March 3, 2003 at 2:06 pm
I used the Transcender AdminCert 7.0 to prepare for Exam 70-028, and it did NOT prepare me for the real exam. The questions on their practice exams are not difficult enough, and there aren't enough of them. I found questions on the real exam that had not even been hinted at on the Transcender practice exam.
I'm now using Self Test Software to prepare for my second attempt, and I can tell you that the questions they provide are equivalent to those you'll find on the real exam. They are also good at asking the same question in several different ways. This helps you learn how to read a question carefully in order to avoid making a stupid mistake. Their tests cost about the same as Transcenders, but you'll get your money's worth.
I also found some good questions on http://www.cert21.com, but the exam engine is not as good.
I think that I will be much better prepared this time, and I will let everyone know how I did when I take the exam again.
“If you're not outraged at the media, you haven't been paying attention.”
March 5, 2003 at 6:57 am
But surely the whole point of being certified is being able to deal with real world situations that CANNOT be predicted?
If you rely upon learning questions by rote, rather than understanding the issues, you end up as a 'Paper DBA' which is why Microsoft qualified people have come in for so much stick here in Europe in the past. I have personally interviewed numerous 'paper' MCDBAs who could not tell me the two types of index you can create on a table (Yep, really). If you want to join their ranks, fine, but the real world won't present you with pre-packaged situations - you have to use your initiative. On the plus side, I've heard very good things about Transcender previously, so it may be that Microsoft are more regularly changing their test questions to stop people who can only learn answers rather than acquire understanding ? Which, oddly enough, is what employers REALLY want...
Jon Reade
Jon
March 6, 2003 at 6:35 pm
I agree with you on the "paper DBA" argument. For the record, I am currently working as a DBA with SQL Server. I've also completed a Master's degree in Information Systems with a heavy concentration in database management systems. I've built several databases with SQL Server 7.0, and I've administered several Windows 2000 servers. In spite of all that experience, I am still having problems with this exam.
My big complaint is that none of the test prep materials I've seen give me a thorough enough preparation. I'd like to see prep materials that have hands on exercises that let you work through the various scenarios you are presented with on the exam and in real life. If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears.
The real question is whether this exam is a true measure of one's ability with SQL Server. The fact that there is a significant number of "paper DBAs" indicates that it may not be. A lot of the questions deal with obscure little facts that a DBA would rarely encounter. If Microsoft doesn't want to encourage rote memorization, they ought to redesign their certifications so that candidates have to demonstrate real-world skills. The movement towards "field certification" seems to be a much better way to go. Check out http://www.fieldcertification.org to see what it's about.
“If you're not outraged at the media, you haven't been paying attention.”
March 7, 2003 at 6:30 am
I remain ambivalent on the test prep thing. I study by using a test prep book (if one available), then I go back to the exam requirements until I can put a check by each one indicating I think I understand it. Then, depending on the exam, I might use Transcender or one of the others. The frustrating thing about those is they often expose things that I had not covered/realized in my study efforts and usually those things end up being on the exam. Is that unfair though?
We recently used an exam to drive our transition to VB.Net. I'll have a follow up article out in a few weeks, the short story is the new users did learn a lot about .Net and are more competent by far with it than they were, but they aren't better programmers for it and they had to work hard at passing the test (the real goal) so that I feel they missed some of the subtleties associated with the new language/tools.
I think it's honestly ridiculous to hire anyone based on any cert - or degree for that matter. At least having one shows signs of industriousnous.
Andy
March 7, 2003 at 9:56 am
Test taking is always a double edged sword. The goal is to learn things, but if you don't pass the test, which is only pass/fail, you are stuck. It's time and $$ and most professionals don't like that risk.
so you use a Transcender to ensure you pass the test. Which is fine, but it doesn't make you qualified. The problem with certification is the tests. They are poorly written to see if one can use the software. Instead they depend on you memorizing various items. In practice, you always can look things up. you should be able to on the test as well.
Steve Jones
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March 17, 2003 at 11:06 pm
March 21, 2003 at 8:32 am
As far as certs go, the only use I have for it is that when you have the letters behind your name on your resume it immediately stands out. Now once you get enough of the reader's interest that they decide to read the rest of your resume, that where they see that I also have relevant experience (6yrs+ in SQL Server & Oracle). However if you don't at least have the eye candy of a certification then you may not get that implied assumption of proficiency that having a cert carries. If you are a paper MCDBA then your lack of experience will scream out on your resume unless you do A LOT of fabrication.
March 24, 2003 at 5:50 am
I think Andy is right on with his comment about industriousnous. And no employer or client that I would want to do work for, would rely soley on a cert.
I think if Microsoft was truly serious about a DBA cert, it would have a major one-time exam, much like the CPA or BAR exams. And then, perhaps smaller exams that focus on product aspects. Keep in mind that 94% of CPA fail the exam the first time. But once they have passed it, they are done. With the MS exams, most pass the first time. Big difference. Microsoft uses it as much as a profit center, as a sign of knowledge.
The exam should demonstrate that the individual has a basic, minimal skill level. Not that they are a guru.
Experience is the only way to gain real skills.
Database design, backup approaches, and a lot of other aspects of database work apply across all database products. Same with web development, etc. And since I often work in multiple version, from 6.5, 7, 2000 of SQL Server, I tend to use BOL just to make sure I am using the correct syntax.
As it is, all the exams tell you is that the person sort of knows the tool. It does not tell you if they know how to use it, or use it wisely.
What's the business problem you're trying to solve?
March 25, 2003 at 9:57 am
quote:
I used the Transcender AdminCert 7.0 to prepare for Exam 70-028, and it did NOT prepare me for the real exam.
I found the practice exams good for highlighting the differences between how I would deal with a problem in the real world, and how Microsoft were expecting me to answer the question!
Thomas Rushton
blog: https://thelonedba.wordpress.com
March 26, 2003 at 5:27 pm
I don't think that the exam, by itself, really measures anything other than the determination require to study for the exam. I do think, however, that a professional looking to improve themselves or reposition their career can use them as a guide to what MS thinks a competent DBA/Sysadmin/Developer/etc... should know.
I think having the letters after your name helps in finding a job, but I don't think it's a make-or-break point most of the time either. I'm sure some places have a hard requirement for certain certs, probably to make nice bullet-points to their clients. Other than those cases, it might improve your resume's visibility some, but probably won't get you a job your experience and interviewing skills couldn't.
Matthew Galbraith
March 27, 2003 at 1:51 am
quote:
I'm sure some places have a hard requirement for certain certs, probably to make nice bullet-points to their clients.
Or to gain / maintain MCSPP status...
Thomas Rushton
blog: https://thelonedba.wordpress.com
March 28, 2003 at 3:34 pm
Yup, I got me Microsoft Certified. An'a coup'la Huskeys ta pull ma sled, you betcha!
The exams are narrow normed instruments - rote learning. The certifications are great for marketing. And lining tester's pockets.
An empirical observation regarding standardized testing (Also a good, true story)
Way back, a long, long time ago (mid 70's), I had a roommate who was going to take the GMAT. So, of course, we went out and partied his brains out. Women, beer, ganja.... I don't remember it very well.
Anyway, he was still stoned and drunk when we delivered him to the test the next morning. We departed, laughing our asses off, to take a well earned nap.
6 weeks later his results come in the mail. Now he is a REALLY smart guy, but even in the grossly inebriated state he was in, he scored in the 98th percentile.
I asked him how the *%@&^%* he did it. He replied, "You just have to know how to take tests".
Since there are only a few ways to construct a normed test, if you learn how tests are constructed, you can be totally trashed and still get a great score.
April 2, 2003 at 9:21 am
Knowing how a test works does help. Once you have taken a few of the Microsoft tests they are not an ordeal, more of an annoyance.
Having the initials after your name is only useful if someone else knows about them. I don't use them once I have a job, that is based on my skill, but when I am looking they come in handy.
The tests seem to be designed to give everyone the basic information. The comment about taking the test for .NET is true, the students knew more then when they started,but they did not understand the subtlety. Tests don't work well on subtle distinctions.
Patrick Birch
Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue
April 2, 2003 at 10:20 pm
Quote
An empirical observation regarding standardized testing (Also a good, true story)
Pick up a copy of nicholas lehman's "the big test"
An excellent read in regards to the above quote.
April 5, 2003 at 6:40 am
I'm graduating with my masters degree in CS in May and I'm considering getting a DB cert. DBs are my thing and I've always felt comfie with them. However, I'm wondering if having the cert will actually *help* in getting that 1st job - or if it would just be wasted moola?.
Any input ??
Thanks
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