The next section describes an ideal MCSE candidate, even though only a few candidates meet this ideal. In fact, this description of that ideal candidate might seem downright scary, especially with the changes made to the program to support the new Windows Server 2003 platform, which is being touted as Windows Server System. But take heart: Although the requirements to obtain an MCSE might seem formidable, they are by no means impossible to meet. However, be keenly aware that it does take time, involves some expense, and requires real effort to get through the process. Increasing numbers of people are attaining Microsoft certifications, so the goal is within reach. You can get all the real-world motivation you need from knowing that many others have gone before, so you will be able to follow in their footsteps. If you're willing to tackle the process seriously and do what it takes to obtain the necessary experience and knowledge, you can take ”and pass ”all the certification tests needed for the MCSA or MCSE. Besides MCSE, other Microsoft certifications include those described in the next section. Current Microsoft Certification TracksThe current makeup of the Microsoft certification tracks is explained in the following sections. Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)To become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), you need to sign up for and pass one of the available exams, which includes just about any of the current or recently retired exams. Some exams are currently retired and others are slated for retirement. A retired exam is no longer offered at testing centers, but usually it does not mean that candidates need to retake new exams to retain their certification. For example, if you have taken and passed Exam 70-086: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 and used it as an elective for your MCSE on W2K certification, you do not need to take another exam to replace it now that it is retired; you would still be an MCSE on W2K. The Microsoft certification program has been making an ongoing effort to remain current with technology advancements, which obviously means that exams are retired on a regular basis. In most cases, there is no impact on candidates' requirements to retain their certification, but it is always best to take a look at the Exams Scheduled for Discontinuation table at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcpexams/status/examstoretire.asp to see whether any of the discontinuations affect your certification status. You can find information on retired exams at the Microsoft Web site http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcpexams/status/examsretired.asp. For information about discontinuing exams, visit the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcpexams/status/retired.asp. Quite a few certification exams are currently slated for retirement on June 30, 2004, according to information on the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcpexams/status/examstoretire.asp). Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows 2000To become a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows 2000, you need to sign up for and pass three core exams (one client operating system and two networking) and one elective exam, for a total of four exams. For the core exams/client operating system requirement of one required exam, you need to pass one of these two exams:
For the core exams/networking system requirement of two required exams, you need to pass both of these exams:
For the one elective exam requirement, you need to take and pass one of the exams in the following list:
Also, in place of these electives, you can substitute any of the following third-party certifications or certification combinations:
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security (MCSA: Security) on Windows 2000To become a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security (MCSA: Security) on Windows 2000, you need to sign up for and pass three core exams and two security specialization exams, for a total of five exams. For the core exams/client operating system requirement of one required exam, you need to pass one of these two exams:
For the core exams/networking system requirement of two required exams, you need to pass both of these two exams:
For the two security specialization exams requirement, you need to take and pass this exam:
Also, you need to take and pass one of the following two exams (passing both is not required):
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows 2003To become a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows 2003, you need to sign up for and pass three core exams (one client operating system and two networking) and one elective exam, for a total of four exams. For the core exams/client operating system requirement of one required exam, you need to pass one of these two exams:
For the core exams/networking system requirement of two required exams, you need to pass both of these exams:
For the one elective exam requirement, you need to take and pass one of the exams from the following list:
This is the most up-to-date list of electives at the time of this writing. It is safe to assume that as more exams become available on the 2003 track, they will be listed on the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsa/windows2003/. Also, in place of the listed electives, you can substitute any of the following third-party certifications or certification combinations:
Candidates that are already MCSA-certified on Windows 2000 can take Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000 upgrade exam, as there are no additional core or elective exams required for an MCSA on Windows 2000 who passes Exam 70-292. Exam 70-292 is required for an MCSA on W2K to upgrade to MCSA on Windows 2003, short of taking a mixture of the four exams, as just outlined. Exam 70-292 is a standard exam, in that it is paid for at testing centers and can be retaken if the examinee does not pass it. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows 2000To become a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows 2000, you need to sign up for and pass five core exams total; four are operating system exams (one client operating system and three networking system) and one is a design exam. Two additional elective exams are also required, bringing the total exams needed for the full certification to seven. You can find more information and details at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcse/requirements.asp. However, the following lists are offered as a summary of the requirements. For the four required operating system exams, candidates need to take and pass the following exams:
Examinees who took and passed Windows NT 4.0 Exams 70-067, 70-068, and 70-073 had the option to take Exam 70-240 (Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0) when it was active. If they passed the 70-240 exam, they are not required to take and pass the individual core/client operating system and networking system exams listed previously. Exam 70-240 is no longer available. For the core exams/design exam requirement, you need to take and pass one of the exams from the following list:
For the elective exam requirement, you need to take and pass two of the exams from the following list:
This is the most up-to-date list of electives at the time of this writing. Also, in place of one of these electives, you can substitute the following third-party certification:
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security (MCSE: Security) on Windows 2000To become a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security (MCSE: Security) on Windows 2000, you need to sign up for and pass four core exams and three security specialization exams, for a total of seven exams. You can find full information and details at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsesecurity/windows2000.asp. The following information is offered as a summary: For the four required operating system exams, candidates need to take and pass the following exams:
Examinees who took and passed Windows NT 4.0 Exams 70-067, 70-068, and 70-073 had the option to take Exam 70-240 (Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0) when it was active. If they passed the 70-240 exam, they are not required to take and pass the individual core/client operating system and networking system exams listed previously. Exam 70-240 is no longer available. For the Security Specialization: Core Design exam requirement, currently only one exam is used:
For the two Security Specialization: Core Security exams requirement, you need to take and pass this exam:
Also, you need to take and pass one of the following exams (passing both is not required):
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows 2003To become a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows 2003, you need to sign up for and pass four networking system exams, one client operating system exam, one design exam, and one elective exam. You can find full information and details at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcse/windows2003/, but the following list offers a summary: For the four required core exams/networking system exams, candidates need to take and pass all four of the following exams:
For the core exams/client operating system exam requirement, one of these two exams is required:
For the core exams/design exam requirement, you need to take and pass one of the exams from the following list:
For the elective exam requirement, you need to take and pass one of the exams from the following list:
This is the most up-to-date list of electives at the time of this writing. Also, in place of one of the previously listed electives, you can substitute the following third-party certification:
Candidates who are already MCSE-certified on Windows 2000 can take Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000 upgrade exam, along with Exam 70-296: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000, as no additional core or elective exams are required for an MCSA on Windows 2000 who passes Exam 70-292 and Exam 70-296. Both exams are required for an MCSE on W2K to upgrade to MCSE on Windows 2003, short of taking a mixture of the seven exams as outlined previously. Exams 70-292 and 70-296 are standard exams, in that they are paid for at the testing centers and can be retaken if examinees do not pass them. This is the most up-to-date list of electives at the time of this writing. It is safe to assume that as more exams become available on the 2003 track, they will be listed on the Microsoft Web site http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcse/windows2003/. |