MCSA | SQL with Manoj

SQL Server 2016 Certification Path

May 21, 2017 21 comments

Microsoft has made few changes to its Certification path for the new version of SQL Server i.e. SQL Server 2016.

And with this post I’m trying to collate and put all exams and certifications in concise and clear manner. Would be happy to accept any comments, changes and suggestions !!!

–> The MCSA i.e. “Microsoft Certified Solution Associate” level now contains the new “MCSA: SQL Server 2016” certification, and this replaces the older “MCSA: SQL Server 2012/14” one.

–> And the top MCSE i.e. “Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert” level now contains the new “MCSE: Data Management and Analytics” certification. This also replaces the following 2 existing certifications (but retains the underlying exams to earn this MCSE level, which I’ve explained below):
– MCSE: Data Platform
– MCSE: Business Intelligence

–> Here are the details of exams at both the levels.

Level 1. “MCSA: SQL Server 2016”: Now to earn this level you need to give either of the following certifications:

   1. MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Development certification
       – Exam [70-761], Querying Data with Transact-SQL [check details here]
       – Exam [70-762], Developing SQL Databases

   2. MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration certification
       – Exam [70-764], Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure
       – Exam [70-765], Provisioning SQL Databases

   3. MCSA: SQL 2016 Business Intelligence Development certification
       – Exam [70-767], Implementing an SQL Data Warehouse
       – Exam [70-768], Developing SQL Data Models

Level 2. “MCSE: Data Management and Analytics”: Now to earn this level you need to first get an MCSA on either of the above 3 certifications, or “MCSA: Data Science”. Then need to pass anyone of the below exam:

   – Exam [70-473], Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
   – Exam [70-475], Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
   – Exam [70-464], Developing Microsoft SQL Server Databases
   – Exam [70-465], Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server
   – Exam [70-466], Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server
   – Exam [70-467], Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server

Categories: Certifications, SQL Server 2016 Tags: MCSA, MCSE, SQL Server 2016, SQL Server Certification

SQL Server 2012 Certification Path

November 6, 2013 16 comments

It’s always good to give Certifications, it enhances your technical skills and prove your knowledge, and more over it looks good on your Resume!

Exactly last year I passed the “Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012” (70-461) exam, and I blogged my experience [here]. Since then I get lot of hits on the post from all over the world. Then only I came to know that there are many people who want to pursue for this exam and other follow up exams in sequence.

People ask me about study materials, dumps (which I don’t recommend strongly). Few people have confusion to give which exam in what order. Some are not aware of the exams that lies in the Certification Path.

So, I have created a visual snapshot of all these exams for all SQL Server 2012 Certification exams at different levels:

SQL Server 2012 Certification Path

So, you can start with any of the 3 exams at the bottom (first) level based upon your area of interest. A Dev can take 70-461, a DBA can start with 70-462, and a DataWarehouse Engineer can go with 70-463, and you can take them in any order.

1. Microsoft Certified Professional: As soon as you pass any one exam you are an MCP.

2. Microsoft Certified Solution Associate: After you are done with all three (70-461 + 70-462 + 70-463) you are an MCSA.

3. Microsoft Certified Solution Expert: After achieving MCSA, you can either go for MCSE in Data Platform (70-464 + 70-465) or Business Intelligence (70-466 + 70-467).

4. Microsoft Certified Solution Master: After achieving MCSA in Data Platform, you can go even further to MCSM by taking 70-468 & 70-469 exams.

–> Study material for:

– Exam 70-461: Training Kit (Exam 70-461): Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 | My Blog Post on 70-461.
– Exam 70-462: Training Kit (Exam 70-462): Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases | My Blog Post on 70-462
– Exam 70-463: Training Kit (Exam 70-463): Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 | My Blog Post on 70-463

– Exam 70-464: Channel9 Video | Instructor-led – Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
– Exam 70-465: Channel9 Video | Instructor-led – Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012

– Exam 70-466: Channel9 Video | Instructor-led – Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
– Exam 70-467: Channel9 Video | Instructor-led – Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012

– Exam 70-986: Not yet available
– Exam 70-987: Not yet available

–> UPDATE:

– MCSE (DP: 464/465 and BI: 466/467) exams are updated with SQL 2014 topics.

– MCSA (461/462/463) exams will be having SQL 2012 content only.

For more details about the Certification Path and exams you can check Microsoft Official site: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/sql-certification.aspx

–> Download “SQL Server 2014 Full or Express version for practice: