Jul 5, 2010

Exam #1: 70-433 (Technology Specialist: Database Development)

Slight confession.... I had passed my first exam (last week) before I started this blog. So I really only have 5 SQL exams to pass during the next one year. But common... that first exam is the biggest hurdle! It took me 6 months to get ready for this exam! Yes, I bought the book last November (2009) and read it in about a month, then took a break for the holidays, then started back studying in February of this year. I had a few weekends where all I really did was study the sample questions. And then I took the exam in June (2010).

And oh did I pass it... You only need 70% to pass the exam, well I scored 94% !! I'm pretty proud of myself for that :-)

So... because I passed my first Microsoft SQL Server 2008 exam, I have the MCTS (microsoft certified technology specialist) for database development. One test and I already get a real nice logo on my resume...

Here's how I prepared for this exam:

1) Buy the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Database Development Training Kit (blue book with CD by Microsoft Press) for exam 70-433 for $40. Read the book and highlight anything you feel is important as you go. I didn't go through the labs, that wouldda taken forever. It took only about a month to read through the book. I then studied the info that I had highlighted.

2) Go through the 200 study questions that are on the CD. This is critical. And these questions are very accurate to what you'll see on the exam itself. It took me months to go through all these questions. I copied and pasted anything new into a notepad and saved it. I then printed these notes (about 30 pages worth) and read through them and highlighted anything new again.

Then I hoped for the best! (I'll blog about some of the specific questions later, so stay tuned!)
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6 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Do you use other resources, books and etc?

    Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Charles MarteyJune 17, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Hi Donna..I have been in active development (SQL Server/ASP - Classic and .NET/ C# and VB) for about 4 years now and Im planning on taking my first Microsoft Exam - MCTS 70-433 next month..I have the Training Kit which Im currently studying..and its really very good that you share your experiences with all of us out here..Congrats on all your passes..Im going to be following your trail pretty soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. KumarJuly 13, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    dona could you help me BI study material ..
    send me an email

    ReplyDelete
  4. KumarJuly 13, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    avssrk@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Donna ShaverDecember 26, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Thanks everybody for your responses! And good luck on your certs as well!

    Mary Jane, no, I didn't use any other sources... other than google of course. When I found that the book or CD Q&A didn't fully cover something, then I googled and read more info on Microsoft's MSDN site.

    ReplyDelete
  6. RichelleMarch 5, 2012 at 4:13 PM

    Donna, I take my test next month and I've been absolutely freaking out about it. Your blog is helping ease my mind about this test a little bit. Thanks for the info!!

    ReplyDelete

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