6/7/2002 -- Developers are finally able to take the first steps toward obtaining the .NET-based developer certifications with the release of two new core exams. Exam 70-306, Developing Windows-based Applications with Visual Basic was released May 31; Exam 70-316, Developing Windows-based Applications with Visual C# was released June 2.

Exam objective guides for each exam can be found here:

• 70-306, Developing Windows-based Applications with Visual Basic .NET
• 70-316, Developing Windows-based Applications with Visual C# .NET

The exams are one of many new core exams that will be released during the year; Web-based versions of the Visual Basic (exam 70-305) and Visual C# (70-315) exams will head into beta testing next month.

Candidates who begin the MCAD/MCSD.NET process now won't be able to complete the whole track until next year -- Microsoft plans to release the beta version of Exam 70-300, Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solutions Architecture, sometime in the first quarter of 2003.

In a related note, Microsoft is in the process of updating its exam objectives guides. Included in the guides cited above is a matrix that categorizes "skills measured," with a key showing how each objective is covered within Microsoft's recommended courses for that exam. - M.D., MCPMag.com

Editor's Note: For a review of the 70-306 exam, click here.