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If you sometimes feel like you need a Ph.D. in acronyms to read
someone's business card, you're not alone. The certification boom of the
1990s is unprecedented and has created an entire certification industry
based on TLAs (three-letter acronyms) and FLAs (four-letter acronyms).
MCSE, MCSD, CCNA, OCP, CNE... the list seems endless -- and confusing!
Dynamic.com created Certification Central to help you work through the
confusion. The right certification, coupled with relevant work experience,
can boost your salary by $10,000 or more. Of course, the trick is in
choosing the certification right for you.
Just click on a link at right to get started. You'll find a paragraph or
two describing the selected certification, followed by a list of books
that will help you succeed on your chosen path. Check back with us often
for updated book listings and information on new certifications.
MCSD
Certification Titles
MCSD stands for Microsoft Certified Solution Developer. MCSD
certification is the premium certification for professionals who
design and develop custom business solutions using Microsoft
development tools, technologies and platforms. MCSD certification is
extremely challenging and consists of three core exams and one
elective exam.
The three core exams pertain to Desktop Applications, Distributed
Applications, and Solution Architecture. Visual Basic and Visual C++
are the two main programming languages used for the tests. Some of
the elective topics include SQL Server 6.5, Site Server 3, and
Microsoft Access.
Each MCSD exam consists of 50 to 60 questions, costs $100, and
takes 70 to 90 minutes to complete. Some tests are migrating to an
"adaptive" format; this means that the tests are computer-based and
"adapt" to the test-taker. If you answer a question correctly, the
next question is harder; if you answer incorrectly, the next
question is easier. |
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