Learned.A.Lesson

Following my post, Exploring Unchartered Regions, I've finally managed to pull through 'the feat' today. It was actually the 071-528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Web-based Client Development exam which contributes a credit towards the MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications certification.

The reason why I think it is a big feat is because the exam is currently in beta and will not be publicly available until next year. I was invited to take the beta exam and this was my first beta exam experience. Now because it is beta, there are no training materials or training kits readied for it. Even the classroom courses are not ready. Candidates will just have to rely on MSDN and other available information out there - which makes it more or less look like a suicide attempt. :p

Indeed it was a suicide attempt for me but that was mainly my own fault. The exam spans through 4 tiring hours which I had used more than two-thirds of the time. The exam adheres closely to its "Skills Being Measured" (See link above) and if only I followed it diligently as a study guide, I would have been able to answer more questions.

Early in the morning before I went for the exam, I had spent my time revising on topics which I have already known instead of covering more grounds. I thought I could give a few topics a pass but it was those topics which I skipped that came out. Anyway, I learned my lesson and will stick to the "Skills Being Measured" in future.

I don't know how well (or bad) I did as the results will only be available 3 months from now or maybe longer. I really hope I can pass it and not go through the entire tiring process again. But whatever the results may be, I will need to keep moving forward. In the coming December, I will be sitting for the 071–431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance and 071-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exams. Both are also in beta. I hope I can really take the opportunity to pass them and not have them turn out to be suicide attempts as well. :(

Wish me luck...