The NEW Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) Track

The new MCSD track has been developed by Microsoft so as to keep pace with developers' needs, based on changing technology, products, and job roles. The new track includes certification exams that test users' ability to build Web-based, distributed, and commerce applications with Microsoft products, such as Microsoft Visual Studio®, Microsoft Transaction Server® and Microsoft® SQL Server.

MCSD Requirements

MCSDs are required to pass three core exams and one elective. In the core exams, candidates will need to prove their ability with solution architecture, desktop applications development, and distributed applications development. The elective exam requires proof of proficiency with Microsoft® development tools.

Core Exams

There are three different sets of core exams, namely, Desktop Applications Development, Distributed Applications Development and Solution Architecture. In the new MCSD track, Exam 70-100: Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures is a required core exam for all candidates. Candidates must then choose two exams from among the desktop applications development exams and the distributed applications development exams to satisfy the other core requirements.

Core exams categories

 

Desktop Applications Development:

Exam 70-016: Designing and Implementing Desktop Applications with Microsoft® Visual C++® 6.0

Exam 70-156: Designing and Implementing Desktop Applications with Microsoft Visual FoxPro® 6.0

Exam 70-176: Designing and Implementing Desktop Applications with Microsoft® Visual Basic® 6.0

One of the above exams is required.

 

Distributed Applications Development (1 required):

Exam 70-015: Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft® Visual C++® 6.0

Exam 70-155: Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® 6.0

Exam 70-175: Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft® Visual Basic® 6.0

One of the above exams is required.

 

Solution Architecture (required):

Exam 70-100: Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures

There is only one exam available in Solution Architecture and it should be completed.

Elective Exams for the New MCSD track

 

Exam 70-015: Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft® Visual C++® 6.0

Exam 70-016: Designing and Implementing Desktop Applications with Microsoft® Visual C++® 6.0

Exam 70-019: Designing and Implementing Data Warehouses with Microsoft® SQL Server™ 7.0

Exam 70-029: Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft® SQL Server™ 7.0

Exam 70-055: Designing and Implementing Web Sites with Microsoft® FrontPage® 98

Exam 70-057: Designing and Implementing Commerce Solutions with Microsoft® Site Server 3.0, Commerce Edition

Exam 70-091: Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft® Office 2000 and Microsoft® Visual Basic® for Applications

Exam 70-105: Designing and Implementing Collaborative Solutions with Microsoft® Outlook® 2000 and Microsoft® Exchange Server 5.5

Exam 70-152: Designing and Implementing Web Solutions with Microsoft® Visual InterDev™ 6.0

Exam 70-155: Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® 6.0

Exam 70-156: Designing and Implementing Desktop Applications with Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® 6.0

Exam 70-175: Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft® Visual Basic® 6.0

Exam 70-176: Designing and Implementing Desktop Applications with Microsoft® Visual Basic® 6.0

Exam 70-229: Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 Enterprise Edition

The desktop applications development exams and the distributed applications development exams are also available as electives.

However, bear in mind that a single exam cannot count as both an elective and a core in the New MSCD track. For instance, you will get credit only once - either as a core or as an elective - within one certification track.

Original MCSD track

The original track has already retired

Costs of Exams

The Microsoft Windows New MCSD examinations are currently US$100. However, in some countries, additional cost - in the form of taxation - may apply.

The Exams

The time limit for the exams varies from 90 minutes to 170 minutes. The number of questions are around 70 for most of the exams but for Exam 70-100, you will get only 20 questions to answer. Exams can be adaptive with simulations as well as form-based.

Exams Venue

The exams are administered by Prometric and Virtual University Enterprises -independent testing organizations with locations worldwide.

To register at Sylvan Prometric:

You can register by calling 1-800-481-EXAM or register on line at http://www.2test.com . Outside the US and Canada visit the website for a list of International phone numbers.

To Register at a VUE Testing Center:

You can register at a VUE testing center by visiting their website at http://www.vue.com/ms/ . A list of International phone numbers is available there if you prefer to register by telephone.

Want to learn more about the New MCSD track Visit "How to Become a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer."