5/31/2006 -- Microsoft released seven next-generation MCP exams for .NET experts on Friday. Four of the exams are key for MCAD- and MCSD-to-MCPD upgraders.

Registration for these exams is currently open at Pearson Vue and Thomson Prometric testing centers worldwide.

Two of the exams being released target MCAD titleholders who want to upgrade to the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer certification:

• 70-551 UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
• 70-552 UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

According to information on the Microsoft Learning Web site, MCADs can pass one of these exams in lieu of having to pass the three exams needed to fulfill the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications or MCPD: Windows Applications.

Also newly released are two exams aimed at MCSD upgraders:

• 70-553 UPGRADE: MCSD .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework: Part 1
• 70-554 UPGRADE: MCSD .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework: Part 2

MCSDs need to pass both exams to achieve MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer status, bypassing the five exams needed through normal methods.

The other three exams are aimed at candidates taking the normal path to .NET certification:

• 70-547 PRO: Designing and Developing Web-based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
• 70-548 PRO: Designing and Developing Windows-based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
• 70-549 PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-547 counts toward the MCPD: Web Applications title; exam 70-548 counts toward MCPD: Windows Applications. Candidates for those titles still need to pass two exams to obtain MCTS status prior to Microsoft issuing the MCPD designations. Exam 70-549 is one of five exams needed to fulfill the MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer title using the traditional path.

All exams are about $125 in the U.S. - Michael Domingo, courtesy of MCPmag.com