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Microsoft Certification

Hello folks,

I have a few questions for the Microsoft Certified people in this forum. I have been in the IT field for about 10 years and have done fine without any certifications up until this time. I would like to get an MCSA and or a MCSE.

I know there are a lot of training companies out there that offer weekend or 5 day training programs but these are expensive. When I look at the Microsoft training website I see "Self Paced Training Kits" such as the link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Book.aspx?ID=13911&locale=en-us#tab1

My question is this: Do they offer these for every test that Microsoft offers? I am perfectly capable of setting up my own testing lab in my office and could study and take practice tests on my own. I also have a colleague that is interested in doing this with me. Are there some certificates that you MUST attend a classroom to complete? I know that classrooms are usually better teachers but in my case I cant just take off for the day and go to class to learn something that I could probably learn on my own.

Is it naive of me to think I could get either of these certifications without classroom time? Is it even possible? I'm trying to understand the "flow" of the learning and testing process that Microsoft uses.

I am always getting junk mail from Global Knowledge and those people want thousands of dollars for week long classes to prepare you for one test. I cant afford this and I definitely can't take off for a week to another town.

Some real world guidance here would be much appreciated. I also have no idea what zone to put this question in.

Thanks.

vne

Rich Weissler

First, are you looking at Windows 2003 or Windows 2008? MCSA/MCSE are Windows 2003 -- the roughly equivalent 2008 programs are MCITP for either Server Administration or Enterprise Administration. But be aware, if you go that route, you need to specify which MCITP you earn, because there are Desktop support MCITPs and SQL and Exchange certs with that title too. There are Certified Master levels above that, which requires weeks of specific training and passing a lab exam. (And that isn't to discourage you from pursing the Windows 2003 certs -- just wanted to inform, and warn ya that Microsoft is already starting to expire some of the exams on that track.)

Second, yes -- it is absolutely possible to earn the exams without training time, especially if you have been working 'in the field' for ten years. For the Windows exams, I believe there are Microsoft Self Study materials for all the exams -- but in my experience they aren't the easiest books to read. In my case, they have usually been a good cure for insomnia, and I've relied on third party books... Sybex in the past, but the last batch have left much to be desired. I'm looking at eight exams in the next few months, and they all have self-study material available -- so I can't promise you won't hit one of the more obscure exams without a dedicated self-study guide available, but it would almost have to be one of the more unusual exams.

VNE

ASKER

Thanks Razmus,

At first i thought I might go the Server 2003 route but after looking, it looks like MS has already retired alot of the exams in that certification and according to their website if an exam is retired then you are unable to get that certification. Thats fine though. Alot of my customers are still using Server 2003 but as we replace servers we will be using 2008.

I'm looking at the Enterprise Administrator route since it has the same exams as Server Administrator except for 70-646.

Am I thinking correctly that if obtain the Enterprise Administrator cert and then decide to do the Server Administrator cert that all I need to do is take the exams that I havent taken yet? In other words, one exam counts for any cert and can count for multiple certs?

Sybex has been around a while and has a good reputation. What are thinking about using if you dont use them? Some people say they really like the MS Press stuff. I've used both in the past for reference and thought they were both okay. I didnt use them for studying for an exam though.

Thanks for your input.

vne

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Rich Weissler

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VNE

ASKER

Thanks so much for your help. You said you are looking at 8 exams in the next few months. Are you recerting or obtaining a new one?

Good luck and thanks for your help.

vne

Rich Weissler

I'm also finishing up the MCITP for Windows 2008 Enterprise Administrator, and was also considering the Server Administrator exam, and contemplated one of the two Windows 7 MCITP level exams. I hope to follow that up with MCITP for SQL 2008 Administration (two exams) and the MSTS levels of SQL Business Intelligence. It's been a decade since I've really concentrated on studying for IT tests, but have been doing a lot of "free-time" reading on the current certs over the last three months or so.

VNE

ASKER

Sounds like we are on similar tracks. Good luck!

Thanks again, vne