VB6 is still the requirement .NET has not made it to be a part of the standard MCSD yet, there is an MCSD .NET certification now though (
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/m...quirements.asp ).
Resources (books) can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/certification/mcsd.asp
However these are essentially the same as the MOC literature given at the courses if you attend any but of course the book is a lot cheaper!.
I have found them to be OK but again, these only cover what is basically required to get you started; they do not give you enough to sit
and expect to pass the exams.
There is no substitue for hands-on experience and only that will get you through in the end!
VB and SQL Server are probably highest in demand, I recommend the videos above to start with and do the challenges (
http://www.nuggetlab.com/nugget_challenges.htm ), once you get through that lot then look at the MS Press books on
VB.
I imagine it will be the same for SQL Server, although you should have a good knowledge of Transact-SQL before you start that.
You could try an MCSD Boot-Camp which is usually 10 days and covers everything that you need to get through the exams and the course will usually include the exams (and one re-sit for free if you fail) but I would leave that until you are more familiar with the products.
Boot-Camps are around GBP2-3K.
I suggest: (Using the next 9-12 months to give yourself the best opportunity!)
Videos/CD-ROM as shown above for
VB and SQL.
Use the MS Press books next.
Go to Boot-Camp for two weeks.
But don't forget the MCSD is the pinnacle! Do one exam at a time if you don't fancy the boot-camp. They are the same price all over the world (just about) US$100.
If you only want the programming stuff, then do the VB6 desktop (70-176) and the SQL 2000 (70-229) MCP exams, you will get a (good) job with those, then do the rest in your spare time over 12-18 months and capitalise on the hands-on you get whilst employed.
The distributed stuff really concentrates on the 'Enterprise' solutions/aspects of the business(es) and is quite tough if you are not already in that kind of environment.