Visual Studio 2008 Certification Training Kits
I know there are a lot of people wondering about these and other training for the new 3.5 certifications. Our Training Kit Product Planner was nice enough to provide me with a summary of the planned Training Kits and their current expected release dates.
There's quite a few new exams for Visual Studio 2008. Though we'd like to support each one with a Microsoft Press Training Kit, we're only able to cover a subset due to business considerations. Here's a list of the new Training Kits in the plan, along with ISBNs and expected availability dates (dates are subject to change, and if we can come out any earlier with a book, we certainly will):
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-502): Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5—Windows® Presentation Foundation ISBN: 9780735625662
Availability: now
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-503): Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5—Windows® Communication Foundation
ISBN: 9780735625655
Availability: September 2008
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-505): Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5—Windows® Forms Application Development
ISBN: 9780735626379
Availability: January 2009
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-561): Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5 - ADO.NET Application Development
ISBN: 9780735625631
Availability: January 2009
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-562): Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 - ASP.NET Application Development
ISBN: 9780735625624
Availability: April 2009
MCPD Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-564): Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
ISBN: 9780735626560
Availability: May 2009
SQL 2008
We're supporting all three SQL Server 2008 MCTS exams with Microsoft Press Training Kit, and one of the MCITP exams (for the Database Administration certification path). Here's a list of the new Training Kits in the plan, along with ISBNs and expected availability dates (dates are subject to change, and we also like to publish earlier if possible):
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-432): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 - Implementation and Maintenance ISBN: 9780735626058
Availability: January 2009
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-433): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 - Database Development
ISBN: 9780735626393
Availability: April 2009
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-448): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 - Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
ISBN: 9780735626362
Availability: April 2009
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-450): Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Server Infrastructure Using Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008
ISBN: 9780735626577
Availability: April 2009
Gerry
Comments
Anonymous
August 08, 2008
PingBack from http://blog.a-foton.ru/2008/08/visual-studio-2008-certification-training-kits/Anonymous
August 08, 2008
Hi Gerry, Now that most of the MCTS level exams are out, when are the MCPD professional level beta exams coming out? specifically, 70-564, Asp.net 3.5 PRO exams? I remember according to one of the webcast, 70-564 is supposed to go live Nov 3, 2008. So the beta will be starting pretty soon, no ?Anonymous
August 08, 2008
Hi Tarique, Not sure why the webcast gave that date but the beta is currently scheduled for 10/21/2008 and live 1/19/2009. Perhaps that was early in the planning phase as you don't mention when you viewed that webcast or when it was initially released. GerryAnonymous
August 11, 2008
This is very helpful for future planning... So... if we don't see a corresponding 3.5 kit for the existing 2.0 kits (on this list), are we to assume then that there won't be a new 3.5 one and that the 2.0 one will still be the recommended kit for 3.5 exam prep?Anonymous
August 11, 2008
This is very helpful for future planning... So... if we don't see a corresponding 3.5 kit for the existing 2.0 kits (on this list), are we to assume then that there won't be a new 3.5 one and that the 2.0 one will still be the recommended kit for 3.5 exam prep?Anonymous
August 11, 2008
Hi Leigh, That would be correct. I would suggest using the 2.0 TK and then the What's New section of the MSDN documentation for the are you want to test on. Cross reference that with the Prep Guide for the exam, and you should be good to go. GerryAnonymous
August 16, 2008
Hi I'm currently certified as MCPD (Enterprise) on VS2005 and wish to upgrade to MCP Enterprise 3.5. I assume the best option is to sit 70-568 and 70-569 when these are available. Up until now I have used the training kits as the preferred method of study. I have not been in the upgrade situation before. Is it best to obtain the kits for the MCTS exams under MCPD 3.5 (70-505, 70-503, 70-561, 70-562) and then use the existing MCPD 2.0 kit? It would be convenient if there are kits or other material specific to the upgrade exams is available? Additionally it seems a long time to wait for these kits. Another option looks to be to use the preparation guides (will these be available for the upgrade exams?) and then other material such as on Microsoft E-Learning. Are the E-Learning courses that are recommended in the preparation guides suffient to cover the exams? Any advice on this would be appreciated. Thanks.Anonymous
August 16, 2008
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August 19, 2008
Thanks for this info... but what about the TK for Windows Workflow exam? Any news?Anonymous
August 20, 2008
Hi Stefano, As stated in the posting, if it isn't listed there, then MS Press will not create one. I don't work directly in MS Press so I can't provide the business reasons for the decision unfortunately. As the certification Product Planner I would like to see supporting study material for all my exams but there are many factors that affect that decision. GerryAnonymous
August 20, 2008
No Certification Training Kits for Windows Workflow...Anonymous
August 24, 2008
hello, i would like yo know whether the exam 70-562 (in .net 3.5 vs 2008) is released or not. can i take the exam in the any authorised prometric centers listed in microsoft website.In the Microsoft website it has been said that it will be released in august 2008. i don't know whether the exam is released or not hoping replies byee take care seetharaman.kAnonymous
September 02, 2008
Hi seetharaman, Yes, 70-562 is now available for registration on the Prometric website. GerryAnonymous
November 24, 2008
I am being asked this question quite often lately, and of course it is a perfectly valid question. Anonymous
December 19, 2008
Am I the only one who thinks the release of these books is really, really slow? The .NET Framework 4.0 is out in 2009 and I'm sure a new set of certifications will come with that too - but we have not even had the study material for a lot of the .NET 3.5 certs yet! How our we possibly meant to keep up?Anonymous
January 07, 2009
Hey, Thanks for the info. What about Workflow Foundation Training Kit?Anonymous
January 07, 2009
Hi Adil, There are no current plans to create a training kit for Workflow at this time. GerryAnonymous
January 12, 2009
HI I maybe mistaken but i couldn't find any kits(BOOKS) with the 70-536 with the new VS2008(.Net3.5) . Is there a preparation kit? Thanks GalAnonymous
January 13, 2009
Hi Gal, 70-536 is the same exam for .NET 2.0 and 3.5 so you can use the same book that was available for 2.0. The exam content didn't change at all and the same exam is allowable for both certifications. GerryAnonymous
February 18, 2009
Thanks for the info. Just starting from the start for 3.5 Web so the dates don't effect me so much. Is Framework 4 vastly different and will upgrade exams and TKs be a priority?Anonymous
February 18, 2009
Hi Andy, As for your questions on v4 of the Framework, it's too early to tell yet. Our plans are done but are awaiting the budgetary process so we can't comment on anything for v4 yet. GerryAnonymous
May 21, 2009
Hi Gerry, Can you please tell me, if the availability is still the same (May 2009) for the MCPD Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-564)? Thanks in advance for the information and have a nice day! LeventeAnonymous
May 22, 2009
Hi levente, Unfortunately, this title had to be removed from the plan due to budget issues. You can use the 70-547 training kit, for VS 2005, and then supplement with VS 2008 content from MSDN. GerryAnonymous
June 09, 2009
Hey Gerry, Is there any movement on the 70-450 book, MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-450): Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Server Infrastructure Using Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 ? I've already got my MCITP for SQL 2005, wanted to get the TS & ITP for 2008, but refrence my exam books on 2005 alot (They are a great refrece period!) Was hoping to get the books for 2008 as well to not only study to get the certs, but also to have as a refrence. Thanks, BradAnonymous
June 09, 2009
Hi Brad, I believe that budget issues caused that title to be cancelled. I can verify with the Product Planner for the Training Kits but when I look in our planning tool, I see it listed as cancelled. GerryAnonymous
June 09, 2009
Greetings Gerry, Is there any news on the 'Exam 70-567: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD Web Developer Skills to MCPD ASP.NET Developer 3.5'? I have been checking the Microsoft website for months now and all it says is 'available soon'. Please help! I'm really keen on updating my MCPD before the .NET Framework 4.0 comes out soon. Many thanks LygptAnonymous
June 09, 2009
Hi Lygpt, That exam is available now. Please go to Prometric and register. The web site updates are currently locked, so that page is out of date for now. GerryAnonymous
June 09, 2009
Hi Gerry, Many thanks for your swift reply. You mention the pages are currently locked on the Microsoft site - is there somewhere I can find the exam objectives for 70-567? I guess I could go through the exam objectives of the full MCTS and MCPD exams - but it would be quite time consuming (and hoped that the upgrade exam would have its own objectives). Any ideas? LygptAnonymous
June 10, 2009
Hi Lygpt, You can find the prep guide located here. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-567.aspx GerryAnonymous
June 22, 2009
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June 22, 2009
Hi Ramzy, You can find all the information you need right here, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-vstudio.aspx. This contains the syllabus. If there is a specific path that you are interested in, please let me know and I can help you determine where to start and the path to take but please read the page listed above first. GerryAnonymous
July 27, 2009
Hi Gerry, Any updates on: MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-450): Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Server Infrastructure Using Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 ISBN: 9780735626577 Availability: April 2009 Is the book still going to be released, or was it canceled ? Rob.Anonymous
July 27, 2009
Hi Rob. I'm currently on vacation so I'm not able to check on that book. I suspect it was cut due to budget issues last fiscal year. That would be the reason you don't see it available. I think. I need to verify, but I'm thinking that is the reason. GerryAnonymous
July 28, 2009
Hi Gerry, I'm looking to take the 70-564 exam, but I am a little concerned that there appears to be absolutely no preparation material available, either in the form of practice tests or a training kit. And now I discover that apparently, there won't ever be any! Above, you mention using the 70-547 training kit instead, but the skills-measured syllabuses are radically different. 70-547, and its training material, barely mention ASP.NET, whereas 70-564 is completely ASP.NET 3.5 based. So I don't see how you can recommend one as a substitute for the other? Frankly, it's pretty disappointing that Microsoft, and their partners, seem to providing essentially no support whatsoever for this exam, and I'm not sure how I can justify asking my employer to shell out the exam fee under these circumstances. JonAnonymous
July 28, 2009
Hi Jon, First of all, I am sorry that you are disappointed in the preperatory materials, or lack of, for this exam. In recommending the training kit for 70-547, I always state that it will NOT cover all the topics necessary for the exam and that candidates need to use the prep guide and MSDN to ensure they have covered all the topics. You also have to realize that decisions to produce training kits at Microsoft Press is a business decision. If previous sales figures indicate that the book will not give a return on investment, and previous sales do indicate this, then the chances of the training kit getting created in place of another book that will generate an ROI, the decision is simple. It's business only and don't take it to mean anything else. Now, in terms of support for this exam, or any exam for that matter, Microsoft does not dictate to its partners what they must or must not create in support of our products. MeasureUp and SelfTest Software are free to do what is right for their business. We have, in the past, created training kits, eLearning courseware, instructor-led training, and our partners have created practice tests for the MCPD level exams. None of them sell very well and none that I am aware of have given an ROI. In my opinion, and this certainly has nothing to do with you, your skills, knowledge, or abilities, but is a plain and simple statement. If someone relies so heavily on a training kit or practice exam to prepare for these exams, then they are truly not ready for the exam at all. Here is my rationale, before you get upset and tell me off because I see it coming. :-) The exams are designed by one group of subject matter experts from the industry, people who, like you, work as a software developer using these technologies each and every day. The exam questions are written by a completely different group of subject matter experts. The exam design, what you see on the prep guide, goes to the authors of courseware and training kits as well as the practice exam providers and other partners. Here's where some issues creep in. The authors of the exam prep material are not privy to the discussions that were undertaken during the design sessions nor are they privy to any of the actual questions that exist on the exam. They never will be either. This serves multiple purposes, the most relevant being the security of the exam content, but also ANS accreditation requires a seperation between exam items and prep materials to ensure there is no undue influence in either direction. Why? Quite simply, if we created prep material in the form of training kits and practice exams that mapped exactly to each and every question, the value of the exam would be nothing because it then becomes the same as the brain dump sites out there. A memorization exercise that proves you know nothing about the technology and as a result, should not hold any certification in it. I had a discussion with a fellow from Prometric one day who was gearing up to take the CCIE exam. He was incredibly worried that he wouldn't pass it because there was NO preperatory material for the lab portion of the exam. In our discussions, my opinions upset him because I told him if he was ready for the exam, he didn't need prep material. Here is why, and take this for what it is, my opinion. If you truly know and understand the technology, then you require no prep material at all. I'll repeat that. IF YOU TRULY KNOW AND UNDERSTAND the technology, then you require no prep material at all. When I speak of understanding, I mean that you understand the technology deeply and are able to troubleshoot and fix any issue that pops up. As a result, you will be able to answer any question that arises on an exam, in a lab or in the real world. When I prepare for an exam, I use the prep guide to understand what will be covered on the exam. Do I use the training kits? Yes I do but for one simple reason. They are the first step in understanding an aspect of the exam that I may not know yet. That is it. I then use the remaining prep time to gain hands-on experience with those aspects and research it until I understand it. Only then, do I take the exam. As an example, I am starting my studying for the CCNA exam. I will not even consider sitting for the exam until I can subnet in my sleep and work the routers and the IOS without thinking twice about what is required. Remember, certification exams are intended to validate your skills and knowledge that you have acquired on the job. They are NOT there for candidates to merely study only what is required using a book and a practice test. That only proves you can study something and memorize enough content to pass the test. So, having said my piece, I shall now don my asbestos suit and await the replies. GerryAnonymous
July 28, 2009
Hi Gerry, Assuming the 70-450 training kit was infact cancelled, what do you suggest as preparation material for this exam? Regards, JamesAnonymous
July 29, 2009
Hi James, I always recommend the same prep materials that I use when a Training Kit is not available. The exam prep guide online to understand what topics are covered on the exam. SQL Server Books Online to learn about content I'm not familiar with. Practice, practice, practice. Doing this helps me to understand the material so that I can answer the questions regardless what they ask. GerryAnonymous
August 09, 2009
Why the big foot drag on ISBN: 9780735626560, the 70-564 training kit? No one can get their ASP.NET 3.5 MCPD without it, yet the book is still not available as of today, August 9, 2009.Anonymous
August 09, 2009
Hi Nevin, Budget cuts killed it. Now, as for your statement that no one can get the ASP.NET without it, I have to disagree completely. Sure they make great training material for exam prep but they aren't the only method. Prep guide, MSDN and hands-on experience will make you successful as well. GerryAnonymous
September 04, 2009
Could you provide some up to date information about 70-564 training kit and its optional release? As I see latest posts are from August 9-th 2009. If I can't obtain training kit - it is a good option for me to have at least some whitepapers with its content sheets whith themes and topics. Could you recommend some roadmap for preparation please? - just a full list of topics to be covered in process of preparation for the exam. I coudn't find detailed prep guide at the microsoft site. ThanksAnonymous
September 05, 2009
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September 25, 2009
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September 25, 2009
Hi Elliot, You can put your fears aside. Microsoft not "killing" the cert prep materials. As I have mentioned in prior posts, the decision to create training kits comes purely from a business perspective. With the exception of a few, nobody is purchasing training kits for the pro level exams. Most feel they already posess the skills necessary to pass the exam. Let me ask you a very simple question. If I asked you to give me $100 but I would not pay it back or give me $100 and I'll give you $1000 back, which option would you choose? In answer to your second point, are we looking to change the certification itself, I honestly say I have no idea how you came up with that one. The fact that we don't create a training kit, or series of training kits, is no reflection on the certification itself. Certifications and books are two seperate lines of business for us, the decisions for each LOB is made solely on business aspects. NO, we are not changing the certifications. Will we in the future? Absolutely. As technology changes and the certification world evolves, so will our certifications to ensure we keep pace. There is no reason for you to not move forward with a certification. They're not going away. So, hopefully I have turned your mountain back into a molehill and perhaps even levelled it. :-) GerryAnonymous
September 25, 2009
Gerry, Molehill status retained ;-) Thanks for the information. ElliotAnonymous
October 30, 2009
Well it is obvious that I have already visited microsoft site and have seen all the information - for "whitepapers" and "roadmaps" that you posted. So you are telling me nothing new. I was wondering if this information that consists of one page of text and a simple items listed is enough to anyone to prepare for the exam. If Microsoft is not able to produce a appropriate book - they have to be correct to all professionals that want do certificate and provide them more detailed information, and list of third party books to use in their preparation. Anyway I will pass this exam, but I am really disappointed of all microsoft stuff and policy.Anonymous
October 30, 2009
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November 01, 2009
Well thanks for the reply - especially for the part with evaluating my knowledge without actually knowing me. And thanks for the "kind" attitude - you made me smile (irony - if you don't know what this word means - you can find it in the dictionary) Don't worry - I have enough years practical experience with microsoft tehcnologies and am already certified for the previous framework. The point here is the attitude - to things and to the microsoft certified professionals community - but may be this will be too hard for you to understand so I will not try to explain to you :-)Anonymous
November 01, 2009
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November 03, 2009
I can fine the book for Exam 70-450 from Microsoft Learning and amazon. Is any one know where i can buy this book from? THankS!Anonymous
November 22, 2009
Hy Gerry , i read your asnwers above about book 70-450. Can you tell me is there any updates about this book. Thanks.Anonymous
November 23, 2009
Hi Mark, I regret to say that this book was cut from the plan and did not get created. GerryAnonymous
November 23, 2009
Hy Gerry, thanks for your answer. Can you tell me is there another exam which i can passed and get MCITP - Database administrator 2008 because i've passed exam 70-432. I saw that i should have exam 70-432 and exam 70-450 for Microsoft certified IT Proffesional - Database Administrator 2008 Do you know anything about that ?Anonymous
November 24, 2009
Hi Mark, These are the only two exams that you can use to achieve that certification. There are no more elective exams in the MCTS, MCITP exam tracks. GerryAnonymous
November 25, 2009
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November 25, 2009
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December 21, 2009
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February 04, 2010
please can you let me know from where can i purchase the 70-564 training kit thanks RamAnonymous
February 05, 2010
Ramesh, Unfortunately, the training kit for this exam was cancelled and at this time, Microsoft will not be creating one. You may search on your local book resellers or Amazon.com to see if there are books written by other publishers, but from a quick search, I don't see any. GerryAnonymous
February 10, 2010
Hi Gerry your quote regarding 70-564 "Unfortunately, the training kit for this exam was cancelled and at this time, Microsoft will not be creating one. You may search on your local book resellers or Amazon.com to see if there are books written by other publishers, but from a quick search, I don't see any. " please can you suggest a book for 70-564 exam since i am looking forward for it.Anonymous
February 10, 2010
Hi Ramesh, Unfortunately what you quoted above means that I am not aware of any books for this exam. As a result, I cannot recommend one because I know of no books for this exam. Sorry GerryAnonymous
March 08, 2010
Hi Gerry, I was just hoping to confirm that the following exam is ok to use for the 70-564(i.e. that it is legal). There are no other providers: www.ucertify.com This company provides training material for the 70-564 exam-this includes exam questions and explanations in the same way that Transcender and MeasureUp do. There is a site called (http://www.certguard.com/Search.asp?) which says they are safe but I just wanted a second opinion thats all :-) Thanks AdeAnonymous
March 08, 2010
Hi Ade, Microsoft, and myself, do not "recommend" any practice test providers. We do list MeasureUp and SelfTest on our prep guides but I am not familiar with uCertify. Certguard is the recommended site to check for valid practice tests however. Gerry