Mcad

[someone has my name]

Thanks for all the advice..
Dont think it would take me long to get up to speed for the exam... using XML and webservices quite a bit anyway... .. Think it would just complete what I got...

[Lockhouse]

I did a C# MCAD back in 2002/3 when they were relatively fresh. At the time it definitely did help me get interviews. The technology was new then and lots of people were putting .Net on their CVs without any experience at all (no change there then!) and I felt I needed a differentiating factor. In that instance it worked. I would definitely question the value of the same set of exams now.

[hyperD]

I had MCSP for a while but to be honest, it didn't make a great deal of difference in obtaining work.

One thing to bear in mind is that those selecting your CV for interview may view certification with some contempt. Not right, but just my experience.

[lilelvis2000]

Yeah I have been doing .net2 VB & C# ...
Also true about experince.. but I find having the certs
helps you get an interview. and as I only need one more
XML one to get an MCAD think it may be worth while.

Microsoft Partners need certified people to maintain their certification, so I imagine these companies are ones who would do most of the hiring.

[someone has my name]

Mathcad ??? wft

[someone has my name]

Yeah I have been doing .net2 VB & C# ...
Also true about experince.. but I find having the certs
helps you get an interview. and as I only need one more
XML one to get an MCAD think it may be worth while.

[DiscoStu]

I was thinking the same thing as Mr. Sockpuppet. I just wonder how useful these certifications are. Last month I was at a conference and most attendees were complaining that people who had them still didn't know anything.

Dr

[Weltchy]

The MCTS upgrade from MCAD.NET is a single exam. Forget about the .NET 2.0 exams and start looking for the 3.0/3.5 ones when they start to appear, if they haven't already.

TBH, the exams arn't much cop, I finished a contract on a wednesday, with another lined up for the following monday, spent two days swotting up for it, and passed the exam on Friday.

As Bob said, experience is everything!

[Cowboy Bob]

They're worth jack tulip in the real world. Alluding to old fat monkey boy, I think the phrase is "experience, experience, experience, experience" etc etc

BTW, if you aren't already doing .NET 2 then you have been concentrating too hard on your certs, and not enough on your skills (even I know this and I'm a Java guy).

[lilelvis2000]

I was thinking the same thing as Mr. Sockpuppet. I just wonder how useful these certifications are. Last month I was at a conference and most attendees were complaining that people who had them still didn't know anything.

[Sockpuppet]

I was holding out hope of someone else having to work with Mathcad on a daily basis. Then I realised MCAD just isn't an abbreviation if it.

[Jaws]

I think there is an upgrade from MCAD to MCTS although I recommend you go onto the microsoft certifications site and find out for yourself, it will answer both of those questions.

[someone has my name]

I have 2 MCPs and need one more (xml / services)... to get my MCAD,
but the exam is retiring March 2009?, any idea how long afterwards the MCAD is valid for? and is there an easy upgrade path to the .net2/3.5 Version?