Mcad

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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).

[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!

[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

[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.

[someone has my name]

Mathcad ??? wft

[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.