MCP or MCSD, is it worth it?

Does anyone here have an MCP or MCSD from Microsoft in the area of Visual Basic, if so, was it worth it? Did it add to your pay? It's not that much money for the tests from what I have seen (I think only 100 dollars), but is it worth my time to try to prepare to pass them?

No one here has a Microsoft Certification? That's hard to believe.

I for one do have an MCSD. Although, I guess technically today will be the last day that I will be an MCSD for a bit. Three of my tests have retired and I have not re-certified under VB6 yet. I will probably do it in the next month or two. I was certified with WinArc I & II, VB 5.0 and Access 95. The access retired too. I think I have to recertify that one by December. I will probably do SQL for the elective.

Was it worth it? Unquestionably! Cost to me? I spent $400 on tests. I did not take any classes. I spent probably $200 or less on books. I had the software to learn on. I also used sites like this. I completed it in about 4 or 5 months time. It did nothing for my salary at first. Not to long after that, I was offered a much better job that I really enjoy. If not for the money I would still have taken it. It is not directly related to programming, VB or Access. I do write small apps in VB for my job though. The job took me up from my prior base salary to about 15k per year more. I went from wage to salary so considering the amount of overtime I had put in the previous year the "Real Gain" was more like +5k per year. But now although I do put in more than 40 hours per week, it is nothing like the overtime I used to put in (and as I have said is a much more satisfying job). All in all, I would certainly recommend it. I think that the certification will not get you the job or the raise (But it will get you considered) I feel strongly that even though my abilities had not changed much by being certified that I would not have been seriously considered or would have been offered significantly less had I not been certified. As I have said. I am going to recertify my MCSD and I am also working on my MCSE. Some people don't think they help. I ask them this though. Though it may not always help, can you say it never helps? and what does it hurt?

Just IMHO,
KillemAll

Thanks for your insite. I am kind of like you, I feel that it won't hurt me to have it. Anyone else have another point of view, or story to share with me?

I am currently a student with my MCP and two certifications. I will be getting my last two before Christmas. So is it worth it? I can't really answer that, but in my personal opinion, I believe it is, especially if your willing to move. There is already an employer who seems interested in hiring a few people.

Miasri

I have completed the 2 VB 6 exams: desktop and distributed applications and am learning for the solution architectures exam. I think the exams are great and definately add value to your resume. Since I have been certified I have increased my salary by 30%. I would definately recommend certification, especially to rookie programmers but also to experienced programmerers. I plan on completing the MCSD certification with the C++ desktop exam and am allowing myself to the middle of next year.