A few weeks ago, I took and passed my very first certification test with the guidence from SPOTO. Wahoo! I figured that those of you who want to take this or any other certification test might find my experience worthwhile, and thus here we are:)
I used the test as an opportunity to acquire and refresh my web development skills, from the very fundamentals to the more complex APIs that I hadn’t had the chance to look into, aiming to fill in all the holes I thought I had in the past. So this is not going to be an essay on how to pass the test with the least amount of work possible, no techniques or shortcuts, just an article about how I prepared for the exam, studying, practicing, coding, learning, and writing an exam XD.
STEP 1. FINDING OUT WHAT GOES INTO THE EXAM
You may obtain a reasonably good notion of what is on the examination from the test certification website and the Exam Reference Book. In summation:
- Implement and handle document structures and objects (24 percent )
- Integrate program flow (25 percent )
- Access and protect data (26 percent )
- 25 percent of apps use CSS3
essentially meaning:
HTML, CSS3, JavaScript (ES5)
DOM, web workers, web sockets, geolocation, app cache, local storage, session storage, canvas, and SVG are HTML5 web APIs.
XMLHttpRequest and Ajax
CSS Regions, Basic CSS Layout, Flexbox, and Grid
Transformations, Transitions, and Animations
STEP 2. PREPARING THE EXAM
First, I propose that you play with HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and the various HTML5 Web APIs using a tool like jsFiddle (or CodePen, JSBin, or Plunkr) that allows you to create code interactively, test things out, and get instant feedback. There is no better way to learn about software development than by writing code and experimenting; all of these tools make it very simple.
These are some excellent sites I utilized to prepare for the various test topics:
OVERVIEW MATERIAL
The Test Reference Book for The 70-480 and the Developing in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3 course at the Microsoft Virtual Academy gave me an overview of everything on the exam (extraordinary and extensive number of free resources Microsoft has gathered there btw).
After understanding the big concept and a solid notion of what would be on the exam, I began to delve into details by testing code, taking notes on my wiki, playing with jsFiddle, and developing “advanced” examples.
SPECIFIC APIS
Here are some of the materials I used, as well as some of the real-world examples I wrote, in no particular order:
HTML5 APIs for Web Applications
The local and temporary storage
LocalStorage and SessionStorage are two new web APIs that enable you to store data for your web apps locally in the user’s web browser.
Explore HTML5: Storage (Awesome)
MDN Web Storage API
Example using LocalStorage
GEOLOCATION
The new geolocation API enables browser-based access to a user’s location and updates anytime a user changes location.
The Coding Wiki Meets a Barbarian: Geolocation
Geolocation Use at MDN
Explore HTML5: Geolocation
APACHE
The Application Cache API provides all the tools necessary to construct offline-only web apps.
An Introduction to the Application Cache
Utilizing MDN’s Application cache
Offline Web Applications at the Dive Into HTML5 Conference
CANVAS
A new API for JavaScript-based low-level sketching in the browser.
Immerse Yourself with HTML5: Canvas
Canvas API available at MDN
SVG
Support for Scalable Vector Graphics in the browser. Excellent for the modern reality of several gadgets.
SVG use on CSS-Tricks
SVG at MDN
An instance of SVG on fiddle.
WEB SOCKETS
A web-based API for sockets. In online apps, we are no longer restricted to utilizing HTTP.
Barbarian Meets Coding Wiki: Web Sockets
Example of Web Sockets on JsFiddle
Web Sockets: Bringing Sockets to the Internet
WebSockets at MDN
WEB WORKERS
Perform computationally or I/O-intensive operations in the browser without compromising the UI thread or the User Experience of your web apps with multithreading.
Barbaric Fundamentals: Web Workers
The Fundamentals of Web Workers
Using Web Workers
HTML5 MEDIA DIRECTIVES
Native Audio and Video playback on the web.
Barbarian Meets Coding Wiki: Media Controls
Instance on JsFiddle
Using Audio and Video Formats
Explore HTML5: Video on the Web
HTML5 SEMANTIC ELEMENTS
Enhancements to semantic aspects for contemporary web apps.
HTML5 Semantic Elements: The Barbarian Meets Coding Wiki
Explore HTML5: Semantics
HTML5 FORMS
Form enhancements for contemporary online apps.
Instance on JsFiddle
Explore HTML5 Forms
THE KING (DOCUMENT OBJECT MODEL)
MDN’s Introduction to the DOM
Events and DOM inside MDN
DOM Events Specification of the W3C
JAVASCRIPT
To pass the test, you must grasp the fundamentals of JavaScript:
- Basic flow configurations
- Standard inheritance and OOP
- Scope and closures in JavaScript
- Exception Management
- Regular Expressions
- Asynchronous programming techniques, callbacks, and promises
Step 3. COMFORTABLE WITH THE EXAMINATION EXPERIENCE
Once you have mastered these concepts, you may choose to take some mock examinations to acquire a feel for the actual exam. Several organizations specialize in providing this service for various certifications; in my instance, I chose SPOTO, which I discovered was suggested on the certification website. For around €60, you get a month to take as many practice examinations as you like and become used to the exam setting. It is not necessarily required, but it is excellent to have if you like being prepared.
STEP 4. SIGNING UP, DOING THE EXAM, AND KICKING ASS
I registered for the test via a local exam provider. Still, you may also do it on the certification page by clicking Schedule The Exam and following the on-screen instructions. When the moment comes, be calm, take deep breaths, and have confidence in your abilities.
A SIDE NOTE ABOUT THE ONLINE PROCTORED EXAM
Before going to a local test center, I attempted the online proctored exam, which allowed me to take the exam from the comfort of my own home. I could not get it to function despite using two separate webcams on two different computers. If you want to go this route, my advice is to be extremely thorough with the software they will supply to test your system, and if you have any concerns, don’t even attempt to take the exam since they are pretty stringent about admittance.
STEP 5. PROFIT
After passing the test, Microsoft will send you an email detailing how to maximize your certification. Enjoy your Victory!
And that is all! If you intend to take the test shortly, good luck and godspeed!
Let SPOTO help you if you want to gain the Microsoft certification in the first try!
Comments