MSPD Certification...

[MonkOFox]

I bought a book online that was referenced on microsofts site for studying for the MSPD .NET exam.

I think I'm pretty good at programming, and picking up new programming practices.

In general, would just studying this book be enough to successfully pass and and obtain my MSPD cert?

Thanks a bunch,

Justin Fox

[Hack]

How much actual experience have you had with the subject matter to be tested.

Microsoft typically recommends a minimum of 2 years.

If you have that kind of background, and study the information in the prep book, then I would say you are in a pretty good position to take the test.

[MonkOFox]

I have about a year's experience in desktop application development in .NET now.

Not so much in the ASP department. But I'm working on two e-commerce sites at work which are implemented in ASP.NET.

and ASP.NET doesn't seem that hard to do... just a lot of things I've never used before like the AJAX stuff and the little control toolkit etc...

What should I work on to prep my self for the test(besides the book)?

What concepts should I certainly be familiar with before I even consider studying for the test at all?

Also, are there any sites that have sample questions and exercises to prep for those certain concepts.

Thanks for your speedy reply,

Justin Fox

[Hack]

What concepts should I certainly be familiar with before I even consider studying for the test at all?

I have taken numerous Microsoft certification tests so I feel very comforable in giving you a three word answer to this question: All Of Them

I have yet to take a cert test that didn't contain an aspect of the subject matter that I had never had to deal with or use, but needed to know in order to pass the test.

[RobDog888]

Dont think of experience times as a means of validating your ability. You can have 2 years of experience oin just one area of programming but to have 2 years of experience on a wide spread of topics and technology is what is required to be best prepared for the exams.

[MonkOFox]

Cool deal, I'll probably just bury my nose in that book, and then take the test in about 6 months after...

I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes > : ).

Justin Fox

[Hack]

As you come into contact with features that you have never used, put the book aside for a bit and play around with them if for no other reason than to at least get a feel for what that particular aspect is all about.

I actually picked up things I didn't know about while studing for a test that I was able to incorporate into my work, and that is always cool.

[RobDog888]

And that shows tha the best way to learn is by actually doing the lessons/projects in addition to the reading.

[MonkOFox]

Yep, thanks for all the awesome advice : )

Justin Fox

[Hack]

One more thing and then I'll shut up and go away.

I still have a couple of my study books even though I've taken and passed the tests.

They often make good reference books when dealing with something you haven't had much experience with.