70-551 Hints and Tips

I recently did battle with the source of all evil in the world or to give it it’s official title Microsoft exam 70-551 - MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework. A snappy title for an exam that really does bite. Lucky recipients of the qualification will receive the hand of a fair maiden and sparklely new MS certification MCPD Web Developer. Since I’m a sucker for any new certification I embarked on this foolhardy quest.

The beast to slay is characterised by the following

1. Composed of three lesser beasts
   Exam 70–528 : TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Web-Based Client Development
   Exam 70–536 : TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation
   Exam 70-547 : PRO: Designing and Developing Web Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
2. It’s three hours long. Normal MS exams are about 90 mins typically but can be done a lot faster
3. You need to pass all the components and your score is the lowest of the three components.
4. If you fail on component then you fail them all. So do brilliantly on two and fail one by a mark then tough – no exam for you. Try again next time.

General beast slaying tips

1. The exam does absolutely stick to the syllabus. So print of the entire 70-551 syllabus and go through the component ones – 70-528, 70-536 and 70-547 deleting any content that isn’t on 70-551. You’ll end up with about 50% of 70-536, 75% 70-536 and 95% of 70-547.
2. There isn’t any specific books for 70-551 so you’ll have to go to books for the individual exams. At the time I did this there were only the Microsoft press books which event if I’m charitable are generally of variable quality. Still better than nothing. The amended syllabuses from above will prevent you going over unnecessary content.
3. After you’ve read the books – do transcenders or equivalent. You will probably fail them at this point.
4. From the transcenders it should be obvious where you’re weak. Get to MSDN and plug those gaps
5. Take the exam and good luck

70-536
The Microsoft Press book is quite good for this. This with the transcender will probably see you through it. Areas to look out for

• File Access Control
• Generics
  Application Domains
• Code Access Security
• Cryptography

There’s obviously more but these areas kept cropping up

70-528
Even though my job is primarily web development I found this part the worst. Don’t rely on knowledge of ASP1.0 to get you through. It’s focussed on the new features and particularly the (obscure parts) of the new controls. The Microsoft Press book is of less use but still worth a read. Areas to look out for

• Any new controls to ASP 2.0 (particularly the security controls such as login,changepassword etc…)
• Master Pages
• Themes and Skins
• Web Parts (know the difference between them)
• Mobile Controls

70-547
This is like ASP1.0 70-300. If you loved that then you’ll love this. I didn’t love either. The Microsoft Press book was no help. White papers were of limited use as well. It comes down to experience so it that respect it’s a very effective exam. The following areas may help

• Know the common design patterns (Factory, Observer, Singleton, Decorator etc..)
• A familiarity with UML wouldn’t harm. No need to be an expert. I didn’t see any ORM though.
• Technicalities of ASP.Net validation and health monitoring, tracing is useful
• Know development good practice e.g. exception handling and logging.

Last word
It’s a lot to know and many things can go wrong so expect to fail. You can pass on the second time (I did). You only need to be lucky once.