MCTS Certification

[grahamxyz]

I am thinking of doing the MCTS certification (2008).

I notice that the core exam 70-536 is still framework 2.0.

will this change to 3.5?

I am asking because it take me a long time to do an exam and don't want the first exam to be obsolete by the time I do the second. this has happened to me before with other certifications (not microsoft).

[RobDog888]

No, 2.0 because there are no 2008 certification exams released yet.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/default.mspx

[grahamxyz]

Thanks for your reply RobDog. I was wondering if I should start on the 2.0 framework core exam or wait and see if a 3.5 version would come along.

the link below show the 2.0 framework as the core for 2008.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/vstudio/2008/default.mspx

[mendhak]

According to that page, if:

I am currently working toward my MCTS or MCPD on Visual Studio 2005

Then

Continue your learning track on Visual Studio 2005 so that you are ready to transition to Visual Studio 2008 when the time is right.

I think this is a corporate way of saying "Well, we don't want you to feel bad, so we'll work something out for you."

To be honest, I'd say go for the latest - 3.5 - wait for it. I don't know why that page has a <title> of "Get certified on Windows Server 2008" though.

[grahamxyz]

Thanks for your reply mendhak. It's frustrating but I guess I'll just have to wait for the 3.5 version.

[Hack]

You can study what you have for 2.0

There will be changes in 3.5, but there will also be things that haven't changed.

[grahamxyz]

Thanks for replaying . I don't want to duplicate the work.

I have plenty to keep me going for the moment (I'm just converting from VB to C#, shouldn't take me more than a 100 years!)

[mendhak]

Oh but you do have something to work on meanwhile.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-536.mspx

This exam is going to be mandatory for the 3.5 version anyways, so you could start with that.

[grahamxyz]

yes, but that link specifically refers to "framework 2.0"

(TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0—Application Development Foundation)

Hence my original question. I am confused why would framework 2.0 be a core requisit for 2008 certification?

[mendhak]

This is because 3.5 is like an add-on to 2.0. 3.5, however, adds a few more language features such as LINQ, and in web development it gives you ASP.NET AJAX. I assume they are relevant to the other exam.

[schaefer]

Do these certifications help in getting contracts? I haven't bothered to get one because it seems like you'd have to get a new one every couple of years and I've never had a prospective client ask if I had any certifications.

[Hack]

That depends on your market. In this area, employeers like that kind of thing. In other places, they could care less.

I would take a look at the existing job listings in your area and see how many, if any, ask about this kind of thing.

I don't know if they help, but I do know they can't hurt.

[RobDog888]

I havent really seen any jobs that will state they require a cert. before they will hire. Usually its just icing on the cake that can help set you apart from the heard.

[mendhak]

It made the difference when I got my first job, but after that, every interview was more about what I know in terms of experience. I don't want to say that the certificate is meaningless... so I won't say it, but I won't imply it either. I'll just be a little vague about it, but you get the idea that it helps a tiny bit.

[RobDog888]

To make a less vague statement... It helps you get your foot in the door when starting out on a programming career but when you reach higher levels of programming positions it is more about your experience and performance.

[grahamxyz]

I emailed MS for calification of the 2008 certification. They Said:

"We kindly inform that there will be exam on Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. Exam number is 70-561 and it will be released in June 2008. To learn more about this exam, visit http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-561.mspx

Even though on the website http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-536.mspx
it is not stated that exam 536 counts towards Visual studio certifications, it will as it is stated on http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/vstudio/2008/default.mspx.

Website with Preparation Guide for Exam 70-536 will be updated soon after the Visual Studio certificate will be released."

So i will wait for June.

[Hack]

Thanks for passing this along. :)

[RobDog888]

I wouldnt count too much on pre-release tests. Things will change as they always do with preview exams.