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Microsoft Certified Master

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Robert Davis

Posted Monday, December 10, 2012 11:32 PM

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I don't know all of the requirements, but I know a couple of them.

1. The test center must be highly secure. Most centers don't have enough staff to actively monitor test takers. The MCM exams must be actively monitored and have extra security checks in place (like fingerprinting and checking that your pockets are empty).

2. The infrastructure must be wholly owned by Prometric. Many of the test centers are franchises operating under Prometric's name. to be considered highly secure, the testing infrastructure must be wholly owned by Prometric and not by the franchisee.

I know there are also requirements regarding regular security audits and having no failures in the audits, but I don't know the details of that requirement.

Needless to say, it requires a considerable investment from Prometric to get a testing center up to standards for the MCM exam.

My blog: SQL Soldier
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Post #1394903

Vedran Kesegic

Posted Tuesday, December 11, 2012 1:50 AM

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I live in Croatia. London is 1.5h of flight away, and there are acceptable flight prices.

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Post #1394936

SQLCharger

Posted Thursday, December 13, 2012 12:30 PM

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Vedran Kesegic (12/10/2012)

I just started to learn for MCM certificate. Videos are really inspiring, packed with information and insights, really refreshing.
4 videos watched, 1000 to go :)
I hope to be ready in about six months.
...

Six months may be a bit on the short side if you have just starting watching the MCM videos and find them really inspiring w00t

- as Paul keeps saying at the start of each video, they do not cover the breadth of knowledge needed for the exam.

Based on my experience you'd need to be able to fly-past an MCITP-level exam without a blink. That would indicate that you may be ready to have a go at the Knowledge Exam. The Lab exam is harder still.
Back to the MCM videos, you should be able to recreate them on the fly for a friend (co-worker, whatever). I've found that teaching the subject to someone else (who is interested!) is a good way to fill in your own gaps in the understanding of each subject. And there are quite a few subjects that the MCM exams cover!...

Good luck - as you prepare for the MCM, also go download the free videos from previous PASS years, as well as SQL Bits. There are some real gems in there!

Cheers,

JohnA

Post #1396347

Vedran Kesegic

Posted Thursday, December 13, 2012 3:41 PM

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I must admit, JohnA, You scared me a little w00t

My average score in exams that led me to MCITP DBA 2008 and MCITP Developer for SQL 2008 was 941 (i had maximum score of 1000 on one, and very high scores on the others). All passed from the first attempt. Also I do teach colleagues once every month and it really is helpful to learn something better, forces me to clarify things in my mind. Learning is a real joy for me, especially when I can apply that knowledge (and I can - in my daily work).
6 months I reserved for just the knowledge exam, and I don't expect to pass it from the first attempt. Maybe second or third if I'll have the money. I also have a vary small child, so learning time can start at approx midnight and sleeping suffers.

Thank you for the materials.
Unfortunately, I was not attending PASS 2011, so I can't download them for free - maybe you can help?

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Post #1396426

SQLCharger

Posted Friday, December 14, 2012 6:13 AM

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I've interviewed people with high scores in MCTS/MCITP exams and was unimpressed with their actual knowledge (I hope we understand what the real issue is) Wink

PASS videos you can probably find from as far back as 2006 - do not dismiss the old ones, many are still very relevant and well-made.
The other day I came across 'advanced recovery' by Bob Ward (PASS 2006). it is a blast Cool

(hex-editor + dumpfiles). They don't make them like this anymore Hehe

SQLBits you can find videos right from the start - some are very good indeed.

Also try downloading TechEd videos, there are loads of them for SQL/BI.

Not free - PluralSight hosts several tutorials from the SQLSkills team - all very well made indeed.
I was lucky enough to see them in the flesh back in May in London - if you could afford to attend IE1 and/or IE2 this year I would recommend it unreservedly. MCM-level. Smile

Cheers,

JohnA

Post #1396604

Vedran Kesegic

Posted Saturday, December 15, 2012 4:09 PM

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SQLCharger (12/14/2012)

I've interviewed people with high scores in MCTS/MCITP exams and was unimpressed with their actual knowledge (I hope we understand what the real issue is) Wink

Only two reasons come to my mind: you are a "hard to impress" person (perfectionist) or they cheated on exams :)
Maybe you are expecting MCM's knowledge from non-MCMs, comparing everybody to yourself ?
It's like you have a person with Ph.D. which doesn't have a clue about his/hers thesis - it can happen, but very unlikely (if we rule-out the cheating).
I believe there is a statistical correlation between scores/certificates and the knowledge (doesn't mean that uncertified people don't have a knowledge, it's just probability stuff). Otherwise certificate would not have real purpose or value, and Microsoft could turn off the certificate programs with peace. As in every statistics, there are cases dissipating from the main curve of expectancy.
(Un)fortunately I had to learn for my certificates and scores, spent many hours, months and years reading various articles and documentation, had over a decade (11 years precisely) of experience in "real life", teaching others, and then finally decided to certificate that knowledge. Not very easy path, but I'm naturally very curious, like to learn, learn deep and in detail (hence my addin is called sqlxdetails.com) and I would not do that if it is not joy for me. The real value for me is knowledge, not a certificate. I see certificates as a mean to give myself a new learning goal and to test my knowledge. Now the goal is very very high - MCM.
Takes a lot of courage just to try. :)

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Post #1396915

SQLCharger

Posted Sunday, December 16, 2012 12:54 AM

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Vedran Kesegic (12/15/2012)

...or they cheated on exams :)
..

..exactly

If you really did fly past both MCITPs (dev and admin) then you may be ready to give the Knowledge Exam a try. Cool

Cheers,

JohnA

Post #1396973

Vedran Kesegic

Posted Friday, February 01, 2013 5:53 PM

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It seems that Bob Beauchemin's MCM video on authentication and authorization is corrupted:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/gg429823.aspx

I can't watch it in any browser or player. It plays for one minute, stalls, then stops/crashes. The same happens if I play the video from the middle or any other position.
It didn't happen on any other MCM video I watched.
Does anyone have a version that can be watched?
I would really appreciate it.

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blog.sqlxdetails.com - Transaction log myths - debunked!

Post #1414876

Robert Davis

Posted Friday, February 01, 2013 6:43 PM

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The embedded one doesn't work for me either, but downloading the WMV from the download link below does. Did you try downloading it?

My blog: SQL Soldier
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Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
Sr. Product Consultant and Chief SQL Server Evangelist @ Idera
My book: Pro SQL Server 2008 Mirroring

Post #1414890

Vedran Kesegic

Posted Saturday, February 02, 2013 2:54 AM

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Paul was first to inform me the links below embedded video work. I was so used to watch embedded videos that I overlooked the links below which work. The problem is just with embedded video. Thanks!

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Post #1414930

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