kimmedim (7/23/2014)
By the way, maybe the 70-461 certification is a long shot for a newbie as myself?
To be blunt, yes. The exam's intended candidates are DBAs/database developers with 2+ years experience. If the possibility of failing doesn't phase you, then go ahead (especially if you can persuade your boss to pay for the attempt), but don't be discouraged if you fail it.
You have a lot of studying ahead of you. If you're able to buy a book, get Itzik Ben-Gan's T-SQL Fundamentals. It's not a study guide for the exam, but it is an excellent basic T-SQL book.
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