Microsoft just introduced a new certification track MTA, Microsoft Technology Associate.
This is designed for the people who are seeking an entry point into the Microsoft technology world.

This track has exams especially designed for topics like:

  • .NET Fundamentals
  • Windows Development Fundamentals
  • Web Development Fundamentals
  • Security Fundamentals
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • Windows Operating System Fundamentals

etc…..

These exams will establish  a solid base for new Microsoft technology aspirants to become MCTS or MCSD certified later on.

An already experienced developer/professional in Microsoft Technologies, does need to earn this MTA exam, but having one won’t hurt, as all that matters is Rock Solid Fundamentals.

 

 

Microsoft is committed to a program of Microsoft Certifications that are relevant, valued, and respected indicators of IT professional and developer technology skills. To fulfill this commitment, the Microsoft Certification team continually monitors current industry trends and evolves accordingly, developing new exams and discontinuing others to ensure that certification requirements keep pace with technology enhancements.

In accordance with this commitment, Microsoft Learning will retire 12 exams on March 31, 2009. These exams focus on technologies no longer included in Microsoft mainstream support, and are requirements for the Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD), Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certifications. To complete these credentials, you must pass all required exams before they retire.

To know about the following:
• Developer exams that retire on March 31, 2009
• Microsoft SQL Server exams that retire on March 31, 2009
• Frequently asked questions

Read
MCP Exams being retired from 31-Mar-2009

Recently I got an opportunity to review the .NET Preparation Kits produced by uCertify – The fastest way to IT Certification

I was tasked to review the MCTS 70-536 C# exam preparation kit titled: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Application Development Foundation. While reviewing the preparation kit for 70-536 I found the methodology used to teach the concepts are very good and the concepts are covered in such a way that a beginner or a professional will be equally benefited.
Various types of practice tests helps you to be tough and well prepared when you appear for the real test. Each test covers all the concepts as per the Microsoft requirements and helps to prepare gradually and also to see your progress. I believe that this exam is one of the most usable exams as it opens the entry for three other MCTS exams as well. I personally feel, that Investing in 70-536 preparation kit available at 70-536-CSHARP – C#.NET 2.0 Application Development Foundation practice test will be an asset for any MCTS aspitant.

If you want to purchase .NET Preparation kits from uCertify then you can avail 10% discount as being my blog reader. Provide the discount code “VVRAGA” during your online purchase order when asked and enjoy the .NET Preparation kits to help you achieve your desired Microsoft certification.

Lets also have look at the user friendly and easy to use dashboard of uCertify’s preparation kits.

To achieve MCSD .NET and MCAD.NET the participant has to understand the requirements which are mentioned below.

MCAD: Microsoft Certified Application Developer

MCSD: Microsoft Certified Solution Developer

MCAD for Microsoft .NET

Visual Basic .NET Language Path (Two required)

Exam 70-305: Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Or

Exam 70-306: Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Exam 70-310: Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Visual C# Language Path (Two required)

Exam 70-315: Developing and Implementing Web Applications with C# and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Or

Exam 70-316: Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with C# and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Exam 70-320: Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Elective Exams (One Required)

Exam 70-229: Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Enterprise Edition

Note: This exam is widely by maximum of the developers.

Exam 70-230: Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000, Enterprise Edition

Exam 70-234: Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000

MCSD for Microsoft .NET

Track: Visual Basic .NET (Four required)

Exam 70-305: Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Exam 70-306: Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Exam 70-310: Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-300: Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures.

Note: This exam is required for all MCSDs, regardless of language choice.or

Track: Visual C# (Four required)

Exam 70-315: Developing and Implementing Web Applications with C# and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Exam 70-316: Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with C# and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Exam 70-320: Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-300: Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures. Note: This exam is required for all MCSDs, regardless of language choice.

Elective Exams (One Required)

Exam 70-229: Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Enterprise Edition

Exam 70-230: Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000, Enterprise Edition

Exam 70-234: Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000

Other Info about Exam

Total Time: 175 Minutes (150 Minutes for the actual exam and 25 Minutes for survey and comments)

Fees: 2500 INR/Paper

Number of Actual Exam Questions may vary. (Around 58 questions)

Good way:

  1. Read each question carefully.
  2. Eliminate the wrong answers.
  3. Select the correct ones (or at least the nearest guess)
  4. Mark the questions which you don’t know the answers (With this, you can estimate the possibility of passing the test before hand) to review them later

Useful Links:

www.microsoft.com/traincert

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.asp

Reference Books:

1.Microsoft Press/PHI MOC Books on Web/Windows etc

2.ADO.NET Step by Step by Rebecca

3.Advanced .NET Remoting – Ingo Rammer

4.Windows-Based Applications with Ms-C#.net and Ms-VB.NET.

5.Web-Based Applications with Ms-C#.net and Ms-VB.NET.

6.Professional C# Wrox.

7.Xml WebServices by Scott

8..Net Remoting -By Jason Bock, Pete Stromquist, Tom Fischer, Nathan Smith

9.Com + (o’riely )