Reddit mentions of Training Kit (Exam 70-462) Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases (MCSA) (Microsoft Press Training Kit)

You can download all the training kits books and only give all the tests.


70-461


70-462

70-463

As far as your queries go they all use T-SQL. There are a lot of differences in layout on disk.

The Developer edition of SQL server 2012 is super cheap ($30) and can be installed on Windows 7 or Windows 8. (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Microsoft-SQL-Server-2012-Developer-Edition-license/2669399.aspx)

You will want to start off with Querying. It's important to know how you're getting information into and out of your database: http://www.amazon.com/Training-70-461-Querying-Microsoft-Server/dp/0735666059/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1426879298&sr=8-6&keywords=sql+server+2012

After that you'll want to get into the actual server management. Maybe even dip into high availability. http://www.amazon.com/Training-70-462-Administering-Microsoft-Databases/dp/0735666075/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1426879298&sr=8-8&keywords=sql+server+2012

If you're going to actually shoot for your MCSA and want to do big data stuff in the future start looking at datawarehousing. This is more of a future thing.

From the querying book know these chapters inside and out: 1-4, 8-10. That will give you enough information to go into the server administration text. In the administration text know chapters 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

Really focus on 11. Backups/restores are critical. I don't want to diminish the value of the other chapters, but a majority of your function as a DBA will be in the chapters I mentioned. I encourage you to learn as much as possible, but if you're going to commit a limited amount of time, or need to ramp up very quickly, the mentioned chapters are the most critical.

Moving your Access tables up should be pretty straightforward, Microsoft offers SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for download.

As for learning MS SQL administration, it is a life long process but these resources should get you up to speed quickly:

• Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012/14 Databases
  
  
• SQL Server 2012/2014 Security Best Practices. Take this with a grain of salt: you will not implement every strategy in here.
  
  There's a slew of other resources, but these will cover the fundamentals the fastest. Since this is a new role for you, ask your company if they will provide training opportunities.
  Edit: fixed link