This is an account of my experience studying for the 70-431 exam.
– Studying time –
Start date: 12/14/2006
End date: 5/18/2007
Time per day: avg 1.5 hours, M-F
– Exam Format –
195 minutes
50 questions (35 multiple choice, 15 simulations)
These are the materials I used:
- Microsoft E-Learning:
Course 2936: Installing and Securing Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005
SQL Server E-Learning courses
- MeasureUp download version for 70-431: SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance
- MSDN study guide for 70-431.
An excellent article with great details:
Exam 70-431: Covering the Bases
- Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine Online (August 2006)
I found this webcast helpful:
MSDN Webcast: Introducing Full-Text Search in SQL Server 2005
December 10, 2004
Although this was a beta, the information is still relevant.
Go through all of these. Kimberly Tripp is excellent:
A Primer to Proper SQL Server Development
I got through the first 1/2 hour and that was with skipping parts. The presenter is extremely dry and very fast in clicking around without explaining things. You may get more out of it.
“MSDN Webcast: Introducing Replication in SQL Server 2005—Level 200″
Original Air Date: December 10, 2004
Feature comparison. Know this:
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx
Tuning Up SQL Server 2005 Databases
http://www.developer.com/db/article.php/3607186
Long but good general article on partitioning
SQL Server 2005
Partitioned Tables and Indexes
Author: Kimberly L. Tripp, Founder, SQLskills.com
Indexing De-fragmentation with SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 Part 1 Introduction
November 12, 2004
SQL Server 2005 Part 2 – High Availability and Scalability Enhancements – Database Mirroring
November 29, 2004
I went through all of the Microsoft 2936 E-Learning course. The course was ok. You may find it useful but spend time on other items I’ve outlined here and if you have extra time, go through this course.
Some helpful links I used:
SQL Server 2005 Books Online glossary of terms: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms165911.aspx
I usually avoid online courses. The Microsoft E-Learning course for SQL Server (2936) seemed ok and was free with my MSDN account. Although I finished the SQL Server course I started, I didn’t take another E-Learning course.
I did read the ExamCram for 70-431
Last Updated: 2/26/2007
– My Test Experience –
5/19/2007 – Round 1
The Empire Strikes
Off with his head! That pretty much describes my first attempt. After initializing the exam, I couldn’t get it to start the test. After clicking the resume test button, a window would flash and disappear. I had to wait a few minutes for the moderator since the little office was packed with people. After that minor issue was cleared up, the test software said 35 questions and 1:05 hours to complete. I was wondering where the other 15 questions went. I wasn’t aware of the simulations at this point. I completed the 35 questions with 5 minutes to spare. I did some looking over and finished the first section. Now the 15 question simulation starts. Ok, that explains the format. I wasn’t prepared for simulations. These are all about your knowledge of using Studio. While going through the simulations, my machine crashed twice and had to be rebooted. It takes about 5 minutes each time. I completed the simulations, did some reviewing and completed the test. Unfortunately, my score was 630.
I mention the score to help you understand how the test is scored. It isn’t a normal scoring format. Looking at the Sectional Results from my test result print out, I missed six simulations. It seems you can only miss four, which is a 730. Five missed gives a 670 and nine missed is a 600. I beleive what happens is that more weight is given to the section that you miss. Although I scored over 80% on the multiple choice and that was 70% of the test, it didn’t carry much overal weight. It only added 30 points to my overall score. Some practical advise is to make sure you can do much of the T-SQL that you mean in Studio. Since Studio can actually script out most all of its functions to T-SQL, it’s a good hands on learning experience. Fortunately I had purchased exam insurance for this exam. Now to round 2.
6/1/2007 – Round 2
Return of the Jedi
I would have completed this exam much sooner but a series of other events stepped to the front of the line. This round went off without a hitch. Everything went well. I did the exam in much less time than the first and ended with a nice score. There are many repeats. Going back and learning Studio better, after the first exam, helped much. The best advice I can give for this exam is to make sure you know Studio.
Good luck all!
Updated: 6/2/2007