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Microsoft MTA Exam - 98-381 - Intro to Programming with Python

Feature

The Long Road to Python Proficiency

*Reflecting on a multi-year journey from certification goals to practical mastery*

180
Days initial prep
~200
Hours studied
4
Years milestone
1
Professional shift
Section I

My Preparation

Recommended Books
  • →Intro to Python, 5th Edition — Authored by Mark Lutz, this served as a primary resource for conceptual understanding.
  • →Programming in Python — Also by Mark Lutz, used to deepen technical knowledge during the early stages of study.
Self-Practice
  • →Writing Python Applications — Hands-on development to transition from theoretical reading to active coding.
Section II

Timeline

Initial Roadmap
  • →Study Period — 180 Days (December 2017 – May 2018)
  • →Exam Goal — Microsoft MTA Exam 98-381: Introduction to Programming with Python (Tentative: Early May 2018)
I won't feel competent in Python until I have spent at least a full year writing serious code. For now, I want to understand the basics and apply them at work. I have some small projects in mind to gain practical experience with Python, and I plan to implement them in 2018. I consider this the foundational step to solidify my Python knowledge.
Section III

Updates

Progress Log
DateMilestoneStatus
2/1/18Initial StudiesDelayed due to workplace obligations
7/4/20Mid-point CheckShifted from certification study to workplace automation
7/28/21Skill PivotTransitioned focus to Microsoft DP-100 certification
11/30/25Final ReflectionCertification abandoned in favor of hands-on mastery
2020: Practical Application

Life happens, and I never got around to taking the certification exam. However, I've been using Python more regularly at work. I've automated simple tasks, like extracting files from one location and moving them to another, then transforming them into a different format. It may sound complex, but it's not, and that's the beauty of Python.

Despite two years of tinkering, I wouldn’t call myself a Pythonista due to a lack of consistent practice. After two years, I've read thousands of pages of Python books and spent approximately 200 hours reading and writing code. While this helped me learn the basics, I believe that working on a meaningful project would have made my learning experience much more valuable.

2021: Professional Growth

Wow, it’s been four years since I first began my Python studies, and I am now using it regularly at work. It’s true that you don't truly care to learn something until you need it, and my proficiency in Python has improved considerably since I started using it for production work. All those years spent casually studying and coding in my spare time were not wasted; they helped me become comfortable with the language and various tools.

2025: The Verdict

I never got around to getting the Python certification and turns out I didn't need to. I use Python extensively every day at work and that practical hands-on provided me most of what I needed to feel comfortable using Python. Everything else? Honestly, ChatGPT has proven a perfect coding companion.

Lessons learned: Practical application always beats a framed certification.
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Comments

  1. zorodzaiJanuary 12, 2018 at 3:41 AM

    Hi, how is the studying going ? I intend to sit this exam end of Feb so am following your journey :-) . I am using "Python Crash Course" by Eric Matthes as my main resource. All the best

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Louis KimJanuary 12, 2018 at 10:22 PM

      Awesome! I hope you make it through your journey. I may have to delay as the books are taking longer to read. You probably will pass the exam before I do and I’ll likely have to ask you for advice.

      I’m hoping the second book will get me more into the ‘code’ and I’ll focus on the the study areas suggested by the Microsoft Site.

      Delete
  2. zorodzaiMarch 23, 2018 at 6:42 AM

    Check this out
    http://pythoninstitute.org/certification/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LKApril 8, 2018 at 5:46 PM

      Interesting. Thanks for the info. I vaguely recall seeing this before and worth a check. Had to put my studies on hold due to work and will resume probably later in the year after some projects are done. How goes your studies?

      Delete
  3. bella juliaJune 25, 2018 at 4:59 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

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