MCAD: The Certificate To Build Powerful Applications

1+1+1+1 =1. If this mathematical formula does not surprise you, then the MCAD Certification is waiting for you. Based on the simple analogy that, 1+1+1+1 mean the four stages of the software development cycle after analysis and designing of the solution. An MCAD Certified professional gets the validation to do exactly this; take care of the last four stages of the software development cycle to build powerful applications.

The Microsoft Certified Applications Developer Certification allows professionals to build strong applications which use the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET and Web Services which run on Microsoft .NET. With Application Developers being in the demand news for any company - established or upcoming, the MCAD Certification also provides a Microsoft .NET certification for professionals.

It is really simple on paper to appear for the MCAD Certification. Take the course and pass two examinations. One core examination and One Elective examination, makes taking the MCAD Certification a relatively simpler course for one to take. But be warned that, this course is not for the 'weak-minded' at all. Though there are two examinations to pass, that does not alleviate your burden on focusing your best on the contents for these two subjects. There are a whole host of examination choices which you can choose from. Ranging from Visual Studio .NET to C#, the examination subject you choose must be in the domain in which you have knowledge or have proven skills. Else, you would not be able to make out what the course contents are. The Core Examinations gives you a range of choices in Web Applications Development or Windows Server Development with the Elective Examinations allowing you to choose from Implementing Databases, Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server, Implementing Security for applications with Microsoft Visual Basic with .NET and many other options.

Since there is a wide range of topics available to choose from, I would recommend you to go through the Microsoft Skills Assessment program which will guide you on which examination should you be choosing for your certification.

Should you be a professional who uses the .NET 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, you may well be advised to try for other certifications as the MCAD Certification scope does not cover the above mentioned two applications.

Considering the way how the industry is evolving, this certification possibly gives you a free hand in building your own application the way you want it, of course it needs to be in line with the business and technical requirements.

If you are one of the Visual C++, Visual J# OR Visual FoxPro professionals and wondering that the current MCAD does not cover any of these, there is good news. Microsoft is always in the process of revaluating its examination topics and sooner or later, it will come up with designed modules for the above mentioned applications as well.