How many hours per day should I study to get my certification?

Question

I am currently preparing a certification ( SQL Server 2005 70-431). I am planning to pass it in 5 months. How many hours per day should I study? Some friend told me 7 Hours per day. But it seems a lot to me.
I am currently extremely poor for personal reasons, so this certification might turn things around. Also should the study time include the lab simulation test & experience?? Thanks

Answer 1

study daily 3 hours with full concentration, you can achieve it, All the best.

Answer 2

It depends on your level of experience. If you know very little about MS SQL, then it will take you studying everyday (8 hours a day) for 5 months.



Microsoft gives some ideas for books to check out so you can better prepare yourself.



MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-431) Microsoft SQL Server 2005—Implementation and Maintenance



• Programming Microsoft SQL Server 2005



• Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Database Essentials Step by Step



• Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Applied Techniques Step by Step



• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Administrator's Pocket Consultant



• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Administrator's Companion





http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-431.mspx



This test will not be simple. According to the description, it covers programming, and maintenance. So you will have to learn the programming involved, and the administration role of using MS SQL Server



Good luck with it. This certification will keep you busy for the five months. But you can do it.

Answer 3

I got the impression that most of the instructors of the microsoft certification courses used the *cheat* sites to pass the exams. I figure this because there is no way a human being can consistently pass one MS certification test every month, as they do, without either being a genius or cheating. I worked my bu## off for two years and passed the MCSE, and MCDBA tests and still no one would give me a job, even with 19 years experience as a software engineer. I my honest opinion the MicroSoft certifications are worthless in finding jobs.

Answer 4

Hello, I currently have 11 certifications ( MSP, MCSE, Adobe, HTML , MySQL, MySQL server, SQL ADV and Base Cisco, ect. )



When i was studying I would usually study around 4 - 6 hours a day. Mostly when I was at school since I'm still in high school. But if you study around 4 - 6 hours like I said you should be able to pass it with no problem. Also, why are you waiting 5 months to pass it. It isn't that hard of an exam to pass.



Good Luck,



Noah McHugh

( also email me if you have any problems or questions about SQL, I can probably answer any of them )

Answer 5

you could no longer take the certification examination at domicile--for which you will could desire to bypass to a finding out center--yet you could genuinely learn at domicile. solid luck! How long will it take? That relies upon on how on the instant you p.c.. up the practise.

Answer 6

your brains gonna fry at that rate you wont retain the information unless your some kind of genious study and take breaks as much as you need. i would spend as much practice time as you can though its important to use the knowledge if you want to keep it.

Answer 7

hey That does not matters , U just need to understand the things by practical. Do Practice and run sTSQL statements as much as u can and try to undertsnad the concept. If u understand in an hour then why to study for 7 hours.

Read Tutorials :

http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp

anyways some topics u need to read are



Identify the features and functions of SQL Server.

Identify the components involved in the client-server communication process.

Identify the steps in the client-server communication process.

Identify the minimum hardware requirements for SQL Server 2000.

Identify the typical hardware optimization issues for Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

Select an appropriate edition of SQL Server 2000.

Identify the different types of SQL Server 2000 installations.

Install a default instance of SQL Server 2000.

Identify the database option categories.

Identify features of the tools used to view database properties.

View database information by using SQL Server Enterprise Manager.

Match the different types of data integrity with their characteristics.

Identify the different types of constraints.

Identify guidelines for creating constraints.

Identify how login accounts are processed.

Identify the characteristics of the two authentication modes.

Sequence the steps to implement an authentication mode.

Identify the guidelines for preventing data loss.

Match database recovery models with their features.

Identify the process behind SQL Server 2000 backup.

Identify guidelines for importing and exporting data.

Match SQL Server 2000 tools used to import and export data with their functions.

Identify the features and functions of the Data Transformation Services (DTS) process.

Identify the features of distributed data.

Identify the different methods of distributing data.

Identify guidelines for configuring SQL Server Agent.

Identify guidelines for using SQLAgentMail and SQL Mail.

Configure a Microsoft Outlook Exchange profile for your administrative account.

Identify the goals of SQL Server 2000 monitoring.

Identify guidelines for performance tuning.

Identify the factors to consider when detecting database performance problems.

Identify the features and functions of SQL Server 2000.

Match the components of the client-server communication process with their features.

Identify the features and functions of SQL Server 2000 services.

Match the basic types of statements used in Transact-SQL with their functions.

Identify the SQL Server 2000 system-supplied data types.

Add a user defined data type.

Match the parts of a data row with their features.

Identify characteristics of entity modeling.

Identify features of attributes.

Identify requirements for logical modeling.

Identify the login authentication modes and methods used by SQL Server 2000.

Identify the features of views.

Identify the considerations for creating views.

Create a view by using Transact-SQL.

Match the different user-defined functions with their characteristics.

Create a user-defined function by using Transact-SQL.

Identify characteristics of schema binding.

Identify the features of stored procedures.

Identify the features of clustered indexes.

Identify the features of nonclustered indexes.

Retrieve information from the sysindexes table.

Identify guidelines for creating indexes.

Identify the considerations for creating unique indexes.

Identify the considerations for creating composite indexes.

Identify the features of distributed data.

Identify the different methods of distributing data.

Match the replication types with their characteristics.

Identify the considerations for using transactions and locks.

Create a Transact-SQL script to define a transaction.

Create a Transact-SQL script to rollback a transaction.

To match Windows Server 2003 editions with their features.

To match logon options with their functions.

To identify features and functions of administrative tools.

To identify guidelines for creating a user account.

To identify options for creating user accounts.

To identify guidelines for creating a user account template.

To identify reasons for enabling and disabling accounts.

To identify reasons why users are locked out of accounts.

To match group membership types with their tasks.

To identify features and functions of the Run as command.

To identify tools to administer a remote server using Computer Management.

To identify features and functions of disk partitioning.

To identify features of basic disks and dynamic disks.

To identify features and functions of a simple volume.

To identify options in Device Manager.

To identify options in the Add Hardware Wizard.

To identify features of Windows Update and Automatic Updates.

To identify options for configuring Automatic Updates.

To identify features and functions of SUS.

To identify guidelines for creating a performance baseline.

To identify features and functions of Task Manager.

To identify features and functions of the Performance console.

To identify features and functions of counter logs.

To match counter log file formats with their features and functions.

To identify options to create an alert.

Much more.