In these times of economical slowdown, more and more IT professionals are concerned about their jobs and their qualifications. It is a common trend for developers to start looking for ways to update their skills when jobs are not secure. Pure knowledge and real world work experience are always a good way to help secure your future. One way to demonstrate knowledge is by having a certification in the technology one claims to be expert in. My roadmap of Microsoft Certifications shows how to get there with SQL Server.
Microsoft offers a series of certifications for IT professional and developers. In this roadmap of Microsoft Certifications we will cover the following topics.
- Importance of Certificates
- Certification Structure
- SQL Server Certifications
- Exam Preparation
- Registration for Exam
- Post Examination Benefits
Microsoft certifications are very reputed and validate developers’ hands-on experience.
Read the Complete Roadmap of Microsoft Certifications
Microsoft Certifications Today
A lot has changed since I wrote this article. The SQL Server exams from that time, such as MCTS and MCITP, were retired long ago. Microsoft now builds its certifications around job roles, and many of them focus on data platforms in Azure. Names and exam numbers keep changing, so always check the official Microsoft certification pages before you plan your study.
What has not changed is the advice. A certificate opens the door, but hands-on work keeps you in the room. Build a small test server, break things and fix them. Read the skills outline for your exam and practice each item until you can explain it to a colleague. Microsoft Learn offers free learning paths for its exams, so cost is no excuse. Treat this old roadmap of Microsoft Certifications as a reminder that the path changes, while the habit of steady learning stays the same.
Published by Pinal Dave on SQLAuthority. More of my work at pinaldave.com.
5 Comments. Leave new
Hi Pinal
Excellent and exhaustive compilation. Thanks so much.
Ganesh
Hi Pinal,
I’m with a doubt if it’s right to say that MCITP certifications are much more higher level/recognized than MCTS certifications? Once most of the MCTS are pre-requisite on MCITP certs.
Sorry for this lame question.
Thanks,
Robert
To get the certificate in their expertise fields has become very important these days. At some extent the job seems to secured with the help of certified courses. And its not only with SQL but its seems to be in every IT field.
I was thinking of going for my certification. Do you honestly believe it is worth the work?
My personal opinion is doing Certification is not worth due to braindumps. Microsoft has to do something very seriously about this. We have met people who only by heard the questions and got through the exams. So if that what the sense will certifications make.