Microsoft BI Certifications or Why SQL is a 4-Letter Word

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Microsoft BI Certifications or Why SQL is a 4-Letter Word

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wavesmash

Posted Sunday, October 28, 2007 10:23 PM

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Comments posted to this topic are about the item Microsoft BI Certifications or Why SQL is a 4-Letter Word

Post #415827

okhere

Posted Monday, October 29, 2007 12:02 AM

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Thank you Andrew!

You have covered lots of details and at an excellent level.

Only the costs remain unexplored!

Ermm

Osama

Post #415837

Paul Hover

Posted Monday, October 29, 2007 1:07 AM

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Actually since the start of this year Microsoft has dropped exam 70-431 from the requirements list. So for the Technology Specialist on SQL Server BI you "only" need exam 70-445. After that, passing exam 70-446 earns you the IT Pro SQL Server BI certification.

Regards,
Paul Hover
MCT, MCITP SQL Server 2005 BI, MCSE

Post #415848

Raúl Poveda

Posted Monday, October 29, 2007 2:52 AM

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Hello there !!!!

Bad news from me .... I tried to pass the 70-446 exam and I didn`t pass it.

Why ?

From my point of view it is very VERY clear:

- fist, the exam itself, I mean, the format of the exam is just horrible !!!, 6 practical cases with a very large explanation at the beginning and then 9-10 questions. The explanation is very large and you have to learn by heart because you can NOT see it with the questions (at the same time), so each time that you have to answer a question if you don't remember the part of the explanation that is related to, you have to come back to the explanation an read it again and again, it is simply frustrating !!!!!!!

- second, the questions, the exam is plenty of technical questions, but the certification (70-446) is oriented to Project Managers that is most of the cases are not technical (that is my case), the 70-445 is the certification oriented to the programmers and the technical people, but It seems they use the same kind of questions for both, and again it's frustrating !!!!!! So from my experience, they are not honest, they have 4 courses for this certification with a functional (project manager) orientation but in the exam they don't follow this work philosofy and they add technical questions.

I have sent several emails to MCPHelp@microsoft.com making a complain but they didn't give me a final solution.

I'm not going to try again the certification exam if they don't change this.

Thanks and regards.

Post #415865

Brandie Tarvin

Posted Monday, October 29, 2007 4:10 AM

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Andrew,

Thanks for the information on the BI cert. I've been looking everywhere for additional information on what it covers. Though, I was surprised to see you list two exams (445 & 446) for it. I was under the impression there was only one BI test.

Sounds like I have a lot of studying to do since I don't have any SSAS & assemblies experience. Pinch

Oh, well. I plan on getting this one last anyway, so I should have plenty o' time to learn. @=)

Thanks again! Loved the article. Very clear, concise and detailed!

Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database Administrator, MCDBA, MCSA

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Post #415888

Adam Machanic

Posted Monday, October 29, 2007 10:50 AM

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Just one correction: Beta exams do count toward certification, if you pass them.

--
Adam Machanic
SQL Server MVP
SQLblog.com: THE SQL Server Blog Spot on the Web

Post #416126

Aaron C. Sentell

Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:50 AM

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I have no BI and data warehousing experience, but I know this is a huge topic that I need to become familiar with. Would studying for these certification exams be a good way to do this, or do I need to try to get some hands-on first? We don't have a data warehouse here, so my hands on would be virtual labs, reading books, studying on my own, etc.

Thanks,
Aaron

Post #416519

Adam Machanic

Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:58 AM

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Aaron:

One of the major problems with certs in general is that the skills required to pass the cert are often a tiny subset of the skills required to actually do the job. Studying for cert exams, therefore, gives you only one benefit: you'll pass the cert exam. Learning the skills to do the job will both help you pass the exam and give you the job skills.

I would start with a book and some virtual labs, as you mentioned. But beyond that there is no better way to learn than experience. You don't have a DW there? Don't let that stop you... Build a small test one from your company's data, during your downtime. Building a warehouse will give you tremendous insights into your company's data and business. Who knows, maybe they'll even adopt it! If not, at least you will have gone through the motions and you'll have a much better grasp on BI than people who only read the books and did the labs.

--
Adam Machanic
SQL Server MVP
SQLblog.com: THE SQL Server Blog Spot on the Web

Post #416524

Brandie Tarvin

Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2007 8:08 AM

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Ditto to Adam's post.

When I was still working retail / customer service, I created Access databases to track my supply orders and other items. I didn't need to do it for the job, but it helped me learn relational database structure and techniques that helped me transition to my first IT job.

Plus, even if your company doesn't use your DW, it's an item that you can put on your resume. Even if you say that you did it in a test lab, it's still legitimate experience. @=)

Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database Administrator, MCDBA, MCSA

Webpage: http://www.BrandieTarvin.net
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On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.

Freelance Writer: Shadowrun
Latchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

Post #416529

wavesmash

Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2007 8:39 AM

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Thanks for all of the positive feedback on my first article from everyone.

So beta exams are free AND they count towards certification? Is there a mailing list I can signup to see them as they are released?

Since some of the answers on beta exams are obviously wrong, I wonder why they would count?

cheers,
Andrew

Post #416550

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