MCSD: VB.NET exam (70-306)

[capsulecorpjx]

K I just bought prometric exam for VB.NET (70-306). It's 1/5 tests I need to take to get my MCSD.

I'm planning to buy the Exam Cram book for it.

I program in VB 6 and have a passing experience in VB.NET (Though I forgot most of it), anyone got any book or study suggestions?

[techgnome]

More practice in .NET.

-tg

[Hack]

In fact, Microsoft recommends a minimum of two years of practical experience in anything you are attempting to test out of.

[sevenhalo]

The tests are mostly applied knowledge, not book knowledge.

[SeanK]

Exactly. They will present a situation and you need to know how to solve it.

[capsulecorpjx]

In fact, Microsoft recommends a minimum of two years of practical experience in anything you are attempting to test out of.

I wouldn't say so, a good test taker with any programming experience can pass it.

I've order the Exam Cram for that test.

I'll let you guys know how I do, my test is the end of september.

[Hack]

That is just Microsoft's recommendation. No one is saying you have to follow it.

[bgmacaw]

I just blogged about it over the weekend: Of Coders, Professional Programmers, Martial Arts and Ginger Cats. It's probably not the answer you're looking for though.

I see the certification thing as mostly a scam to relieve programmers and/or their corporate sponsors of their hard earned money while giving very little of practical use or value in return.

[capsulecorpjx]

I just blogged about it over the weekend: Of Coders, Professional Programmers, Martial Arts and Ginger Cats. It's probably not the answer you're looking for though.

I see the certification thing as mostly a scam to relieve programmers and/or their corporate sponsors of their hard earned money while giving very little of practical use or value in return.

I agree, the certification by itself is worthless if you don't have a B.S. from a decent university to back it up with. That's what a boss at a major bank told me before, he looks for College and B.S. degree first.

The certification is icing on the cake, but it also shows that you have decent competatence in that particular subject field.

For 125 dollars exam fee + books, it's not that much of a scam. People go overboard sometimes though and spend 10 grand + for official training and classes.

[techgnome]

Our company pays for our exams.... and then we get a bonus for passing the exams, and then an even bigger bonus for getting the full certification. Scam? Perhaps, but I'm not the one paying for it.

-tg

[bgmacaw]

Our company pays for our exams.... and then we get a bonus for passing the exams, and then an even bigger bonus for getting the full certification. Scam? Perhaps, but I'm not the one paying for it.

Suckers!

If you cut out on them after getting the certification do you still get to keep the bonus.

[techgnome]

Yep.... just have to wait for it to show on the next paycheck...

-tg

[Hack]

My company also pays for the exams, but that is as far as it goes.

You might get an extra percent or two as a raise after your annual review, but thats it.

In addition, they will only pay once. If you don't pass the exam, the retake is on you.