MCTS SQL Server 2008 x 2

During this year’s summer holidays I was surfing around on the great wild web, looking for interesting articles to read, when I stumbled upon the blog of Gerry O’Brien, Technical Product Planner Developer Certifications at Microsoft.

And it so happened to be that in one of his last posts at that time he announced free beta exams for SQL Server 2008.  So I thought, what the heck, let’s give it a go!  Following that I spent some time installing the most recent SQL Server 2008 CTP (or was it RC0), reading books and articles and other interesting reference material such as SQL Server Books Online.  And I participated in the following two exams:

• 71-432: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
• 71-448: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

Each exam consisted of 70 questions, some easy ones and some not that easy.  I needed about 2 – 2.5 hours to complete each exam.  I probably don’t need to mention that the BI exam was the most challenging of these two.

As it goes with beta exams, you need a lot of patience waiting for the results.  Earlier this week I finally received notice that I didn’t pass one but both of the exams!!  These were the first Microsoft exams that I ever took, so not only did I make it to Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), I can now call myself Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) as well!

Some proof (no, this was not photoshopped):

If you’re interested in getting certified yourself, have a look at the Microsoft Certifications website.