11/9/2005 -- Information posted on the Pearson Vue testing site indicates that registration has opened for beta versions of exams that are required for the new-generation Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist and Microsoft Certified IT Professional certifications. Exams up for beta testing include the following:

• 70-528, TS: .NET Framework 2.0-Web-based Client Development to be available from Nov. 7 to Nov. 18.
• 70-431, TS: SQL Server 2005-Implementation and Maintenance, available from Nov. 22 to Dec. 5.
• 70-441, PRO: Designing Database Solutions Using SQL Server 2005, available from Nov. 22 to Dec. 5.

The beta versions of the exams will be preceded by a 71 rather than a 70 while in beta testing phase. They're also available in beta format through Prometric as well as Pearson Vue testing centers.

Beta exams are free, but available only by invitation from Microsoft. Beta exams are often also more time-intensive and typically have dole out more questions than live versions. But passing a beta exam counts like a live version of an exam when used toward certification fulfillment. To find out how to be invited to take a beta exam, go to http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/beta.asp.

Information for exams 70-536, TS: .NET Framework 2.0-Application Development Foundation and 70-443, PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using SQL Server 2005, was also posted, but the Pearson Vue site listed these exams as currently unavailable for registration.

For more information on these exams, see "Exam Objective Guides for MCTS and MCPD Exams Now Available" in the News archive. To read about the new-gen certifications, see "MCP for the New Generation." -Michael Domingo (courtesy of MCPmag.com)