Recertify with Microsoft Virtual Academy

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/recertification-virtual-academy.aspx

Recertify with Microsoft Virtual Academy


Born to Learn Updates including 2nd Shot, Updated Certification Roadmap and MCP Book Discounts

There is a new Microsoft certification roadmap

https://borntolearn.mslearn.net/b/weblog/archive/2015/01/30/updated-certification-roadmap-now-available

MCP Book Discounts

https://borntolearn.mslearn.net/b/weblog/archive/2015/01/14/new-mcp-member-benefits-from-the-mcp-program-manager

Second Shot is back

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/second-shot.aspx

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Dissecting Score Reports: What Does It All Mean? Part 1

 

Dissecting Score Reports: What Does It All Mean? Part 1

http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2014/04/07/dissecting-score-reports-what-does-it-all-mean-part-1.aspx


Free Microsoft Server Virtualization Exam!

Free Microsoft Server Virtualization Exam!

http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2013/12/17/earn-your-microsoft-certified-specialist-server-virtualization-title-with-a-free-exam.aspx#fbid=fup925HJBcX


SQL Server 2008 Exam Retirements

The 2008 MCITP DBA/Developer Exam retirement date have been extended to July 31, 2014 to match the BI exam.

I do wonder if that was related to me asking about the BI Retirement date!

http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2013/12/20/certification-update-sql-server-2008-exam-retirements.aspx#fbid=fup925HJBcX

 


Dec 2013 update on Microsoft SQL Server Certification

Dec 2013 update on Microsoft SQL Server Certification – http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2013/12/04/dec-2013-update-on-developer-and-sql-certifications.aspx#fbid=rB_vto02BcD

In March 2014, recertification options for maintaining the MCSE credentials will be made available – cool!


Help Create Exam Content and get Exam Credit!

Help Create Exam Content and get Exam Credit!

Help Create Exam Content and get Exam Credit!


Microsoft Certification second shot is back for 2013!

MIcrosoft Certification second shot is back for 2013 – http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/second-shot.aspx


MCM SQL Server 2008 reading list

Planning and Design

Infrastructure Planning and Design – http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=732

On-disk structures including new in 2008

On Disk Structures – http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/paul/category/on-disk-structures/

FileStream – http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/paul/category/filestream/

Spatial Indexes – http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/paul/sql-server-2008-spatial-indexes/

Sparse Columns – http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/paul/category/sparse-columns/

Data Compression – http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverstorageengine/archive/tags/data+compression/default.aspx

Data Compression : Strategy,Capacity Planning and Best Practices – http://sqlcat.com/sqlcat/b/whitepapers/archive/2009/05/29/data-compression-strategy-capacity-planning-and-best-practices.aspx

Data file maintenance, database snapshots  and tempdb

Shrink – http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/category/Shrink.aspx

Database Snapshots – http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/category/Database-Snapshots.aspx

Database Maintenance – http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/category/Database-Maintenance.aspx

Working with Tempdb in SQL Server 2005 – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966545.aspx

Physical Database Storage Design – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966414.aspx

Logging, recovery and log file maintanence

Transaction Logging – http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/category/Transaction-Log.aspx

Index internals and fragmentation

Fragmentation – http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/category/Fragmentation.aspx

Indexes from every angle – http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/category/Indexes-From-Every-Angle.aspx

Online indexing options in SQL Server 2005 – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966402.aspx

Performance And Tuning Optimization

Query tuning through effective indexing strategies – http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/KIMBERLY/category/Indexes.aspx


Microsoft SQL Server Advanced Skills

Having said that Microsoft Master Certifications are retired, this is an interesting page – http://www.brentozar.com/sql-mcm/

Day 3 mentions some interesting skills –

On-disk structure knowledge
Index tuning knowledge
C#/VB knowledge
Stored procedure knowledge
XML parsing knowledge
Backup & recovery knowledge