The Exam 70-553 or the “UPGRADE: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework: Part 1” is a developer upgrade exam. This is one of the two exams in upgrading a professional developer in terms of his or her knowledge and skills on the Microsoft .NET. Being qualified for this exam type means that you have achieved the certification for the MCSD or the Microsoft Certified Solution Developer on this particular platform.

For you to be a candidate for this exam, you must first accomplish certain requisites. One is to belong in a team operating in a medium or large development set-up by which the Visual Studio 2005 and the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Developer programs are used. This implies that you already have a working knowledge on these programs, particularly the Visual Studio 2005. In addition, you must have gained an experience on this platform of at least 2 years. You must also have applied different Web and Windows-based development program in your job for at least three to four years.

Another criterion that needs to be satisfied before taking this test is to acquire the ability to create designs and develop different web interfaces and applications that are commonly used in businesses.

Skills Measured

An aspirant for this certification must know how to use .NET Framework version 2.0 for the Windows platform in creating and implementing essential applications needed by the clients in their businesses. You must also know how to develop Web-based applications that are data-driven and interactive. In addition, you must possesses proficiency in developing applications that utilize system collections and types, in setting configuration, installation features, and diagnostic organization into an application using the .NET Framework, in improving the .NET Framework security, in customizing web applications, creating web applications in ASP.NET Mobile, creating user interfaces, in enhancing usability, and in deploying applications. For you to acquire these skills, you can attend classroom trainings, as well as e-learning trainings and read related books.

Credit Toward Certification

Passing this exam means that you are given credit for you to earn two different types of certifications. These are the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications and the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications. Both of these certifications present credentials demonstrating a developer’s knowledge and skills in specific software technologies. It also implies that a person with these certifications has an in-depth knowledge and skills in different Web-based applications.