Pass 70-462 MCSA Certification Exam Fast

70-462 Exam Has Been Retired

This exam has been replaced by Microsoft with new exam.

Microsoft 70-462 Exam Details

The Microsoft MCSA 70-462 exam is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals on administering Microsoft SQL server 2012/2014 databases. It is one of three tests that the candidate needs to pass to become a MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014. This is an associate-level certificate that has global recognition and help specialists set themselves apart from the crowd and enjoy better career opportunities. The other two exams are 70-461 and 70-463 that cover querying and implementing data warehouse with SQL server.

Target Audience of the Microsoft 70-462 Exam

This exam is mainly intended for database professionals that are closely associated with tasks like creating, implementing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and protecting database systems. Microsoft does not restrict any candidate from sitting for the test but knowledge of the assessed topics is required. Therefore, any individual interested in upskilling in the sphere of database systems or looking to enter the IT industry can also sit for 70-462 test.

General Exam Details

The Microsoft MCSA 70-462 exam can be taken at any time of the year once the candidate is ready to sit for it. The test is conducted online, so any convenient location can be chosen; still, testing centers are also available. Furthermore, Microsoft provides the option of taking the exam in a multitude of languages including English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Portuguese (Brazil), making it suitable or a person from almost any part of the world. When it comes to preparation, there is a training program offered by Microsoft and third-party materials.

Additional Important Features

Being the MCSA test, Microsoft 70-462 lasts for two hours. It consists of 40 to 60 questions of different types. Most of them are presented in the multiple-choice format but occasionally there can be a few scenario-based tasks. To get a pass status, the candidate should obtain at least 700 points out of 1000.

The applicants can register for 70-462 exam using the Pearson VUE platform. They simply have to create a Pearson VUE account, log in, select proctored exams, enter 70-462 exam code, and follow the instructions that ensue. There is a requirement to pay $165 as a fee at this stage.

Skills Tested in Microsoft MCSA 70-462

The Microsoft MCSA 70-462 exam essentially tests an individual's knowledge across a wide range of areas. The skills measured in it are listed below.

• Install and configure

  Questions included in this domain test one’s in planning installation, installing SQL server and its associated services, configuring additional components, performing implementation of a migration strategy, and managing SQL Server Agent. This includes understanding of the following: management of technologies that have impact on SQL architecture, designing storage and database infrastructure, choosing appropriate hardware, evaluating connectivity, migrating security as well as migrating data and systems from other sources, and others.

• Maintain instances and databases

  To go through this section, the candidate should have an in-depth understanding of how to administer and configure databases, provide SQL clustered instance implementation, configure SQL Server instances, and manage them. Here, one should be proficient in managing file space and log file growth, implementing contained databases, virtualization, database mail, configuring default options, performing recovery operations, managing interactions of instances, installing extra instances, etc.

• Optimize and troubleshoot

  This domain covers the abilities to identify and recognize issues with the SQL server using logs and optimize performance where necessary. Applicants should also be skilled in collecting and analyzing data using various features and tools available, along with auditing and controlling SQL Server instances. Thus, one need to gain solid knowledge about creating reporting infrastructure of databases, identifying what affects performance and gathering metrics, providing monitoring with DMV, utilizing XEvents and Data Collector tools, implementing strategy for security, configuring server audits, and more.

• Manage data
  This refers to the ability of candidates to import and export data, recover and restore data and databases, and implement and maintain indexes as well as backup strategies. To handle such tasks, one must demonstrate the following knowledge and skills: managing various backup models, testing database implementation, backing up a SQL Server environment, performing page level restoring and file group restoring, defining fragmented and unused indexes, optimizing different indexes, transferring data, etc.

• Implement security

  Implementing security is a crucial responsibility that specialists should be well-versed in. Thus, this domain includes inquiries related to the whole gamut of security functions such as managing logins, server roles, users, database roles, database security, certificates, and many more. To manage the tasks in this part of the test, the abilities to configure server security, manage access to server, provide auditing, protect objects from modifications and others should be gained. In addition, skills in managing keys and certificates as well as knowledge of endpoints are needed.

• Implement high availability

  This is the smallest section of the exam covering AlwaysOn and replication to achieve high availability. Candidates need to be knowledgeable in implementation of failover clustering as well as availability groups, be able to choose proper strategy for replication, and perform troubleshooting.

Future Career Prospects

Professionals with the MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014 certification have an amazing reputation in the industry and occupy positions such as server administrator, system administrator, service engineer, systems analyst, and many more. Compensation for accredited individuals varies depending on the employer, location, experience, and other factors. Still, according to a survey conducted by PayScale.com, specialists with this certificate earn close to about $76k annually on average.

Available Certification Paths

Microsoft offers different pathways for individuals with the MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014 certificate. Candidates can aim to reach an expert-level status by earning the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification offered by Microsoft. The only step they need to make is passing one exam chosen from the eight options depending on the area of interest. Having it, one can opt for even more lucrative careers in the IT industry with attractive additional perks.