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Microsoft MCDBA Certification: Frequently Asked Questions

The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator certification is the premier certification for professionals who both implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases. The certification is appropriate for individuals who are responsible for the logical and physical design, implementation, maintenance and administration of databases.

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the new MCDBA certification.

Q. What are the benefits of becoming an MCDBA?

A. Benefits of the MCDBA certification include industry recognition of proficiency with Microsoft products, direct access to technical information through a Web site, MCDBA logo and certificate, and invitations to Microsoft conferences, technical training sessions, and special events, with additional benefits to be announced.

Sales of Microsoft SQL Server licenses is growing at a rapid rate and projects that the market for Windows-based databases exploded with more than 50 percent total growth from 1997 to 2000.

As the demand for the SQL Server product increases, the demand for skilled Microsoft SQL Server database administrators is also expected to increase significantly.

The database administrator job title and function are a well-recognized skill set in the industry. Database professionals are recognized for participating in conceptual and logical data modeling and physical design, and implementation, maintenance and support of databases.

Q. Why is the MCDBA certification considered a premier certification, like MCSE and MCSD?

A. Microsoft's premier certifications Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Microsoft Certified Solution Developer are distinguished by the breadth and depth of skills measured. These premier certifications demand skill proficiency with of a wider range of multiple products and technologies compared to other Microsoft certifications.

Q. Isn't the product strategy with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 to make database administration as easy as possible? Why is a certification necessary?

A. Administering the database makes up only a portion of a typical database administrator's job responsibilities. Database administrators also design and implement databases.

Examples of job tasks include development of logical data models, derivation of physical database designs, creation of physical databases, creation of data services using Transact-SQL, management and maintenance of databases, configuration and management of security, monitoring and optimization of databases, and installation and configuration of Microsoft SQL Server.

Q. Why does the MCDBA certification include exams other than Microsoft SQL Server exams?

A. Research shows that the current database administrator, as recognized by the industry, has a breadth of responsibilities and functions that require knowledge of more than Microsoft SQL Server.

Q. What role does data warehousing play in the MCDBA certification?

A. The responsibilities of some database administrators may include implementing and supporting a data warehouse. Exam 70-019: Designing and Implementing Data Warehouses With Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 is one of five exams available as electives for the MCDBA certification.

Q. I am planning to earn my MCDBA and apply the same exams toward earning an MCSE or MCSD certification. Is this possible?

A. Yes; if you pass exams for the MCDBA certification that are also core or elective exams for other certifications, the exams would apply toward those certifications also.

Q. Why are the Windows 2000/NT exams included in the core requirements?

A. Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 takes advantage of the security, networking, system management and user management functions provided by Microsoft Windows 2000/NT. Exam 70-067: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft® Windows 2000/NT® Server 4.0 and Exam 70-068: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft® Windows 2000/NT® Server 4.0 in the Enterprise are core requirements because these exams measure skills, such as disk management and maintenance of security in a multi-domain environment, that are critical to implementing a database with Microsoft Windows 2000/NT.

Q. Why is the Internet Information Server exam included as an elective?

A. The responsibilities of some database administrators may include building data-driven Web solutions. Exam 70-087: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft® Internet Information Server 4.0 is an elective exam because many database administrators use both Internet Information Server and SQL Server together to build data-driven Web solutions.

Q. Why are the Visual C++ and Visual Basic distributed application exams included as electives?

A. The responsibilities of some database administrators may include support for applications. Exam 70-015: Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft® Visual C++® 6.0 and Exam 70-175: Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft® Visual Basic® 6.0 includes skills such as using Active Data Objects to access and manipulating data in a database.

Q. I'm not sure whether I should pursue the MCSD certification or MCDBA certification. What should I consider before I decide?

A. You should pursue the certification that makes the most sense for your job function. If your primary job function is to design and develop custom business solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, and platforms, you should pursue the MCSD certification. The MCSD exams measure users' ability to build Web-based, distributed, and commerce applications by using Microsoft products, such as Microsoft® SQL Server, Microsoft® Visual Studio and Microsoft® Component Services.

If your primary job function is to design and administer a database, you should pursue the MCDBA certification. We expect that some individuals' jobs cover a wide enough scope of functions that they may want to earn both certifications.

Q. How can I start preparing for the exams?

A. Begin preparing for the exams by studying each exam's document on the MCP Web site. Start by reviewing the exam requirements and click on the name of each exam to read the document. Courses and self-study materials offered for each exam will be listed on the prep guides as the training becomes available. Candidates can get started on the MCDBA track now by taking exams in Windows 2000/NT or Internet Information Server.

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