MCSD MCAD Exams + Training

Tushar · Guest

I would like to obtain certification and only trying to
get the details right, please help.

I am a software developer with over 8 years
experience, I have programmed in Fortran-77,
Pascal, Quick Basic, Visual Basic 4/5/6,
C++ MFC, Java, C# and ASP.Net. I also
have some SQL-Server/T-SQL experience as
well as XML/XSD/XSLT/etc.

Currently I have been reading ...
Microsoft ADO .NET (Core Reference)
by D. Sceppa, ISBN 0735614237

I have been using VisualSudio.Net for 2 years (on an on-off basis).

I prefer C# over VB.Net.

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MCAD requires 2 exams plus 1 elective. The first two can be ...
70-315 ASP.Net with C#
70-316 Windows Apps with C#
70-320 Web Services with C#

and for the elective I can choose
70-229 SQL Server 2000

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MCSD rquires 4 exams plus 1 elective. The first four can be ...
70-315 ASP.Net with C#
70-316 Windows Apps with C#
70-320 Web Services with C#

and for the elective I can choose
70-229 SQL Server 2000

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I therefore conclude that:

1) The exams are the same in both cases but by doing 2
more exams I become MCSD.

2) If I were to do these exams in the right order I could
achive both qualifications, one after the next?

Are the two statements correct?

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For training I am thinking of using
Self-Pased Training Kit (red-books) ISBN: 0735619255
and SQL Server 2000 Database Design and Implementation
ISBN: 0735619603

as well as one of ...

http://www.transcender.com/
http://www.testking.com/
http://www.measureup.com/

which one of the above is recommended?

Is that all I all require? I am paying for these myself and I would like to
buy the right stuff first time round.

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I remember that previously Microsoft Certification
required WOSA (Windows System Architecture)
before any of the other programming languages. Is
that no longer the case?

MCAD leads to MCSD. What does MCSD lead to?

How long are the certifications valid for? Should I
worry about SQL Server 2003/etc? How long
will these exams be available for? It is possible
that after purchasing the training materials Microsoft
would repalce the exams with new ones?

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Please help.