Today I passed the MS 70-483 exam. In my opinion it’s now the right time to let you know how I prepared myself for that particular certification. It would be a pleasure for me to help you improve your knowledge and prepare you for the certification.
Because there are many ways to prepare, I’ll show you different kind of resources.
If you plan to take a certification exam, I’ll recommend you to have at least the following tools ready for use:
- Windows 8 RTM
- Visual Studio 2012 Express
You have to write code. There are some topics which are only available on .NET 4.5 platform which requires Visual Studio 2012.
Official preparation materials
All the listed preparation materials on the official certification page, in fact a single book, are not available up to now. The book Exam Ref 70-483: Programming In C#Â is planned to be released on 30 April 2013.
Alternative books
As an alternative for anyone who likes to read a complete book about the technology itself, there is another book recommended by the community called Pro C# 5.0 and the .NET 4.5 Framework.
Web based video training
On March 19, 2013 Jerry Nixon and Daren May released some videos in a series called Programming in C# Jump Start. You can find their videos on Channel 9.
Guide based on web research
If you already have a wide knowledge of C# and you just want to get fit for the certification, then you can follow the link list below. I tried to link any resources (mostly from msdn) I used to prepare myself for a successful certification with the skills measured from the official certification page.
I recommend that you at least have basic understanding of C# development. Because of that, I won’t show any links about the basics. You have to be familiar with the most common concepts of C# development otherwise you won’t be able to pass this certification. In addition, these are all links I have used to prepare myself. It is possible that I have a lot of experience in some but little in another topic.
Manage Program Flow
- Implement multithreading and asynchronous processing.
- Manage multithreading.
- synchronize resources; implement locking; cancel a long-running task; implement thread-safe methods to handle race conditions
- Implement program flow.
- iterate across collection and array items; program decisions by using switch statements, if/then, and operators; evaluate expressions
- Create and implement events and callbacks.
- create event handlers; subscribe to and unsubscribe from events; use built-in delegate types to create events; create delegates; lambda expressions; anonymous methods
- Implement exception handling.
- handle exception types (SQL exceptions, network exceptions, communication exceptions, network timeout exceptions); catch typed vs. base exceptions; implement try-catch-finally blocks; throw exceptions; determine when to rethrow vs. throw; create custom exceptions
Create and Use Types
- Create types.
- create value types (structs, enum), reference types, generic types, constructors, static variables, methods, classes, extension methods, optional and named parameters, and indexed properties; create overloaded and overriden methods
- Consume types.
- box or unbox to convert between value types; cast types; convert types; handle dynamic types; ensure interoperability with unmanaged code, for example, dynamic keyword
- Enforce encapsulation.
- enforce encapsulation by using properties, by using accessors (public, private, protected), and by using explicit interface implementation
- Create and implement a class hierarchy.
- Find, execute, and create types at runtime by using reflection.
- Manage the object life cycle.
- manage unmanaged resources; implement IDisposable, including interaction with finalization; manage IDisposable by using the Using statement; manage finalization and garbage collection
- Manipulate strings.
Debug Applications and Implement Security
- Validate application input.
- validate JSON data; data collection types; manage data integrity; evaluate a regular expression to validate the input format; use built-in functions to validate data type and content out of scope: writing regular expressions
- Perform symmetric and asymmetric encryption.
- choose an appropriate encryption algorithm; manage and create certificates; implement key management; implement the System.Security namespace; hashing data; encrypt streams
- Manage assemblies.
- version assemblies; sign assemblies using strong names; implement side-by-side hosting; put an assembly in the global assembly cache; create a WinMD assembly
- Debug an application.
- create and manage compiler directives; choose an appropriate build type; manage programming database files and symbols
- Implement diagnostics in an application.
- implement logging and tracing; profiling applications; create and monitor performance counters; write to the event log
Implement Data Access
- Perform I/O operations.
- Consume data.
- retrieve data from a database; update data in a database; consume JSON and XML data; retrieve data by using web services
- Query and manipulate data and objects by using LINQ.
- query data by using operators (projection, join, group, take, skip, aggregate); create method-based LINQ queries; query data by using query comprehension syntax; select data by using anonymous types; force execution of a query; read, filter, create, and modify data structures by using LINQ to XML
- Serialize and deserialize data.
- serialize and deserialize data by using binary serialization, custom serialization, XML Serializer, JSON Serializer, and Data Contract Serializer
- Store data in and retrieve data from collections.
- store and retrieve data by using dictionaries, arrays, lists, sets, and queues; choose a collection type; initialize a collection; add and remove items from a collection; use typed vs. non-typed collections; implement custom collections; implement collection interfaces
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Keep in mind that you’ll need to have a sufficient understanding of the different topics listed above. Otherwise, you will not be able to answer the questions on the exam. On the other hand you don’t need to be an expert in every topic.
If you passed your exam, you have the first third of the MCSD: Windows Store Apps using C# exam. Congratulations!
ThankYou Claudio for your response. It really helps.
Niketa.
Thank you Claudio, for this blog post.
i have studied java to a very good extent for 8 months after my college and now 2 months earlier i got job in c# .net.
so i am planning to get my self a 70-483 certification from Microsoft!
can you please tell me how much time will it should ideally take to prepare for this exam! i have the good knowledge about OOPS as i have learnt java!
and should it be okay if i study myself or is it necessary to join some training course
Studying by yourself should be enough for your profile. But I think you should have some months or years of experience with C#. I would recommend to develop some solutions targeting the exam requirements. Then go for it. If you fail, you can try it a second time.
Hi Claudio,
I am planning to take 70-483 exam in July. Can you tell me when should I be expecting results?Immediately or after few weeks?
You’ll get your results directly from your Prometrics test center after finishing your exam. Keep in mind that there will be a period of two or three weeks within Microsoft is allowed to verify your result.
Hi Claudio,
Really nice blog, I’m hoping it will help me get my certification 🙂 I planned my exam at 6 june, so almost there..
I’ve been developing for the last 8 years, but never got to certification, so I’m kinda nerveous though 🙂
Hello Claudio,
Really helpfull blog. Not just for the links and info but also for the confidence booster..
Only one thing about the skills measured bothers me. In the Validate application input part it states “validate JSON data”. Do they mean the JavaScriptSerializer ? The Mvc Controller.Json method ? Json.Net ? And what do they mean with “data integrity” & “built in fucntions to validate data type”. Is this about DataAnotations ?
Anyhow I will be taking my exam on 6th of june. I’m developing about 7 years in .net but I must admit that I’ve only used about half of the topics listed, so a bit nervous 🙂
@Steven : any chance your exam is in Kortrijk the 6th of june ?
grtz,
Raf
About everything I seem to understand what they mean…
Hello Raf
Thank you for your feedback. Serialization is an important part and will be part of the exam. Therefore I believe that you are safe, if you know how to use the JavaScriptSerializer. But it won’t harm, if you know about the other things too.
I cannot give you an answer to the other questions, since I really don’t know much more about them than you already wrote down.
Thnx Claudio,
Am I correct in presuming that if you thouroughly understand the topics, without real hands on experience, you make a good chance in passing the exams ?
good luck in your private and professional life !
Raf
You should have written a bunch of code. But yes, it won’t matter if it was production or training code. I think it doesn’t matter how you’ve learnt that stuff, it is important that you know the stuff.
Hi Raf,
Yes my exam is in Kortrijk on 6 june, yours too I’m guessing? 🙂
Mine is at 9.15 in the morning..
If you want to share thoughts about preparation, feel free to drop me a mail! (steven.van.lancker@gmail.com)
grtz
Steven
Thanks Claudio ! All I did was went thru every link in the post and I passed the exam. Do you have any similar Info for 70-484?
Hi Gandhali
Thank you for your comment and congratulation to you for your passed exam. Due to several projects (e.g. learning for university) I was not able to prepare myself to the next exam up to now. But I’ll try to do it in a few weeks. So be sure to revisit my blog/subscribe to my rss feed and be the first to know about it, when it’s released.
Just wanted to let everyone know that the following book is now available from Wrox: “MCSD Certification Toolkit (Exam 70-483 Programming in C#)”. Here is a link to this book on Amazon.com; http://www.amazon.com/MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-70-483/dp/1118612094/
Took the exam this morning and passed with 0 errors, was quite amazed 🙂
Thanks for the excellent links, it greatly helped in getting the certification!
grtz
Steven
Hi Steven
I am very pleased to hear, that you managed to pass the exam with such an outstanding score by using the guide above.
Hello Claudio,
I am planning to take this exam ( EXAM 70-483 ) on this month 22 june is scheduled. I have work experience of 2 years in C# .Net development. I want to ask that ,
1. Which study material can be used to study because the book you have mentioned above is out of stock on all the online stores even i have tried at my local bookshops also.
2.Can you please tell me any alternative for that book.
I am trying to cover topics by googling the topics mentioned in skills measured section & coding them making dummy applications. But is there exists any systematic book which i can use for preparation.
i have studied Manning in C# in depth completely. But it does not containing many topics.
Thanks,
– Pragya Sharma
Software Engineer
INDIA
How much time does it take to actually prepare for the 70-483 exam if i start from level zero?
what are the resources required to prepare for the exam?
You should have at least some basic understanding of the C# programming language. If you aren’t familiar with C# or OOP you should first do some work with it to get some experience.
After that you can start using the link list above to dive deep into several topics you’re interested in.
But keep in mind that if you really start from zero, you shouldn’t expect to reach the required level in a few weeks or months. Keep training and go for it if you feel comfortable with the technology you use.
What books did u refer for studying?Can u please provide some names?
What type of industries can i get a job after doing this certification?
I don’t think that you’ll be able to find a job only by passing this certification. There are many other skills required to do a professional software developer job.
I am going to give the 70-483 exam.
Want some time on the exam and how to go ahead with the topics.
can u also provide ur email id so that i can contact u when i have any questions
Hi Zara
I’ll provide you with an ‘Ask a question’ form on this blog, as soon as possible. Please make sure to check the blog on a regular base. Thank you.
Hi, is it possible to pass the exam by self-study alone? I mean, why are there online and class trainings which cost hundreds to thousands of dollars if this is passable by just self studying? Thanks.
Hi Randal
Yes it is possible. I did it like that in only a few weeks of study. If you really work with the technologies explained above and covered by the exam, you’ll not have to study very much, because you have some hands-on experience with that technology.
If you’re only interested in the title/certification I believe it is difficult and therefore there are classes which have the goal to teach you what is nessessary to pass the exam. Keep in mind, that these guys are also hungry and want to make some money.
So in conclusion it is best to prepare yourself and there are many guys out there which have done it this way. For a more ‘famous’ example take a look here: http://www.irisclasson.com/education/ I am pretty sure that she managed to get all of her 9 Microsoft certifications without attending any classes.
Thanks for your nice reply. I just don’t know what to expect on the examination. I been “playing” with C# and .NET for around 4 years already but no real work experience with it as my job is java based. I want to switch to .NET so badly. This post will help a lot.
Is there a free sample test I can try just to know what kind of questions to expect? Thanks a lot.
Also, with the introduction of Visual Studio 2013 and .NET 4.5.1, will the test be deprecated by newer sets of exams? Thanks
Hi Randal
I don’t know if the exam will be deprecated, but I don’t think so. I doesn’t make any sense because the certfication started in August 2012 and is very new. .NET 4.5.1 doesn’t bring (m)any new features. And Visual Studio is not part of the certification. It is all about coding.
Go for the test. There are no serious training exams available.
there are 3 exams or 2 in every microsoft certification, suppose, microsoft visual studio expert certification has 2 steps, 480(html5) and 483(c#), if write only 483 exam, what will i get after the exam?????
The official title is “Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Programming in C#”.
If you want to be a “Microsoft Certified Solution Developer” you need to pass three exams from the same series.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/specialist-certification.aspx
i want to write only c# exam, but it is listed as step 2 in that link, if i write only exam 483 (c#) and pass , will i get any certificate????
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsd-windows-store-apps-certification.aspx
“Exam 480 and Exam 483 validate programming skills in a specific language. By passing one of these exams you will earn a Microsoft Specialist certification.”
That is all I can tell you.
Hi Claudio 🙂
Questions
1. Is there any time limit between exam 70-483(c#) and next exam 70-484?
(if I pass first exam then when should I attempt next one)
2. What are the differences between MCTS and MCSD certifications?
3. Whether I have to write the exam only one’s or renewal is required?
4. If I write exam 70-483(assume I passed) and didn’t wrote next exam for long duration then what?
1. As far as I know there is no time limit.
2. MCTS consists of only one certification exams whereas MCSD is a series of (at least) three certification exams. Further information should be directly extracted from the MS page.
3. According to the MS website you should renew it sometimes. But to be honest: In my opinion the industry decides which certifications are accepted and which are classified as too old.
4. Then you are a Programming in C# Specialist. Nothing more or less will happen to you (I hope ;-)).
Hope this helps.
Thank you Claudio.
I have a question about 70-483.
It says ” This exam is intended for developers with one or more years of experience programming the essential business/application logic for a variety of application types and hardware/software platforms using C#”
Do I have to prove about my experience on test site?
Because I am a student, I don’t have any experience now.
It is not required to prove any experience other than completing and passing the exam. This sentence on the Microsoft web page is only a recommendation. If you have used C# in your studies it’s okay.
Hope to help.
Passed the exam yesterday. When can I get my certificate and access to microsoft member site? Thanks again.
Can you tell how many question were you asked? Thanks in advance.
I think saying you have to “write code” is a little misleading, you have to sometimes “drag & drop” from some lines of code presented to you in the correct order on some test questions. You aren’t ever handwriting code during the exam.