SQL Server 2012 Certification Path

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Problem

Do you want to earn recognition as a SQL Server 2012 expert? Would you like to discover which SQL Server 2012 certifications are most relevant to your current job or the one you want next? Do you want to learn which exams are required for the SQL Server 2012 certifications? Finally, would you like to discover how to get credit for your SQL Server 2008 certifications towards SQL Server 2012 certifications?

Solution

There are lots or reasons for wanting to get certified in SQL Server 2012. Although SQL Server 2012 has been out for a while, your company may still be just planning to deploy it or only selectively deploying it. As time goes by, it is highly likely that SQL Server professionals with SQL Server 2012 certifications will enjoy advantages not available to those without a SQL Server 2012 certification. Even if you previously earned SQL Server certifications for SQL Server 2008 or an earlier version, opportunities for assignments with the greatest chance of advancement may depend on having certifications for SQL Server 2012. In any event, the issuance of new MCTS and MCITP certifications for SQL Server 2008 will discontinue after July 31, 2013.

What kinds of SQL Server 2012 certifications are available? Which certification is most appropriate for the way you use or want to be using SQL Server 2012? This tip drills down on three certifications that are likely to be appropriate for most SQL Server professionals, but other certifications exists for more specialized requirements.

  • The MCSA certification confirms a mastery of core SQL Server 2012 skills in three areas: querying relational databases, administering databases and SQL Server instances, and implementing data warehouses.
  • The MCSE Data Platform certification requires a SQL Server 2012 MSCA certification and confirms additional advanced skills for developing databases and designing solutions.
  • The MCSE Business Intelligence certification also requires a SQL Server 2012 MSCA certification and confirms additional advanced skills for implementing data models and reports and designing business intelligence solutions.

Exam Paths to SQL Server 2012 MCSA and MCSE Certifications

For those without any SQL Server 2008 certifications, you need to pass three separate exams (70-461, 70-462, and 70-463) to obtain the MCSA SQL Server 2012 certification. If you have already earned at least one MCTS certification for SQL Server 2008, you have the option of taking just two exams (70-457 and 70-458) or the full set of three exams required of those without a MCTS for SQL Server 2008.

In order to earn either of the two SQL Server 2012 MCSE certifications (for Data Platform or Business Intelligence), you must have previously earned a SQL Server 2012 MCSA or a SQL Server 2008 MCITP certification. The exam paths depend on the specific SQL Server 2012 MCSE certification that you want to earn as well as which qualifying certification you already have.

  • If you want to earn the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Data Platform certification and you previously earned a MCSA for SQL Server 2012, then you must pass two exams (70-464 and 70-465).
  • If you want to earn the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Data Platform certification and receive credit for a previously earned a MCITP for SQL Server 2008 for a SQL Server Administrator or Developer, then you must pass three exams (70-457, 70-458, and 70-459). There is no way to earn credit for the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Data Platform certification with a previously earned MCITP for SQL Server 2008 for Business Intelligence.
  • If you want to earn the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence certification and you previously earned a MCSA for SQL Server 2012, then you must pass two exams (70-466 and 70-467).
  • If you want to earn the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence certification and receive credit for a previously earned a MCITP for SQL Server 2008 for Business Intelligence, then you must pass three exams (70-457, 70-458, and 70-459). There is no way to earn credit for the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence certification with a previously earned MCITP for SQL Server 2008 for a SQL Server Administrator or Developer.

For those who have previously earned MCTS or MCITP certifications for SQL Server 2008, you have the option of taking a reduced exam set. Whether you want to take advantage of this depends on your needs and preferences for mastering selected content. For example, not taking credit for a SQL Server 2008 MCTS certification requires you to take three separate exams, instead of just two exams, for the SQL Server 2012 MCSA. If you want to drill down separately on querying, administration, and business intelligence, then the three exam sequence may be most appealing. If you have a need to earn the MCSA for SQL Server 2012 with the fewest possible exams (for example, because your ultimate goal is to earn a MCSE for SQL Server 2012), then you may prefer the two exam sequence.

Also note that Microsoft is not providing credit for the MCSE in SQL Server 2012 certification in Business Intelligence for those with a MCITP in SQL Server 2008 for either an administrator or a developer. The same kind of cross-specialization exception applies to those with a MCITP in SQL Server 2008 for business intelligence earning credit for the MSCE SQL Server 2012 Data Platform certification.

More About Specific Exams for the Non-upgrade Path

This section drills down on the exams required for SQL Server 2012 certifications when you DO NOT TAKE CREDIT FOR A PREVIOUSLY EARNED SQL SERVER 2008 CERTIFICATION. These exams are required for those without SQL Server 2008 certifications and optional for those with SQL Server 2008 certifications.

The following table lists each possible exam required collectively for the MCSA, MSCE Data Platform, and MSCE Business Intelligence certifications. Each row in the table provides the exam number and title along with the certifications for which it gives credit. The last column in the table gives a brief summary of selected content in the scope of an exam. This summary is not meant to be exhaustive, but it is to indicate the types of material covered by an exam. You can use the Selected Topics column to discover exams that are most closely related to how use currently use or plan to use SQL Server 2012.

The table lists ALL the possible exams that you can take if you choose not to take credit for a previously earned SQL Server 2008 exam, but just three exams are required for the MCSA certification. The Credit For column shows these exams to be 70-461, 70-462, and 70-463. The MCSE Data Platform and MCSE Business Intelligence certifications each require five exams -- three that are the same across both certifications and two more that are unique to each certifications. Because you need a MCSA certification for any MCSE certification, either MSCE certification requires the 70-461, 70-462, and 70-463 exams. In addition, the special exams for each MCSE certification are as follows.

  • For the MCSE Data Platform certification you must take and pass the 70-464 and 70-465 exams.
  • For the MSCE Business Intelligence certification, you have to earn a passing grade on the 70-466 and 70-467 exams.
Exam Credit For Selected Topics
70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • MCSA for SQL Server 2012
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Data Platform
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
  • Create/design tables and views
  • Use joins, sub-queries, new data types and query features
  • Create/design/modify stored process, aggregate functions, triggers
  • Modify data with INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE/MERGE
  • Design/apply user-defined functions
70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
  • MCSA for SQL Server 2012
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Data Platform
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
  • Install SQL Server 2012 and related services
  • Create and manage SQL Server instances, including a clustered instance
  • Diagnose and respond to blocking, locking, deadlocking
  • Backup and restore databases
  • Implement and maintain indexes
  • Contrast and compare AlwaysOn technologies
70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • MCSA for SQL Server 2012
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Data Platform
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
  • Design/implement star vs. snowflake schemas, fact tables, dimensions, keys
  • Create/apply project level connection managers, slowly changing dimensions, fuzzy lookups
  • Execute SSIS packages with SSMS, DTEXEC, SQL Server Agent
  • Create, assign, read variables and parameters
  • Plan and implement full and incremental loads for data warehouses
  • Implement solutions with Data Quality Services
70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Data Platform
  • Create/implement database objects without using built-in tools
  • Apply data types: CLR, sequential GUID values, spatial
  • Understand relative advantages of database tables, temporary tables, and table variables
  • Create, assign, read variables and parameters
  • Create and alter indexes, including filtered, semantic, XML
  • Optimize queries with execution plans and DTA
70-465: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Data Platform
  • Apply physical database issues, such as filestream and file groups
  • Monitor an instance using such tools as Profiler, Perfmon and DMVs
  • Automate (setup, maintenance, monitoring) across multiple databases and multiple instances
  • Design instance-level security, such as logon triggers, transparent data encryption, DDL triggers
  • Manage maintenance administration, such as rebuild vs. defrag indexes, online vs. offline index rebuild
  • Implement high availability via clustered servers, mirroring, replication
70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
  • Implement cubes: build cube with SQL Server Data Tools, configure additive and non-additive measures, and implement many-to-many relationships
  • Create and debug MDX queries
  • Contrast multidimensional and tabular data models
  • Deploy SSAS databases
  • Know SSRS report and design issues, such as crosstab report, drill-down reports, report parameters
  • Configure report data sources and datasets
70-467: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
  • Specify and optimize MDX and DAX queries
  • Use partitioning to speed up the loading of a fact table
  • Design a BI reporting architecture, including such features as linked reports, drill-down reports, sub reports
  • Know when to choose between UDM and BISM
  • Possess a working knowledge of how to implement MDX calculations
  • Design SSIS deployments using the project deployment model, passing values at execution time, sharing parameters between packages

More About Specific Exams for the Upgrade Path

For those with SQL Server 2008 certifications, you can significantly reduce the number of exams for SQL Server 2012 certifications if you leverage your SQL Server 2008 credentials. For example, you can reduce the number of exams from three to two for a MCSA certification. Any MCTS for SQL Server 2008 can merit you this benefit. The reduction in exams that you need to pass for an MCSE goes from five to just three. To get this benefit, you need a MCITP as a developer or administrator for SQL Server 2008 when taking tests for the MCSE Data Platform certification. In order to achieve the same reduction in the number of exams for the MCSE Business Intelligence, you need the MCITP Business Intelligence for SQL Server 2008.

While the topics covered by exams in the non-upgrade and upgrade paths are generally similar, the exam numbers and titles are distinctly different. The following table shows the exam numbers and titles, the range of certifications for which they gain you credit, and a representative range of material in the scope of each exam. The 70-457 and 70-458 exams are required of all registrants for the MCSA via the upgrade path. When you pass these exams, you gain a MCSA for SQL Server 2012 even while your SQL Server 2008 certification remains in force. Then, by passing just one more exam, you can earn either a Data Platform MCSE certification or a Business Intelligence MCSE certification.

  • For the MCSE Data Platform certification you must obtain a passing grade on the 70-459 exam.
  • For the MSCE Business Intelligence certification, you must pass the 70-460 exam.
Exam Credit For Selected Topics
70-457: Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1
  • MCSA for SQL Server 2012
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Data Platform
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
  • Use T-SQL statements to CREATE, DROP, ALTER database objects, including columns and triggers
  • Use joins, sub-queries, new data types and query features
  • Create/design/modify stored process, aggregate functions, triggers
  • Modify data with INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE/MERGE
  • Design/apply user-defined functions
70-458: Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2
  • MCSA for SQL Server 2012
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Data Platform
  • MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
  • Backup and restore databases
  • Implement and maintain indexes
  • Contrast and compare AlwaysOn technologies
  • Design/implement star vs. snowflake schemas, fact tables, dimensions, keys
  • Create, assign, read SSIS variables and parameters
  • Plan and implement full and incremental loads for data warehouses
  • Implement solutions with Data Quality Services
70-459: Transition Your MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 or MCITP: Database Developer 2008 to MCSE: Data Platform MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Data Platform
  • Develop data management solutions, using temporary tables, table variables, constraints
  • Create/design views, user-defined scalar and table-valued functions
  • Manage data integrity using such tools as checks, primary keys, private keys, foreign keys
  • Know how to use SQL Profiler, Database Engine Tuning Advisor, Perfmon
  • Implement security via: SQL Server and integrated security, permissions, contained logins, data encryption, DDL triggers
  • Diagnose and respond to blocking, locking, deadlocking
70-460: Transition Your MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer 2008 to MCSE: Business Intelligence MCSE for SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
  • Implement cubes: build cube with SQL Server Data Tools, configure additive and non-additive measures, and implement many-to-many relationships
  • Create and debug MDX queries
  • Know SSRS, including report design, layout, and interactivity.
  • Design security and backup for a BI application.
  • Design and implement BI schemas and fact tables.
  • Understand SSIS deployment issues for BI solutions.
Next Steps

This article gives you an overview of three typical SQL Server 2012 certifications that correspond to the job functions of many SQL Server professionals. In addition, the tip drills down on the number and types of exams required for each certification. The coverage of exams identifies which exams are required for each certification based on whether you are starting from scratch or upgrading SQL Server 2008 certifications. You also get an overview of content within the scope of each exam.

Your next step is to research the certifications that seem to fit best with your personal career and/or professional growth objectives. Then, start studying and working with SQL Server 2012 exam topics to assure your proficiency in the material for each of the exams that you need to pass for the SQL Server 2012 certification that is right for you. Vendors, including Microsoft and other third-party organizations, offer exam preparations materials that you are likely to find helpful.

For my 2008 certifications, I found exam preparation materials helpful in getting ready for some but not necessarily all exam topics; making sure you have plenty of hands-on experience is a good way to supplement exam preparation materials. The exam preparation materials are especially useful for giving you experience with the question formats used on the certification exams. I also found the exam preparation materials useful in helping me to adjust my pace in answering questions so that I had a good chance of answering all questions before the exam time expired.

Here are some links to help you with your next steps.



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About the author
MSSQLTips author Rick Dobson Rick Dobson is an author and an individual trader. He is also a SQL Server professional with decades of T-SQL experience that includes authoring books, running a national seminar practice, working for businesses on finance and healthcare development projects, and serving as a regular contributor to MSSQLTips.com. He has been growing his Python skills for more than the past half decade -- especially for data visualization and ETL tasks with JSON and CSV files. His most recent professional passions include financial time series data and analyses, AI models, and statistics. He believes the proper application of these skills can help traders and investors to make more profitable decisions.

This author pledges the content of this article is based on professional experience and not AI generated.

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Comments For This Article




Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - 8:59:50 AM - Sudhakar Back To Top (40952)

 

 Hai,

I am want do Sql server 2012 databas eadministration   certification so pls kindly help me to get the certification...

And provide theinformation required

  Thanks 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 - 12:57:11 PM - Brian Johnson Back To Top (40775)

Having passed MOS Access and Excel Expert I know that SQL Server is the next certif step for me. However if I decide that the MS exams are too much of a quantum leap do you know of any non-MS certifs in SQL Server pls? The MTA is too basic, presumably there are 3rd party companies that are entitled to offer certifs in MS products? 

 

Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 5:40:36 PM - Doug Back To Top (34244)

In the http://www.iheadgo.com free (100% free , no banners) practice online tests for such certifications as MCSE, MCDBA, MCSD, A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA, CCNP. The best of the world ! Uipiiiiii

Friday, August 1, 2014 - 3:21:53 AM - Sivaraj Back To Top (33970)

Hi,

i want to do certification in SQL business intelegence. i dont have any certification in SQL before.

kindly let me know the details

 

Regards,

Sivaraj

Thursday, April 10, 2014 - 4:55:50 AM - Mughilan Back To Top (30032)

Thanks Rick, more explainable than any sites.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - 11:46:07 PM - Rick Dobson Back To Top (25294)

I believe you may the answer to your question at this link: http://blogs.technet.com/b/uspartner_ts2team/archive/2012/06/08/new-mcse-certification-paths-for-sql-server-2012-available-this-month.aspx.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - 2:02:46 AM - Rishikesh Back To Top (25270)

Hi,

I am having certificate Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance (70-432) want to upgrade it please suggest me proper path for MCSE: Data Platform.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - 7:28:43 PM - ahmed Back To Top (24089)

Hi Rick,

Have got a peculiar case, basically I intend doing just 70-460 on SQL server 2012,  then another singular track for Active Directory Configuration on windows server, and eventually a singular track also for exchange server configuration. 

My question is, after passing each of the single tracks above, within the multi-track category, what qualification shall I receive? , at least to show I'm proficient in the tracks I did. My job only requires this specific ones.

Thanks.

Friday, April 26, 2013 - 5:07:55 AM - yaroslav Back To Top (23571)

Hi, interesting article. Shame on me, just discovered that I can take advantage of my previous earned MCTS 2008 certification to get the 2012 MCSA certification. My issue is that I booked yesterday my exam 70-461 Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012. But now I see that just taking 70-457 and 70-458 I can migrate to the MCSA SQL Server 2012.

Just filled up a contact form on prometric online to request if I could change the exam, not reschedule, but change the 70-461 and take exam 70-457 instead. Is this possible? Thanks!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 3:10:05 PM - Shibendra Back To Top (22785)

Hi ,

Iam new to SQL Server 2012,iam learning this technology with great interest,but as i have goal to clear the 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases certification,but iam not able to find the question for the same.Can you please help to get the questions on my mail id.


 

Thanks

Shibendra Das

Database Intern

DELL India.

 

 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 - 9:24:33 PM - Rick Dobson Back To Top (20578)

 

Csaba,

 

I tentatively agree with you on the Pro Series books.  I personally am interested in growing my BI skills, and I started studying the Pro SQL Server 2012 BI Solution book.  In fact, I bought the book because the Training Kit book/CD materials were not yet available for the 70-463 exam.  So far, the Pro book is very easy to read, and it has a host of learning by doing examples that reinforce what you learn in the clear prose.  I have yet to make a determination about how well it will prepare me for the BI exams.

I used the MS Press Training kits for a couple of MCTS SQL Server 2008, and I did find them helpful.  However, I also found it useful to supplement them with other content.  I beleive it is possible to develop a libary or web links that tie to the exam topics as specified at the msdn exam site.  For example, this link (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-459#tab2) lists a set of topics that are within the scope of the 70-459 exam.  Without too much work, someone should be able to compile a set of links from the msdn site and other similar sources that tie to specific items within the scope of the exam.  Then, others might be able to study in a more focused way on topics that that pertain to the exam from Microsoft content.  Is this something that would be worth having at the MSSQLTips.com site?

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 - 7:40:14 PM - Csaba Toth Back To Top (20574)

As the SQL Server 2008 exams will phase out it's value should degrade gradually too. I don't know the rate though, and it also depends on the installed 2008 systems. There are many SQL Server 2008 solutions in production, but those were phase out too at some point. If someone goes for SQL Server exams, he/she should obviously aim for MCSE/MCSA.

It's a little off-topic, but one of the most useful books someone can read on software development as a whole are the Training kits for the PRO exams. All of them are comprehensive and cover as much advices and best practices as possible and useful in real-life. Most of these (PRO) books involve many authors and seemingly they try to stuff-in their essence of knowledge on the topic. For the "Exam 70-565 (PRO): Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications using .NET Framework 3.5" I used "MCPD Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-549): Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework", which is for the earlier PRO exam, but you can easily extrapolate it to .NET 3.5 and most of the topics apply even to non-Microsoft software development too! Like unit testing best practices, performance baselines, enterprise issues.

Same true for MCITP. There's no Self paced Training Kit for "Exam 70-451 (PRO): Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008", but the the books for "Exam 70-441 (PRO): Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005" and "Exam 70-442 (PRO): Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005" are really outstanding in my oppinion. You can extrapolate things to SQL Server 2008, very important to focus on 2008's new features though. It's good to have work experience and I also try to attend to SQL Saturdays in my area to have some fun and refresh my knowledge.

Is there exact Self Paced Training Kits for the MCSEs? I haven't checked it out.

Csaba

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 - 8:54:41 AM - Rick Dobson Back To Top (20564)

Csaba,

You are correct about Microsoft have longer exam paths for SQL Server 2012 certification than SQL Server 2008 certification.  This applies to the MCTS level versus the MCSA level as well. 

Maybe fewer SQL Server professionals will pursue the 2012 certifications.  Do you think that will that make the 2012 certifications more or less valuable?  Also keep in mind that the 2008 certifications will not be offered any more sometime during 2013.  Therefore, new SQL Server professional who wish to become certified will pursue the 2012 certifications.  As SQL Server 2012 becomes more widely adopted, SQL Server 2008 certifications will likely become less valuable relative to SQL Server 2012 certfications.

Ask yourself why you obtained your 2008 certification and did it fulfill your expectation.  SQL Server 2012 has lots of new functionality not in SQL Server 2008.  In some cases, the old SQL Server 2008 ways of performing a task may not apply in SQL Server 2012.  Therefore, if you expect to work optimally with SQL Server 2012, you are going to have to learn the new functionality whether or not you pursue certification.

We live in interesting times and things keep on changing -- except now, they change faster and become harder.  This general trend has been in place for a long time in the computer industry.  It is not really new with SQL Server 2012 certifications.

Rick

 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 - 12:43:14 AM - Csaba Toth Back To Top (20557)

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the answer! So the upgrade in my case would be indeed 3 exams compared to the 2 exams which is needed for the original title. I usually prepare from Self Paced Training Kits and it takes me 3-12 months to prepare for an exam (depending on how much hands-on expreience I have already and how long are the books). I have MCPD EAD too, those included 6 exams, I started them back in 2009. The time I use for these exams is too precious, so maybe I just won't chase titles any more and do something else useful.

Csaba Toth

Monday, November 26, 2012 - 8:10:15 PM - Rick Dobson Back To Top (20553)

Csaba Toth,

The MCITP for SQL Server 2008 came in three differrent varieties -- one for administrators, one for t-sql developers, and another for BI analysts.  You passed the exams for the MCITP developer certification.  The MCSE for SQL Server 2012, which is comparable to the MCITP, comes in just two flavors: one for data platform professionals (including both administrators and developers) and another for BI professionals.

A personal who does not have a MCITP must first earn a MCSA before getting credit for any exams for the MCSE data platform certification; the MCSA certification requires three exams without any prior MCTS certification.  Once a person has the MCSA, then they can take additional exams for the MCSE certficiation

However, you can take just three exams for the MCSE data platform certification.  These exams are 70-757, 70-458, and 70-459.  See this page (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-sql-server-data-platform.aspx) for a graphical representation of your exam path.  Use the links on the page to drill down for more information about each of the exams in your path to the MCSE data platform certification.

 

Rick Dobson

Monday, November 26, 2012 - 7:34:26 PM - Rick Dobson Back To Top (20552)

I have my eye set on the 70-463 exam.  It has come to my attention that I cannot buy the Training Kit because it is still not published.  However, I expect that it will be available during December 2012 of January 2013.  While I am waiting, I bought the "Pro SQL Server 2012 BI Solutions" book by Randal Root and Caryn Mason..  Its learn by doing feature is appealing.  Also, the writing style makes it easy to read.  On the other hand, it is not necessarily geared to the 70-463 exam.  One obvious negative is that there are no exam questions because it does not directly address the 70-463 exam.

In my personal experience, certifications can get you considered for an opportunity even if they do not actually get a job for you.  Many factors impact a job candidate's selection, and experience is going to be a major issue.  Of course, for jobs that call for SQL Sever 2012 skills, having passed one or more certification demonstrates experience.  Try to get some projects on your job with SQL Server 2012 to reinforce your certification credentials.

 

Monday, November 26, 2012 - 7:13:11 PM - Csaba Toth Back To Top (20551)

I'm interested in upgrade paths. Let's say someone has these two exams:

"Database Developer 2008

  • PREREQ: MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development (70-433)
  • Exam 70-451 (PRO): Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008"

(In other words "MCITP Database Developer 2008" - is that correct?)

Isn't that enough to get the "70-459: Transition Your MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 or MCITP: Database Developer 2008 to MCSE: Data Platform"? Can it happen that for such an upgrade someone would have to have 3 upgrade exams, while the original degree was two?

Extra note: I wouldn't say in case of: 2 exams instead of 3 that "you can significantly reduce the number of exams". Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Csaba Toth

Monday, November 26, 2012 - 4:24:11 PM - TonyC Back To Top (20550)

Thank you Rick for putting this together as the MS site is a bit confusing. I ordered 70-461, 70-462, and 70-463 Training Kits a couple of months ago. Since then I receive 70-462 and have been studying that ... no word on when the other two will be published. The original promised time has come and gone.

I am working alone on these to get a 2012 certification (from scratch as you put it) and would love to find a group of others who are doing the same/similar. A "study group" if you will. It's tough to study alone as there is no advantage of my having certs for my current job; except for what I think is obvious - marketability.

Monday, November 26, 2012 - 1:08:22 PM - Rick Dobson Back To Top (20544)

Senthikumar,

Thank you so much for reading the tip so carefully and discovering the typo.  You are correct that I should have specified: If you want to earn the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence certification and receive credit for a previously earned a MCITP for SQL Server 2008 for Business Intelligence, then you must pass three exams (70-457, 70-458, and 70-460).

Readers can drill down further into the topic of which specific exams are required and learn more about the exams from the following url and links on it: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-sql-server-business-intelligence.aspx.

Rick Dobson

 

Monday, November 26, 2012 - 11:34:59 AM - Senthilkumar Back To Top (20541)

Hi Rick,

You wrote "If you want to earn the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence certification and receive credit for a previously earned a MCITP for SQL Server 2008 for Business Intelligence, then you must pass three exams (70-457, 70-458, and 70-459). There is no way to earn credit for the MCSE SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence certification with a previously earned MCITP for SQL Server 2008 for a SQL Server Administrator or Developer." 

Actually it should be 70-460 instaead of 70-459. 

Thanks

Senthilkumar

Database Manager

CSC India.














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