Preparing
for MCAD and MCSD .NET Exams – What does it take?
Host: Janakiram M.S.V. – Technical Specialist, Microsoft
India
September
6, 2002
KunalS_MS: Good Afternoon to all of you and thank you for joining
into today's Expert Chat Session
KunalS_MS: Today's topic is Preparing for MCSD .NET and MCAD .NET
Certifications
KunalS_MS: What it really takes and how you can benefit from the same
KunalS_MS: We have a worthy expert with us today
KunalS_MS: Janakiraman is a Tech. Specialist in Microsoft
KunalS_MS: and also one of the first Microsoft Certified Professionals
in .NET, C# and ASP.NET
KunalS_MS: So it shall be a case of true...hearing it from the horse's
mouth!
Jani_MS: Thanks Kunal!
KunalS_MS: So please welcome "Jani .NET" and fire away your queries
and doubts
Jani_MS: Hello everyone, and it's my pleasure to be here
Moderator: (ram) What are the benefits of getting an MCSD and MCAD?
Jani_MS: First of all, That's a great recognition within
your peers and teams
Jani_MS: and MS also offer host of benefits to MCPs
Jani_MS: You also become .NET guru during the process
of preparation
Moderator: (Spookie) What kind of preparation time should one schedule
for taking VB.NET and ASP.NET certifications?
Jani_MS: It actually depends on your experience with
.NET, But typically with a good preparation of 2-3 weeks will really
help you
Jani_MS: but nothing beats hands-on experience
KunalS_MS: Jani, are those 2-3 weeks comprising of intense studying?
Jani_MS: absolutely
Jani_MS: There are good MS press books targeting .NET
certification and other books like Wrox 'Professional' series will
also help you
Moderator: (Kumar) How do you compare the MCSD and MCSD.NET? Also
MCSD.NET and MCAD? Which is a better option?
Jani_MS: Ok.. MCAD is for developers who do coding on
a daily basis. MCSD is for Architects who design and develop apps.
Jani_MS: MCSD is for lead developers and team leads
Jani_MS: Currently MCAD is the highest level of certification
on .NET and does carry lot of weightage in the industry
Jani_MS: MCAD is the roadmap for MCSD.NET...
Jani_MS: Pls refer to http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcad/default.asp
Moderator: (Ram96) Now in India, where are MCAD centres available?
Jani_MS: You can take on the exam at any authorized Prometric
Testing Center
Jani_MS: Normally NIIT, Aptech and some more premier
institutes offers this
Jani_MS: Also refer to http://www.prometric.com/ for
testing centre location and info
Moderator: (Ram96) Why don't u tell us names of books for C# & ASP.NET
for Certification preparation?
Jani_MS: Actually the .NET SDK documentation is indispensable
resource for MCP.NET prep
Jani_MS: You can pick and choose some topics and drill
down more on that to meet the exam objectives
Jani_MS: I went thru 'Windows Programming using C#" from
MS Press book to clear my MCP WinForms exam
Moderator: (Kumar) So, how do you compare the two: MCSD and MCSD.NET?
Jani_MS: MCSD focuses on COM, MTS related technologies
and MCSD.NET is more on .NET Framework, XML and Web Services
Moderator: (spookie) Would you suggest someone with 3 years experience
on VS6 who's reasonably familiar with VS.NET to take up MCAD instead
of MCSD.NET? I mean, what kind of opportunities exists for someone
armed with 3 yrs work ex and MCAD certification?
Jani_MS: MCSD.NET is almost an year away from now.
Jani_MS: Today, If you want to validate your .NET expertise,
MCAD.NET is the best
Jani_MS: I personally feel having good exposure on .NET
Framework and a working knowledge of VS.NET will help you clear the
exam
Moderator: (Rahul) Please let us know about the type and difficulty
level of the questions. Questions come out of bookish knowledge or
from day by day programming concepts and challenges?
Jani_MS: Dev. Windows Apps is relatively easy compared
to XML Web Services and Server Components
Jani_MS: But you need to really work on WinForms to clear
that exam as it drills into controls and properties
Jani_MS: Out of all the 6 exams that I have taken, I
felt the Web Services exam to be the toughest
Jani_MS: It covers lot of complex scenarios and case
studies
KunalS_MS: Jani, while you are it, can you also please explain the
MCAD/MCSD Framework and options available?
Jani_MS: Ok. The philosophy behind MCAD/MCSD is very
simple..
Jani_MS: Test the candidate on .NET Framework with a
language of his choice (VB.NET or VC#.NET)
Jani_MS: and choosing a specific language, The candidate
has to clear a WinForms, ASP.NET and Web Services exam
Jani_MS: for MCSD, the core series includes the Architecture
exam that's more towards architecture and design
Jani_MS: Pickup a language and start hitting the chord!
Moderator: (Alexander) Any idea how many MCADS are there right now?
Jani_MS: According to an unofficIal count on 1 Sep, there
are about 105 MCADs
Jani_MS: But MCAD will be officially announced on Sep
19th
Jani_MS: After which the ASP.NET exam goes live. Till
then it's still under the Beta phase
Moderator: (ram) How far MCAD/MCSD will help me in fetching a job?
Jani_MS: Its definitely an added advantage to get certified,
because that will make recruiters feel more comfortable about a candidate
Jani_MS: That also increases your confidence level to
face any challenge?
Moderator: (kasthuri) Could you tell me the fee structure?
Jani_MS: Each paper is $50...Rs.2500/-
Moderator: (ramesh) What about the question pattern? Is there any
changes from other exams?
Jani_MS: The pattern has almost been the same - multiple
choice questions and code snippets
Moderator: (kasthuri) What are the areas covered in ASP.NET exam?
Jani_MS: But MS exams might also be adaptive. The pattern
varies based on the level of difficulty.
Jani_MS: ASP.NET - Server Controls, User Controls and
Configuration.. and don't forget ADO.NET
Jani_MS: ADO.NET is quite important across exams. It
overlaps with WinForms, ASP.NET and Web Services
Moderator: (spookie) Does MS itself give preference to certified applicants?
Jani_MS: Yes, of course. MS values certifications and
definitely prefers that
Moderator: (spookie) Are Web Services a priority topic for the ASP.NET
tests?
Jani_MS: Consuming Web Services is an objective for both
WinForms and ASP.NET
Jani_MS: But, Developing and extending is what is covered
in XML Web Services exam
Jani_MS: One has to be aware of basic Web Service concepts
for any .NET exam
Moderator: (Alexander) What is the breakup of questions topic wise?
(topic-%)
Jani_MS: I cannot discuss this. I have signed a NDA before
I took the exam
Jani_MS: NDA is Non-Disclosure Agreement stating I will
not disclose the exam questions and sensitive information
Moderator: (ram) Do I need to know how to code in XML for taking the
test or the XML part is taken care of by the framework?
Jani_MS: Yes.. To some extent.. Knowing XPath and XSL
will really help you
Moderator: (spookie) From what I gather, you suggest that one gathers
hands on experience on .NET before taking the test. I would certainly
prefer it that way as well, but if one has less time, how difficult
are the tests if one takes up classroom training with the likes of
NIIT?
Jani_MS: NIIT delivers the official curriculum from MS,
if you take that training and align it towards the exam objectives,
you can clear the exam
Jani_MS: However, nothing can replace hands-on experience
Moderator: (ram) How far you assure that the questions in the exam
are secured, as I heard rumors on MCP exams that the questions are
out to public by some training centres?
Jani_MS: As you say it, they are only rumors!
Jani_MS: Specially with adaptive testing, it is not possible
to share the question with anyone
Moderator: (ram) So you can assure that there is no easy way out to
clear the exam? I am working hard I don't want some one to play around
and take the exams easily!
Jani_MS: Yes.. I have personally been working on .NET
for the past 2 years and I attribute that to my success in the exam
KunalS_MS: We have come to the end of today's session.
KunalS_MS: Jani, thank you for taking time out for sharing your valuable
insight into the same
Jani_MS: Thanks Kunal
KunalS_MS: Also, thank you all for joining in today's chat
KunalS_MS: We would like to sincerely assure you that - There is no
easy way out!
KunalS_MS: Best of luck to all of you who on their way to take the
exam.
