MCAD Preparation
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I plan to start studying for a MCAD (then MCSD) and I was wondering how it takes to prepare for a single exam? Also how repesected is an MCAD in the software development when you combine with a degree in computer science?
I'm taking the SQL Exam this coming Wednesday, I've been studying BOL, and the book "Professional SQL Server 2000 Programming" by Robert Vieira, and "Inside SQL Server 2000" by Kalen Delaney and also using the Transcender practice exams. Hopefully I will pass the SQL Design exam and then onto the "Web Services" exam and finally the Developing Web Applications with C# exam, I have MOC books which I plan to use for preparing for the above mentioned exams. The amount of time it takes depends on the amount of time you have to spend preparing before you sit the exam. Depending on your experience with the parts of the exams you are preparing for, on average I would at least give yourself 2 weeks minimum to prepare for any MS Exam although opinions may vary. I have a BS Degree in Aeronautics, I also hold the Windows NT MCSE Cert, combined with the cert's I've managed to stay employed. There is a definate advantage to having a degree in todays job market, however I know IT folks who don't have a degree and make more money than a lot of the others. I also must add, experience on the job is key, but if you are new, you will have to start out as a green horn but you have to start somewhere. The MCAD Cert is relativly new, I'm not sure how it is looked upon by IT Managers. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0735609985/qid=1066539723/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-3310558-7210558?v=glance&s=books[^] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735615845/qid%3D1066539822/sr%3D4-1/ref%3Dsr%5F4%5F1/102-3310558-7210558?st-type=slots-id&st-id=Q1UGIHSKCH0K0C[^] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735615861/qid%3D1066539822/sr%3D4-3/ref%3Dsr%5F4%5F3/102-3310558-7210558?st-type=slots-id&st-
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I plan to start studying for a MCAD (then MCSD) and I was wondering how it takes to prepare for a single exam? Also how repesected is an MCAD in the software development when you combine with a degree in computer science?
I have completed my MCAD and MCSD.NET already. I spent between 20 to 40 hours studying for each exam, including reading the MS Press book and going through the Transcender practic exams. Eric Michel MCP, MCAD, MCSD Website: http://www.ericmichel.com eMail: theblueenergy-dotnetnews@yahoo.com
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I plan to start studying for a MCAD (then MCSD) and I was wondering how it takes to prepare for a single exam? Also how repesected is an MCAD in the software development when you combine with a degree in computer science?
I have my MCSD for .NET and my MCDBA for Windows 2000 (along with other non-Microsoft certifications). I spent one day preparing for each exam: I scheduled each one for Monday at 10 AM, then started studying at around noon on Sunday and didn't let up until I left for the exam. I think people are different, but in my experience it's better to study very hard over a shorter period of time than to study for many short periods spread out over a long span of time. It's inevitable that some knowledge will be lost between short study sessions; I think that this knowledge is better cemented in place if more of it's taken at a time. What I'm trying to say is that I don't seem to suffer a loss of knowledge after the fact with my method, even though some would call it cramming; in fact, much the opposite. I wouldn't necessarily recommend just one session before each test, but you should also realize that a lot of the knowledge you gain in studying for these tests will never be useful to you. I have seen lots of Microsoft-centered shops where the people ooh and ah over Microsoft certifications of any stripe, but in my experience the most well-known to the general public are (in order of descending importance) MCSE MCSA MCDBA MCSD MCAD MCP and then all the rest. The bottom line is that all computer-related certifications are relatively easy to achieve (even Cisco certs), and they're not going to hurt your chances at all, unless you really don't know what to do with the stuff when you go for a technical interview with someone who does know. In general, the best thing that you can hope for from a certification is to show some level of familiarity with a certain topic. In my opinion, the resume format and interview are the most important factors when applying for a new job (although I try to stay highly certified all the time). It would also be bad to have ten different certifications on your resume, needless to say. I would pick two or three certifications that you think wouldn't hurt to have, study intensely for a short time for each one and go confidently to take the exams, then not worry about it all again for a couple of years! Good luck on your job search. Regards, Jeff Varszegi