My torn data pages - 70-446 exam = pass

Exam-stats: 180 minutes¹, 61 question spread over 6 testlets (cases), passing score 700 points, only multiple choice questions, no simulations. I got 752, was lousy on SSAS ...and this actually was the first Microsoft exam where I really needed the time!!!  Compared to the other MCITP (70-443, 70-444 and 71-647) exams I sat, it was a lot more reading and fact-finding in the case-studies.

What surprised me on this exam, were a couple of questions targeted at the database engine. Think towards backup-requirements for filegroups (which are needed for partitioned tables), index optimization and transaction isolation levels (not mentioned in prep-guide). Unfortunately these topics aren't covered² in the courses 2794 to 2797 (or in 2791 to 2793). From the topics that are covered in the prep-guide, I'd say the number of questions was pretty balanced, only four things were really sticking out:

• Which data mining algorithm to apply in a certain scenario.
• Storage strategy for SSAS cubes.
• Slowly changing dimensions.
• Designing dimensions and hierarchies.

Useful resources for preparation.

• First of all, don't count on the Training-Kit for 70-446 from MS Press, it was announced but won't be released (MCITP BI News; some news for MCTS BI and SQL Server 2008). But if you don't take the Microsoft courses, the MCTS Training Kit for 70-445 (ISBN 9780735623415) is a useful resource.
• Prep-guide (don't go there without one).
• Peter Koller's review of 70-446 beta (and 70-445 beta).
• Jorg Klein's passing of 70-446.
• Ronald Kaijesteijns "verslag" (that is Dutch, as well as the rest of his post).

¹Actually, you get about 3 minutes per question grouped per testlet. This means for a 9 question testlet you get about 27 minutes, time left on one testlet is not added to the next. The 180 minutes should be regarded as an indication for the maximum exam length.
² At best superficially mentioned in 2796.