There are many Microsoft certifications available. A .Net developer can use different ones, but it’s important to know the most relevant ones to get the best bang for your buck.
There are six main Microsoft certifications you can obtain:
1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) is the highest level of certification for .Net developers. This certification is for you if you want to get into leadership roles. That being said, it is not necessary for entry-level positions. It will give you the skills and knowledge needed to work on large-scale applications and projects.
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2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
A Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) is a good certification for .Net developers. The MCSA will help you learn the fundamentals of developing code using the .NET Framework. This certification is great for entry-level developers who are looking to get started in their careers.
The MCSA is not a good certification for senior-level developers because it needs to provide you with more experience or knowledge to be considered an expert in your field.
3. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
MCSE is the most prestigious certification you can get as a .Net developer. There are several different MCSEs, but this guide will focus on the one that is most relevant to .Net developers. The certification covers all of Microsoft’s solutions and technologies, including Windows Server, SQL Server, SharePoint, Exchange, and many more. This means that if you want to gain an all-encompassing knowledge of these technologies and use them in your day-to-day work as a .Net developer, then this is the cert for you. In addition to having broad coverage and being difficult to achieve (meaning it shows off your skillset), having an MCSE can also open up new career opportunities.
4. Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
If you’re a .Net developer, the MCDST is the best certification. It’s probably the easiest certification there is, and it’s also the most relevant to a .Net developer. This is the best certification because it’s much easier to do than other certifications like MCSD or MCAD. In addition, getting this certification puts you at an advantage when applying for jobs, as companies often prefer people with at least one Microsoft certification on their resume.
Getting your first Microsoft certification can be intimidating and complicated if you haven’t done anything like this before. Still, once you’ve taken your first course online (like on Lynda), all of those feelings will disappear because they’re so easy!\
5. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
A good place to start is with MCITP certification. The MCITP shows that you have IT skills in Windows Server and Windows Client, making it easier for you to find an entry-level job in IT.
There are many different MCITP certifications available: some require an existing MCTS or MCSE credential, while others do not (for example, if you already have experience working with Exchange Server).
6. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
MCTS is Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, which means it’s a badge that shows your proficiency in a particular area. You’ll need to pass an exam to get the certification and then maintain it by taking additional exams every three years. The MCTS is one of the lower-level certifications offered by Microsoft. It requires no experience with the product—just enough knowledge about how the technology works to answer questions on the exam correctly.
To pass this exam, you’ll need to know about the following:
- How networking works
- The basics of data storage (such as disk drives)
- Cloud technologies such as Azure SQL Database and Azure CosmosDB
And that’s it! A lot less than some other exams require! But don’t forget that passing an MCTS isn’t just getting good grades on an exam; it also means being able to apply those concepts in real-world situations—so if you’re not sure yet whether or not this certification is right for you, think about how often you’ll use these subjects at work before deciding whether or not they’re worth studying up on now.
Conclusion
We hope this article gives you a good overview of the different Microsoft certifications. If you want a career in .Net development, we recommend getting the MCSD certification. It is the most comprehensive and will give you all the skills necessary to succeed in this field.
