September 12, 2007 at 7:01 am
Just thought I'd pass along a brief review of the various study resources I've been using. Hope this helps someone out.
MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide (Exam 70-431) by Joseph L. Jorden and Dandy Weyn -- by Sybex Press.
Not a bad book. Very easy read, actually, and explains some of the more technical issues in plain language for non-techies. Definitely recommend for beginners in SQL Server or for people who have never taken a cert test before. However, this book is not as detailed as it could be. Not sure yet if that's a pro or a con. Though the book does cover some interesting items that I didn't see in the MS Press book.
Microsoft: SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance Self-Pace Training Kit by Solid Quality Learning (an MSPress book).
Very complicated and technical. Not a book for the basic beginner as it bogs you down in technobabble. Perhaps contains more information than you actually need for the test (not sure about this) and the chapter on XML alone takes forever to get through. On the upside, if you know the material in this book fairly well and know SSMS like the back of your hand, then you should easily be able to pass the test. Though I've heard that there are items on the exam which are not detailed in this book. Practice tests in this book are incredibly difficult compared to other practice tests I've taken (see caveat above about knowing the material).
SkillPort Online Reference Site: Has a TON of classes on SQL Server 2005 and a practice exam.
The classes include exercises with partial sims (some of them are broken and refuse to go on when you hit the correct keys, but most work well). The classes hit you with audio as well as text on the screen and are decently short, but self-paced also. Each module of a class has a short test (study-session style) and each class has a class test so you can test your knowledge. Includes questions that I haven't seen on other practice exams, but then I'm not sure these classes are actually for passing the Cert Exam so much as they are for getting to know SQL Server 2005. Still, definitely a good resource if your company subscribes to Skillport. Individuals can also get subscriptions, but the costs are approximately $2000.00 for the year (a little less if the sales person gives you a discount).
Skillport's Online exam is definitely the easiest of the bunch that I've ever taken. I passed the test in less than 40 minutes and might have gotten 100% if I had actually taken my time with it instead of zipping through.
SQL Server 2005 DBA Street Smarts: A Real World Guide to SQL Server 2005 Certification Skills by Joseph L Jorden (Sybex Press).
This book copies a lot of material from the study guide Sybex put out. Or maybe it was the study guide (listed above) that copied from this. And after perusing the book, I decided this is more a real world application book rather than a study tool. Essentially, this is what the SQL Server newbie, who has passed his/her exam but doesn't have RL SQL Server job experience might want to stick on their shelves (after having read it and gone through the exercises a few times). But it's pretty basic and doesn't do the experienced DBA a whole lot of good on either the studying or RL job front. I don't really recommend this book to anyone but those who don't know SQL Server at all.
Have not looked at Transceder Exams yet as I'm not sure if I really need to spend the money on them. Have not yet checked out Exam Cram either, though I think I'll mosey on by a bookstore during lunch just to see what it looks like. In general, though, I know my weakspots and think with the books I currently have access to and with Books Online (included free with SS2k5) that I shouldn't have to spend any more money in order to pass the exam... Well, except for the exam fee, of course.
And for the record, my company has a subscription to Books24x7 (Skillport usually includes this, but you can get the books part separate), so I didn't actually spend any money on most of the books. The MSPress book was the only one I actually bought. The others, I got to read online for free. @=) My company benefits ROCK!
September 12, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Brandie,
If you don't pass easily, I'll be very surprised. Sounds like you're well prepared.
September 13, 2007 at 3:58 am
That's what I'm hoping. @=) My test is scheduled in a week & 1/2, so we'll see.
My main problem is the technologies that 2k5 has but that we aren't using at our workplace. XML is the big one. So the next week's worth of studying is going to be about those particular things. Then I take a break for a day, then spend the next two days brushing up on everything (A-Z) to make sure I didn't forget any of the stuff I actually am supposed to know. @=)
September 14, 2007 at 8:08 am
Hi,
I passed my MCTS 70-431 exam on the first try in June, after 5 months of self-study.
Besides the books you noted in your list, I would add "Exam Cram: Exam 70-431 - MCTS Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2005" to the list. It's a great references once you've done the bulk of your studying and need to solidify concepts.
As for the "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance Training Kit", make sure that you visit the web page that has all of the errata printed, because there are quite a few mistakes in the printed book. Here is the link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920926/en-us
And finally, no list of resources would be complete with SQL Server 2005 Books Online. It's easily the most comprehensive resource you'll need. Use it when you need to clarify things that seem complicated.
Good luck with your exam, I hope it goes well.
- Simon Doubt
September 24, 2007 at 4:18 am
Well, I passed. WHOO HOO! I think that means I get to add more letters to my .sig. @=)
Anyway, I do advise anyone studying for this test to be 100% confident before going in. There were some questions that really threw me, especially in the sims. Remember, do process of elimination on your multiple choice answers (get rid of the ones you actually know are wrong first) and on the sims... Well, make sure you understand the theories behind what everything in SSMS does.
And that's all I can say without getting tagged by the NDA. @=)
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