Dynamics of VS 2005 Upgrade Exams

Upgrade exams for VS 2005 are very useful but may be confusing at times... Check these equations below and that will help you understand the dynamics of VS 2005 Upgrade exams:

Folks who are MCAD can take 551 and/or 552 upgrade exams... MCADs have an opportunity to choose which of the above upgrade exam to take based on their inclination towards Web Dev or Windows Dev... MCADs also have the liberty to take both 551 & 552 incase they are inclined towards both Web and Windows area... Although, do note that MCADs CANNOT take 553 & 554 as they are meant only for MCSDs... Truthfully, nothing stops MCADs from taking 553 & 554 but unfortunately taking these exams will not yeild into any certification for MCADs unless they later complete their MCSD .Net certification...

Folks who have MCSD .Net have got all the options that MCAD folks have plus have an opportunity take 553 & 554 upgrade exams, which are specifically designed for MCSD .Net folks...

First let us quickly take a look at equation of the NON-UPGRADE exams with certifications:
MCTS:Web = 536 + 528
MCTS:Win = 536 + 526
MCTS:DA = 536 + 529
MCPD:Web Dev = MCTS:Web + 547
MCPD:Win Dev = MCTS:Win + 548
MCPD:EA Dev = MCTS:Web + MCTS:Win + MCTS:DA + 549

Now let us look at each upgrade exam to understand what kind of credits do each one of them offer (if you PASS them :-)):
551 = 536 + 528 + 547 = MCTS:Web + MCPD:Web Dev
552 = 536 + 526 + 548 = MCTS:Windows + MCPD:Win Dev
553 = 536 + 526 + 528 = MCTS:Web + MCTS:Windows
554 = 529 + 549 = NO certification by itself

ANALYSIS FOR MCTS

Now here is how the dynamics start coming into play, let us look at what options do MCAD or MCSD folks have to become MCTS... I am intentionally leaving out MCPD right now as we will talk about it after we are done with MCTS...

Case 1: MCAD can become MCTS:Web by using any of the following options:
Option 1.) 536 + 528 (Regular Option)
Option 2.) 551
Option 3.) 552 + 528
Case 2: MCAD can become MCTS:Win by using any of the following options:
Option 1.) 536 + 526 (Regular Option)
Option 2.) 552
Option 3.) 551 + 526
Case 3: MCAD can become MCTS:DA by using any of the following options:
Option 1.) 536 + 529 (Regular Option)
Option 2.) 551 + 529
Option 3.) 552 + 529
Case 4: MCSD can become MCTS:Web by using any of the following options:
Option 1.) Any option that MCAD folks have (plus)
Option 2.) 553
Case 5: MCSD can become MCTS:Win by using any of the following options:
Option 1.) Any option that MCAD folks have (plus)
Option 2.) 553
Case 6: MCSD can become MCTS:DA by using any of the following options:
Option 1.) Any option that MCAD folks have (plus)
Option 2.) 536 + 554
Option 3.) 553 + 554
Option 4.) 553 + 529

ANALYSIS FOR MCPD

Now as we have already talked about MCTS let us talk about MCPD... I am going to list down certain important points and then let you figure out the combinations yourself...

So the First important thing to remember in Upgrade Dynamics for MCPD certs are the equations which we talked about earlier:
MCPD:Web Dev = MCTS:Web + 547
MCPD:Win Dev = MCTS:Win + 548
MCPD:EA Dev = MCTS:Web + MCTS:Win + MCTS:DA + 549

Second important thing to remember is the exam credit equations for upgrade exams which we talked about earlier:
551 = 536 + 528 + 547
552 = 536 + 526 + 548
553 = 536 + 526 + 528
554 = 529 + 549

Third important thing to remember is that MCADs cannot take 553 & 554 but MCSDs can...

Now using the above three important things and also the Analysis for MCTS, MCADs and MCSDs should be able to figure out what exams they need to take to earn their MCPDs...

I hope this dynamics of VS 2005 Upgrade Exams help... Feel free to write back if you have more questions...

Good Morning America - India Rising

Check this video out... Seems to be a good potrayal of India after a long time...

Click Here

All links for SQL 2005 Certs

Due to repeated requests, here is a consolidated list for SQL 2005 Exams...

All Info on New Generation of Certifications...
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/


All info on MCTS SQL Server 2005
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/sql/
Exams required for MCTS SQL Server 2005
SQL 2005 Technology Exam http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-431.asp


All info on MCITP Database Developer (Requires MCTS SQL Server 2005)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/dbdev/
Exams required for MCITP Database Developer
DB Design PRO http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-441.asp
DB Data Access PRO http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-442.asp


All info on MCITP Database Administrator (Requires MCTS SQL Server 2005)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/dbadmin/
Exams required for MCTS DA
Designing DB Infrastructure PRO http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-443.asp
Optimizing and Maintaining DB PRO http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-444.asp


All info on MCITP Business Intelligence Developer (Requires MCTS SQL Server 2005)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/bid/
NOTE: Exams for this credential are under development and any info available will be updated on Microsoft site...


UPGRADES
MCDBA to MCITP Database Administrator http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-447.asp


Disclaimer: Do note that the credentials mentioned here are not official credentials they are just quick reference credentials for the reasons of a quick post..

VS 2005 Certifications: TS Vs PRO

What to expect when you prepare for new Visual Studio 2005 Certifications??

By this time we all know that new certification strategy is divided into two major categories...
1.) Technology Specialization Series (TS)
2.) Professional Series (PRO)

Today I will dive deeper to give you an idea on what to expect in the exams and why such a strategy...

We always had enough technical weightage in the exams but there were still complains that certifications do not take care of everything needed to do a job... So we went further to understand what was missing in developer certifications... We got lot of intersting feedbacks...

The first result of those feedbacks was division of the certifications into TS and PRO... So what exactly does that division mean??... Here is the answer -
We tried to break our MS Technology Developer's skills into two major chunks; the first being pure technical skills and second being skills gathered from in job experiences...
So how are those different? The concept is easy to understand if you observe carefully... Technical knowledge about a particular technology can be gained by multiple ways, one of the ways can be experience in a job but that is not the only way... A person might know a lot about .Net Framework by reading books, MSDN, articles, taking e-Learning course, writing sample apps, technical presentations etc etc... These are some of the ways to learn more and start getting expertise in a technology... But many a times technical knowledge gained outside of practical experience may not have yet resulted into production code... Anyone who has written production code knows the difference between reading an article, writing sample code and writing actual production code... We also wanted to test that aspect of developers...

That is when we divided TS & PRO aspects of developers and finally MCTS and MCPD came into being... Well I am sure you got some idea but still I feel the concept can be made clearer so let us understand some more...
When you go to take TS exams, you should note that they will be based on a technology; When you go to take a PRO exam it will be based on a job role...
e.g. 70-528 .Net 2.0 web applications is a TS exam which focuses on ASP.Net 2.0 technologies whereas 70-547 Web Developer exam focuses on the industry job role of Web Developer...
A TS exam focues on "HOW TO?" do stuff with a technology where as a PRO exam tries to probe into "WHY? WHEN? and WHERE?" to do stuff with technology/s... Let's take an example to clarify:
"How to implement IDisposable interface in your class?" - This would be a TS question... but on the other hand "Why to implement or When to implement IDisposable interface in your type?" will be a PRO level question?

Now if you think about it you will realize that you can very easily read from a book how to implement IDisposable and probably follow and remember the steps to do so, but when it comes to finding out why your class really needs that implementation or are you going to break older versions by implementing IDisposable etc are the things that would be covered in the PRO exams...

So basically Why?, When? and Where? kind of scenarios whose answers are learnt from experience will be covered in PRO level developer exams... When you appear PRO exams you will probably see longer questions, you will probably have to synthesize like the way you would do while writing production worthy code, you might proably see lots of conditions and comapany policy rules which exist in real world, at times you might feel there are multiple correct answers (but read the question once more), you might find that the questions are tricky (but they probably would not be) etc etc... When you appear a TS exams things will be clear and simple, there will be definitive answers which you can predict and this is because of the very nature of these exams...

With this let us talk about how would you prepare for the TS and PRO Exams.. Before you go to appear TS exams you should know the technologies covered in the Exam in and out, there will be lot of prep material available for these exams... Before you go to appear PRO Exams you should have experience in developing applications with those technologies... There might not be a lot of prep material for these exams but then from the very nature of them there doesn't need to be a lot of material... You are expected to gain that knowledge with your expeirence and you proabably do not need to prepare that hard...

So do not get frustrated with the differences, understand them and go in prepared... In PRO exams you might have to understand all the moving parts of the scenario and only then you should answer a question... In TS you need to understand the technology well enough to answer...

Well, anyways I think this post is becoming too long and it is getting too late... We will talk about the rest later... In the meantime you can share your experiences of appearing PRO/TS exams here...

Wiki Books on MCPD Certs

Help Create Wiki Books on MCPD Certifications

There has been a noble effort started to create Wiki Books for MCPD Certifications... Click Here to go to the site...

While you study for the new MCPD certifications, help create online resources for the same too and help other professionals prepare for the new exams...

Do write back here if you see the Wiki Books being mis-used...

.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…

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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.

All Links for VS 2005 Certs

I have been asked many of these questions repeatedly again and so I am creating a consolidated post for the links required for current VS 2005 Certifications...

All Info on New Generation of Certifications...
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/


All info on MCTS Web
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/webapps/
Exams required for MCTS Web
Foundation http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-536.asp
Web TS http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-528.asp


All info on MCTS Windows
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/winapps/
Exams required for MCTS Windows
Foundation http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-536.asp
Windows TS http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-526.asp


All info on MCTS Distributed Apps
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/distapps/
Exams required for MCTS DA
Foundation http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-536.asp
DA TS http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-529.asp


All info on MCPD Web Developer (Requires MCTS in Web)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/webdev/
Exam required for MCPD Web Dev
PRO Web http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-547.asp


All info on MCPD Windows Developer (Requires MCTS in Windows)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/windev/
Exam required for MCPD Windows Dev
PRO Windows http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-548.asp


All info on MCPD Enterprise App Developer (Requires MCTS in Web, Windows and DA)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/entapp/
Exam required for MCPD EA Dev
PRO Web http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-549.asp


UPGRADES
MCAD to MCPD Web http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-551.asp
MCAD to MCPD Windows http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-552.asp
MCSD .Net to MCPD EA – Exam 1 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-553.asp
MCSD .Net to MCPD EA – Exam 2 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-554.asp


Disclaimer: Do note that the credentials mentioned here are not official credentials they are just quick reference credentials for the reasons of a quick post..

Take MCTS/MCPD in Managed C++

Yes you can take some of the new .Net 2.0 and related technologies exams in Managed C++ too... Although it is important to note that not all the exams will be available in Managed C++...

Check our the tentative plan on code language options for MCTS and MCPD exams in the adjoining figure...

Q Now why are certain exams not available in C++.Net?
A.Due to technical limitations with specific web technologies not all the exams can be made available in C++.Net

Q.Will all the above exam's Beta version also have Managed C++ as an option?
A.We will try to enable Managed C++ for Beta Exams whereever possible... More concrete details will be provided within Beta invites of the individual exams...

Q.Will we see more C++.Net in MS exams in the future
A.Well it depends upon the feedback from the C++.Net community. If C++.Net community loves it MS will have it...


NOTE: The above information is provided as is with no warranties... It is also subject to change at any point of time without any prior notices...

Product Manager Position in MS

If you understand developers, are one among them, want to represent them within MS then you should check out this interesting position in "Developer Audience" team here at Redmond, USA...

http://members.microsoft.com/careers/search/details.aspx?JobID=ff04f31b-8820-48a5-96e7-959dfcc90f73

TS: and PRO: Prefixs for Exams

VS 05 and SQL 05 Exams will have TS: and PRO: as official pre-fixs...

As there are going to be two major category of exams in next Gen of Certs, it is important to clearly seperate them... Cert Team wanted to make sure that candidates are able to differentiate between "Technology Series" Exams and "Professional Series" Exams by reading the names itself... To make this true for all the audiences i.e. Developers, IT Professionals etc the simplest common way was to add prefixes...

That is when it was decided that all "Technology Series" Exams Names (MCTS exam names) will be prefixed with "TS:" and all "Professional Series" Exams Names (MCITP and MCPD exam names) will be prefixed with "PRO:"...

Hope this new convention will help...

SQL 05 & VS 05 Upgrade Paths

Microsoft Recognizes the folks who are already certified...

I believe MS recognizes the folks who are already certified with MCAD, MCSD .Net or MCDBA credentials. It is definitely true that a lot of effort and money goes into getting certified and MS recognizes those who have gone through that rigor; that is one of the primary reasons for providing Upgrade Exams to folks already in the program...
Upgrade Exams are intended to test only the skills that people already in the program have not been tested on earlier. This also helps reduce the number of exams that a certified person will have to take to upgrade themselves. The next generation of certifications will be a step above the existing credentials and so it is important to ensure that people in the program climb up that step and get at level of new certifications... This makes having Upgrade Exams extremly important... Lets talk about the upgrade options available for SQL Server 2005 and VS 2005 credentials...

MCDBA Upgrade to MCITP Database Administrator
In the new family to become MCITP Database Administrator it is required to achieve MCTS SQL Server 2005 Credential by taking Exam 70-431 and then by passing two PRO exams 70-443 and 70-444.
For folks who are already MCDBA this three exam path becomes two exam path...
An MCDBA will have to achieve MCTS SQL Server 2005 credential by passing Exam 70-431 and then can take & pass an upgrade exam 70-447... So basically instead of passing the two exam 70-443 and 70-444, MCDBAs will have to pass just one exam.

This was a quick snapshot of SQL Server 2005 credential upgrade... Now lets talk about Visual Studio 2005 credential upgrades...

MCAD to MCPD Web Developer
In regular path to become MCPD Web Developer it is required to achieve MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Web Applications by taking two exams (70-536 & 70-528) and then by taking the PRO Exam 70-547
A person already certified as MCAD will have to take just Exam 70-551 and will automatically get MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Web Applications as well as MCPD Web Developer credentials...

MCAD to MCPD Windows Developer
In regular path to become MCPD Windows Developer it is required to achieve MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Windows Applications by taking two exams (70-536 & 70-526) and then by taking the PRO Exam 70-548
A person already certified as MCAD will have to take just Exam 70-552 and will automatically get MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Windows Applications as well as MCPD Windows Developer credentials...

MCSD .Net to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer
In regular path to become MCPD Enterprise Application Developer it is required to achieve MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Web Applications, MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Windows Applications and MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications credentials by passing four exams (70-536, 70-528, 70-526 & 70-529) and then by taking the PRO Exam 70-549
A person already certified as MCSD .Net will have to pass just two Exams 70-553 and 70-554 and inturn will automatically get MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Web Applications, MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Windows Applications and MCTS .Net Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications as well as MCPD Enterprise Application Developer credentials...

NOTE: Some of the exam links might not work as the Exams are not yet released...

Are Next Gen Certs launched to make Money?

Did Microsoft Launch Next Generation of Certifications to earn more money?

Think about it...!! Are MCAD, MCSD, MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, all these credentials going down, getting less popular, not earning enough money??... Not true, they are still getting more and more popular; MCP numbers are only growing, definitely not going down...

Trust me; it takes a lot of money and effort to make just one exam let alone making all together new generation of certification with numerous new exams… It takes around 6-7 months and more than 20 people contributing to make one quality exam… Contributions to the exam content comes more from expert industry professionals and less from internal MS employees, this ensures to keep the content more relevant to the current industry… I can go on and on but instead it would be better to Click Here to know more on how exams are developed…

So when everything is going well and good then why make new credentials and certifications… Well, the primary reason for making all together new credentials is not money driven but much deeper than that…In my simple words, new generation of certifications are here to:

1. Raise the bar for technical certifications in the industry…
2. So that the right people, qualified in specific job/technical areas get identified by the world…
3. Provide certifications that hiring managers can easily identify, understand, respect and appreciate so that certified professionals really get what they deserve…
4. Provide certifications that professionals can relate to and adopt…
5. Separate job roles and technology so that professionals can not only demonstrate that they are strong in technology but also have the professional skills which come only by professionally working on projects in the industry…

Again I can go on and on but Clicking Here will present already officially documented reasons…

I hope this helps throw new light on New Generation of Certifications…

Note: This post is provided “AS IS” with no warranties and just expresses my personal views on subject…

Position in MSDN Team

My friend is looking for a C# Content Strategist for his team @ MSDN... This person needs to be a developer at the same time needs to understand what content developers need in this space... The selected candidate will have to relocate to Redmond, WA, USA...

For more information about the job Click Here

If interested email me with the subject "Position in MSDN Team"

Why MCITP for DB & BI Developer??

Why is "Database Developer" and "Business Intelligence Developer" Tracks PRO credential called "Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) and not Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)?
I have been asked this question n number of times... Let me try to present the rationale:

With the New Generation of Certifications job roles are separated from technical skills... The technology specialization is accredited generically Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), but same cannot be done with the job role skills as professionals in different IT space relate themselves in different ways...

There were lots of surveys, interviews and focus groups conducted around this... Professionals working in the job roles of database developer and BI developer were interviewed to find out the credential that they could relate to... Survey results indicated that MCITP resonated more with SQL Server professionals... After further supporting research, discussions and approvals MCITP was chosen for Database Developer and Business Intelligence Developer...

MCITP and MCPD are both Professional job role focused credentials...
Both the credentials need MCTS credential as pre-requisite...
For IT Pro audience the PRO credential is MCITP and for Developer audience the PRO credential is MCPD...

SQL Server professionals liked MCITP more and so MCITP is the new PRO series credential for the SQL space...

SQL 2005 Certification Track

SQL Server 2005 Certification Track - Quick Look

This is the quick and dirty visual representation of SQL Server 2005 Certification Tracks... The three major tracks here will be Database Developer, Database Administrator and Business Intelligence Developer...

This figure does not include upgrade exam details...

VS 2005 Certification Track

Visual Studio 2005 Certification Track - Quick Look

Just a quick and dirty visual representation of VS 2005 certification tracks... The three major tracks are Web Appps, Windows Apps and Distributed Apps...

This diagram gives you a quick understanding on which exams you need take and pass to complete a particular track... Upgrade exams are not included in this diagram...

MS Developer Exams Branching

Code Language Branching in Developer Exams

With Visual Studio 2005 Microsoft has taken a step ahead in Developer Certifications... Remember the days when similar topic exams had different numbers based on code language... for e.g. 70-305 and 70-315...
That is going to change now... With new Code Language Branching Technology for Exam Deliveries we will have just one exam with an option to choose the code language at the time of exam delivery...

With Branching in place, developers will be asked to choose the code language of their choice (ofcourse from select set of options) before they begin the exam and all the code snippets within the exam will appear the code language selected. It will not be possible to change the language in the middle of the exam though!!

The advantage of this is that there will be only one exam number to remember... With .Net which code language you use should not matter right (ofcourse with some ifs and buts :-)) so it will not matter which code language you choose while you take the exam too...

Currently most of the new generation exams (MCTS & MCPD) will be available in VB.Net, C# as well as Managed C++ (Yes!! Managed C++ too)... Although Managed C++ might not be an option for exams where there are technology limitations... But overall pretty cool huh!!

Well all this doesn't sound pretty huge to developers right!!... Putting a few radio buttons in the beginning and showing some code based on the choice made, how big deal can it be... Believe me, I have been developer all my life appearance can be deceptive, it was definitely a big deal doing it technically...

Consider changing source code of 3rd party Windows based applications and then deploying it to more than one centers of all the cities, of all the countries in the world (which use IT enough)... Now consider that if you did not have the source code and you had to ask someone else to change it...And then on and on... Well that was not what we actually faced but I was kind of showing you the magnitude of affect such small things can have... Don't ask me what we did, but our team did a great job and you guys will now have branching available in developer exams...

Hurray!!

Microsoft BETA Exams

MCROSOFT BETA EXAMS FAQs in my own words
With launch of Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005 we will be having a lot of BETA exams rolling out from November 7th 2005 to May-June 2006... I receive a lot of emails asking below questions about BETA Exams... I thought it would be easier to emphasize the significance of BETA Exam to everyone via a single blog post...

BETA Exams provide valuable feedback to MS
BETA Exam are a very good way of providing feedback to Microsoft on the Exam questions, topics, content area etc... We look at every feedback seriously and try to make sure that it is incorporated within the final version of the exam (if the feedback is relevant and applicable)... If you spend time writing all the good things in the exam feedback, be rest assured that someone will read it...

BETA Exam As Good As Released Exam
BETA Exams are free to a candidate and they are Free because Microsoft Values the time a candidate puts in providing feedback about the exams... It is not because they are trial launch and they really mean nothing to MS... BETA EXAMS SHOULD BE TAKEN AS SERIOUSLY AS RELEASED EXAMS... They are not meant to try anyone's passing luck, they are meant to give benefits to early adopters of product and help raise the quality bar of the exam... Passing a BETA exam gives a person equal credit as regular exam... From my personal perspective I would appreciate a person passing BETA exam quite a bit as he/she is probably working on the BETA verion of the product...

Learning Material for Beta Exams
Many a times we do not have a lot of learning material available to support certain Beta exams... Again it is because we believe that people who are taking beta are self motivated folks... They have been making their hands dirty with Beta Product usage... They are ahead of the crowd and have been reading beta documentation... We do try that our learning material is available as early as possible...
We do have some early e-Learning, ILTs and Books available for Whidbey and Yukon... Click here

BETA Exam Invites are not public
BETA Exam invites are not public... BETA Exams are meant for qualified candidates only and qualified candidates should receive Beta invites via direct or proper forwarding channels... Selling of BETA codes is also strictly prohibited...

BETA Exam Registrations
BETA Exams are delivered via our standard Exam Delivery Partners (Thompson Prometric and Pearson VUE)... Candidates will have to schedule the Exam with either Prometric or VUE... BETA Exam invites usually go out approx one month before the Beta Date of the exam... There are fixed slots for a particular BETA Exam and they get filled up within 3-4 days of invites going out... Be prompt in registering for BETA Exams, we usually are not able to help much in case the slots run out...

BETA Exam Results
We go via a very comprehensive process of evaluating Beta Exams, this is the reason why Beta Exam Results do not come out at the same time when you appear the exam... You will not immediately know whether you passed or failed a Beta exam but will most likely know it before the final version of the Beta Exam is released (usually 6-8 weeks after the Beta Exam)...

BETA Exam can be taken once during Beta period
A person can appear a particular Beta exam only once during its Beta period... Although, do note that it is possible for the same person to appear Beta version of more than one unique exams... Also note that there are limited seats in Beta Exams, it is important that as many different people get a chance to take the exam and provide their feedback to us... Please take Beta Exams as seriously as you would take a live exam after paying for it... Do not use them for hit and trial purposes...

BETA Exam Test Taker Issues
If you faced problem at the test center; for e.g. you could not appear an exam due to exam download problems, exam availability at the test center etc you should let us know... We want to make sure that a candidates exam appearance experience is as smooth as it possibly can... Reach your Microsoft regional service center and let them know of the issue... Click here If you see no resolution to your problem you can definitely mail me... (But please do contact the regional service center first... :-))

Where is Vishal Joshi??

It has been a long long time huh!!...

Well I have been busy doing a lot of stuff... Finally "Have been there, did that..."
I joined Microsoft on June 6th 2005...
It made my life gears change so much that I could not find any time to write about anything...

I have joined MS as Technical Product Planner for Developer and Database Certifications... The obvious next question "What do you do there...??" well folks don't ask... I do whatever I feel needs to be done... Jokes apart I take care of planning & designing the next generation of certifications in Developer and Database Space... Just found some time to breathe after Whidbey and Yukon new certification family launch..

Wanna check out some stuff that we did???...go to... Next Generation of Certifications

What am I gonna do next with my blog... I am going to give it a work spin... I am going to start writing about certifications, how to prepare for certifications... Answer questions that people have about Microsoft Certifications... Give news that is worth sharing and so on...

I do not know whether I will be able to come back with VJs Tip of The Day yet (I guess time will not permit)... But still I bet there will be more interesting things on my blog then before...

Revitalizing myself...

Controlling Serailzation of Arrays

Just a quick note on controlling serialization of Arrays... Arrays' serialization is done in a little different way than any other standard datatypes.. There are special attributes available in System.Xml.Serialization which can be used for Arrays.

Generally we are used to using <XmlElement("tagName")> {VB} or [XmlElement("tagName")]{C#} on properties/members of our class... If these properties/members are arrays then the XmlElement attribute will remove the tree structure and convert it into a flat list...

eg.
<tagName>Value1</tagName>
<tagName>Value2</tagName>

instead of
<tagName>
<itemTag>Value1</itemTag>
<itemTag>Value2</itemTag>
</tagName>

If you would want to get the above structure for your Xml serialization, you would have to use following Attributes

<XmlArray("tagName"), XmlArrayItem("itemTag")> {VB} or [XmlArray("tagName"), XmlArrayItem("itemTag")] {C#}

There are many other small details related to attributes etc which you can find at MSDN... Click Here