Microsoft Certified Master

  • There's been a lot of debate recently about whether certifications are worth doing and whether they provide you or your employer with any benefits. As somebody who is currently on the long and rocky road to hopeful Microsoft Certified Masterdom (MCM), I was wondering what other people think of this qualification?

    I've read Brent Ozar's numerous posts[/url] on the subject and he seems to think it's well worth doing. Also, the fact there were only ten or so SQL Server MCMs in the US outside of Microsoft at the start of the year indicates this is an exclusive qualification and one that is not easy to obtain.

    I've seen in Steve Jones' editorials that he is currently studying towards this. To pass you need to have passed two developer exams (70-433 and 70-451) and two administrator exams (70-432 and 70-450), then two MCM exams (an exam and a lab).

    This seems like a great way to learn about SQL Server in-depth and to become a recognised expert on the subject.

    What does everybody think, and are there any other people on here who are thinking of going down this route?

    Mike.

  • Good luck! and don't forget to share the experience 🙂

    Iulian

  • If you could find time for preparing for the MCM exam then there is no reason why you shouldn't try.

    All the best Mike.

    By any chance, is anyone aware of the total numbers of MCM qualified professionals available currently.

    M&M

  • Earlier this year, at the point that the MCM for SQL was switching forms to exam-only and the exams were only open to SQL MVPs, there was (I estimate) about a 40% pass rate for the knowledge exam, among the SQL MVPs who tried it.

    Should give you an idea of the required level.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • By any chance, is anyone aware of the total numbers of MCM qualified professionals available currently.

    This is the list of MCM:

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/master.aspx#SQL

  • Thanks for the info guys. I've been avoiding the MCM pages as I'm studying for 70-450 at the moment (I've passed 70-432, 70-433, and 70-451). Once that is out of the way I'll start looking at MCM in earnest.

    Evgeny's link needs a slight change, it should be #meet at the end instead of #sql:

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/master.aspx#meet

    Not many of them is there! And then there's the architect level above master, where there are even fewer.

  • I think having an MCM is certainly worth it. I would call it the equivalent of the CCIE for network engineers. It marks Cisco people as the best of the best. They have to take a written and lab. Many people can pass the CCIE written, but then fail the lab.

    Those that have the CCIE easily get premium salaries. $120,000+ is common.

    I would estimate that the MCM for SQL Server would be similar. There are many people that can pass the SQL Server exams for MCTS and MCITP. The difference for the MCM is the additional Lab exam that is timed. This will remain a premium certification that only the best will achieve.

    For SQL Server, these guys are likely already making premium DBA salaries in the top 10% of the range. So I don't know if the MCM will mean a raise. But it might help. Likely it can be used as a marketing tool for consulting firms. If they send a MCM to deal with a project, it could justify a higher billing rate.

    From what I read, it will be impossible to be a "paper" MCM. If you see someone that has the MCM for SQL Server, you know you have the real thing.

    Just my opinion.

    I plan to finish upgrading my certifications to 2008, then I will focus on the MCM.

  • I want go for MCM SQL. I already pass the required exam and start download the 70 video when it start release from Microsoft site. From the feedback, the exam is tough. From the MCM profile, they have boarder experience. I keep asking me, do I have enough experience for this exam?

    Anyhow I already go through lot of the video+the resource propose on the MCM site and it really improve my SQL knowledge. I can handle my job with confidence now.

    Who plan to go the exam? I would like to listen how is your preparation.

  • How is Knowledge Exam? Is it like 70-451 and 70-450 or a little bit harder?

    And my second question is:

    Will i have to enter Lab exam after knowledge exam in a few days? Or will they call us for Lab Exam later?

    Because, I would like to plan this exam(Knowledge+Lab), in a week.

    Regards,

  • You must take the Knowledge exam first, then the lab.

    This link gives you the topics covered:

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/master-sql-path.aspx

    I would assume the Knowledge exam incorporates subjects from both the development and DBA exams, but you will need to know the subjects much more in-depth.

    I'm not sure what the delay is between passing the Knowledge exam and taking the Lab exam - maybe somebody else can help?

    Mike.

  • Brad Mcghee cover certification and its role in a DBA's career in this ebook how to become an exceptional DBA. You should probably go thru it to give you n idea about what certification means for you. You can download it from the left hand menu on this website under Books.

    Jayanth Kurup[/url]

  • talkeffect (7/29/2011)


    How is Knowledge Exam? Is it like 70-451 and 70-450 or a little bit harder?

    Try several hundred times harder. It's also significantly more expensive. iirc $500 for the knowledge and $2000 for the lab

    Because, I would like to plan this exam(Knowledge+Lab), in a week.

    I assume you've watched all the videos here (http://www.sqlskills.com/T_MCMVideos.asp) and read all of the material here (http://www.sqlskills.com/MCM.asp) and understand all of it perfectly. If not, you really shouldn't be wasting your money trying. The pass rate among the SQL MVPs in the early part of the year was somewhere around 40%.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • GilaMonster (7/29/2011)


    talkeffect (7/29/2011)


    How is Knowledge Exam? Is it like 70-451 and 70-450 or a little bit harder?

    Try several hundred times harder. It's also significantly more expensive. iirc $500 for the knowledge and $2000 for the lab

    Because, I would like to plan this exam(Knowledge+Lab), in a week.

    I assume you've watched all the videos here (http://www.sqlskills.com/T_MCMVideos.asp) and read all of the material here (http://www.sqlskills.com/MCM.asp) and understand all of it perfectly. If not, you really shouldn't be wasting your money trying. The pass rate among the SQL MVPs in the early part of the year was somewhere around 40%.

    How many hours of study are you going to put in to even attempt it?

  • Ninja's_RGR'us (7/29/2011)


    GilaMonster (7/29/2011)


    talkeffect (7/29/2011)


    How is Knowledge Exam? Is it like 70-451 and 70-450 or a little bit harder?

    Try several hundred times harder. It's also significantly more expensive. iirc $500 for the knowledge and $2000 for the lab

    Because, I would like to plan this exam(Knowledge+Lab), in a week.

    I assume you've watched all the videos here (http://www.sqlskills.com/T_MCMVideos.asp) and read all of the material here (http://www.sqlskills.com/MCM.asp) and understand all of it perfectly. If not, you really shouldn't be wasting your money trying. The pass rate among the SQL MVPs in the early part of the year was somewhere around 40%.

    How many hours of study are you going to put in to even attempt it?

    Once I get my Master's thesis (M.Sc) submitted, probably 2-3 months. That's solid studying, 5 evenings a week plus weekend.

    I'm fairly strong on the core database engine, storage engine, query processing, etc. What I'll need to focus on mainly is stuff like clustering, mirroring, service broker, CLR, XML, the stuff that's not so core, that I haven't had much experience on.

    Oh, and to put things in perspective, I wrote 70-432, 70-433, 70-450, 70-451 cold, no studying at all, and I got over 850 for all of them.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • So ballpark it at 2000 hours if you include all certs :w00t:.

    Ok only 1999.99 hours to go on my end :w00t:

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