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Microsoft Revises BI Cert Lineup

Microsoft has changed the requirements for its MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer title, no longer requiring passage of three exams.

According to an e-mail announcement from the Microsoft Learning Group, the company has reduced the requirements for the MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer certification by one certification. Microsoft said that feedback from its customers and partners drove the change.

Exam 70-431 TS: SQL Server 2005-Implementation and Maintenance no longer is required to earn the premium BI title. That means that candidates need to take only two exams:

  • 70-445 PRO: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions by Using SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services
  • 70-446 PRO: Designing Business Intelligence Infrastructure by Using SQL Server 2005

Candidates who pass exam 70-445 also automatically earn an MCTS: SQL BI title. Both exams, says Microsoft, should get beta tested later this year, with availability expected in early 2007. Microsoft hasn't posted objective guides for 70-445 and 70-446 to its MCP Web site as of this writing.

To view the changed requirements for the MCITP: BID, click here.

[Editor's Note: This article was updated on Sept. 8.]

About the Author

Michael Domingo has held several positions at 1105 Media, and is currently the editor in chief of Visual Studio Magazine.

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