Exam Profile: MTA: Software Development Fundamentals (98-361)

Date: Sep 20, 2011

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This article walks the user through the Software Development Fundamentals (98-361) exam. It discusses trouble spots, preparation hints and detailed exam objectives. By reading this, you will get a better idea of what to expect from the exam and the exam process.

In order to pass the 98-361 exam, you will have to have a basic understanding of Core Programming, Object Oriented Programming, General Software Development, Web Applications, Desktop Applications and Databases.

After you pass the Software Development Fundamentals exam, you will have earned your Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Certification.

Many people would like to pursue a career in technology, but lack the foundational knowledge necessary to pursue one of our Technology Specialist or Professional certifications. The MTA certification creates a new entry point to help those who have little practical experience get into the career field. This exam can be the first step towards becoming a Microsoft Technology Specialist (MCTS). The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is a new, entry-level certification designed to help individuals take the first step toward a career as an IT professional or developer. Also, when you earn an MTA Certification, you become a member of the Microsoft Certified Professional community. You will get access to members-only benefits such as special offers, the MCP transcript tool, and private newsgroups where you can network, find peer support, and share your accomplishments other certified professionals worldwide.

At this time, MTA is only available to students, faculty, and staff of an accredited academic institution that is an approved MTA testing center. MTA exams are only available at academic institutions that have purchased an MTA Campus License or MTA vouchers. MTA exams are delivered through an internet-based testing platform that allows delivery of exams anytime in any computer connected to the internet at a licensed academic institution. Educators are empowered as exam proctors.

The MTA validates 80% knowledge and 20% skills. The next step in the Microsoft certification path is Microsoft Technology Specialist (MCTS), which requires hands on experience with the Microsoft technology platform. Microsoft makes its complete developer toolset available for students to download and install at no cost through the DreamSpark Program.

Each MTA Certification exam will cover a broad technology area, including:

In order to earn an MTA Certification, candidates only need to pass one exam.

Exam Details

Trouble Spots

Trouble Spots

As with any exam, it will vary from person to person as to what is deemed to be difficult. Since this particular exam is about software development, you will have to have a good sense of programming fundamentals. Being able to read flow charts and follow If, Else, Do and Do While loops are essential. Object Oriented Programming can be difficult to get your head around if you have been used to writing code in a procedural fashion. Object Oriented Programming contains classes, objects, methods, parameters, properties, and inheritance.

Classes

A class is a set of functions that work together to accomplish a task. A class can contain or manipulate data, but it usually accomplishes this according to a pattern rather than a specific implementation. An instance of a class is considered an object.

Objects

An object will receive all of the characteristics of a class, including all of the default data and any actions that can be performed by its functions. The difference between a class and object is that a class has the ability to do something and the object is the execution of that ability.

Method

A method is a function that is encased in a class.

Parameters

Parameters are variables passed into a function that instructs the variable what it is to do. Parameters can also be referred to as arguments.

Properties

A property is the default set of data stored in a class. A class can have multiple properties associated with it and the properties can be changed dynamically through the methods of the class.

Inheritance

Inheritance in Object Oriented Programming is similar to inheritance within Windows folders. If you start with a parent class that contains shared characteristics among several classes, the parent class can then be extended to the child class. Any changes in the parent class will automatically cascade to its children.

Preparation Hints

Preparation Hints

Review the Exam Objectives below and make sure that you are familiar with them. The MTA exams are designed for those who do not have practical experience with a Windows network. Always check the Microsoft site for the specific exam you are going to take. In this instance, the site is http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=98-361&locale=en-us. There are many web sites and blogs that can help you to research topics, but be careful to fully research the information you read. It is not advisable to try to find sites that list questions and answers for several reasons. First, you don’t know if you will be asked a specific question and second, the answers given in a blog may be inaccurate and third, you need to understand the information to adequately prepare.

When taking the exam, read each question carefully. Microsoft is notorious for adding a lot of unneeded information in their questions. Make sure that when you click on a choice, that it is really marked. Be careful clicking anywhere on the screen. I found that by inadvertently clicking near the scroll bar on the right of the screen, I actually changed an answer. You get a single piece of paper and a marker for writing. You can use a small amount of time before you even start the exam to make notes once you enter the test area. Sometimes there is even a questionnaire at the beginning of the test that does not count against your test time. You can even use this time to write down notes, facts, tables or other information by taking your time between answers.

Recommended Study Resources

Recommended Study Resources

98-361: MTA Software Development Fundamentals - Paperback (May 3, 2011) by Microsoft Official Academic Course

Exam Objectives

Exam Objectives

The exam objectives are broken up into six different categories:

Understanding Core Programming (18 percent)

Understanding Object-Oriented Programming (19 percent)

Understanding General Software Development (14 percent)

Understanding Web Applications (20 percent)

Understanding Desktop Applications (12 percent)

Understanding Databases (17 percent)

Where to Go from Here

Where to Go from Here

After you pass the Networking Fundamentals exam, you are a certified MTA in the IT Professional category. Some other exams you may want to consider taking are:

All available MTA exams can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mta.aspx#certification

800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240

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