Introduction

Welcome to MCSD Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures Study Guide (Exam 70-300). The authors have written this book to help prepare you for the Analyzing and Defining Microsoft .NET Solution Architectures exam. As you’re preparing for your MCSD, this book will guide you through the key points of each of the exam objectives.

The MCSD Program

Candidates for the MCSD certification are typically lead developers who design and develop leading-edge enterprise solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, platforms, and the Microsoft .NET Framework. Microsoft recommends that the MCSD candidate have at least two years of experience in developing and maintaining applications before attempting the certification.

MCSD Certification Requirements

Achieving the MCSD certification requires passing four core exams and one elective exam. The core exams are listed in the following box.

MCSD CORE EXAMS

Solution Architecture Exam (Required)

Exam 70-300: Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures

Web Application Development Exams (One Required)

Exam 70-305: Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Or

Exam 70-315: Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Windows Application Development Exams (One Required)

Exam 70-306: Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Or

Exam 70-316: Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Web Services and Server Components Exams (One Required)

Exam 70-310: Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Or

Exam 70-320: Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# and the Microsoft .NET Framework

In addition to the core exams, you must pass one of the following elective exams:

• Exam 70-229: Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Enterprise Edition

• Exam 70-230: Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000 Enterprise Edition

• Exam 70-234: Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000

  Exam Watch

  For the latest information on available exams, visit www.microsoft.com/traincert. Exams are subject to change without notice, so be sure to check this site frequently as you prepare for your exam.

Exam Credit

When you pass Exam 70-300, you immediately achieve the status of Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and earn core credit toward your MCSD certification.

Skills Being Measured

You can view the complete set of skills being measured at the MCSD web site, at www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsd/requirements.asp. According to Microsoft, the following is a quick summary of what you’ll be faced with on the exam.

Performance-Based vs. Knowledge-Based Questions

The exam questions fall into two broad categories, knowledge-based and performance- based. Knowledge-based questions are designed to test your knowledge of specific facts. Performance-based questions are designed to measure your ability to perform on the job by presenting examples of situations and scenarios that a developer might encounter in the real world.

• Free response items Traditional multiple-choice items, these questions are designed to test your basic knowledge of facts.

• Case study–based items Designed to simulate what situations developers actually encounter on the job, these questions test your ability to analyze information and make decisions.

You should take advantage of the sample questions available for download from the Exam and Testing Procedures Web page at www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcpexams/ faq/procedures.asp.

Signing Up

To schedule your exam, call any Sylvan Prometric or VUE center. Online registration is also available through the Register for an Exam web page at www.microsoft.com/ traincert/mcpexams/register. This site gives you information about the registration process and provides locations for testing centers near you.