And in Closing, I Would Just Like to Say

And in Closing, I Would Just Like to Say…

This exam has a lot to do with reading comprehension. Although you certainly need some experience at architecting .NET solutions, don't rely too much on your own theories. For the most part, if it's not in the case study, it's not in scope. Avoid the temptation to think, "Gee, whenever I see a request for a rich UI, it implies running business rules after each control's LostFocus event."

I found the exam, as is always the case, to be true to the Microsoft study guide (http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/exams/70-300.asp). Take the Microsoft online study guide seriously. I have often seen exams that did not have a question in an area that was on the study guide, but I can't recall ever seeing a question in an area that was not on the study guide.

If you think a particular area probably won't get heavy coverage and you can afford to miss a few points, set your schedule accordingly. Choose your battles.

As I've said in the past, whenever taking a Microsoft exam, if you are wavering between two responses, choose the answer that puts the Microsoft product in the best light. A lot of the questions seem designed to remind the developer just how good the product is. The exams, although focused on evaluating the developer's knowledge, also seem to contain a marketing component.

I can't emphasize it enough: Read each question carefully. Microsoft likes to insert phrases such as "using the least amount of code" or "with minimal disruption to the users" or "simplest." These phrases are clues that there might be two "correct" answers, but only one that responds to the directions in the question. Read critically. For most of us, there is plenty of time to complete the exam if you read a bit slower and more carefully.

As you go through each case study, record the time it took you to finish it. This information helps you forecast whether you are behind. It is better to have a shot at each question than to not get to all the questions.

Free practice exams are available. The page containing the exam study guide includes two links to free demo exams. If you're new to this test (and its predecessor, the 70-100), take the time to try the sample exam.

Use the MSDN Library as one of your study resources. Beyond the MSDN Library (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp), I have found excellent information at the following Web locations:

• The .NET Show: http://msdn.microsoft.com/theshow/Archive.asp

• Webcast archive: http://www.microsoft.com/usa/webcasts/ondemand/default.asp

• Google search focused on Microsoft sites: http://www.google.com/microsoft

• .NET Patterns & Practices home page: http://msdn.microsoft.com/practices/

• .NET Architecture home page: http://msdn.microsoft.com/architecture/

Use the product. Microsoft offers a free, three-hour "hosted" usage of Visual Studio .NET, Enterprise Architect Edition at the following URL: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/tryit/.

Search out one or more chat rooms or newsgroups where the certification exams are discussed. One source is Microsoft's own forum for MCSD-related topics at http://microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcsd.