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Microsoft Certification - Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certification

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certification

(Please note that this certification is part of a series launched by Microsoft primary for Developers – a group within Information Technology professionals or as Microsoft classifies it – Developers – for those who are Information Technology (IT) specialists in that there career involves grass root level development of software and systems based off Microsoft Technologies. Think of them also as programmers.. Please do also note that people whose careers lie in Computer Science, Software Engineering and Information Systems are also classified as IT Professionals in this manner.)

What is this Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certification all about?

This certification deals with skills revolving around the Microsoft Visual Studio and Microsoft .NET Framework technologies that are crucial with Developers who work on the Microsoft platform. The certifications deal with how you, as an IT Professional, have "job relevant skills" in terms of deploying, building, optimizing, and operating applications successfully by using Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET Framework. Additionally, you can choose which certification to pursue based on your career. Thus, this certification or group of certification now deals specifically with technologies revolving around Microsoft .NET frameworks and Visual Studio

What are the Pre-requisites of Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certification?

As Microsoft puts it quite clearly, "Two to three years of experience developing solutions by using Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET Framework". Additionally depending upon the exam and location, several pre-requisites may be required. This certification is divided into two further sub-certifications. It is also essential that you check the exams carefully for any pre-requisites.

Who is the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certification for?

This certification is for 'Developers' - for those who use Microsoft Technologies to create software and systems that are used in achieving a specific function. To further elaborate the above paragraph, this certification is for those IT Professionals who are Developers and focus on the development of Applications that revolve around the Micrsosoft .NET framework and Visual Studio.

Why should I get certified? What benefits are there?

The quote below, taken from the Microsoft website should be more than enough.
"Forty-three percent of survey respondents report salary increases as a result of Microsoft Certification."
– Redmond magazine 2006 survey of Microsoft IT professional’s compensation

These certifications allow an IT professional to keep up with a dynamic marketplace and gain an ‘edge’ – which will at times be the only thing that will differentiate you from a number of candidates. It also provides you technical problem-solving skills and experience that is useful in real world problems one encounters in the workplace.

Additionally, and as is the case in many jobs, Microsoft technologies are being used. Having certification in Microsoft .NET framework may be a requirement or an added advantage for you if your job description involves the usage of these products. In terms of jobs, the above mentioned job roles and the individuals who would like to perform such jobs may at times be required to take this certification.

This also provides access to several online resources on the Microsoft website that are specifically for Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP’s)

Individuals who are certified with the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certification are generally capable of any job roles that are related to the Microsoft .NET framework and Visual Studio suite of technologies and software developed by Microsoft.

How do I take the exams?

Exams are conducted by Prometric (www.prometric.com) and are conducted in various locations – and possibly online. However, you have to check the website since this depends on your location and time of registration.

How do I prepare for the exams?

There are several options in terms of preparing yourself. Please note that some such as the books and practice tests can be used together whereas the practice tests cannot be used alone to prepare yourself. These are:

Practice tests: Provided by several websites, which are Microsoft Certified Practice Test Providers, these allow you to get a feel of your current level and in the case where you are pursuing independent study, these tests will prove useful. These cannot be used alone as preparation methods.
Instructor-led training in centers worldwide: various centers worldwide have Microsoft Certified Trainers who provide a superior learning experience by using in-depth knowledge that they possess as well as by using Microsoft Learning Products. However, please check that your trainer or training centre is certified by Microsoft or not before starting preparation. This is the recommended method.
E-Learning Self-paced training: another option provided by Microsoft; this allows those who use Microsoft technologies in the workplace and want to enhance their skills,. “Microsoft E-Learning self-paced training offers you the flexibility to learn at a time and place that is convenient for you” – ideal for those whose schedule cannot allow fixed classes. However please note that this is for those who have the ability to grasp concepts easily and have experience in independent study, in for example, university during the time when they were preparing for their degree.
Microsoft Official Distance Learning: Distance learning is a sort of system whereby the classroom is ‘virtualized’ – in essence you learn exactly as though you were in a classroom. This is also a recommended method since it is conducted by Microsoft Professionals and is also cost effective. Additionally, it can also fit into your busy schedule easily. It is also a combination, sort of, of the E-Learning Self Paced Training and Instructor led training – the best combination by far.
Microsoft Press books: Microsoft has published various books on nearly all of its certifications. Using these hand in hand with several other options and as a reference is suitable. Studying through these alone is not recommended – although it depends on the person.
Self-paced training kits: these are complete, DIY type, kits that combine a number of items that allow you to study independently. These have been developed by Microsoft specialists and are also a suitable mode of learning. These kits include the following items (as per Microsoft’s website):

A 15 percent exam discount voucher from Microsoft
Official, self-paced study guide, including a fully searchable e-book version
Practice tests with multiple, customizable testing options and a learning roadmap based on your results
More than 200 practice and review questions
Case scenarios, practice exercises, and best practices
A 180-day evaluation version of the product that is covered by the kit

Microsoft online resources: Microsoft has included various resources on its own website that provide you with information, allow you to create your own study guides, interact with professionals and students alike and much more.

How am I certified?

This certification is divided into further certifications like many other Microsoft certifications. Exams have to be passed in order for a candidate to be certified.For this certification no other requirements – such as interviews or experience proof is required.

Additionally, please note that this is a difficult certification – as seen from the aforementioned table. That is why having experience, as mentioned earlier, is essential.

In order for a Developer to get the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certification, he/she has to sit for the exams corresponding to the particular field or software of interest.

What certifications and exams come under Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certification?

The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) Certification is divided further into many other certifications. Thus an interested candidate has to sit for and pass exams as per the certification he/she requires – based on the table below.

Here is a complete list of the various exams and certifications that come under this specific certification. A candidate can choose various exam from each of the categories based on career paths and previous knowledge.

MCPD on Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

Windows Developer 3.5
ASP.NET Developer 3.5
Enterprise Application Developer 3.5

Windows Developer 3.5 on Visual Studio 2008	Exam number
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation	Exam 70-536
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Forms Application Development	Exam 70-505
MCPD Requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5	Exam 70-563
ASP.NET Developer 3.5 on Visual Studio 2008	Exam number
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation	Exam 70-536
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development	Exam 70-562
MCPD Requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5	Exam 70-564

Enterprise Application Developer 3.5 on Visual Studio 2008	Exam number
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation	Exam 70-536
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Forms Application Development	Exam 70-505
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development	Exam 70-562
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development	Exam 70-561
MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Communication Foundation Application Development	Exam 70-503
MCPD Requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5	Exam 70-565

MCPD on Microsoft Visual Studio 2005

If you develop applications by using Visual Studio 2005 and the .NET Framework 2.0, consider earning the MCPD on Visual Studio 2005 certification. The available certification paths include the following:

Windows Developer for developers who build rich client applications that target the Windows Forms platform, using the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.
Web Developer for developers who build interactive, data-driven Web applications that use ASP.NET 2.0 for both intranet and Internet uses.
Enterprise Application Developer for developers who build n-tier solutions that target both Web and client user experiences.

Windows Developer on Visual Studio 2005	Exam number
MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation	Exam 70-536
MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development	Exam 70-526
MCPD requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework	Exam 70-548
Web Developer on Visual Studio 2005	Exam number
MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation	Exam 70-536
MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development	Exam 70-528
MCPD requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Web-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework	Exam 70-547

Enterprise Application Developer on Visual Studio 2005	Exam number
MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation	Exam 70-536
MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development	Exam 70-526
MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development	Exam 70-528
MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development	Exam 70-529
MCPD requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework	Exam 70-549