These credentials offer the best way to prove your expertise in developing and maintaining complex databases as well as information solutions. These skills enhance your ability to find well-paid job opportunities and promotions. That’s why it is important to pursue one of these leading certifications to ensure you are on track in your career goals. So, let’s finally dive into it!

Why Should Your Earn a SQL Certification?

The SQL credentials are key for those individuals who want to work in job domains that include database analysis, administration, and development. Here are the benefits you enjoy when you are a certified database professional:

– It validates your skills and knowledge.
– With a SQL certificate, the employers will view you as a dedicated specialist who is ready to do anything to gain skills that enhance their performance at work.
– It will make you more employable compared to those candidates who don’t have any SQL certification.
– You get an opportunity to earn well in your job position as per a salary report on PayScale where the average annual paycheck for these professionals is $70k.

Let’s find out which top SQL certifications you can get today and which are well suited to your database career.

1. MTA: Database Fundamentals
This entry-level program includes one certificate in the database field. The prerequisite exam (98-364) is for those students who want to make an entry into this sector. These candidates require proving their understanding and skills in databases that include relational ones. Microsoft SQL Server is one of such databases. The skills and experience evaluated in this MTA credential include core concepts in a database, creation of database objects, data manipulation, data storage, and database administration.

2. MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Development
This is an associate-level credential that is designed for the professionals who want to verify their skills. It validates their ability to use Transact-SQL in querying data. This certificate also confirms the applicants’ database development skills. You can pursue it as long as you have the basic IT expertise. Apart from these foundational skills, you must pass two related exams before you can eventually earn your certificate.

3. MCSA: SQL Database Administration
This is also an associate-level certification that is meant for those individuals who are involved in tasks, such as installing, maintaining, configuring, as well as provisioning. They are the certified database administrators and infrastructure specialists who have already passed two required exams. This means they have proven their capabilities in administering the SQL database architecture as well as SQL database provisioning. Before taking the prerequisite tests, the students must be in possession of basic IT skills.

4. MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014
This top SQL certification validates that the candidates can effectively play their role as database analysts or developers. This implies they have the skills necessary to query and administer Microsoft SQL Server. They can also successfully use SQL Server 2012/2014 to implement a data warehouse. The initial requirements for this certificate include the basic IT skills. The students should also pass three exams. Once you earn your credential, you can also pursue the advance one such as MCSE: Data Management and Analytics. This will boost your database-related career even further.

5. MCSA: SQL 2016 BI Development
If you feel that business development is for you, then this associate-level certificate is the right one to obtain. By going for it, you demonstrate your readiness to gain skills, such as extracting, transforming, and loading data. It also enables you to develop the analytical skill set needed to provide BI solutions. The foundational expertise will be the best way to start off. Once you have these skills, you can prepare and pass two required exams and become a BI developer.

6. MCSE: Data Management and Analytics
This expert-level SQL credential is for those applicants who have SQL administration advanced skills. They have proved their capability to perform tasks, such as SQL administration, building data solutions for an enterprise, and leverage business intelligence data both in Cloud and on-premises environments. Before taking the prerequisite exam, the professionals who want to earn this certification must possess any of the associate-level certificates connected to SQL technology.

7. Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate
Most Oracle database management systems (DBMS) certifications require the specialists to attend training courses as part of the prerequisites. The credentials are also available at different levels that include Associate, Professional, Master, and Expert. Oracle 12c is currently available at the first three levels. Thus, Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) is designed to validate one’s fundamental database concepts as well as skills that DBAs require daily as they perform their management and maintenance tasks. It requires the examinees to pass two tests, including the SQL one.

Conclusion

Any of these top 7 SQL certifications will give you the kind of boost you need in your career. Obtaining at least one of them demonstrates your readiness to provide database-related solutions, such as administration, analysis, and development. These are among the leading roles in the IT world at present. So, do not hesitate and take charge of your career today by giving all that it deserves!

Yet, as the software landscape is quickly changing and more and more professionals work with Office 365 and other cloud-based solutions, the MCSA Office 365 seems like a great option for the professionals interested in these MCSEs.

So, now, you can satisfy the prerequisites for pursuing these three MCSE certifications (Communication, Messaging or SharePoint) by having either an MCSA: Windows Server 2012 or MCSA: Office 365. So now professionals can choose the path that best meets your career path or organization’s needs. Taking the MCSA: Office 365 path to your MCSE is a great choice if your organization is considering, or has deployed, cloud-based solutions. For those who focus on deploying on-premise, MCSA: Windows Server 2012 is still the path for you.

Which MCSE should you choose?

MCSE: Communications (Lync) credential  proves that you have the core skills to manage a Lync Server 2013 infrastructure. This advanced Lync Server certification validates your unified communications (UC) expertise in creating a consistent communications experience for your organization.

Achieving MCSE: Communication certification validates your ability to plan, design, deploy, and manage Lync Server 2013 in an environment that includes legacy services and Lync Online. It confirms that you can translate business requirements into technical architecture and design for a UC solution, and it verifies your skills around IM, presence conferencing, and Persistent Chat.

MCSE: Communications (Lync) Required exams: 346, 347, 336, 337.

MCSE: Messaging (Exchange) credential validates your skills and capabilities of managing an Exchange 2013 infrastructure. This advanced Microsoft Exchange certification validates your ability to install, configure, and support Exchange messaging deployments in a real-world business context.

Achieving MCSE: Messaging certification confirms your knowledge of configuring transport, the mailbox role, and Client Access, and it confirms your understanding of unified messaging, site resiliency, security, archival, and enterprise deployments for an Exchange environment.

MCSE: Messaging (Exchange) required exams: 346, 347, 341, 342.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): SharePoint certification proves that you have the core skills to manage a SharePoint infrastructure for organizing, collaborating, and sharing information. This advanced Microsoft SharePoint certification validates your ability to design a SharePoint topology, install and configure SharePoint farms, secure SharePoint deployments, and create web applications and site collections. Achieving MCSE: SharePoint certification confirms that you know how to plan, upgrade, and migrate SharePoint installations.

MCSE: SharePoint required exams: 346, 347, 331, 332.

Interested? Find out more on the Microsoft Learning Website.

Have you heard of the recent Tech Ed North America 2014 conference? This is one of the major events on the IT certification landscape that concluded a week ago at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, and won’t return until 2015. Yet, for those of us who thrive on free training and miscellaneous Internet freebies, the great things are just starting as Microsoft has made exam prep sessions from Tech Ed available online for FREE! Gotta love them, right? You can also view the TechEd keynote address by Microsoft VIP Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Windows Server and System Center Program Management – go to the Microsoft Learning website.

70-410 and 70-417 – MCSA: Windows Server 2012 Exam Prep

Let’s take a closer look at exam training that took part at Tech Ed North America. Among over a dozen of exam prep workshops, this one turned out to be the most watched and rated: Exam Prep: 70-410 and 70-417 – MCSA: Windows Server 2012.

This intermediate-level exam prep session fits well within the Datacenter and Infrastructure Management Track, and has been designed for individuals experienced with Windows Server 2012 who are interested in taking the 70-410 (Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012) exam or the 70-417 (Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012) exam.

Both 70-410 and 40-417 exams are required for the new MCSA: Windows Server 2012 credential. The sessions reviews the topics covered in these exams in a fast-paced format, as well as receive some valuable test taking techniques. The session is led by a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), experienced in delivering sessions on these topics. If you have an MCSA on Windows Server 2008, or are new to Certification, this is the best first step to getting certified on Windows Server 2012.

With the recent talks about Microsoft and its next steps, we decided to give these exams the attention they deserve. So, let’s explore the updates to the following exams:

• 70-687: Configuring Windows 8
• 70-688: Supporting Windows 8.1

Updates to Exam 70-687

The 70-687 exam is all about installing and configuring Windows 8, as well as configuring hardware, networking and applications. Recent revisions include material specific to Windows 8.1: upgrading Windows 7 and installing Windows 8, and migrating from earlier versions of Windows (XP, Vista) to Windows 8.1.

New exam content also covers Hyper-V, Miracast display, Pervasive Device Encryption, and Secure Boot. The 70-687 also covers installing and updating applications from the Windows Store.

As Windows 8.1 has tighter integration with OneDrive (Microsoft’s cloud storage solution), the 70-687 exam now includes questions on how to configure the OneDrive service, retrieve files, and make them available offline.

The exam also covers Microsoft’s new browser, Internet Explorer 11. Related topics can include configuring either/both the desktop and Modern versions of IE.

Updates to Exam 70-688

It’s good to remember that the 70-688 has been renamed “Supporting Windows 8.1”, from its original name “Managing and Maintaining Windows 8” – a minor change that many candidates have found confusing while searching through the Microsoft Learning website.

The 70-688 exam looks deeper into the plumbing of Windows 8.1 clients and how they work in enterprise networks. As a result, the majority of the changes made to this exam are revisions to the existing knowledge domains, rather than entirely new Windows 8.1 content:

• Installation and Application Strategy
• Resource Access
• Maintaining Windows Clients and Devices
• Managing Windows 8.1 using Cloud Services and MS Desktop Optimization Pack

Some of the updated content on the 70-688 exam is related to Windows Intune, the cloud management product which can be used to manage PCs and mobile devices, including non-Microsoft devices like iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. Windows Intune can be used to deploy desktop and Windows store apps, as well as to “sideload” line-of-business applications onto Windows 8.1 devices.

Planning to take these exams? Members of our friendly IT community have shared their exam files. Explore them here: 70-687 and 70-688.

This means, you can still earn the certifications associated with these exams, namely MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 and MCITP: Database Developer 2008. So, if you were considering earning these certifications and worried that you’d be out of time, you have another half a year to get it done.

Now we can sense a question many certification beginners would be tempted to ask…

..Why would I look at certification exams that will be retired in 6 month (SQL Server 2008 – related) if there is some newer stuff (SQL Server 2012) out there?

Ok, let’s take a closer look as we believe that you SHOULD earn your SQL Server 2008 cert before you proceed with SQL 2012.

First of all, SQL Server 2008 certifications will continue to be honored by the industry. They’ll still look good on the resume, especially combined with relevant work experience. After all, it’s not just about the certification you hold, but the skills you’ve acquired to support it, right? Moreover, the technology of SQL Server 2008 will remain widely used for quite a while. And the experience you get with 2008 will make it a lot easier for you to move to the SQL Server 2012 technology.

Also, if you hold an SQL Server 2008 cert, you can benefit from a streamlined two-exam upgrade path to the new MCSA: SQL Server 2012. Those holding any SQL Server 2008 certification can take a fast-track exam upgrade path to MCSA: SQL Server 2012. You will have to pass 70-457 and 70-458 exams. Until 31 May 2014, Microsoft gives a special 25% OFF promo for these upgrade exams. In addition, you can benefit from their ‘second chance’ promo with free retakes.

So, you can speed up your preparation to become SQL Server 2008 AND 2012 certified before summer 2014. It does look like a tempting path, doesn’t it? Let’s take a closer look at the 2008 to 2012 SQL Server upgrade exams.

70-457: Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1

This exam is intended for candidates who have already earned any one of the MCTS certifications on SQL Server 2008 and who wish to transition their skills to MCSA: SQL Server 2012. The topics covered include but aren’t limited to:

• Create database objects
• Work with data
• Modify data
• Troubleshoot and optimize queries
• Install and configure SQL Server
• Maintain instances and databases
• Optimize and troubleshoot SQL Server

Get 70-457 exam dumps in VCE here.

70-458: Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2

Topics covered:

• Manage data
• Implement security
• Implement high availability
• Design and implement a data warehouse
• Extract and transform data
• Load data
• Configure and deploy SSIS solutions
• Build Data Quality solutions

Get 70-458 exam dumps here.

From now until May 31, 2014, there is a special promotion of 25% off the cost of these upgrade exams, plus free retakes if needed.

So, if you are not sure as to whether you should rush into your SQL Server 2008 certification and then upgrade to 2012, or start from scratch with SQL Server 2012, we highly recommend that you take a closer look at the MCSA: SQL Server 2012 path and check the upgrade path above. It looks totally worth it, especially with the discounts Microsoft currently offers. And, SQL Server 2008 AND 2012 do look better on your resume than just SQL Server 2012. Now, which path will you take?

So what’s that “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” offer?

To be eligible, you need to be currently holding one of the following certifications:

• MCSA: Windows Server 2008
• MCITP: Virtualization Administrator
• MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator
• MCITP: Lync Server Administrator
• MCITP: SharePoint Administrator
• MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator

When you choose to upgrade and follow one of these paths…

• MCSE: Server Infrastructure — 417, 413, 414
• MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure — 417, 415, 416
• MCSE: Private Cloud — 417, 246, 247

…you get three exams for the price of two. You are also granted one free retake on each exam in the pack if you fail.

To take advantage of this offer, you need to purchase the upgrade (go to Prometric website) by May 31, 2014, and finish your exams (including free retakes) within 2014.