MCAD/MCSD Exam 70-306 prep book

[starwiz]

Im looking to do an independent study next year in school and take the 70-306 MCAD/MCSD exam (Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with C#).

In order to do that, though, I need a good book I can go through.

Ive heard horrible things about the Microsoft Press books, so now I turn to you all: any ideas on a good book that I can go through to pass the exam?

Thanks a lot,
-Starwiz

 

[samsmithnz]

Originally posted by starwiz
Im looking to do an independent study next year in school and take the 70-306 MCAD/MCSD exam (Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with C#).

In order to do that, though, I need a good book I can go through.

Ive heard horrible things about the Microsoft Press books, so now I turn to you all: any ideas on a good book that I can go through to pass the exam?

Thanks a lot,
-Starwiz

Its not just MS Press. All publishers have their good and bad days. The best thing to do is look on Amazon and read the reviews, but read the good AND bad reviews.

then make a calculated decision.. thats how I buy these books.

 

[Sheppard]

MCAD

I am also studying for this exam, but doing the VB.Net Windows exam.

Im using the Osbourne Certification Press which is published by McGraw Hill, simply named "MCAD/MCSD".

This book, in my opinion is excellent. It gives you all the certification sections that you need for the exam as well as summarising each section with an exam watch.

It does expect some understanding already, which put me off at first as Im not really that technical, but now Im finding that it runs at a great pace.

A star buy even at $50.00 US.

 

[mocella]

I also used the Osbourne Press collection for my MCSD.net readings. I found them to be quite readable as far as technical books go, but then Im probably one of the few in my department that has actually read each of my tech books front to back.

I used those and then Transcender software to determine where my weak points were and studied up on those.

As you take the tests, youll see a lot of repeated topics/questions, so by your third tech test (70-305, 70-306, 70-310) you should breeze through a good portion of it. 70-300 was a different story though - very subjective, but just remember that Microsoft is trying to hawk their latest and greatest, so stick with the latest technologies in the answers (90% of the time) and youll be fine.

 

[Sheppard]

MCAD

Thanks for the advice.

Im probably just going to work through the book and take the one exam only, just to get my MCP.

I have already done a diploma in programming in VB.Net and gained by MCITP with the Association of IT Professionals, but thought the Microsoft certification would be better recognised as I am hoping to go into the IT industry.

 

[mocella]

I dont recall those books being $50 when I bought them off bookpool, but then again, I didnt see that line last time I checked.

If you have the funds available, go for at least MCAD, if not MCSD.net - that seems to be the bigger keyword hit on Monster or Dice.

 

[samsmithnz]

Re: MCAD

Originally posted by Sheppard
Thanks for the advice.
thought the Microsoft certification would be better recognised as I am hoping to go into the IT industry.

Actually the MS certification has a mixed reception. The MSCE has a bad rep for churning out loads of people who dont actually know how to use the products (1 week bootcamp courses).

So some people recognise the MCSD track is different, and others dont value it at all. I have 3 certifications, and they didnt help me at all when I get my last job. In fact they almost counted against me.

 

[Robby]

I dont like much from MSPress but I can recommend this kit, it contains 4 books, practice exams on CD and 4 coupons for 15% off each exam. At $118 it will pay for itself. (You save $18 per exam)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...2/ref=cm_lm_asin/103-4045664-3499061?v=glance

 

[mocella]

I can only see an MCSD counting against you if youre using it to replace experience - since theres too many exam cheaters out there.

However, if you have it AND experience and can back it up in a tech interview, I dont see if counting against you. If it did, then you probably talked to a company that got burned when they hired a cheater who had their MCSD/MCSE and got hired as a supposed expert. The company probably figured out too late that they had hired a moron who couldnt code their way out of a shoe-box (okay, silly example, but you get the idea).

Ill be the first to admit - I used to work with a lot of these people when I consulted - that was the consulting companys #1 goal - to get X-number of MCSDs to use in their pitch to clients.

Ive had "MCSD"-certified developers ask me how to databind a datagrid to a datatable - which is such a huge topic in the tests that its abundantly clear they cheated their way through the cert, and further cheapened the cert.

Okay, Im done ranting now.

 

[samsmithnz]

Originally posted by mocella
However, if you have it AND experience and can back it up in a tech interview, I dont see if counting against you. If it did, then you probably talked to a company that got burned when they hired a cheater who had their MCSD/MCSE and got hired as a supposed expert. The company probably figured out too late that they had hired a moron who couldnt code their way out of a shoe-box (okay, silly example, but you get the idea).

That is exactly what happened to us, as MCSE who wasnt what he advertised in his CV. The worst story Ive heard, (and Im not sure if this is an urban myth, but I wouldnt be surprised if it was true), was about a guy who had just finished his bootcamp and was MCSE certified. It helped him to get a job, but when asked to format a floppy disk, he didnt know how. While an extreme example (these days youre more likely to be asked to implement ActiveDirectory), these Bootcamps definetly cheapen the certification Ive worked soooo damn hard for.

 

[mocella]

I hear that - I didnt get MCSD until I have 5 years experience and felt that I had skills to back up the certification.

Trust me - when my coworker that was also MCSD (this is before I was MCSD mind you) asked me how to fill a dataTable and bind a datagrid to it, I had serious doubts that Id ever bother with getting certified. However, now that I spent my lunch hour for 4 straight months, and then some to do my studies, I feel Im much more knowledgable in .Net than before I did this, and I have about 1.5 years on large scale .Net projects prior to that.

 

[Sheppard]

MCAD

Thanks for that guys, has given me a great boost !!!

I think the problem with some people is that they learn the content just to pass the exam, then subsequently forget half of it. Well thats what happened with my degree !!

You need to have experience otherwise the knowledge doesnt fully sink in.

When I finish I would like to enter as a junior VB programmer which could then train me on any missing knowledge. I just need to get something for 20k plus to keep my expenses paid !!!

Any suggestions about starting out ?