I'm now a Microsoft Certified Professional

For the past few weeks, I’ve been hard at work studying for my Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist exam (70-573) – Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Application Development.

Well, today, I took the exam and am pleased to report that I passed!

Not only did I achieve the pass rate (which is 70%) but aced the thing and got 100% !  Needless to say, I’m thrilled to bits.

Since this is my first Microsoft exam, I’m still awaiting emails and communication from Microsoft regarding my MCP ID, Transcript and Certificate (which I’m lead to believe you now have to print out for yourself!) but I do have the Transcript print-out that the Prometric test centre provide immediately after completing the exam. 

Looks like I’ll have to dig out a frame for my print-out until I can get my hands on the actual certificate!

It’s really strange in many ways, as most developers seem to try to acquire certification earlier in their career, primarily to make up for the lack of experience when you’re first starting out.  I’ve done it the other way around.  Despite having nearly 20 years hands-on experience as a software developer, I’m only just now getting an industry recognized certification!

Ah well, better late than never, and I must admit it does feel good.  In many ways, it’s like going back 20-odd years and being back at school again.  The reality, though, is that his is probably my mid-life crisis!

I’m not stopping here, though.  The next step is to get my head back into the books in preparation for the follow-up exam, which will give me Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) status!  That’s exam 70-576 - Designing and Developing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Applications.

Onwards and upwards!   Wish me luck!