I started my certification by reading The SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance. I also utilized a Transcender preparation exam. For the 70-431 I did not use the test included with the books. It took me 2 1/2 half days to read the book & take over and over the Transcender preparation exam.
I then continued with exam 70-443 by reading the Designing a Database Server Infrastructure Using SQL Server 2005. I read the book for 1 ½ day and took the practice exams included with the books at least 8 times. Even though I feel the preparation for this exam was easier, the exam itself was the hardest.
The final one, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution Using SQL Server 2005 took me 1 ½ days to prepare for; same as the 70-443. It was the longest exam of the three & I feel it was the easiest. I believe it was because the order, in which I took the exams, made it so much attainable given that the information of the previous test was always part of the subsequent ones.
