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The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer certification is aimed at those who need to prove skills in designing and developing applications with Microsoft tools, technologies, and architectural schemes. The types of programs that MCSDs are able to develop include desktop applications and multi-user, Web-based, n-tier, and transaction-based applications.

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On Feb. 13, 2002, Microsoft created a new version of the title, dubbed MCSD for .NET. (At the same time, Microsoft introduced a similar title for similar title developers of programs, MCAD, was created for those whose main skill encompass writing specific programs, modules and code, sometimes for larger systems.)

The primary candidate for the MCSD has a job title such as software developer, software engineer, software applications engineer, or technical consultant.

Besides specific developer skills, Microsoft suggests that candidates have at least two years of experience in the following areas:

• Analyzing customer needs and creating requirement specification documents for client/server solutions in multiple business domains.
• Process modeling, data modeling, component design, and user interface design.
• Designing, developing, and implementing a client/server solution.
• Integrating new systems and applications into legacy environments.
• Developing Windows-based and Web applications.

Achieving the premier MCSD certification comes with many benefits:

• Industry recognition of your expertise.
• The right to use the MCSD logo on business collateral.
• A certificate, transcript, wallet card, and lapel pin to identify you as an MCP to colleagues and clients.
• Access to technical and product information direct from Microsoft through a private MCP Web site.
• Discounts on products and services (such as Microsoft Developer Network).
• Invitations to Microsoft and MCP Magazine conferences, technical training sessions, and special events.
• You can join the MCP Database, a peer-to-peer database that lets you locate others in your geographic area with similar interests.
• Potential college credit for your certification through Excelsior College, a private, independently chartered institution providing means for working adults to demonstrate college-level competencies and to earn accredited college degrees.

The MCSD track based on the original 70-100 Analyzing Requirements exam consists of passing four tests—three core exams and one elective, as shown in the following table:

The MCSD for .NET track requires four core and one elective:

In each core component, Microsoft will provide core credit for only one exam. That is, if you take 70-305 to satisfy the Web Application Development section, you won't get credit for 70-315 toward the MCSD.NET; however, it will still appear on your transcript among exams you passed.

You must take the exams in person at Prometric and VUE testing centers. 

You can contact none- about "MCSD" at .

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TESTS TO ACHIEVE MCSD

Select a Certification or Test from the Exam Guide: Complete List of All TestsTests in developmentBeta TestsLive TestsRetired Tests--------Tests Filtered by Certification: MCAD MCDBA MCDST MCP MCSA MCSA:Messaging MCSA:Security MCSD MCSE MCSE:Messaging MCSE:Security MCT--------Tests by Name of Exam: 70-210: Administering Windows 2000 Professional 70-215: Administering Windows 2000 Server 70-086: Supporting SMS 2.0 70-217: Administering Win2K Directory Services 70-219: Designing Win2K Directory Services 70-220: Designing Win2K Security 70-221: Designing a Win2K Network 70-100: Analyzing Requirements 70-016: Designing Desktop Visual C++ 6.0 Applications 70-156: Designing Desktop Visual FoxPro 6.0 Applications 70-176: Designing Desktop Visual Basic 6.0 Applications 70-015: Designing Distributed Visual C++ 6.0 Applications 70-155: Designing Distributed Visual FoxPro 6.0 Applications 70-175: Designing Distributed Visual Basic 6.0 Applications 70-029: Designing SQL Server 7.0 Databases 70-244: Supporting NT Server 4.0 70-028: Administering SQL Server 7.0 70-228: Administering SQL Server 2000 70-229: Designing SQL Server 2000 Databases 70-056: Supporting Web Sites Using Site Server 3.0 70-216: Administering a Windows 2000 Network 70-057: Designing Site Server 3.0 Commerce Solutions 70-152: Designing Visual InterDev 6.0 Web Solutions 70-080: Supporting IE 5.0 Using the IE Admin Kit 70-081: Supporting Exchange Server 5.5 70-085: Supporting SNA Server 4.0 70-105: Designing Outlook 2000/Exchange Server 5.5 Collaboration 70-223: Win2K Adv. Server Clustering Services 70-098: Supporting Windows 98 70-088: Supporting Proxy Server 2.0 70-222: Windows 2000 Migration 70-091: Designing Office 2000/VBA Solutions 70-019: Designing SQL Server 7.0 Data Warehouses 70-224: Administering Exchange 2000 Server 70-225: Designing Exchange 2000 Messaging 70-227: Administering ISA Server 2000 70-226: Designing Highly Available Web Solutions with Win2K 70-090: Deploying Office 2000 70-230: Designing BizTalk Server 2000 Solutions 70-232: Maintaining Highly Available Web Solutions with Win2K 70-234: Commerce Server 2000 70-270: Windows XP Professional 70-290: Manage/Maintain Windows Server 2003 70-291: Impl./Manage/Maintain Windows Server 2003 Network 70-293: Plan/Maintain a Windows Server 2003 Network 70-218: Managing a Windows 2000 Network Environment 70-305: Developing Web Apps with VB .NET/VS .NET 70-306: Developing Windows Apps with VB .NET/VS .NET 70-316: Developing Windows Apps with VC# .NET/VS .NET 70-315: Developing Web Apps with Visual C# .NET/VS .NET 70-300: Analyzing Reqs, Defining .NET Sol. Architectures 70-310: Developing XML/WS with VB .NET/.NET Framework 70-320: Developing XML/WS with VC# .NET/.NET Framework 70-214: Implementing Security See MCP Newsflash: (no exams in beta yet) 70-292: Manage/Maintain Windows 2003 (for MCSA-Win2K) 70-294: Planning, Implementing, Maintaining Windows Server 2003 AD 70-296: Plan/Impl./Maintain Windows Server 2003 (for MCSE - Win2K) 70-297: Designing Windows Server 2003 AD, Network 70-298: Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network 70-271: Supporting Users, Troubleshooting Windows Desktop OSes 70-284: Implementing and Managing Exchange Server 2003 70-282: Design/Deploy/Manage Net. Sol.for Sm./Med. Biz 70-285: Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization 70-281: Plan, Deploy, Manage Enterprise Proj. Mgt. Solution 70-299: Implement, Admin Security on Windows 2003 Network 70-272: Support Users, Troubleshoot Apps on Windows Desktops

MCP BY THE NUMBERS

Numbers indicate total certifications per title as of April 14, 2004.

Courtesy of Microsoft Corp.

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