Got the final letter from Prometric. I went 4 of 5 on the SQL server 2008 beta tests. I failed the one of the BI tests which is a good sign since I have not built a cube in 6 or 7 years, I would consider myself at the the jr. level with SSIS and wouldn't know a decision tree if it hit me in the face.
So for what it is worth, I am a new MCITP DBA 2008 and MCITP Database Developer 2008. Yep, there will party hats, kazoo's and everclear infused watermelon at my house tonight. Stop by but I warn you that the first person to pass out will get the shaved eye brow treatment and ANSI written across their forehead in permanent marker.
It seems like there is a lot of negative feedback for the SQL MCM\MCA certs. I tend to agree. I have taken all of the SQL tests since 7.0 and participated in the SQL 2008 test development process. I really just do it for fun. Yah, that’s how I roll. My boss does not put much value in those certs nor does the industry as far I can tell. Initially, I was happy to hear about the MCM but then I realized it would never happen for me.
It looks like they outsourced most of the teachers. Great industry renowned people with great kung fu but not the guys with access to the source or designed the architecture. In some cases, they teach better (They do it for a living) but in other cases it may be better to have it straight from the horse’s mouth. On top of that, Greg Low says most people don't pass the first time around. Imagine spending 21 long days and 18.5 large for a 50%-100% chance of failing.
I have recently been put in a position where I have to manage Oracle DBA's and, after looking at the OCM cert, it requires 3 weeks of class time, ~$9k, about 4 tests and a lab test. The expensive classroom time can be split up over time. The OCM holds some good street cred too.
What is the solution? Copy Oracle. It won’t be the first time :)
Here are a few posts:http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/steve_jones/archive/2008/12/01/rangers-to-masters.aspxhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/tim_mitchell/archive/2008/11/29/microsoft-certified-master-program-is-this-the-answer-to-certification-woes.aspx
I received and email from Microsoft last night that I passed the 71-432 beta test I took a while back.
Subject: Congratulations on Your Microsoft Certification! Access Your BenefitsCongratulations on earning your Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance certification! We hope you enjoy the benefits of your certification and of membership in the Microsoft Certified Professional community.
I reviewed this test back here. I believe it is also live and out of beta so go take it! There are also other SQL Server beta tests currently available I think. Watch this space.
<begin tangent>
I am in Redmond again and I will be working with Microsoft Learning tomorrow. Hopefully, providing more street cred to the SQL Server certs. I think employers are caring less about industry certs these days and more about CS degrees. This is sad IMO but then again I do not has a CS degree. Certs and degrees both have pro’s and con’s but most of what you learn technology related in a 4 year degree is obsolete by the time you graduate. Some technology is obsolete before the book is written.
For me, it all comes down to interview performance. Experience is number one when I am picking interview candidates but a certification that is specialized to the to job description will help you get in the door. At least with me. It only takes a few questions to figure out if you are a brain dumper. At that point, I usually make the interview tough. Well, tough might be an understatement. :)
</end tangent>
Yet another beta exam announcement. This one is for the developer track, MCITP Database Developer 2008. It is actually the second and usually harder test. I guess they just got finished with it before 71-433. I have taken 3 of the beta tests so far. I have reviewed 71-431 and 71-450. I have yet to get results. As I mentioned before, I suggest you taken them and provide feedback. This will improve the test and thus the certification. Registration opens 8-29 and you can get the reg code here.
p.s. It is free!
I wrote this test today. It was not bad. Some questions were good things that DBA's with real life experience should know. Some were really easy. Some were like WTF? I read this before taking the test and it is pretty right on as far as the content. One think that surprised me were the "administering SSIS packages" questions but that was listed in the prep guide. I just missed it.
I did make a lot of comments. There were a few questions that could not have a correct or at least totally correct answer. There were a few questions that required more info to make more than a guess or an answer based on opinion. I also commented with harsh words on questions that could be easily answered by reading the marketing blurbs on 2008. I actually ran out of time making comments.
If you have been working on SQL 2008, go take this test, and provide feedback. They are listening, and hopefully, the end result will be more street cred for MCITP.
Get the beta codes here: http://blogs.technet.com/betaexams/default.aspx
It is an open beta. Get the registration codes here: http://blogs.technet.com/betaexams/default.aspx I took the first two and reviewed the admin test here. I am still anxiously awaiting the results. I will take 71-452 this week and post a review later.
I gave my review of 71-432 this weekend. It was supposed to end beta yesterday. They extended it and opened it for everyone. Read Gerry's post on it here and then go sign up. I might go take the BI test.
I took the beta test this morning. It was a good test. I'll know if I passed within 8 weeks but I feel good about it. I think someone who passes this will have a decent understanding of SQL Server. The 70 question test covered the broad topic of SQL Server Administration so they do not spend too much time on one topic. However, get up close and personal with security, backups and checkdb before taking the test. Questions specific to new features in SQL 2008 were sparse(pun intended). A good, experienced SQL 2005 DBA might be able to wing it with minimal preparation. I don't want to push the NDA too hard so I will leave it at that.
There were a few errors(or I am the dumby) and I commented on them. As a beta test, I was pleasantly surprised with only 70 questions. I took the SQL 2000 and SQL 2005 beta tests and they were monsters. Lots of questions and a duration of 2-3 hours. I am looking forward to the next one.
On a scale of 1-10 of difficulty, I give a 6.5-7. I am doomed to fail now. :) I say that because it seemed like the 7.0 and 2000 database design tests were so much harder. We'll see how the SQL 2008 "database design" equivalent test measures up. I will post again when I get my results.
It sounds like the first tests for SQL and VS 2008 are going to be live in April.(Subject to change) You can also get a 40% discount by registering early. More here.
edit: The VS2008 tests are scheduled for April. SQL is scheduled for August.
Speaking of certs, there is a web cast on the SQL 2008 certs tomorrow. Read more.
SQL Server 2008 and Your Microsoft Certifications: Join the Microsoft Certification team for guidance on your certification path for SQL Server. In this meeting, we will introduce our plans for SQL Server 2008 training and certification, review the SQL Server 2005 certifications, and answer your individual questions about the path that is right for you, in Business Intelligence, Database Development, or Database Administration. Meeting offered twice to accomodate worldwide calendars:
Helmer's blog reports that the MCP numbers have been updated. Here are the SQL related numbers.
The big news of the week is Windows Server 2008 RTM'ing. Read more here.
The storage engine team has begin a series on bulk insert. It is definitely recommended reading. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
The SQL Server development customer advisory team has launched http://SQLCAT.com. They have some nice content.
There is some interesting commentary on obtaining certs on SQL here.
Simon S. releases a new version of the spatial viewer on codeplex. Get yer spatial on!
Edit:
This one just missed post but it looks cool so I will add it in,
Danny has just released a new SSMS plug in that can color code your connections. That way there are no more OMG moments.
I have been wanting to get into BI for some time now. My experience includes installation and some light troubleshooting on SSRS and SSAS 2005. I have some light performance tuning of SSAS 2000 and 7.0 OLAP. I have had intentions of attending BI sessions at the conferences but I always end up in the performance or internals sessions. This may be because most of the session would be over my head.
I am going to start with the basics and work my way up. With the available material, I will have to pull from many sources. The good thing about this is it will give me more real world knowledge but the test may be a little harder without "test prep" type material.
Here is my study material. If anyone has any other resources, please let me know. jason****remove****@statisticsio.com
Books:
McGraw Hill Osborne Delivering Business Intelligence with Microsoft SQL.Server 2005
Addison Wesley Practical Business Intelligence with SQL Server 2005
Wrox Professional SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services
MS Press - Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Step-By-Step
MS Press - Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services Step-By-Step
MS Virtual Labs:
Take this lab
SQL Server 2005 Integration Services
On a side note, the pickings are slim for BI at Microsoft eLearning.
https://www.microsoftelearning.com/catalog/itproDev.aspx#sqlServer