Put Yourself to the Test

The following series of questions and observations is designed to help you figure out how much work you must do to pursue Microsoft certification and what kinds of resources you should consult on your quest. Be absolutely honest in your answers; otherwise , you'll end up wasting money on exams you're not yet ready to take. There are no right or wrong answers, only steps along the path to certification. Only you can decide where you really belong in the broad spectrum of aspiring candidates.

Two things should be clear from the outset, however:

  • Even a modest background in computer science and programming will be helpful.

  • Hands-on experience with Microsoft products and technologies is an essential ingredient to Microsoft certification success.

Educational Background

  1. Have you ever taken any computer- related classes? [Yes or No]

    If Yes, proceed to Question 2; if No, proceed to Question 4.

  2. Have you taken any classes on computer operating systems? [Yes or No]

    If Yes, you will probably be able to handle Microsoft's architecture and system component discussions. If you're rusty, brush up on basic operating system concepts and general computer security topics.

    If No, consider some basic reading in this area. We strongly recommend a good general operating systems book, such as Operating System Concepts, 5th Edition , by Abraham Silberschatz and Peter Baer Galvin (John Wiley & Sons, 1998). If this title doesn't appeal to you, check out reviews for other, similar titles at your favorite online bookstore.

  3. Have you taken any programming classes, particularly ones focused on Microsoft development languages and the .NET platform? [Yes or No]

    If Yes, you will probably be able to handle Microsoft's terminology, concepts, and technologies ( brace yourself for frequent departures from normal usage). If you're rusty, brush up on basic programming concepts and terminology, with an eye toward the .NET development methodology.

    If No, you might want to read one or two books in this topic area. The best book that we know of is Applied Microsoft .NET Framework Programming , by Jeffrey Richter (Microsoft Press, 2002).

    Skip to the next section, "Hands-on Experience."

  4. Have you done any reading on programming? [Yes or No]

    If Yes, review the requirements stated in the first paragraphs after Questions 2 and 3. If you meet those requirements, move on to the next section.

    If No, consult the recommended reading for both topics. A strong background will help you prepare for the Microsoft exams better than just about anything else.

Hands-on Experience

The most important key to success on all the Microsoft tests is hands-on experience, especially with the Visual Studio .NET interface. If we leave you with only one realization after taking this Self-Assessment, it should be that there's no substitute for time spent creating, configuring, and deploying applications created using the Visual Basic .NET product, upon which you'll be tested repeatedly and in depth.

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You can download objectives, practice exams, and other data about Microsoft exams from the Training and Certification page at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/. Use the "Microsoft Certifications" link to obtain specific exam information.


  1. Have you installed, configured, or used Visual Studio .NET and the .NET Framework? [Yes or No]

    If Yes, skip to the next section. If No, you must get some experience. Read on for suggestions on how to do this.

    Experience is a must with any Microsoft product exam, be it something as simple as FrontPage 2000 or as challenging as SQL Server 2000. For trial copies of other software, search Microsoft's Web site using the name of the product as your search term . Also, search for bundles such as "BackOffice" or "Small Business Server."

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    If you have the funds, or your employer will pay your way, consider taking a class at IT Academy or at an Authorized Academic Training Partner (AATP). In addition to classroom exposure to the topic of your choice, you get a copy of the software that is the focus of your course, along with a trial version of whatever operating system it needs, with the training materials for that class.


    Before you even think about taking any Microsoft exam, make sure you've spent enough time with the related software to understand how it may be installed, configured, and used. This will help you in the exam, and in real life!

Testing Your Exam-Readiness

Whether you attend a formal class on a specific topic to get ready for an exam or use written materials to study on your own, some preparation for the Microsoft certification exams is essential. At $125 a try, pass or fail, you want to do everything you can to pass on your first try. That's where studying comes in.

We have included two practice exams in this book (Chapters 16 and 18), so if you don't score that well on the first, you can study more and then tackle the second.

For any given subject, consider taking a class if you've tackled self-study materials, taken the test, and failed anyway. The opportunity to interact with an instructor and fellow students can make all the difference in the world, if you can afford that privilege. For information about Microsoft classes, visit the Training and Certification page at http://www.microsoft.com/education/ partners /ctec.asp for Microsoft Certified Education Centers.

If you can't afford to take a class, visit the Training page at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/training/find/default.asp anyway, because it also includes pointers to free practice exams and to Microsoft Certified Professional Approved Study Guides and other self-study tools. And even if you can't afford to spend much at all, you should still invest in some low-cost practice exams from commercial vendors .

  1. Have you taken a practice exam on your chosen test subject? [Yes or No]

    If Yes, and you scored 70% or better, you're probably ready to tackle the real thing. If your score isn't above that threshold, keep at it until you break that barrier .

    If No, obtain all the free and low-budget practice tests you can find and get to work. Keep at it until you can break the passing threshold comfortably.

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When it comes to assessing your test readiness, there is no better way than to take a good-quality practice exam and pass with a score of 70% or better. When we're preparing ourselves , we shoot for 80% or more, just to leave room for the "weirdness factor"that sometimes shows up on Microsoft exams.




Developing and Implementing WindowsR-based Applications with Visual BasicR. NET and Visual StudioR. NET Exam CramT 2 (Exam 70-306)
Developing and Implementing WindowsR-based Applications with Visual BasicR. NET and Visual StudioR. NET Exam CramT 2 (Exam 70-306)
ISBN: N/A
EAN: N/A
Year: 2002
Pages: 188

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