numerous servers then creating one with T-SQL is more efficient, and fun to learn about. I wanted to learn the T-SQL task more so I stopped using the wizards and tried doing things in SQLCMD or the query window in SSMS. I can't write everything from memory, I still have to look up syntax on some commands.
And yes I have taken the 70-432 test and plan on sitting the 70-450 test in April or May sometime.
Shawn Melton
Twitter: @wsmelton
Blog: wsmelton.github.com
Github: wsmelton
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