Quick announcement

Microsoft Learning today announced the certification tracks for the upcoming SQL Server 2012 exams.

You begin by acheiving the MCSA - Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Not to be confused by the old Microsoft Certified System Administrator)

If you are starting out this includes taking the following three exams:

• Exam 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
• Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
• Exam 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012

If you have an MCTS in SQL Server 2008 already you can take the following path

• A pass in a SQL Server 2008 (MCTS) Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist exam
• Exam 70-457: transisitioning your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA on SQL Server 2012 part 1
• Exam 70-458: transisitioning your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA on SQL Server 2012 part 2

Once you have achieved you MCSA status you can then start for your MCSE - Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert certification

You have a choice, to do the MCSE: SQL Server 2012 Data Platform, MCSE: SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence or you could do both

MCSE: SQL Server 2012 Data Platform involves

• Obtain your SQL Server 2012 MCSA
• Exam 70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
• Exam 70-465: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012

There is also an upgrade path

• A pass in a SQL Server 2008 (MCITP) Microsoft Certified IT Professional Database Administrator or Database Developer Certification
• Exam 70-457: transisitioning your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA on SQL Server 2012 part 1
• Exam 70-458: transisitioning your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA on SQL Server 2012 part 2
• Exam 70-459: transisitioning your MCITP on SQL Server 2008 Database Administrator or Database Developer to MCSE:Data Platform

MCSE: SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence involves

• Obtain your SQL Server 2012 MCSA
• Exam 70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
• Exam 70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012

The upgrade path involves:

• A pass in a SQL Server 2008 (MCITP) Microsoft Certified IT Professional Business Intelligence Certification
• Exam 70-457: transisitioning your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA on SQL Server 2012 part 1
• Exam 70-458: transisitioning your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA on SQL Server 2012 part 2
• Exam 70-460: transisitioning your MCITP on SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence Developer to MCSE:Business Intelligence

As a result if you want to achieve the MCSE in either Data Platform or Business Intelligence and you are starting from scratch there will be 5 exams to take

If you have the ability to upgrade your certification because you have an MCITP already then it will be three exams

Full details and questions can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-sql-server.aspx

Thanks

Chris