February 13, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Hi All,
I'm fairly new to SQL. 0 IT experience before a year ago, and now I'm the (accidental) DBA for our 2008 R2 instance. I have to get the MCSA cert. I studied for 461 for a couple of months. I was seeing most of the material for the first time when reading through the training kit by Ben-Gan. I took the test and failed with just under 500 points (I know, abysmal), but I don't think that's too bad for someone who's fairly new to this.
Anyway, my issue is that I'm more of a hands on learner. I realize there are free resources out there, but the one's I've found are not really useful nor effective. I haven't even looked at the practice tests that came with the 461 training kit because I know they're nothing like the real thing. I also know there are classes you can take. The problem is, while I'm willing to take the class, I can't afford it and my company will not pay for it.
So, anyone have the 'low-down' on some effective and free training material for the 461 exam (preferably hands-on)? Even close to free would do....
Thanks!
September 5, 2017 at 8:48 pm
Microsoft's website usually has the companion documentation and lab files available for downloading for their training courses related to most exams. Have a look here. This might help also. The majority of the free resources i.e. exam "dumps" out there seem to be complete scams and outdated material. Best of luck.
September 5, 2017 at 10:59 pm
scarr030 - Monday, February 13, 2017 2:36 PMHi All,I'm fairly new to SQL. 0 IT experience before a year ago, and now I'm the (accidental) DBA for our 2008 R2 instance. I have to get the MCSA cert. I studied for 461 for a couple of months. I was seeing most of the material for the first time when reading through the training kit by Ben-Gan. I took the test and failed with just under 500 points (I know, abysmal), but I don't think that's too bad for someone who's fairly new to this.
Anyway, my issue is that I'm more of a hands on learner. I realize there are free resources out there, but the one's I've found are not really useful nor effective. I haven't even looked at the practice tests that came with the 461 training kit because I know they're nothing like the real thing. I also know there are classes you can take. The problem is, while I'm willing to take the class, I can't afford it and my company will not pay for it.
So, anyone have the 'low-down' on some effective and free training material for the 461 exam (preferably hands-on)? Even close to free would do....
Thanks!
Step 1 would be to download the SQL Server Developers Edition (free and same as the Enterprise Edition with special licensing and it'll work with regular windows. No windows server needed.), SSMS (free), and Books Online (local help on the disk instead of on the web so the help is more "dedicated" to what you're looking for).
And yeah... even MS states in most of their training manuals that you should have at least 2 years of hands on before going for a cert.
As for decent practice exams especially for free, I can't help you there.
Having started out as an accidental DBA myself, I have to welcome you aboard. You've become a member of one of the finest technical communities in the world.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
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