What type of microsoft certification is better for me?

Question

Here is the fields I'm very experienced at (12 years of programming experience):

Windows applications development - Microsoft .NET Framework - C++ C# VB.NET

Developing and Implementing Web Applications - C# and ASP.NET

Designing XML Web Services and Server Components (If needed I can read more about servers as I'm not a total expert in this field.)

Designing Databases + MSSQL administration

Is there a single certification that can cover all this? if not what are the best combination of certifications that I can get?

Microsoft certifications are quite confusing for example i though that MCPD can suit me, but I saw that there are at least 3 kinds of MCPD certifications available! 1)Windows Developer 2)ASP.NET Developer 3)Enterprise Application Developer! and their course's concepts are really close to each other! So should I get 3 MCPD just for my Windows application development?

Answer 1

MS certifications are essentially a joke. If you're interviewing with someone who actually takes your certifications into account, it's a near-certainty that that person won't have any clue about what any particular certification actually means. Take whatever tests are easiest for you to pass. I recommend getting your MSWSAW certification first (MicroSoft Web Surfing At Work).

Answer 2

I would first determine what type of job you would like to apply for next. If it is general development, then go with the .NET certification. If enterprise level development, then the enterprise. If database, then the database certification.

The value of these certifications are relative to the employer's needs. So, if you know what you want to do next, then get the most relevant certification for the task. But I would say that all of them are worthwhile, especially if your current employer will help fund them.

Answer 3

My two cents would be the ASP.NET MCPD. You can then use those exams you've earnt for the Enterprise certification if you want that, but I'm not sure that really gives you much more kudos in lieu of actual experience designing large systems and/or running projects.

They are very confusing, and more so since they re-branded the certificates. For ASP.NET you need these 3:

• Exam 70-536
• Exam 70-562
• Exam 70-564

Providing your don't plaster the qualification on every email signature, and brand your CV with their logo they are credible. People who have done the exams will know how thorough they are and teach you a lot of material you can re-use (and a lot you never use, or would go to your books to find out about, not everyday things).

One example of this is the permissions management for installation of assemblies, which I was quizzed on in the exam extensively. I haven't ever used it and doubt you would want to push vital pin numbers out of you head learning it, but instead just look it up. But I suppose that is exams in general and not just Microsoft ones.

The pro-metric online exams almost exactly mirror the actual exams so they're worth buying for practice runs. For learning, I would stick to the official Microsoft books and avoid the Exam Prep ones.

Answer 4

I would approach the certification process with the mindset that you want to improve your skills and prove to yourself that you do have a good grasp on it.

The certifications are good in my book for the following reasons:

1. While there will be certain things you learn and/or memorize along the way that you will never use again, in my opinion you will have as much to gain if not more from what you do learn and use.

2. I believe it's a real testament to a person who wants to better themselves and while this is not the only way it is a way and it shows your passion / desire to improve.

3. It's alot easier to down them than actually try to do it. :)

Certifications are not the only place where it's at. Keep the importance on the learning while pursuing the certificate than pointing out you are certified. There is a balance. Honestly, you should be proud to show what certificates you have but just don't flaunt it. Your knowledge will prove itself out over time.

As for the actual approach I would first bang out the core 70-536 exam even if you are not sure what or how deep you want to pursue certification. With the completion of this test you will become an MCP. Passing the core exam in my opinion states you have a very strong understanding of the framework and many will respect this test under your belt especially since it doesn't dive deeply into windows app development or web app development.

I say it this way because if you get your MCTS or MCPD with ASP.Net applications, someone who only does windows development or who hates web forms and loves MVC might see your certificate as not as valuable but everyone whether it's Web Forms or MVC or Windows Forms all use the framework and so having 70-536 under the belt is real nice. The same could be said for the MCTS for Windows and someone who is only doing web development.

I am conjecturing a little on this because in my opinion even though I do the majority of my work in web apps, if I was presented with someone who had their MCTS in Windows with great experience and a good interview they would beat out the one who didn't have the cert but had the same level of experience and equal interview. The same could not be said for me if I had someone with an MCTS in Web Apps but no experience and an OK interview vs. someone without any certificates but great experience. The certificate is often the icing on the cake or the extra to put someone over the top. They are rarely if ever the sole reason.

So with the core under your belt you are free to choose from a range of choices: Here's a list.

To then get your WEB MCTS you would take 70-562.

To then get your WINDOWS MCTS you would take 70-505.

With this you would have taken 3 exams and have two certificates.
MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Applications & MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Applications

If you want to specialize then take the MCTS exam in the one desired and then pursue the MCPD exam for that specialty.

If you want to prove your skills as an "Enterprise" developer than you would follow both MCPD tracks for Web and Windows and then take two more exams. The WCF exam and then Designing & Developing Enterprise Apps.

You also mentioned DB design. You can get your MCTS in Database Development with one exam. 70-433.

If you just want to a little extra on your resume and/or want this as a nice personal goal then I would pursue the MCTS for Web or Windows or both. Both require the core exam (70-536). After doing that if you feel it's enough, great, you still have a little something to throw on the resume that might put you over the top. I would only pursue the MCPD's if you really want to set yourself as an "expert" by MS certificate standards on a particular technology.

Good Luck!