Exam 70-542: Study recommendations (Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – Application Development)

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UPDATE: In comments, someone posted this link: http://www.midnightmonkey.co.uk/blog/blogging/?page_id=5.  It looks good to me too.

I passed the MOSS technical exam today, entitled "Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – Application Development".  I found the exam to be pretty rigorous and that it matched up quite well with Microsoft’s preparation guide.

I’ve been working with MOSS on a daily basis and nothing beats actual hands-on experience for all of these exams.

That said, I took note of what I was studying as I studied.  I believe that all of these resources are helpful, particularly as a means of reinforcing that hands-on experience.

 

Subject Link
Excel Services http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms519581.aspx
Search No special recommendation.  I had taken a class on search earlier this year and real-world experience carried me through.  Work with the "search center" component of MOSS.
BDC http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms563661.aspx
Audiences http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms496822.aspx
Profiles http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms496822.aspx
Content Mgmt http://www.sharepointblogs.com/tonstegeman/archive/2007/02/01/moss-custom-policies-part-1-creating-a-custom-information-management-policy.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/ecm/archive/2007/03/04/customize-the-page-editing-toolbar-in-moss-2007.aspx

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa674506.aspx

BI Hands-on working with KPI’s in MOSS.
Workflow http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa830816.aspx
Info mgmt http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb397403.aspx
Variations http://aspnetcoe.wordpress.com/2007/02/09/customize-variation-root-landing-logic/
Records mgmt http://blogs.msdn.com/recman/archive/2006/06/16/633393.aspx
Infopath http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/06/08/infopath2007/default.aspx

Many of those links led to more links and I tended to follow them up to about 3 levels deep.

I wouldn’t say that everything I read directly applied to the exam, but I don’t regret reading any of it and even if some bits were not directly relevant. It’s all good stuff to know and I strongly recommend the material for all aspiring well-rounded MOSS developers.

12 thoughts on “Exam 70-542: Study recommendations (Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – Application Development)”

  1. Paul Galvin

    You can download demonstration versions of sharepoint that are on complete virtual machines. There are on the microsoft web somewhere. That will give you an environment you can use for studying.

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  2. Quigleys Limousine Service ...

    Hi Paul,
    I really need your help. I am preparing for the 70-542 exam, however I only have MS Vista Home Premium (32) on my PC. I badly need to install Sharepoint so that I could have some hands-on experience. Is there a way for me to install Sharepoint on this OS? Thank u very much in advance.

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  3. Paul Galvin

    Saad Alam, sorry I never responded to this. I think I spent two full weekends preparing. However, I also had many months hands on experience and that was also critical.

    Reply ↓
  5. Saad Alam

    Hi,

    how long does it took you in the preparation for this test. Please provide links to some other useful stuff that you had used.

    Reply ↓
  6. Lakshmi
    Hi Pual,
     
    I am planning to write MCTS 70-542. Can you please give me reference to e-books or other resources that I will be useful for my preparation.
     
    My email-id is lakshmij_2000@yahoo.com
     
    Any help would be highly appreciated.
     
    Thanks in advance
    Lakshmi
    Reply ↓
  7. Suman wrote:
    Hi Paul.
    This is Suman from India…I m Planning to write the MCTS 70-542 exam i have already started the preparation by refering the above MSDN links, this links are very helpful for me.
    I know the book Inside Office Sharepoint by Microsoft press but this book is not available here.
     
    Could you send me the good E-Books or other any resources for this exam.
     
     
    Thanks  
    Reply ↓
  8. phani kumar
    Hi Paul
       This is phani kumar from India… Iam planning to write this exam but the book cost seems to be very high for me
    and thanks for proving valuble information with links… can you guide me to complte this exam and could you please send the
    related e-books and Exam Stuff that needs to pass the exam… please do the needful
     
    My mail ID is visitphanikumar@hotmail.com and visitphanikumar@gmail.com please send the meterial and stuff on your leisure time
    Waiting for your premise reply
    Thanks in Advance
    Reply ↓
  9. deenesh
    HI Paul,
    I am planning to write this exam…
    Do you think preparing the above topics are enough.
    Also do you have any other material for this exam.
    Let me know
    Reply ↓
  11. muneeb

    HiPaul,
    I will be graduating soon, MS info systems, i am really desperate to get my first IT job, and some friends suggest i do a sharepoint certification, i have no sharepoint experience, but know basic C, PL/SQL programming.Do you think doing a sharepoint cert is agood idea, also u think i will be able to do it given no sharepoint hands on experience?

    Reply ↓
    1. Paul Galvin Post author

      I think it would be difficult to do honestly without some hands on experience. I think you should try and get a sharepoint job or somehow work with sharepoint for a year before taking the exams. You will be much more credible. When I see a resume with someone that has all four 2007 certifications but little SharePoint experience, I actually have less reason to call them for an interview.

      I do think that SharePoint as a whole is a very good technology to get into. The economy in the U.S. isn’t great, but I’m personally struggling to find good people to hire full time. There are a lot of consultant of varying quality, but I want to build up a full time team of strong individuals and that’s difficult because there just aren’t enough SharePoint pro’s out there for me.

      Reply ↓

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