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# 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!
Hello, Does the 70-483 certificate have an expiration date?
I am not interested in the MCSD certification, I just want to take the C# exam.
I am not sure whether it expires or not. Please check the official website. To be honest, I haven’t found it there. Otherwise I would have written it here in the comment.
My personal opinion is that Microsoft should not declare that a specific certification has expired. If you show the certification to a potential employer I believe he will decide for his own if the certification is too old or not.
I took the C# 70-483 test on Oct 31, 2013, and I failed. I am an experienced developer and I used most of the topics covered in practice. I thought I prepared well. I passed a Microsoft Certificate Vendor’s practice tests many times with perfect score. In those practice test there were 40 questions and the duration was 2 hours. I was able to complete those tests within 40-50 minutes.
In actual test, to my shock there were exactly 71 questions and the time was 2 hours. Most questions were quite lengthy. Seems to me that there is no standard in terms of number and difficulty of questions. So don’t get surprised if you are asked 100 questions.
What materials you used to study for this test, may I ask? Thank you!
What materials can we bring in to the exam? Laptop with Visual studio?
During the registration process you’ll be told that you are not able to bring anything with you. The only thing you can take with you is a white paper and a pen which you will receive directly before doing the exam at the exam center.
Hi claudio
I have registered for MCSD 70-483 exam,and exam is on 12th ,
can u tell me the pattern of the question’s,plz
iam little tensed about the exam .
According to the official documentation there are drag and drop questions, multiple choice and single choice. You don’t have to actually write code, because this cannot be evaluated automatically.
This is everything I can tell you about it. Don’t be afraid of the questions. It won’t be that hard if you actually know the content of the certification. Good luck! Let me know about the result.
Really it is very helpful,could you tell me in this exam(70-483) how many questions is there and how much time duration this exam have
The duration is subject to change. You should be able to get a number while registering for the exam at Prometrics.
The question count is individual for every candidate. You should expect to get at least 40 questions and not more than 80. It depends on the “lenght” of the questions chosen for you.
Don’t think too much about the exam itself. Just make sure you are well prepared. Then go for the exam. Remember, it is always an uncomfortable feeling doing something for the first time.
Thanks from Russia! 🙂
You’re welcome.
Claudio Bernasconi
Hello may i know the grade percentage for the 70-483 (C#) examination
To pass the exam you’ll be required to get at least 70% of the points.
Hello from France and thanks to you.
It will help me to prepare this exam.
Do you think it’s possible to work on Windows 7 instead of Windows 8?
I have visual studio 2012 on windows 7 but is Windows 8 mandatory?
If you want to develop Apps it is required to have Windows 8 installed. If you plan only to do this certification exam, there is no problem using Windows 7. Good luck!
Suggest me some books and materials Claudio….i am interested in MCSD certification..and when shall we take the exam…is there any particular time period to take the exam?
And what is the exam fee?
Please read the blog post above. You can register for your exam via Prometrics. The prices depend on your location. As stated in the blog post you could buy this book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1430242337/ or prepare on your own with the links provided by my post above.
Thanks Claudio…..will post u if i have any doubt in future..:-)
Hello Claudio, I’m Dilson Manjenje from Angola(Africa)
The
text above is great, very helpful.
I
using C# for almost 2 year, I was preparing for the MTA Developers exam, when
someone told me about MS 70-483, so now I’m preparing myself for the 70-483
exam.
I’m
reading the book “Pro C# 5.0 and the .NET 4.5 Framework” and I
already did the Course 10266A: Programming in C# with VS2010
(https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/course.aspx?id=10266a), I also have
the “Exam Ref 70-483: Programming In C#” books, but I’m not confident
enough if only this book can prepare for the exam.
So
here is the question:
The
book “Pro C# 5.0 and .NET 4.5 Framework” and 10266A course are enough
to prepare for the 70-483 exam?
Thanks
a lot,
Hello Claudio, I’m Dilson Manjenje from Angola(Africa)
The text is great, very helpful.
I using C# for almost 2 year, I was preparing for the MTA Developers exam, when someone told me about MS 70-483, so now I’m preparing myself for the 70-483 exam.
I’m reading the book “Pro C# 5.0 and the .NET 4.5 Framework” and I already did the Course 10266A: Programming in C# with VS2010 (https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/course.aspx?id=10266a), I also have the “Exam Ref 70-483: Programming In C#” books, but I’m not confident enough if only this book can prepare for the exam.
So here is the question:
The book “Pro C# 5.0 and .NET 4.5 Framework” and 10266A course are enough to prepare for the 70-483 exam?
Thanks a lot,
Hi Dilson
As I answered on another question in the comments, I think that books can’t replace real experience. As you told that you work with C# on a regular basis for at least 2 years I expect that you should pass the exam. It is not an expert certification exam. It just requires real experience on the topic. In your case that should be sufficient.
As I wrote I prepared myself without any book, because at the time I took this certification (meanwhile nearly 18 months ago) there was no book published yet. So I expect a book and a course combined with a real work experience of 2 years should be enough to pass the exam.
I hope I helped you and motivated you to take the exam. I would be very interested in your exam results as a further feedback.
Thanks for the help Claudio
Once again nice blog
Found a site (http://www.iheadgo.com) that offers tons of practice exams for multiple subjects. They offer practice exams for almost anything possible. Check it out.
Checking out this site and looks interesting…a lot of different Exams TI.
http://www.iheadgo.com
hello claudio, I’m Akanksha Jain from(India)
I am preparing for MS 70-483, I am a beginner in c#.
Can you guide me when should i give the exam and which books apart from above I should refer?
By now you may have known, for cracking a work permit in any of the N.American, developed European countries and top companies needing .NET professionals, this certification would be beneficial. But, it is better if you show them only when asked about it. On the other hand, just by learning the syllabus in these certifications gives you up-to-date knowledge and confidence in using these technologies.
Hello Claudio, I’m Pagna Kong. I’m from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I’m a beginner to C# and I mean to take the exam. I read the exam description and it said like:”this certificate is for those programmer who want to update their status.” But it doesn’t matter for me. But I have a question. Is the certificate represent the MS programmer expert? With only that single certificate can I go abroad to work in a company and earn money?
Hi Pagna. I don’t know anything about the regulations in your country. Therefore I cannot tell you if you can work abroad with this certification or not. Remember: This certificate does not state that you have studied a specific field like computer science. If you want to start a professional carrer I highly recommend learning by doing and going to an university. I’m sorry, that I cannot help you any further. For your self it might be a good starting point to do this certification to find out how easily or how difficult learning is for you.
Hello Claudio. I thank you for your advice. I’m recently a university student and I decide to chose C# as my programming language since it’s the top 4. I find it easy to learn, easier than Java and it’s more practical than the other language. Frankly(as I knew), Cambodian’s bachelor degree is not recognized in the other country even you’re the top student because I have a friend who is really good at programming. He always be the top scorer in the class and then he moves to the States then I mean to continue his education there. But unfortunately, he has to start all over again. Now he’s at grade 12. That’s why I mean to take the exam. By what you said,it means we cannot find a job with that certificate(70-483)? Nor internship? Because I mean to take this certificate as proof when I go to France to do the internship. Could you kindly recommend me what to do to became a better programmer? Self-practice? Book(Free, because I cannot afford to buy an expensive one. Sorry)?
Since I’ve never worked anywhere else than in Switzerland I cannot help you any further. What I can suggest you is to learn from free resouces on the Internet. I am pretty sure there are enough resouces which are completely free of charge.
Start using the resources linked in my blog post above and you’ll finde many great sites full of content helping you to reach your goal.
I appreciated you help. Thank you.
Hi Claudio,
I am Chaitu from India. Firstly, I would like to thank you for this website. I have been working as a .net Application Developer since an year. I just want to make sure that whether going for 70- 483( Programming in C#) helps my career or not. Could you please guide me.
hi,
please let me know as a starter which exam would be best for me to give. I have been asked to give any Microsoft exam by my company to get my joining. but since I am a fresher, I have no clue about the certification. Please help me out
Seems like you’re interested in programming in C#. Otherwise I wonder why you comment on this article. This exam seems to be a good fit for a start with enough experience. I cannot give a general advise, since I don’t know about you and what you did in the past.
Thank you for the article. It helped me to prepare and pass the exam.
Thank you Markus for your feedback. Glad it helped you out. Are you going to prepare for the other 2 parts of the MCSD or do you stick with 70-483 as I did?
For now I will stick with 70-483. Maybe later I will go for the other two certifications needed for MCSD.
Actually you only need to pass one exam to get the MCSD. If you pass 70-483 you get the MCSD.
Are you sure @mihail_georgescu:disqus?
The information I got from my friends and Ms support person is: you must complete 483,484,485 to get MCSD: Windows Apps Store using C#.
Can Mihail or anyone confirm?
According to the new certification page (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/mcsd-windows-store-apps-certification.aspx) there are two Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer titels earnable. You can go down the Windows Store Apps Using HTML5 road or you can go down the Windows Store Apps Using C# road.
Depending on your selection you still have to pass all three exams (e.g. 70-473/70-484/70-485) in order to earn the Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer title.
But if you just want to earn a Microsoft Certified Professional in Programming in C#, it is enough to pass the 70-483 exam discussed in this blog article.
Hope to help. Just reach out to me (in this comments or on Twitter) if you have additional questions.
Great article.
Do u know where I can find a simulated exam?
There are no official “simulated exam” resources. There are often leaked questions out there, but I would prepare according to my article and learn the stuff. You never know which questions will be at the final exam. In addition, your certificate is only worth something, if you can deliver what the certification promises. Hope to help.