Road to Certifiability Exam #1 Completed - 70-480: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3

I took this exam in January because there was a promo code offer to take it for free.  My experience with HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3 very limited.  I've always tended to favor C# (or VB prior to late 2007) to manipulate the UI.  This has put me behind the ball as we move into all of these new-fangled web methodologies like MVC, Responsive Design, etc.  I've incorporated JavaScript rarely and have only used CSS and HTML as needed.  Needless to say, that's going to change whether I want it to or not.

How I Prepared

When I heard about the exam, it was also linked to the Microsoft Virtual Academy Jump Start on the same topic.  The development in this video series is done on Windows 8, but it applies to standard web development.  It was a great way to get introduced to the three languages.  In fact, I'll probably refer back to it when I need a refresher on some of the more complex CSS selectors or JavaScript promises.

One of the things the Jump Start didn't cover well was web sockets.  I just did some web searches for explanations and examples to try to commit more to memory.  It turns out that wasn't really needed once I saw the exam questions.

Finally, I read through several sections at W3Schools on JavaScript.  I focused on Web Workers, AJAX queries, and Prototypes.  I really don't think there's a better place to get started than W3Schools.  The examples are good and well explained.

Exam Result and Review

I took the exam about two weeks after I scheduled it.  I was thinking that I would just scrape by, at best, as I figured everything I studied seemed rather basic.  Well, that's what this test was...basic.  I walked out in less than 30 minutes with a mid-900s score.  The Jump Start alone was enough to pass (700 or better to pass) and the W3Schools put me over the top.

On one hand, I was floored because I didn't expect it to be that easy.  On the other hand, it seemed like such a "gimme" to the point I wonder if it was a way to make Windows 8 development more relevant by flooding the market with more certified people.  I don't think anyone who's done even a couple of small HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript project would have any issue passing this without studying.

There's definitely a part of me that would like at least the MVC exam to be as easy, but I really want to feel like I earned the MCSD.  My ideal situation is that I can study harder than I did for this exam, but still pass and walk away with a few questions that I'll research.

What's Next

As mentioned in the intro post to this series, I'm scheduled to take the two SharePoint 2013 beta exams in May.  I'm assuming these will follow suit with other beta exams where the results won't be immediate.  I will likely get the results in a few months once the exams go live.  I'll draft the posts, but they won't be published until I get the results back.