This is the 10th post out of my 10 post series of my 10th book – SQL Basics. Today will show the importance of data and information. Let us see SQL 2012 Certification Path in this blog post.
In training hundreds of people over that last decade to get their Microsoft certification, to my surprise the biggest benefit you get is something else. The most common benefit my students tell me about is that they get invited to far more job openings after getting certified than they did before. When the stack or resumes gets sorted down, they need a proven reason to keep yours on the short list.
The Current SQL Certification Paths
The new breakdown of the Microsoft SQL 2012 certification model offers new incentives and rewards. The entry level certification in the 2012 model starts with one of three certification tests.
The Querying test 70-461 is the new Developer entry level test. The Admin and BI entry tests are the 70-462 and the 70-463. The most important part of BI is data warehouses since that is the center of all your BI data.
SQL Development is a much larger topic than SQL Administration. There are two advanced levels of Development certifications. The 70-464 is Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases and the 70-465 is Designing DB Solutions for SQL Server 2012 Databases.
The 70-462 test is the for the SQL Admin certification, but there is no advanced Admin certification for 2012.
Business Intelligence is another large topic and has with it an advanced track. To start the BI track you will need to pass the Implementing Data Warehouses certification to achieve the entry level BI certification. To advance beyond the entry level BI certification you can take the Implementing Data Models & Reports (70-466) and then the Designing BI Solutions (70-467) to achieve the advanced BI certifications.
The Microsoft SQL Server 2012 certification model only rewards you for advancing within a certification track if you cover all the main tests first. If you pass the 461, 462, and 463 tests your certification level advances to a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA).
Once you achieve your MCSA and the two advanced level Dev certifications (464 and 465) the certification level advances you again to a SQL Dev MCSE (MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert).
If you achieve your MCSA and both advanced BI certifications you then become a SQL BI MCSE.
To summarize, there are three base level tests for Dev(Queries), Admin and BI (Data Warehouse). But in the SQL 2012 model there are more skill related tests for the Dev and BI and combinations of the exams that can reward you with higher premium certifications.
| EXAM | EXAM | EXAM | CERTIFICATION |
| 70-461 | Querying 2012 Certification | ||
| 70-462 | Administering Database 2012 Certification | ||
| 70-463 | Implementing Data Warehouses 2012 Certification | ||
| 70-462 | 70-463 | 70-463 | Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) |
| 70-462 | 70-464 | 70-465 | Advanced Dev 2012 |
| 70-463 | 70-466 | 70-467 | Advanced BI 2012 |
| MCSA | 70-464 | 70-465 | SQL Dev MCSE or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert |
| MCSA | 70-466 | 70-467 | SQL BI MCSE or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert |
Action Item
Get the book for yourself and your friend. This is just a reference everyone must have it.
Available in Paperback (USA), Kindle (Worldwide)
Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
21 Comments. Leave new
Great Post Series!!
Hi,
I am a Database developer. I have completed my MCSA by giving 70-457 & 70-458 exams.
I want to go for MCSE, can you help which exams i should give ?
Thanks in advance.
Hello.. I want to do sql certification…How to get latest dumps???pls mail me procedure…
Hi,
I have completed my academy training in SQL Server provided by the company where I am working.I want to have certification for the same, so reached out for Exam 70-461 but it’s saying you need to have min. 2 yrs of experience in the field. Being a fresher, I am confused whether to appear for test now.
Will you please help me what should I do?..:(
I am .net developer since 5 year, now i am looking microsoft certification in sql server.
I want certification related to developer not DBA. Please suggest me sql certification.
I am a fresher having basic knowledge on SQL queries which i had training frm the company.. Now i wanna do Microsoft SQL certification.. I am confused where to get materials and which exam i wanna do? Pls suggest me some ideas
There are many books available on various e-commerce site. I have also written SQL interview question/answer book.
Hello Pinal,
I am working as a sql developer since 2 years. I want to do certification in SQL Server, but I am confused with which version to choose for certification. I have been working with 2008 r2. My Question is should I give certification for 2008 1st and then for 2012 or should i directly opt for 2012 keeping in mind the future prospects.
Thanks in Advance.
I would always suggest latest.
I had a doubt that If I give 461 and Pass and after that is it possible to directly give 464 and 465 exams? Or I should compuslory complete 462 and 463 as well. Beacause I am a Developer and giving administrator exam sounds a bit irrelevant.
i am DBA . working from last 3 years , can i directly go for 2012 , 70-462 without going for 70-461, is that mandatory?
Yes You can directly apply for 462, its for DBA. However to Earn MCSA, you need to complete 461+462+463.
Hello Sir,
I had a doubt that If I only give 461 and Pass then would I be MSCA? And after that If I give 465 and 466 I would be MSCE?
Hello Sir,
Thank you for the post ! I have question about exam 70-461. I have learned SQL by myself and do not have any experience in SQL. I want to pass entry level certification exam 40-761. But everywhere in the blogs or study material it says….this exam is for atleast 2 to 3 years experienced people in SQL. Is that true ? Can person with no experience clear this exam ? and if yes then can you give some info for that ?
Its not 100% true.
Hi Pinal,
i have a basic SQL Server 2008 R2 knowlege. i want to do a certification on SQL Server i want to know how and where i can start.
start reading books.
Hi Pinal,
Currently I work as a PHP developer but I want to switch to SQL DBA job so can you tell me which certification will help me out to get the job and I have basic knowledge about SQL Server.
Excellent summary for all who hope to get the certification.
Dear sir,
I am working as a software tester, I have basic knowledge of SQL. Can you please suggest me which sql certification will helpful for me.