Exam Profile: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (70-466)

Date: Nov 7, 2012

This article profiles the Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (70-466) exam, for Business Intelligence developers. Pearson IT Certification provides a variety of exam preparation tools to help our customers in their quest for certification, including the Exam Profile series. Each profile is developed based on the testing experience of one of our trainers or authors. You won’t get exact questions or answers, but you will get a real feel for the exam. Each profile describes question forms, trouble spots, hints for exam preparation, and recommendations for additional study resources. Find out what you can expect to see on the exam and how you can better prepare for it.

The 70-466 exam is meant to be taken by Business Intelligence (BI) Developers who are most likely to focus on hands-on work creating the BI solution including implementing multi-dimensional data models, implementing and maintaining OLAP cubes, and creating information displays used in business decision making. Microsoft states that the exam is meant to be taken by those whose primary responsibilities may include:

Working with large data sets across multiple database systems
Cube/warehouse/views fundamentals
Data model decisions: Unified Dimension Model (UDM) versus Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BISM)
Develop Cubes and Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) queries to support analysts
Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) cube performance
Building pivot tables from cubes
Building PowerPivot solutions
Design and test report models, layouts and templates
Manage reporting system: configuration and subscriptions
Using report builder to create reports
Develop complex SQL queries for reports
Building reports Using Crescent

After passing the Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (70-466) exam, you complete the requirements for the MCSE: Business Intelligence certification.

Exam Details

Number of Questions: Approximately 45-55 questions (Since Microsoft does not publish this information, the number of exam questions may change without notice.)
Type of Questions: This test format is multiple choice and multiple choice multiple answer. You may also see several scenario questions.
Passing Score: 700

This passing score does not mean that you must answer 70 percent of the items correctly in order to pass the exam. The actual percentage varies from exam to exam and may be more or less than 70 percent. There is no penalty for guessing. No points are deducted for incorrect answers. If a question specifies that you must choose multiple correct answers, you must choose the exact number of correct answers specified in the question in order to earn a point for that item. Some of the questions on the exam may not count toward the calculation of your score. Microsoft will often throw a question in that is meant to gather data that will help them improve the exam.

Time Limit: 120 minutes

Trouble Spots

As with any exam, it will vary from person to person as to what is deemed to be difficult. Be sure you are familiar with each of the topics in the exam objectives listed below.

Data Analysis Expression (DAX) is the expression language you use when creating calculated columns, measures, and KPIs for tabular models and PowerPivot models. The current release of SQL Server 2012 extends DAX to include many new statistical, information, logical, filter, and math functions.
An Analysis Services instance can run in multidimensional, tabular, or PowerPivot for SharePoint server modes. Each server mode supports a different type of database by using different memory architectures, storage structures and engines.
PowerPivot for Excel is a client application that incorporates SQL Server technology into Excel 2010 as an add-in product. In order to install the PowerPivot for Excel add-in, you must have Excel 2010 and Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime installed. If you had already been using SQL Server 2008 R2 PowerPivot for Excel, you will have to uninstall first because there is no upgrade path for the add-in.
PowerPivot for SharePoint requires that you install SharePoint Server 2010 and SharePoint Server 2010 Service Pack 1. Many people find it easier to install the PowerPivot for SharePoint instance and then use the PowerPivot Configuration Tool to complete the configuration of both the SharePoint farm and PowerPivot for SharePoint.

Trouble Spots

Preparation Hints

Review the Exam Objectives below and make sure that you are familiar with them. The Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 exam is designed for those who have experience in this environment. Always check the Microsoft site for the specific exam you are going to take. In this instance, the site is http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-466

There are many web sites and blogs that can help you to research topics, but be careful to fully research the information you read. It is not advisable to try to find sites that list questions and answers for several reasons. First, you don’t know if you will be asked a specific question and second, the answers given in a blog may be inaccurate and third, you need to understand the information to adequately prepare.

When taking the exam, read each question carefully. Microsoft is notorious for adding a lot of unneeded information in their questions. Make sure that when you click on a choice, that it is really marked. Be careful clicking anywhere on the screen. I found that by inadvertently clicking near the scroll bar on the right of the screen, I actually changed an answer. You get a single piece of paper and a marker for writing. You can use a small amount of time before you even start the exam to make notes once you enter the test area. Sometimes there is even a questionnaire at the beginning of the test that does not count against your test time. You can even use this time to write down notes, facts, tables or other information by taking your time between answers.

Recommended Study Resources

Microsoft offers a free ebook as a PDF file.

Learning Plans and Classroom Training 10778A: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (5 Days)

Preparation Hints

Exam Objectives

The exam objectives are broken up into four different categories. The 70-466 exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.

The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam. The higher the percentage, the more questions you are likely to see on that content area on the exam.

The objectives for Exam 70-466 as stated by Microsoft are as follows:

Build an Analysis Services Database (38%)

Design dimensions and measures.

This objective may include but is not limited to: given a requirement, identify the dimension/measure group relationship that should be selected; design patterns for representing business facts and dimensions (many-to-many relationships); design dimensions to support multiple related measure groups (many related fact tables); handle degenerate dimensions in a cube; identify the attributes for dimensions; identify the measures; aggregation behavior for the measures; hierarchies

Implement and configure dimensions in a cube.

This objective may include but is not limited to: translations; attribute relations; hierarchies; implement SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) dimensions and cubes; identify the Attribute Relationships that should be made for a given set of Attributes in a dimension; develop new custom attributes on dimensions; detect possible design flaws in attribute relationships; create attribute relationships correctly in an analysis services dimension; implement time Dimensions in cubes; manage SSAS parent-child dimensions; dimension type

Design a schema to support cube architecture.

This objective may include but is not limited to: multidimensional modeling starting from a star schema; relational modeling for a Data Mart; choose or create a topology; identify the appropriate data types with correct precision and size

Create measures.

This objective may include but is not limited to: logically group measures; select appropriate aggregation functions; format measures

Implement a cube.

This objective may include but is not limited to: use Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) to build the cube; use BIDS to do non additive or semi additive measures in a cube; measures, perspectives; translations; dimension usage; cube specific dimension properties; measure groups; implement reference dimensions; implement many to many relationships; implement fact relationships; implement role-playing relationships; define granularity; create and manage linked measure groups and linked dimensions; actions

Create Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) queries.

This objective may include but is not limited to: MDX authoring; identify the structures of MDX and the common functions (tuples, sets, topcount, SCOPE, etc.); identify which MDX statement would return the required result; implement a custom MDX or logical solution for a pre-prepared case task; graphical query designer or the generic query designer

Implement custom logic in a data model.

Must include: Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) calculated columns and measures.

This objective may include but is not limited to: key performance indicators (KPI); calculated members; use MDX functions to calculate members; relative Measures (growth, YoY, same period last year), % of total using MDX; named sets; adding intelligence to dimensions; Analysis Services stored procedures

Implement storage design in a multidimensional model.

This objective may include but is not limited to: aggregations; partitions; storage modes; proactive caching; manage write-back partitions

Select an appropriate model for data analysis.

This objective may include but is not limited to: UDM; Scalability, Cleansed; traditional hierarchical; high volume of data; advanced features (support for financial applications; many to many); organizational BI; Tabular Data Model: raw data; relational tables and relationships; simpler data structures; Team and personal BI; choose between multidimensional and tabular models

Manage, Maintain, and Troubleshoot an SSAS Database (18%)

Analyze data model performance.

This objective may include but is not limited to: performance consequences of DWH design; optimize performance by changing the design of the cube or dimension; Analyze and optimize performances of an MDX/DAX query; optimize queries for huge data sets; optimize MDX in the calculations; performance monitor counters; DMVs; performance counters (new for tabular model), growth of the cache, logging options

Process data models.

This objective may include but is not limited to: processing tables or partitions for tabular models; processing databases, cubes, dimensions for multidimensional models; full processing versus incremental processing, remote processing; lazy aggregations; automate with Analysis Management Objects (AMO) or XML for Analysis (XMLA)

Troubleshoot data analysis issues.

This objective may include but is not limited to: use SQL Profiler; troubleshoot duplicate key dimension processing errors; error logs and event viewer logs of SSAS, mismatch of data: incorrect relationships or aggregations; dynamic security issues; validate logic and calculations

Deploy SSAS databases.

This objective may include but is not limited to: Deployment Wizard; BIDS; SSMS; automation; test solution post deployment; deciding whether or not to process

Install and maintain a SSAS instance.

This objective may include but is not limited to: software installation of SSAS; development tools, development and production box installation considerations; upgrade; data file and program file location, planning for Administrator accounts; Updates (service packs); install and maintain each instance type of Analysis Services, including PowerPivot; restore and import PowerPivot

Build a Tabular Data Model (17%)

Configure permissions and roles in Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BISM).

This objective may include but is not limited to: server roles; SSAS database roles; implement dynamic security (custom security approaches); role-based access; Test security permissions; cell level permissions

Implement a tabular data model.

This objective may include but is not limited to: define tables; import data; calculated columns; relationships; hierarchies and perspectives; manage visibility of columns and tables; optimize BISM for Crescent; mark a date table; sort a column by another column

Implement business logic in a tabular data model.

This objective may include but is not limited to: measures and KPIs; DAX; relationship navigation; time intelligence; context modification

Implement data access for a tabular data model.

This objective may include but is not limited to: manage partitions; processing; Vertipaq versus Direct Query

Build a Report with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) (28%)

Design a report.

This objective may include but is not limited to: selecting report components (crosstab report, Tablix, design chart, data visualization components), report templates (Report Definition Language), identify the data source and parameters; designing a grouping structure; drill-down reports, drill-through reports; determine if any expressions are required to display data that is not coming directly from the data source

Implement a report layout.

This objective may include but is not limited to: formatting; apply conditional formatting; page configuration; headers and footers; matrix; table; chart; image; list; indicators, maps, grouping; use Report Builder to implement a report layout; creating a range of reports using different data regions; custom fields (implementing different parts of the report); collections (global collections); using expressions; data visualization components; identifying report parts; group variables and report variables

Configure authentication and authorization for a reporting solution.

This objective may include but is not limited to: configure server-level and item-level role-based security; configure Windows authentication and custom authentication (forms-based authentication); configure Reporting service security (setup or addition of role) ; authenticating against data source; storing credential information; describe Report Server security architecture and site level security; create system level roles; item level security; create a new role assignment; assign Windows users to roles; secure reports using roles; configure SharePoint groups and permissions

Implement interactivity in a report.

This objective may include but is not limited to: drilldown; drillthrough; interactive sorting; parameters: (databound parameters; multi-value parameters); create dynamic reports in SSRS using parameters; show/hide property; actions (jump to report); filters; parameter list; fixed headers; document map, embedded HTML

Troubleshoot reporting services issues.

This objective may include but is not limited to: querying the executionlog views in ReportServer database; viewing reportingservices log files; Windows Reliability and Performance monitor ; Using the ReportServer: Service and Web Service objects; long running reports; rendering; connectivity issues, use SQL Profiler; data reconciliation: incorrect relationships or aggregations; dynamic security issues; validate logic and calculations

Manage a report environment.

This objective may include but is not limited to: manage subscriptions and subscription settings, manage data sources, integrating SharePoint Server 2010; email delivery settings; managing the number of snapshots; manage schedules, manage running jobs, manage report server logs; manage report server databases, manage the encryption keys, setting up the execution log reporting; reviewing the reports; site level settings; design report lifecycle; automate management of reporting services; create a report organization structure; install and configure reporting services

Configure report data sources and datasets.

This objective may include but is not limited to: query types (stored procedure versus table versus text only); parameterized connection strings (dynamic connection strings); filter location (dataset vs. query); ; configure data source options i.e. extract and connect to different LOB platforms; shared and embedded data sources and datasets; connect to SQL Azure database; SQL Data Market; MDX queries; work with non-relational data sources such as xml or SharePoint

Where to Go from Here

After you pass the Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 exam, you may want to take the following exams:

Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (70-461)
Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (70-462)
Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (70-463)
Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases (70-464)
Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (70-465)
Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (70-467)