Certification Information

To help me decide on which route to follow to upgrade my MCDBA to MCITP Database Administrator 2008, I’m taking a closer look at the exams for the MCITP Database Administrator 2008 certification, beginning with the prerequisite Microsoft 70-432 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance exam, which happens to be the only exam required for the MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance certification. This is generally the first step in preparing for an exam - discovering what is covered by the exam.

Obviously, the first place to look is at the official preparation guide for the MCTS 70-432 exam from Microsoft Learning. The most important information we’re looking for here is the exam objectives. So here it is:

The MCTS 70-432 Exam Objectives

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As an old Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) I have great interest in the new Microsoft SQL Server 2008 database administrator exams, unfortunately I didn’t have much interest in the SQL Server 2005 exams and having skipped the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exams, I’m now looking at upgrading my MCDBA to Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 certification.

I’m looking at two options: upgrading to MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2005 and then to MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 or just do the MCITP: Database Administrator on SQL Server 2008 exams.

Option 1: The Upgrade exams

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The MCSE 70-294 exam is based on planning, implementing, and maintaining the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory infrastructure. It is a fairly difficult exam with a difficulty rating of 4/5 and consists of approximately 50 questions, most of which are form-based multiple choice questions but there are also drag and drop questions, hot spot questions, task simulation questions and list, sort and order questions. You will have 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete the exam.

When you pass the 70-294 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure exam, you achieve Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) status if it’s the first exam you pass. You also receive credit toward Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 certification as the 70-294 exam is a core exam for the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification.

What you need to know for the Microsoft 70-294 exam

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In 2005 Microsoft introduced a whole new generation of certifications to replace the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD), and Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) certifications, which are being phased out as the exams for those certifications are being retired. But it’s not only the certification names that have changed; the nature of the exams has also changed. Take the old MCSE 70-216 Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure exam for example and compare it to the equivalent Windows Sever 2008 exam, the MCTS 70-642 Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring exam. The MCSE 70-216 was the mother of all MCSE core exams in terms of complexity and difficulty.

A typical 70-216 question would read something like:
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The Microsoft 70-272 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System exam is the second exam requirement for the entry-level Microsoft Certified Desktop Service Technician (MCDST) certification. As an exam for an entry level certification, the 70-272 exam is fairly easy and has a difficulty rating of just 2/5. The exam itself consists of between 50 and 60 questions that you must answer within 2 hours (120 minutes). To successfully pass the 70-272 exam you must get a score of 700/1000 for the exam.

Once you pass the Microsoft 70-272 exam, you will achieve the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) status if the 70-272 exam is the first Microsoft certification exam that you pass. You will also receive credit towards the Microsoft Certified Desktop Service Technician (MCDST) certification as the 70-272 exam is one of the exams required to achieve the MCDST certification. The other exam required for the MCDST certification is the Microsoft 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System exam.

What you need to know for the Microsoft 70-272 exam

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The Microsoft 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System exam is one of Microsoft’s easiest exams and focuses on configuring and troubleshooting the Microsoft Windows XP operating system to resolve end-user problems. It is an entry level exam aimed at desktop technicians and has a difficulty rating of only 2/5. The exam itself consists of approximately 50 to 60 questions that must be answered within 2 hours (120 minutes). To pass the 70-271 exam you must obtain a score of 700/1000.

Once you have passed the Microsoft 70-271 exam, you will achieve the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) status if it is the first Microsoft certification exam that you pass. You will also receive credit towards the Microsoft Certified Desktop Service Technician (MCDST) certification as the 70-271 exam is one of two exams required to achieve the MCDST certification. The other exam required for the MCDST certification is the Microsoft 70-272 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System exam.

What you need to know for the Microsoft 70-271 exam

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