.Net Framework 2.0 Certifications - Beta Offer

Visual Studio 2005/.Net Framework 2.0 Certifications - Beta Offer

You can be a step closer to becoming “Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)” with specialization in any of the below three tracks by taking a FREE Beta Exam…

MCPD Web Developer
MCPD Windows Developer
MCPD Enterprise Application Developer

And Also Win a Mobile Smartphone or a Wireless Keyboard!!
Help us create great Microsoft Certification exams. Take the Beta version of Exams 70-547, 70-548, and/or 70-549 and you’ll be automatically entered to win* one of two Windows Mobile Smartphones and one of 10 Microsoft Laser Desktop 6000 Keyboards.

Only one entry per Beta exam, but if you take 2 different Betas you’ll be entered 2 times, and if you take all 3 Betas you’ll be entered 3 times. Microsoft employees and customers are eligible with a few restrictions – see below for all of the contest rules and regulations. Like the Beta Exams, this offer is not available in China, India, or Pakistan.

And Also Earn a Free Exam Voucher
In addition, everyone who takes and achieves passing score in the beta exam will receive a free exam voucher** for any Microsoft Certification Exam. Vouchers will be sent after exam scores are tabulated. This offer is also not available in China, India, or Pakistan.

Exams Available Early
Take the Betas starting February 21, 2006 at Pearson VUE locations, and starting February 27, 2006 at Thomson Prometric testing centers.

Schedule your Beta exams today
To register for this exam or for information about testing centers in your area, please visit the following Web sites for registration information:

Thomson Prometric: http://securereg3.prometric.com/
Pearson VUE: http://www.vue.com/ms/

In the U.S./Canada you may also call to register for this exam or to find information about testing centers in your area:

Thomson Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)
Pearson VUE: 800 TEST Registration (800-837-8734)

Use the following promotional codes to register:
71-547 PRO: Designing and Developing Web-based Applications by Using the Microsoft® .NET Framework. Promo Code: PRO547
71-548 PRO: Designing and Developing Windows®-based Applications by Using the Microsoft® .NET Framework. Promo Code: BTA548
71-549 PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft® .NET Framework. Promo Code: 549BTA

* This sweepstakes invitation is for the Microsoft customers and employees, with some restrictions (see Official Rules below). Please forward to your colleagues, partners, and customers.

** Free exam voucher offer good only for people who pre-register for, and pass, Exams 71-547, 71-548, and 71-549. Limit one gift per person. This offer is non-transferable. This offer expires on March 12 2006, or when registration closes for this Beta exam. Beta exam registration has limited availability. This offer is not redeemable for cash. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Any gift returned as non-deliverable will not be re-sent.

PS: We are looking for more and more technical feedback on the exams so feel free to reach out to your user groups and communities and let developers know of this opportunity. Although do note that each exam caps at 750 Beta participants so there is an official upper limit…

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The Microsoft Certification Beta Exam Sweepstakes

Official Rules
Please Note: It is your sole responsibility to review and understand your employer’s policies regarding your eligibility to participate in trade promotions such as this one. If you are participating in violation of your employer’s policies, you may be disqualified from entering this sweepstakes or receiving prizes. Microsoft disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for disputes arising between an employee and their employer related to this matter, and prizes will only be awarded in compliance with the employer’s policies.

Government Customer: This campaign is available to Public Sector customers (government and education customers), however, any prize won by a public sector employee will be awarded in the form of Microsoft certification exam vouchers. Microsoft intends that use of this training voucher offered as part of this promotion comply with applicable federal, state, and local government gift and ethics rules. If you are a government employee (including an employee of a public education institution), this voucher may be used solely for the benefit of your agency/institution, and not for the personal use or benefit of any individual. You should consult with your agency/institution counsel or ethics officer prior to use or acceptance of this voucher.

1. Eligibility / Entry Period:
Open only to persons employed in the field of software development who have agreed to participate in the Microsoft beta exam program.

This offer is not transferable and is not open to the general public. This offer is void in the following regions: Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. This offer is not available in China, Pakistan and India. Employees of Microsoft, their affiliates, subsidiaries, and anyone working on this product, project, or promotion, and the advertising and promotional agencies and the immediate family members of each are not eligible. The sweepstakes opens at 12:01 AM PT on February 21, 2006 and ends at 11:59 PM PT on March 12, 2006. Void where prohibited by law.

2. How To Enter:
No purchase Necessary. Enter by completing the free beta exams 71-547, 71-548, and 71-549 at a participating testing center and opt-in to enter this sweepstakes. To be eligible for the prize drawing, exams must be completed by 11:59 PM PT on March 12, 2006. A passing score is not required to receive a sweepstakes entry; however the beta exam must be completed in full to be eligible for the drawing.

Limit one (1) entry per person per beta exam, for a total of 3 possible entries. Subsequent entries from the same individual will be automatically disqualified. No responsibility is assumed by Microsoft for lost, late, misdirected, illegible, postage due or mutilated entries or any computer, online telephone, or technical malfunctions that may occur. All entries become the property of Microsoft and will not be returned.

3. Winner Selection/Deadline Dates:
On or around April 15, 2006, 12 winners will be chosen in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received to win one of the following prizes:

Two winners: One (1) Windows Mobile Smartphone device. Estimated Retail Value US$500.
Ten winners: One (1) Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 keyboard. Estimated Retail Value US$65.

Actual retail value will vary based on the region where the winner resides, and any difference between estimated and actual value will not be awarded. Any prize won by a public sector employee will be awarded to their agency/institution in the form of Microsoft certification exam vouchers; the value not to exceed the estimated retail value of the alternate prizes. Random drawing will be conducted under the supervision of Microsoft, whose decisions are final. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. All other expenses relating to the acceptance of the prize, which are not explicitly listed, are the responsibility of the winner. Prizes are not redeemable for cash. No substitution, transfer, or assignment of prize permitted, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event an offered prize is unavailable. Taxes on the prizes are solely the responsibility of the winner.

5. General Conditions:
Sweepstakes entrants agree to abide by the terms of these official rules and by the decisions of Microsoft which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Sweepstakes. This sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of Washington in the United States of America, and participants in the Sweepstakes hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of Washington courts (state and federal) for any causes or controversies arising out of the Sweepstakes.

Winner will be notified within seven (7) days after the drawing date. Winner will be required to execute an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within seven (7) days following the date of attempted notification. Non compliance within this time period may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Return of any prize/ prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Entrants further grant to Microsoft the right to use and publish their proper name and state online and in print in any other media in connection with the Sweepstakes. Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission for Microsoft to use winner's names and likenesses for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation unless prohibited by law. By entering, participants release and hold harmless Microsoft, their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Sweepstakes or any prize won.

6. Winners List:
The names of the winners will be available after April 15, 2006, by sending email to mcphelp@microsoft.com.

8. Sponsor:
This Sweepstakes is sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052.