Hello

I know that to get MCPD certification i have to have 2 or three years of experience in microsoft visual studio.
I am just beginning in visual studio net, and i want to know
What plan i have to perform to get MCPD
For example what kind of companies i have to work to, or work by myself?
some years ago i buy some books on Micrsoft certifications but , some people told me that the question in the certificaions exam are not thos of the books
some told me that the courses for the certifications exams do not help enough

i will appreciate any opinion

Luis