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SQL certification for beginner

Question
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Hello ,
I am planning for SQL certification 2012.
But I have work experience in SQL 2005.
Please can someone guide me with which certification to begin with.
Thanks.
Saturday, April 12, 2014 9:58 AM
Answers
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Hi, Ansh Rana.
If you want to become certified in SQL Server 2012, you must first earn the MCSA: SQL Server 2012 title and then (optionally) earn one (1) of the two (2) SQL Server 2012 MCSE certifications. The MCSA certification is a "stepping stone" to the big MCSE certification.
MCSA: SQL Server 2012 (70-461, 70-462, 70-463) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsa-sql-certification.aspx
- Exam 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-461.aspx
- Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-462.aspx
- Exam 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-463.aspx
** MCSE DECISION **
If you want to earn a SQL Server MCSE, you must choose one (1) of following certifications:
- A. MCSE: Data Platform (70-464, 70-465) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcse-sql-data-platform.aspx
- B. MCSE: Business Intelligence (70-466, 70-467) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcse-sql-business-intelligence.aspx
Whichever MCSE title you choose, you must pass the two (2) associated exams. Here are the exam details for both MCSE certification titles. Choose path A OR B:
A. MCSE: Data Platform
- Exam 70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-464.aspx
- Exam 70-465: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-465.aspx
B. MCSE: Business Intelligence
- Exam 70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-466.aspx
- Exam 70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-467.aspx
NOTE: The three (3) MCSA exams are based on SQL Server 2012. However, starting on April 24th, 2014, the four (4) SQL Server MCSE exams will be based on SQL Server 2014.
NOTE: It is great that you want to become certified in SQL Server 2012. Know that you can still earn the MCITP certifications for SQL Server 2008, described here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/sql-certification.aspx#item-ID0EBAAAABBAHere is free online training for SQL Server from Microsoft at Microsoft Virtual Academy to help you prepare:
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/product-training/sql-serverHere are free hands on labs from Microsoft at TechNet Virtual Labs to help you prepare:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/defaultGood luck!
Best wishes, Davin Mickelson
- Edited by Davin MickelsonEditor Saturday, April 12, 2014 7:00 PM
- Marked as answer by Mike Corkery, Microsoft Certified Trainer Tuesday, April 15, 2014 12:40 AM
Saturday, April 12, 2014 5:48 PMAnswerer
All replies
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Hi Ansh,
The first step is for you to buy the following book; -
Training Kit (Exam 70-461): Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (Microsoft Press Training Kit)
To get an overview of how the different SQL Server exams relate have a look at this link.
There are significant differences between SQL 2005 and SQL 2012 so you need access to SQL 2012 for your study. So here is the link to the developer's edition.
Kind Regards,
Kieran.
Kieran Patrick Wood http://www.innovativebusinessintelligence.com http://uk.linkedin.com/in/kieranpatrickwood http://kieranwood.wordpress.com/
- Edited by Kieran Patrick Wood Saturday, April 12, 2014 10:47 AM
Saturday, April 12, 2014 10:40 AM -
Hi, Ansh Rana.
If you want to become certified in SQL Server 2012, you must first earn the MCSA: SQL Server 2012 title and then (optionally) earn one (1) of the two (2) SQL Server 2012 MCSE certifications. The MCSA certification is a "stepping stone" to the big MCSE certification.
MCSA: SQL Server 2012 (70-461, 70-462, 70-463) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsa-sql-certification.aspx
- Exam 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-461.aspx
- Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-462.aspx
- Exam 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-463.aspx
** MCSE DECISION **
If you want to earn a SQL Server MCSE, you must choose one (1) of following certifications:
- A. MCSE: Data Platform (70-464, 70-465) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcse-sql-data-platform.aspx
- B. MCSE: Business Intelligence (70-466, 70-467) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcse-sql-business-intelligence.aspx
Whichever MCSE title you choose, you must pass the two (2) associated exams. Here are the exam details for both MCSE certification titles. Choose path A OR B:
A. MCSE: Data Platform
- Exam 70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-464.aspx
- Exam 70-465: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-465.aspx
B. MCSE: Business Intelligence
- Exam 70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-466.aspx
- Exam 70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-467.aspx
NOTE: The three (3) MCSA exams are based on SQL Server 2012. However, starting on April 24th, 2014, the four (4) SQL Server MCSE exams will be based on SQL Server 2014.
NOTE: It is great that you want to become certified in SQL Server 2012. Know that you can still earn the MCITP certifications for SQL Server 2008, described here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/sql-certification.aspx#item-ID0EBAAAABBAHere is free online training for SQL Server from Microsoft at Microsoft Virtual Academy to help you prepare:
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/product-training/sql-serverHere are free hands on labs from Microsoft at TechNet Virtual Labs to help you prepare:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/defaultGood luck!
Best wishes, Davin Mickelson
- Edited by Davin MickelsonEditor Saturday, April 12, 2014 7:00 PM
- Marked as answer by Mike Corkery, Microsoft Certified Trainer Tuesday, April 15, 2014 12:40 AM
Saturday, April 12, 2014 5:48 PMAnswerer -
You should be aware that the SQL Server 2012 exams will contain _lots_ of questions about new features in version 2012 that were not available in version 2005, so even if you are experienced in version 2005 you really need to study the materials for version 2012.
For example, the exam for SQL Querying is likely to contain questions on sequences, paging and the new windowing functions. Other exams will require knowledge about columnstore indexes, FileTable, and other new features. So make sure that you acquire and study some training materials that explicitly target version 2012.
Sunday, April 13, 2014 5:09 PM