Get Ready for the ADO.NET 3.5 MCTS Exam
This exam is due to be in beta very shortly. Sorry no exact dates just yet so don't ask. :-)
Watch your MCP Flash and/or forums for the invitation.
But, are you ready for it? How do you know? Be certain. Have a look at what will be covered on this exam below. NOTE: this is an excerpt from the prep guide that will be published on the web site in the next couple of days. We thought you might want to get an earlier look at it though.
NOTE: Prep guide is now available for this exam, https://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-561.mspx
Credit toward certification
When you pass Exam 70-561: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development, you earn credit toward the following certification:
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Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Applications
Skills measured by Exam 70-561
Connecting to Data Sources (12 percent)
Manage connection strings
May include but is not limited to: using the ConnectionStringBuilder; leveraging the ConfigurationManager; protecting the connection string; using Security Support Provider Interface ( SSPI) or SQL Server authentication; correctly addressing the SQL Server instance; managing “User Instance” and AttachDBfilename
Manage connection objects
May include but is not limited to: managing connection state, managing connection pool; implementing persistent data connections; implementing Multiple Active Result Sets (MARS); encrypting and decrypting data
Work with data providers
May include but is not limited to: Limitations, behaviors, performance, installation issues, deployment issues; ODBC, Microsoft OLE DB, SqlClient, managed providers, third-party providers, native providers
Connect to a data source by using a generic data access interface
May include but is not limited to: System.Data.Common namespace classes
Handle and diagnose database connection exceptions
May include but is not limited to: Implementing try/catch handlers
Selecting and Querying Data (22 percent)
Build command objects
May include but is not limited to: building Parameters collections; using input and output parameters and return values; selecting an appropriate CommandType action; selecting an appropriate Execute method; using the CommandBuilder class; choosing appropriate CommandBehavior
Query data from data sources
May include but is not limited to: writing queries to solve assigned problems; implementing data paging; sorting, filtering, and aggregating data
Retrieve data source data by using the DataReader
May include but is not limited to: retrieving data from SELECT statements; retrieving data from stored procedures; working with multiple result sets
Manage data by using the DataAdapter or the TableAdapter
May include but is not limited to: retrieving data from SELECT statements; etrieving data from stored procedures; working with multiple result sets; working with JOIN products; creating updatable DataAdapters and TableAdapters; modifying TableAdapter Fill methods
Execute an asynchronous query
May include but is not limited to: handling asynchronous events
Handle special data types
May include but is not limited to: Binary Large Objects (BLOBs); Filestream, Spatial, Table Value Parameters
Query data sources by using LINQ
May include but is not limited to: Extended method; CLR delegate; Lambda expressions; Classes of the System.LINQ.Expressions namespace
Manage exceptions when selecting data
May include but is not limited to: Identifying and resolving syntax errors; Security exceptions
Modifying Data (24 percent)
Manage transactions
May include but is not limited to: Selecting an appropriate transaction isolation level; Participating in local transactions; Participating in distributed transactions; Using declarative transactions
Manage data integrity
May include but is not limited to: Cascading updates or cascading deletes;Auto number management; Server-generated value management
Client-side data validation; Business rules, constraints
Update data
May include but is not limited to: Update data by using stored procedures; DataSets to Data Source; Managing concurrency
Manage exceptions when modifying data
May include but is not limited to: Resolve exceptions from data integrity, constraint, or referential integrity violations; Data locking conflicts; Data collision issues
Transform data by using LINQ
May include but is not limited to: Aggregation operators; JOIN operator, QUERY operator, LIKE etc.
Synchronizing Data (15 percent)
Monitor event notifications
May include but is not limited to: Implement notifications by using SqlDependency or SqlNotificationRequest
Cache data
May include but is not limited to: SqlCacheDependency, Local Data Cache
Manage update conflicts between online data and offline data
Partition data for synchronization
Implement Synchronization Services
May include but is not limited to: SyncAgent, SyncTable, ClientSyncProvider, ServerSyncProvider, SyncAdapter
Working with Disconnected Data (16 percent)
Manage occasionally connected data
Programmatically create data objects
May include but is not limited to: DataTable; DataSet
Work with untyped DataSets and DataTables
May include but is not limited to: Populating a DataSet, DataTable
Expose a DataTableReader from a DataTable or from a DataSet
Work with strongly typed DataSets and DataTables
Object Relational Mapping by Using the Entity Framework (11 percent)
Define and implement an Entity Data Model
May include but is not limited to: Mapping schemas and storage metadata; EDM Generator
Query data by using Object Services
May include but is not limited to: Querying data as objects and shaping results; Working with objects; Managing the Object Context; Customizing objects
Map data by using the Entity SQL Language
May include but is not limited to: Manually define mapping files; Execute an Entity SQL Query by using EntityCommand
Access entity data by using the EntityClient Provider
May include but is not limited to: Managing EntityConnection; Creating EntityCommand; Executing a query by using EntityDataReader; Managing EntityTransaction
Note This preparation guide is subject to change at any time without prior notice and at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Microsoft exams might include adaptive testing technology and simulation items. Microsoft does not identify the format in which exams are presented. Please use this preparation guide to prepare for the exam, regardless of its format.
Comments
Anonymous
March 13, 2008
This exam is due to be in beta very shortly.  Sorry no exact dates just yet so don't ask. Anonymous
March 13, 2008
Gerry just posted some information about the new ADO.NET 3.5 Exam and the new ASP.NET 3.5 Exam , butAnonymous
March 13, 2008
Do u all recommend any books for this examAnonymous
March 13, 2008
Gerry, any recommended study material, books, sites for this beta exam?Anonymous
March 13, 2008
"This exam is due to be in beta very shortly. Sorry no exact dates just yet so don't ask. :-) " But in the register.prometric.com I can now register for this exam :) (until 4 April)Anonymous
March 14, 2008
Because this exam is specifically about ADO.NET, you can find books on it but they are scarce. Amazon.com does list one from O'Reilly, typically good books, but most are still on 2.0. GerryAnonymous
March 14, 2008
Gerry just posted some information about the new ADO.NET 3.5 Exam and the new ASP.NET 3.5 Exam, but didn't...Anonymous
March 14, 2008
Hi, Can I write the exam if i havent written the pre-requisite exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0—Application Development FoundationAnonymous
March 15, 2008
Hi Jay, Candidates can take exams in any order they prefer. We don't regulate that at all. So yes, you can take this exam even though you haven't taken 536 yet. You will not get the certification however until you have completed the prerequisite exam. GerryAnonymous
March 24, 2008
What are the advantages of taking an exam in Beta? Is it free? As there are less training materials available, are you chances of failing increased? Cheers BenAnonymous
March 24, 2008
Hi Ben. The advantages, as I see them;
- You pass the exam, you are certified before most others.
- The exam is free You are correct that there is a greater chance that you will fail the exam but not only because there are limited training resources. On a beta exam, you will face upwards of 100 or more questions compared to 40+ on a live exam. Couple that with the fact that some of the questions you got right, may be removed from the exam for various reasons after the beta stage, and that could affect your pass/fail as well. There are many factors. Most people like to take the betas because they are free, you can be one of the first certified on that, and if you do fail, you have a better expectation of what is on the live exam. Plus, you won't waste a 2nd shot on it. Gerry
Anonymous
April 02, 2008
So, after giving Bryant a hard time on his blog about posting the beta codes for these two exams, weAnonymous
May 07, 2008
I see that there are supposed to be TWO exams to earn your MCTS ADO.NET 3.5 Applications. 70-561 is one of them. Anyone know what the other is? I can not find anything on msdn or microsoft about this mysterious second exam. The prereq 70-536 is not it.Anonymous
May 07, 2008
Hi John, 70-536 is the required second exam. The pages for the MCTS ADO.NET credential are set to go live shortly and those will provide the requisites for this, clearly indicating that 70-536 is required. Also, this web page, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/vstudio/2008/default.aspx, shows the requirement for 70-536 as well under the heading, "How to earn your MCTS certification on Visual Studio 2008". GerryAnonymous
October 01, 2008
Does anyone know a book that covers the subjects in the exam? I've been looking everywhere. So bad of MS to release the exams with no books covering the topics.Anonymous
October 01, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
November 06, 2008
Hi, thanks for all the information. Since this exam is still in the beta process, can it be taken several times if you fail? Lets say you pass the exam, will be there any indications on the certificate that you passed the beta exam or is it recognized like a usual certificate? Unfortunately i cannot install the Entity Framework although i did everything that MS listed...i have been trying to install it for weeks now! :( thanksAnonymous
November 07, 2008
Hi Tigrot, The exam can only be taken in beta once so the answer to your first question is no it cannot be take several times. If you pass the exam, it will show up on your transcript the same as a non-beta exam would. There is no indication that it was a beta version. I am unable to help you with installing EF, sorry. GerryAnonymous
November 08, 2008
Hi Gerry, thanks for your response.