What are the best resources to get MS developer Certification?

Question

I've just started working on my 2nd job out of university and my new employer has offered to pay for the resources and the tests to get me some certifications.

Although most of the companies software is written in Java I'm pretty much the only .Net developer and they mean to keep me as a .Net devloper.

I've looked into getting .Net 3.5 certification but it looks like most of the books for it are as yet unavailable. I've skimmed through the .Net fundamentals book, and it's okay but it's not very well written and there are apparently some errors in the code.

So far my best resource has been this post by Jorgen Thelin: http://www.thearchitect.co.uk/weblog/archives/2008/08/path_to_net_35_developer_certification.html

but it looks like the books he recommends aren't in print yet :(

Answer 1

As far as I know, the exams are not available either. .Net 3.5 is an extension of .Net 2.0, so the content of the books won't be much different with the 2.0 variants.

The WPF, WWF and WCF books and exams are available already. So if you want to focus on these, you can do the exams already.

If you want to focus on Asp.Net web or windows form the development, you could do the 2.0 exams with the 2.0 books and learn the 3.5 stuff later.

Answer 2

Regarding win forms and we development in 3.5, there are two major level of certifications: MCTS and MCPD. You start with MCTS (which all tests are out now) and work your way to MCPD (which will be out around the end of the year). I would start with the 70-536 which is the foundation test and applies to multiple certifications. I used the Transcender practice tests and were pretty impressed with the quality, although mileage may vary.

Start here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/default.mspx

I would subscribe to Gerry's blog at Microsoft if you want to keep up with certification changes as they come out: http://blogs.msdn.com/gerryo/default.aspx

And Microsoft is currently running a 2nd chance offer, so you can retake a test if you don't quite pass it the first time. Just be sure to register for the 2nd chance offer before registering to take the test!

Answer 3

Re: Bernhard

Brain dumps are illegal and dilute the validity of the certification. Please earn your certs the honest way!!! (not to mention your cert can be revoked!)

Answer 4

Omar, regarding your question of the worthiness of 2.0 tests. If you're doing 3.5 development, then I would start with the two 3.5 MCTS certs you were referring to. The 70-536 is the only one that is common between the 2.0 and 3.5 certs so that's a really good one to start with.

If you wanted to go the 2.0 route for whatever reason, you could always take an upgrade test down the road. But seeing as how the both of the MCTS certs you listed are already available in 3.5 form, I'd start with those (with the 70-536 being the first one to take). And then get your MCPD at the end of the year when the new versions come out.

http://blogs.msdn.com/gerryo/archive/2008/02/19/microsoft-certifications-where-do-i-start-part-1of-2.aspx