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Is it too late for me to take MCAD exams? RRS feed

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    I have a degree in Computer Science, worked as a software engineer for 4 years until 2002. However currently, I'm not working as a developer - 6 years I've not been in that field.  

    For that 6 years I've been wanting to go back to software developing but I don't have the opportunity to do so. So in Dec 2006 I decided to go for MCAD certifications. I started to take online trainings to prepare for the exams. I took my own sweet time (wrong move!) because I want to make sure I'll pass all the exams with flying colors:)

    But.. I had to stop studying in July 07 until recently (a month ago). Now that I'm able to go back onto the trainings, I found out that MCAD exams will be obsolete in March 2009!!!

    I spent a lot of money on the training materials so I'd like to know (in your opinion) whether it's wise for me to go ahead and take the exams before they become unavailable? I'm hoping to take the exams within this next 2 months (hopefully I'll pass all of them in one go!) Is it too late???

    Thanks in advance!!
    • Edited by shimareid Monday, July 28, 2008 7:30 PM Add info
    Monday, July 28, 2008 7:13 PM

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    If you don't want to loose the money you have spent for the MCAD study material check below for very good exams prep materials.  If you choose to do the VS2005 that is .NET 2.0 exams post again and I can help.  Here is MCAD and MCSD.NET prep material.


    http://www.codeclinic.com/certification.htm
    Asp.net MVP, MCPD Web C#, MCITP BI & MCTS SQL Server 2005
    Monday, July 28, 2008 8:20 PM

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    If you don't want to loose the money you have spent for the MCAD study material check below for very good exams prep materials.  If you choose to do the VS2005 that is .NET 2.0 exams post again and I can help.  Here is MCAD and MCSD.NET prep material.


    http://www.codeclinic.com/certification.htm
    Asp.net MVP, MCPD Web C#, MCITP BI & MCTS SQL Server 2005
    Monday, July 28, 2008 8:20 PM
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    I have a similar question.  I too started studying for the MCAD.NET in the fall of 2007 and have taken my time learning the material.  Now I am about 2 months away from being able to take the exam and thus am about to buy an exam test prep software but I wonder if its worth it since right now I have only purchased a book on the subject (and have still have to study for 70-310).  I am wondering if I should just buy another book on the new exam track and the testing software that goes with it and start over studying that or do I continue down the MCAD.NET path and take the upgrade in exam next spring?

    Thanks!

    Barbara
    Steelerfan500
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:29 PM
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    I don't understand why you paid for MCAD in 2007 because MCPD is one year old by that time so it is a personal decision because Vista does not run VS2002/3 and at the time VS2005 was two years old.  The decision is yours  and I must tell you Microsoft says the fail rate of MCAD upgrade is so high they are not recommending it.  So if you choose MCAD use the material at CodeClinic and if you choose MCPD post again because I can help.

    Asp.net MVP, MCPD Web C#, MCITP BI & MCTS SQL Server 2005
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:49 PM
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    At the time I started I guess I didn't notice about MCPD and they hadn't retired MCAD.Net yet but it's totally my fault for not keeping up with it and for taking my time studying but I am a VB programmer and love it and really want to upgrade my skills.  As much as it pains me to abandon my current course, it seems that I shouldn't waste anymore time or money in a cert that is about to retire.  I am thinking my best course of action at this point is to work towards MCPD.  My previous background has been with VB 6 and SQL Server 2005/2000 but I would very much like to get into web development.  Any suggestions as to how to prepare, what books or exam software you'd recommend or any links to content is very much appreciated.  I have learned that I will need to take 70-528, 70-536 and 70-547.

    Thanks.


    Steelerfan500
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:57 PM
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    I have covered MCTS web in VB in the thread below so for exam 70-547 in VB start with the Microsoft prep book but the reviews are not good and run searches at the offical Asp.net docs and Scott's blog most things in Asp.net he either covered it or posted links to other sites with the material. 

    You must know Master pages and themes that is styles are in PreInit in the http pipeline and Membership is an application service that comes with the Web Admin tool which you use to configure your users.  These will get you started always use the exam what is covered guide so you know you are on the right track and you need good practice exam.


    http://forums.msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/CertGeneral/thread/32b9322e-785e-4039-a310-647d6a900180


    http://quickstarts.asp.net/QuickStartv20/aspnet/

    http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/



    Asp.net MVP, MCPD Web C#, MCITP BI & MCTS SQL Server 2005
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 3:23 PM
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    Thanks so much for the quick response.  I do have another question.  If I choose the Visual Studio 2008 track then is it true that there are only two exams, 70-536 plus one elective (70-505 or 70-561)?
    Steelerfan500
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 4:52 PM
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    Besides confirming which exams go with the Visual Studio 2008 track, I guess I am wondering if I should focus on that which or just study the Visual Studio 2005 track (70-528, 70-536 & 70-547).  Thanks for tolerating my questions!  :-)
    Steelerfan500
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5:24 PM
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    Yes and I have answered all your other questions and I here to help if you have questions.


    That is not correct you still need three exam 70-536, 70-562 and 70-564 for Asp.net 3.5 MCPD and in Asp.net I will not advice you to go to 3.5 from MCAD because you need to know key structural changes in 2.0 that may not be covered by the 3.5 exams.  I don't know where you got those exam numbers but I think 70-505 is for Winform and not Asp.net and exam 70-561 is for the ADO.NET MCTS or Enterprise MCPD it has nothing to do with Asp.net.  I have covered the MCPD 3.5 exams in detail in the thread below.

    MCPD: ASP.NET Developer 3.5


    Exam 70-536

    Exam 70-562

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-562.mspx

    Exam 70-564

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-564.mspx



    All MCPD 3.5 certification exams in detail.

    http://forums.msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/csharpgeneral/thread/0309997e-49f2-4425-9172-a58dc41fff19





    Asp.net MVP, MCPD Web C#, MCITP BI & MCTS SQL Server 2005
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 5:33 PM
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    Ok, thanks again.  Based on reading up on the different tracks and reading your posts, I am wondering if the web developer exams might be too difficult for someone with little previous web development to pass.  My past experience has always been with Windows development (VB6, Access, Foxpro, etc).  Do you think it would be easier for me to learn and pass the Windows MCPD rather than the Web MCPD?

    Barbara.
    Steelerfan500
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 6:26 PM
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    I cannot answer this question because I am an Asp.net expert I will be of limited help for Winform exams.  However here are the three exams you need for Winform MCPD 70-536, 70-526 and 70-548.

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/windev/default.mspx

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-526.mspx

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-548.mspx


    I can help with the required exam which is 70-536, I have covered how to pass the VB.NET version of the exam in the thread below.

    http://forums.msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/CertGeneral/thread/32b9322e-785e-4039-a310-647d6a900180


    Asp.net MVP, MCPD Web C#, MCITP BI & MCTS SQL Server 2005
    Wednesday, July 30, 2008 7:00 PM
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    Hi

    If your main work has been with Windows client apps, then it can be quite difficult to pass either .NET 2.0 Web Applications or the 3.5 ASP.NET exam. These exams rely on the user having a bit of experience with IIS and configuring it for use with ASP.NET and also an indepth knowledge of the web.config file.

    Also knowing the publishing tools for web applications in VS.

    I would stick with the Windows based MCTS first and then go for the MCPD once you have completed it. You can then go for the Web MCTS as its only a 1 exam requirement to get it, once you have completed 70-536.

    Hope that helps somewhat
    Thursday, July 31, 2008 6:32 AM
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    Hi,

    Thanks for the response.  I definitely agree with you, even though I am anxious about delving into web development, I need to walk before I can crawl and like you said my past experience is with Windows apps so I need to update that skillset first.

    Thanks for the advice!
    Steelerfan500
    Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:20 PM
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    In Asp.net 2.0 and above the Asp.net team provide free training in tutorials and Videos covering all you need to get started as Asp.net developer.  Check the links below for free Asp.net tutorials.

    http://www.asp.net/learn/default.aspx?tabid=63

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/asp.net/aa336567.aspx


     

    Asp.net MVP, MCPD Web C#, MCITP BI & MCTS SQL Server 2005
    Thursday, July 31, 2008 7:05 PM