Microsoft visual studio .Net Ceritification details

Why take certifications?

Certifications help assure employers that you are valuable. It is the best way you could exhibit your technical expertise, in paper. In most cases, you won't get a chance to demonstrate your ability; but a small piece of text in your resume regarding your certifications will make you stand out. There is no doubt that certifications help you in your career. If you want a job, or want to get promoted, certifications do increase chances.

So what are the .NET certifications?

With Microsoft .NET, you have two certifications to choose from: Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Application DeveloperMCAD).
What are the differences?

MCSD is the premium certification while MCAD is the entry-level one. MCSD is targeted for experienced professionals while MCAD is for those who had been around for only 1-2 years. Other than the fact that MCSD requires you to pass two additional exams than MCAD, there are no other exam-level differences. So, your MCAD exams count towards your MCSD certification too.

Which one should I go for now?

If you are a developer who is involved more into implementing (read programming) projects, take MCAD. If you are more of an architect rather than a developer, who analyzes the project requirements, and designs solutions, take MCSD.

What will I gain?

Apart from the certification and industry recognition, you get access to a lot of other goodies like: the certification logo, invitations to conferences and much more. Visit MCSD benefits and MCAD benefits for more information.
How much?
Each exam costs around 2,400/-.
MCAD Exam Details

A total of three exams - two core and one elective, are required.Core Exams (two required)
Visual Basic .NET Language Path
Visual C# Language Path
Exam 70-305:
Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Exam 70-306: Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Exam 70-310: Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework
Exam 70-315:
Developing and Implementing Web Applications with C# and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Exam 70-316:
Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with C# and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Exam 70-320:
Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# and the Microsoft .NET Framework
Elective Exams (one required)
Exam 70-229: Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Enterprise Edition
Exam 70-230:
Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Exam 70-234:
Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000
Exam 70–330:
Implementing Security for Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET
OR
Exam 70–340:
Implementing Security for Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET

MCSD Exam Details

In addition to the MCAD exams, you need to pass one more core and elective exam each. Hence MCSD requires you to pass five exams. If you are already an MCSD on non-.NET, you will have to take the core exams.

Core Exams (all four required)

Visual Basic .NET Language Path
Exam 70-305:
Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Exam 70-306:
Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Exam 70-310:
Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework
Exam 70-300:
Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures. Note: This exam is language independent.
Visual C# Language Path
Exam 70-315:
Developing and Implementing Web Applications with C# and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Exam 70-316:
Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with C# and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Exam 70-320:
Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# and the Microsoft .NET Framework
Exam 70-300:
Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures. Note: This exam is language independent.
Elective Exams (one required)
Exam 70-229:
Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Exam 70-230:
Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Exam 70-234:
Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000
Exam 70–330:
Implementing Security for Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET
OR
Exam 70–340: Implementing Security for Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET