ook a bit of a flyer, read the Microsoft Book on the final exam "Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures" at a hundred miles an hour, got to say that I already knew a lot of the subjects. A bit weak on some of the theoretical modelling questions, but I passed 2 days ago (Thursday 1st December).

So I know have my MCSD, first exam was 26th September, last on 1st December. I only managed to study in the evenings for about 1 hour a night. I believe I have done quite well considering.

At least I now have some time to actually concentrate on some real .NET stuff instead of theory.

More articles soon on what I have found.

p.s. Get along to the Microsoft site and download the Express editions of Visual Studio 2005. I must commend Microsoft for providing free downloads of these products for 12 months. My first impressions are very favourable, now I just wanna play with some code.

Yes!

I passed 70-340 yesterday (22nd). It was the one that I had been worrying a bit about because I thought that there would be a lot of Web based security questions and my current web knowledge is limited really to what I have learnt during my drive through MCSD.

But, a pass is a pass. Onwards we now go to the final exam "Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures". Having read up a fair bit about it on the Microsoft MCSD forums, it appears to be slightly different to the rest, in that there are 30 questions based on 3 separate case studies.

I am using the Que publishing Exam Cram 2 book for this one, only really based upon feedback that I have got from others that have taken it.

Intention is to read up on book, do its test exams and hopefully schedule an exam before we break up for christmas.

MCSD would be a nice christmas present.

Later...

Passed "Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework" aka 70-320 on Wednesday 26th October.

Bit unusual, registered for the exam via Pearson Vue website as usual, but noticed that I could take the exam in Wiltshire College in Chippenham (Which is much closer to me than Bristol where I took the first 2 exams). So I book it and turn up at reception, when I eventually speak to the exam coordinator, she is a bit flummoxed as being a college, they do not take entries from the public, only their students. They let me take the exam anyway and I passed (Yeah!).

So officially MCAD now.

Off to USA for 2 weeks work on saturday 29th Oct. Intending to study for next exam whilst over there. Plan is to take "Implementing Security for Applications
with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual C# .NET." aka 70-340.

Only problem know is that I dont think that Kalani has published a book on this subject, so I will have to see what is available at the local Borders when I reach America.

Late entry I know, but I passed the “Developing and Implementing Web Based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio” aka 70-315 on 27th September.

Onwards we steam to "Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework" aka 70-320.

Have been a week away working in London, but hopefully now back on course. I am looking to get the exam before the end of October (When I will be in the States working for 2 weeks)

Intention is to then crack on with exam number four whilst in the States working and pass sometime during November. That just leaves exam five for December.

As you can see, I have yet to decide on what my final two will be. But either way, intention is to be MCSD by years end, then... who knows...

Passed the first exam in my soon to be MCSD certification yesterday.

“Developing and Implementing Windows Based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio” aka 70-316

I have been learning C# for about 3 years on and off in my spare time (Work technologies are still back in Win32 days). And I began using the SharpDevelop free IDE and .NET SDK.

Have since got Visual Studio .NET and really enjoying using it as a tool for development.

Began studying for exam in anger using the “MCAD/MCSD.NET Training Guide: Developing and Implementing Windows Based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio” published by Que and written by Amil Kalani.

I bought this book after reading numerous posts on the Microsoft Learning Communities with most posts stating it was the best resource to use to pass. I have to therefore add my further recommendation to those others as it has been an invaluable study guide and also it covers more than is just required by the exam, giving you (if you are an inexperienced C# guy) a broader understanding of the subject than just that required by the exam.

Just about to get the 70-315 book by Amit also. Reckon as I know much less about Web Applications than Windows forms that this should take a little longer to study, but going to give myself until end of October to do the exam (I also have 2 weeks away from home in that period where I will not be able to study).

ASP.NET, here we come...