1. Microsoft Certifications – How They Know You Know SQL Server 2008 Certification 101 Chris Testa-O’Neill Practice Consultant – EMC Technical Author– Microsoft Learning

2. Agenda Study and pass your exams

3. Choosing a certification 3

4. 4 Microsoft Certification | Structure http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp Professional (MCITP or MCPD) Single job-role Implement, plan or design a solution with Microsoft technologies Builds on MCTS 2-6 exams total path Technology Specialist (MCTS) Core technical skills Install, manage, configure or develop with a Microsoft product or technology 1-2 exams Earn multiple MCTS to show breadth of technology expertise MCTS, MCITP, MCPD all retire with mainstream product support

5. SQL Server 2008 MCTS TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance Exam 70 - 432 Exam 70 - 433 Exam 70 - 448

6. SQL Server 2008 MCITP PRO: Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Server Infrastructure using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 PRO: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 PRO: Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Exam 70 - 450 Exam 70 - 451 Exam 70 - 452

7. SQL Server 2008 Certified Master Coming Later in Session

8. Certification Exams | The basics 8 The environment Administered by Prometric worldwide (www.prometric.com)www.prometric.com Register by phone or online 24 hours in advance $125US Supervised room The exams Test your real-world product skills Combination of Multiple choice Graphical Performance based 40 - 60 questions Passing score 120+ minutes “70-XXX” The questions Designed to test knowledge, not reading skills No tricks Time for review Consistent anatomy business problem goal statement one or multiple correct answers multiple distractors (Incorrect answers)

9. Certification Exams | Preparation 9 Hands on experience Target audience Objective domain Resources Review prep guide Study groups Training Blogs, articles, user groups Fill in skills gaps On the job Trial versions, betas TechNet/MSDN labs More hands- on

10. Common questions 1.What about MCP and MCDBA? 2.Am I an MCP if I pass an exam? 3.How long are my certifications valid? 4.How long does it take to earn a certification? 5.What exactly is a braindump? 6.Are “bootcamps” an approved way to prepare? 10

11. Questions? 11

12. Resources Microsoft Learning: http://www.microsoft.com/learninghttp://www.microsoft.com/learning Microsoft Learning community blog: http://blogs.technet.com/mslcommunity/default.aspxhttp://blogs.technet.com/mslcommunity/default.aspx Find a certification by technology, including Office (MOS/MOUS and MSBC) and Dynamics: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certifications.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certifications.mspx Number of certified professionals: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certified.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certified.mspx Value of hiring certified: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/benefits/whyhire.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/benefits/whyhire.mspx Benefits of certification: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/benefits/default.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/benefits/default.mspx Exam numbers: http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/2007/06/28/exam-numbers-101.aspxhttp://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/2007/06/28/exam-numbers-101.aspx Microsoft Certified Architect: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/architect/default.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/architect/default.mspx Register for an exam at Prometric: http://www.prometric.com/Microsoft/default.htmhttp://www.prometric.com/Microsoft/default.htm Community resources: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/community/default.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/community/default.mspx Regional Service Center: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/worldsites.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/worldsites.mspx 12