Technology Series (MCTS)

The Technology Specialist certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies, and are generally the first step toward the Professional-level certifications. There are currently 20 MCTS certifications, which can be roughly grouped into the following specializations, each requiring certain examinations to be passed:

Office Specializations

Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007

• Exam 70-632: Microsoft Office Project 2007, Managing Projects

Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

• Exam 70-633: Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects

Forefront Client and Server, Configuration

• Exam 70-557: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuration

Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuration

• Exam 70-630: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring

Office SharePoint Server 2007, Application Development

• Exam 70-542: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – Application Development

.NET Framework Specializations

.NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications

• Exam 70-528: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

.NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications

• Exam 70-526: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

.NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications

• Exam 70-529: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

SQL Server Specializations

SQL Server 2005

• Exam 70-431: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance

SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence

• Exam 70-445: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence – Implementation and Maintenance

Business Intelligence Specializations

BizTalk Server 2006

• Exam 70-235: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server

Live Communications Server 2005

• Exam 70-262: Office Live Communications Server 2005-Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting

Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Configuration

• Exam 70-236: Exchange Server 2007, Configuring

Windows Specializations

Windows Mobile 5.0 Applications

• Exam 70-540: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 – Application Development

Windows Mobile 5.0, Implementing and Managing

• Exam 70-500: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0, Implementing and Managing

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Application Development

• Exam 70-541: Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 – Application Development

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuration

• Exam 70-631: Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring

Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments, Configuration and Management

• Exam 70-501: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments, Configuring and Managing

Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining

• Exam 70-624: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

Windows Vista Configuration

• Exam 70-620: Windows Vista, Configuring

Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration

• Exam 70-640: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration

• Exam 70-642: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration

• Exam 70-643: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring

Professional Series

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)

These certifications are designed for .NET software developers and are based around .NET 3.5, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2005/2008.

Windows Developer 3.5

• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation
• Exam 70-505: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Application Development
• Exam 70-563 (PRO): Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

ASP .NET Developer 3.5

• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation
• Exam 70-562: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development
• Exam 70-564 (PRO): Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

Web Developer, Visual Studio 2005

• Exam 70-528: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation
• Exam 70-547 (PRO): Designing and Developing Web Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5

• Exam 70-503: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Communication Foundation Application Development
• Exam 70-505: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Application Development
• Exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation – applicable to both .NET 2.0 and .NET 3.5
• Exam 70-561: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development
• Exam 70-562: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development
• Exam 70-565 (PRO): Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications using Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credential is the leading certification for Microsoft. It provides widely recognized, objective validation of your ability to perform critical, current IT job roles by using Microsoft technologies to their best advantage.

These certifications are designed for IT professionals including administrators and support personnel in addition to database specialists (both administrators and developers).

Business Intelligence Developer

• MCTS: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence
• Exam 70-446 (PRO): Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Consumer Support Technician

• MCTS: Windows Vista Configuration
• Exam 70-623 (PRO): Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Consumer Support Technicians

Database Developer

• MCTS: SQL Server 2005
• Exam 70-441 (PRO): Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Open License 6.0
• Exam 70-442 (PRO): Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Database Administrator

• MCTS: SQL Server 2005
• Exam 70-443 (PRO): Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• Exam 70-444 (PRO): Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Enterprise Messaging Administrator

• MCTS: Exchange Server 2007 Configuration
• Exam 70-237 (PRO): Designing Messaging Solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
• Exam 70-238 (PRO): Deploying Messaging Solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

• MCTS: Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007
• MCTS: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
• Exam 70-634 (PRO): Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects and Programs

Enterprise Support Technician

• MCTS: Windows Vista Configuration
• Exam 70-622 (PRO): Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Microsoft Windows Vista Client for Enterprise Support Technicians

Server Administrator

• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
• Exam 70-646 (PRO): Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

Enterprise Administrator

• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration
• MCTS: Windows Vista Configuration OR MCTS: Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining
• Exam 70-647 (PRO): Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

Master Series

Architect Series

The Architect Series is completely different from the Technology Specialist and Professional series, composed of a five-week training session, at a cost of $25,000. Candidates are paired with an existing Microsoft Certified Architect for the duration of the program who mentor and provide guidance to complete a series of tasks. At the conclusion the candidate must submit a report and pass a Review Board interview.

The Architect Series is very similar to other industry professional certification programs, such as the Certified Practicing Engineer (CPEng) offered by Engineers Australia.
There are two primary tracks in the Architect Program:

Technology-based Architecture

There are two MCA Certifications in the Technology-based Architecture track:

• Messaging (Microsoft Exchange Server)
• Database (Microsoft SQL Server focused on OLTP

Broad Architecture

This track is designed for professionals that use a variety of Microsoft and non-Microsoft technologies to deliver customer solutions. Again there are two primary tracks:

• Infrastructure certifications
• Solutions certifications

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With the introduction of the Professional Series your MCTS, MCITP, or MCPD certifications will retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology. Typically, mainstream support is discontinued 7 to 10 years after the initial product release. When support ends, your related certification will retire.

Microsoft’s initial communications about the Professional Series certifications was announced that a “refresh” or recertification of the MCITP and MCPD credentials would be required within three years. This policy has changed. To address the needs of the worldwide customer base, the updated policy is to retire a certification when mainstream support for the related technology retires. There is no action required from you if you earned a Professional Series certification before the policy change; the updated policy applies to your certification, which will be valid until mainstream support for the related technology retires.

Technology Specialist Series (MCTS) Upgrades

There are no upgrade paths that lead only to an MCTS certification. All prior certification paths lead to either an MCPD or MCITS certification, which will indirectly confer the relevant prerequisite MCTS certification on the successful candidate.

Professional Developer (MCPD) Upgrades

The upgrade paths for the Professional Developer series require that candidates have a minimum existing Microsoft Certified Application Developer certification, although since this is a prerequisite for the Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer series, this also qualifies. Generally candidates who specialized in Windows Forms development in the MCAD would upgrade to the MCPD: Windows Developer, Web developers would take the MCPD: Web Developer path, and MCSD holders would upgrade to the MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer. However, there is no actual restriction enforced and a candidate holding any variant of the MCAD three MCAD to MCPD paths, and an MCSD can take any of the four MCSD to MCAD paths.

MCAD/MCSD to MCPD: Web Developer

This certification requires that one pass the following examination:

• Exam 70-551: UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCAD/MCSD to MCPD: Windows Developer

This certification requires that one pass the following examination:

• Exam 70-552: UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCAD to MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer

This certification requires that one pass the following examinations:

• Exam 70-551: UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
• Exam 70-552: UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCSD to MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer

This certification requires that one pass the following examinations:

• Exam 70-553: UPGRADE: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework: Part 1
• Exam 70-554: UPGRADE: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework: Part 2

IT Professional (MCITP) Upgrades

MCDST to MCITP: Enterprise Support

This certification requires that one pass the following examination:

• Exam 70-621: PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support

MCDBA to MCITP: Database Administrator This certification requires that one pass the following examination:

• Prerequisite: MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance
• Exam 70-447: UPGRADE: MCDBA Skills to MCITP Database Administrator by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

MCSA and MCSE Transitions

MCSA and MCSE certifications will not be retired. Microsoft has introduced a transition path to allow MCSA/MCSE holders to obtain MCITP certification. Both certifications require a common transitional exam (70-649), as well as two additional exams for MCITP: Server Administrator and three additional exams for the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator.

Microsoft Certification Resources

There are several courses, boot camps and practice tests from different vendors offering preparation material for Microsoft certification exams. Boot camps normally provide residential program that includes food and lodging. These courses are meant for busy professionals who do not have enough time for self preparation or wish to get trained by professional trainers. Microsoft Press provides several books towards Microsoft certification exams preparation. Books are normally the first place to explore Microsoft certification options, and preparation. Apart from Microsoft Press books, there are other reputed publishers like Sybex, and others. In addition to books, Microsoft Learning also offers courses for each of the exams.

Apart from books, there are several practice tests vendors that offer pre-certification exams. These mock exams almost mimic actual exams, and normally priced much less than the actual exam. Several user forums are available for certification preparation where most questions are answered by other forum users.

Experts and past candidates recommend not only reading more than one book, but spending a good amount of time practicing the concepts on computers on a test environment. After practicing and reading, it’s also recommended to take sample exams before taking the Microsoft exam.

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1. Configuring providers.
2. Configuring authentication, authorization, and impersonation.
3. Configuring projects, solutions, and reference assemblies.
4. Configuring session state using Microsoft SQL Server, State Server, or InProc.
5. Publishing Web applications.
6. Configuring application pools.
7. Compiling an application using Visual Studio or command-line tools.
8. Implementing data-bound controls.
9. Loading user controls dynamically.
10. Creating and consuming custom controls.
11. Implementing client-side validation and server-side validation.
12. Consuming standard controls.
13. Reading and writing XML data.
14. Manipulating data using the DataSet and DataReader objects.
15. Calling a Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) service or a Web service from an ASP.NET Web page.
16. Implementing a DataSource control.
17. Binding controls to data using data binding syntax.
18. Configuring debugging and custom errors.
19. Setting up an environment to perform remote debugging.
20. Debugging unhandled exceptions when using ASP.NET AJAX.
21. Implementing tracing of a Web application.
22. Debugging deployment issues.
23. Monitoring Web applications.
24. Implementing Web Forms using ASP.NET AJAX.
25. Interacting with the ASP.NET AJAX client-side library.
26. Consuming services from client scripts.
27. Creating and registering client script.
28. Accessing device capabilities.
29. Controlling device-specific rendering.
30. Adding mobile Web controls to a Web page.
31. Implementing control adapters.
32. Customizing the layout and appearance of a Web page.
33. Working with ASP.NET intrinsic objects.
34. Implementing globalization and accessibility.
35. Implementing business objects and utility classes.
36. Implementing session state, view state, control state, cookies, cache, or application state.
37. Handling events and control page flow.
38. Implementing the Generic Handler.

Download link: http://www.ucertify.com/exams/Microsoft/70-562-CSHARP.html>

1. Configure providers.
2. Configure authentication, authorization, and impersonation.
3. Configure projects, solutions, and reference assemblies.
4. Configure session state using Microsoft SQL Server, State Server, or InProc.
5. Publish Web applications.
6. Configure application pools.
7. Compile an application using Visual Studio or command-line tools.
8. Implement data-bound controls.
9. Load user controls dynamically.
10. Create and consume custom controls.
11. Implement client-side validation and server-side validation.
12. Consume standard controls.
13. Read and write XML data.
14. Manipulate data using DataSet and DataReader objects.
15. Call a Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) service or a Web service from an ASP.NET Web page.
16. Implement a DataSource control.
17. Bind controls to data using data binding syntax.
18. Configure debugging and custom errors.
19. Set up an environment to perform remote debugging.
20. Debug unhandled exceptions when using ASP.NET AJAX.
21. Implement tracing of a Web application.
22. Debug deployment issues.
23. Monitor Web applications.
24. Implement Web Forms using ASP.NET AJAX.
25. Interact with the ASP.NET AJAX client-side library.
26. Consume services from client scripts.
27. Create and registering client script.
28. Access device capabilities.
29. Control device-specific rendering.
30. Add mobile Web controls to a Web page.
31. Implement control adapters.
32. Customize the layout and appearance of a Web page.
33. Work with ASP.NET intrinsic objects.
34. Implement globalization and accessibility.
35. Implement business objects and utility classes.
36. Implement session state, view state, control state, cookies, cache, or application state.
37. Handle events and control page flow.
38. Implement the Generic Handler.

Download link: http://www.ucertify.com/exams/Microsoft/70-562-CSHARP.html>