The next generation of .NET certification

Certification was all the rage when I first embarked on a career in the IT field more than 10 years ago. Employers and clients clamoured for the magic paper certificates to verify skills. In those days, the term "paper certification" was used widely to describe an IT pro who had attained certification through a test, yet they may not have had any real world experience. Microsoft recognised the pitfalls of such tests with recent announcements about changes to its certification offerings.

Keeping up with .NET
One of the most common complaints about Microsoft certification is the lack of focus on real-world skills. A developer passes a series of multiple-choice exams to attain certification. The ability to guess and the proliferation of so-called braindumps (i.e., test takers often post comments online about their testing experience) has water-downed the merits of certification. Microsoft's next round of certifications for the release of .NET 2.0 and related tools promises to better gauge an IT pro's experience as well as knowledge.

Choose your path
The next generation of Microsoft certifications strives to showcase your knowledge in specific areas and technologies. Certification will include three career-related paths that allow IT personnel and those involved in the hiring process to more easily evaluate a person in these areas:

* Technology (MCTS): Allows persons to demonstrate expertise and knowledge with specific products and technologies. These exams more closely resemble the first iteration of .NET exams, testing only knowledge and not job skills. A technology-related certification can typically be obtained with one to three tests.

* IT Professional/Professional Developer (MCITP and MCPD): The professional tract builds upon the technology path and usually includes one or more of the technology exams. It targets the comprehensive skills of IT professionals with a focus on one job role. These skills include design, project management, operations management, and planning, and they are contextual to the job role.

* Architect (MCA): The top of the certification heap is the architect. These professionals possess a minimum of 10 years of advanced industry experience with three or more years of experience as a practicing architect. In addition, they possess strong technical and managerial skills. Microsoft considers these individuals as part of an elite community. This level is not easily attained and is only granted via a peer review process of previously certified architects. This includes an oral review and mentoring with an existing architect.

One certification does not trump another -- it just depends on your job role. If you need a person with thorough BizTalk knowledge, then a person with that MCTS-specific certification will be a great asset. On the other hand, a MCA may be well-versed in technology but possess no BizTalk experience.

Also, Microsoft recognises that certification should take time (i.e., a developer shouldn't be able to attain a certain level with a few days of testing). So keep in mind that achieving MCA status is a marathon and not a 100-metre dash.

Current professionals
As a MCSD .NET, I was curious about the latest .NET release as well as its certification options. I achieved the certification when .NET was first introduced, so it has been a while since I've stepped in a testing centre.

Thankfully, Microsoft will continue to recognise my certification and other certifications too -- as long as the related products and technologies are relevant.

Of course, you may want to upgrade that SQL Server 7.0 certification while SQL Server 2000 remains in high demand. The certification FAQ can answer most of your questions about certification. For example, I'll need to pass two new exams to upgrade my MCSD .NET to MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer): Enterprise Applications Developer. The tests are expected to be available in mid 2006.

Be prepared
As a professional who has tackled my fair share of exams, I can offer some advice. For starters, don't bother getting certified if you don't have any real experience with a product or technology; nothing better prepares you than working knowledge of the material. There are a variety of testing resources via books, CBTs (computer-based training), Web sites, and more to prepare you for testing day.

One word of caution on illegal testing resources that may be obtained via various online outlets: Microsoft punishes those it catches. One of the first things you do when taking an exam is agree to keep the test material confidential. There are many examples of individuals being fined and having credentials revoked when discovered.

Are you ready?
With the release of the latest versions of Visual Studio and SQL Server, Microsoft is presenting many certification options. The company's three-pronged approach to certification allows individuals to showcase product knowledge as well as industry experience.

Personally, I am interested in the technical path to display knowledge as well as learn about new products. In addition, the professional line allows me to demonstrate my all-around job skills. While I do have more than 100 years of industry experience, I'm not sure I'll be standing in front of my peers for the architect level any time soon.