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Will there be an upgrade exam in the next version of SQL Server?

Question
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Greetings.
I'm currently a certified MCITP in SS 2005, and have been studying for the big upgrade exam to 2008 (70-453). The problem I'm having is time to devote to training (who doesnt have that problem). After months of attempting this, Im really wondering why Im bothering with all this effort.
The one reason I can think to continue is the ability of having to take only one upgrade cert from 2008 to the next version, as opposed to having to do everything all over again. Does anyone know if there will be an upgrade exam for this? Does MS always have upgrade exams, or was 70-453 just because 2005 and 2008 arent really all that different?
Thanks!
TIA, ChrisRDBA- Edited by ChrisRDBA Tuesday, September 20, 2011 3:45 PM
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 3:45 PM
Answers
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Hi
The upgrade exams are just a shortcut for people with Pro level certs to get up to the next version without having to pay for the constituent exams. In your case this is 2 exams in 1.
The upgrade from 2005 to 2008 was offered because it was a Major number version change (V9.0 to V10) whereas SQL 2008 to 2008 R2 was a minor revision. From TechNet
The standard product version format for SQL Server is MM.nn.bbbb.rr where each segment is defined as:
MM - Major version
nn - Minor version
bbbb - Build number
rr - Build revision number
"Denali" will be a Major version as well V11. So you can expect an upgrade from 2008 to "Denali" (or whatever it will be released as). Current build number is 11.0.1440.19 for CTP3.
Now there is only upgrades from the previous to the next, so in your case there will be none from 2005 to "Denali"
There was an upgrade from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005 but it was in 2 parts. So as stated before they offer from version to version.
Blog: http://www.certsandprogs.com
70-515 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-536 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-505 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-562 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-433 Objectives List with MSDN Links- Edited by Niall MerriganMVP Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:04 PM
- Marked as answer by ChrisRDBA Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:56 PM
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:02 PM
All replies
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Hi
The upgrade exams are just a shortcut for people with Pro level certs to get up to the next version without having to pay for the constituent exams. In your case this is 2 exams in 1.
The upgrade from 2005 to 2008 was offered because it was a Major number version change (V9.0 to V10) whereas SQL 2008 to 2008 R2 was a minor revision. From TechNet
The standard product version format for SQL Server is MM.nn.bbbb.rr where each segment is defined as:
MM - Major version
nn - Minor version
bbbb - Build number
rr - Build revision number
"Denali" will be a Major version as well V11. So you can expect an upgrade from 2008 to "Denali" (or whatever it will be released as). Current build number is 11.0.1440.19 for CTP3.
Now there is only upgrades from the previous to the next, so in your case there will be none from 2005 to "Denali"
There was an upgrade from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005 but it was in 2 parts. So as stated before they offer from version to version.
Blog: http://www.certsandprogs.com
70-515 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-536 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-505 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-562 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-433 Objectives List with MSDN Links- Edited by Niall MerriganMVP Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:04 PM
- Marked as answer by ChrisRDBA Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:56 PM
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:02 PM -
That's what I needed to know, thanks!
TIA, ChrisRDBATuesday, September 20, 2011 5:57 PM -
One more question: How long after a version release do the certs/ tests typically come out?
TIA, ChrisRDBATuesday, September 20, 2011 7:54 PM -
Depends on the tech. For the .NET exams they came out in June/July 2010 and VS2010 (.NET4) was released in April 2010.
Its down to the question writers, SMEs, authors etc and their timelines but you can usually expect it within 3-6 months after the tech launch, with beta exam announcements appearing 3-4 months before..
Again these are only estimates based on previous exam timelines
Blog: http://www.certsandprogs.com
70-515 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-536 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-505 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-562 Objectives List with MSDN Links
70-433 Objectives List with MSDN LinksTuesday, September 20, 2011 7:58 PM -
Cool, thanks!
TIA, ChrisRDBATuesday, September 20, 2011 8:26 PM