Customer asks: What Windows Desktop Client exam should I take for the MCSA or MCTS?
April 15, 2013 at 9:37 am | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft | Leave a commentTags: MCITP, mcsa, MCTS
In response to a recent post, blog reader Raj asked,
Please tell me which certification is best for Windows 7 – MCSA or MCTS ?? And how many exams I need to give to pass that particular exam. Also, I would like to know the validity of that certification.
The good news is that until January 31, 2014, you don’t have to choose; the same exam counts towards both certifications. The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credentials are one-test certifications: one exam, and you’ve earned it. These are the same exams that are being phased out by Microsoft in favor of the new MCSA/MCSE certification family. The MCSA/MCSE credentials will require that you pass a minimum of three exams.
During the overlap period, however, select MCTS exams will serve double duty and count toward both certification families. We love a 2-for-1!
What about the MCITP for desktop clients?
The MCITP desktop certifications (Windows Vista and Windows 7) are dependent on their underlying MCTS certifications, so these are being phased out as well. You only have three months left to take a Vista exam; all Vista-related exams are retiring on July 31, 2013.
The MCITP for Windows 7 is retiring on January 31, 2014. Please note that the actual exams are not being retired on that date; they’re being repurposed to the new certification paths of MCSA and MCSE. So after January 31, 2014, you won’t earn the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 or the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7 certifications, but you can still take Exams 680, 685, and 686.
Also, any MCTS and MCITP certification will stay on your Microsoft transcript after the certification itself is retired, and you can mention it on your resume and to hiring managers for as long as it seems relevant to do so.
How does the MCITP relate to the MCSA?
Until January 31, 2014, the MCITP: EDST and the MCITP: EDA in Windows 7 are both functionally equivalent to the MCSA: Windows 7. To earn the MCSA: Windows 7, you have to pass this exams:
plus one of these two exams:
- 70-685: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
- 70-686: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator
If you have already passed these exams, you should have received a notice from Microsoft that you were retroactively granted the MCSA as well.
The MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician on Windows Vista and the MCITP: Consumer Support Technician on Windows Vista are not functionally equivalent to the MCSA for Windows 7, and Microsoft has not announced an upgrade path (as of the time of this post).
Why should I still care about MCTS?
The MCTS is the last of the one-test certifications. If you need a Microsoft certification under your belt today, the clock is ticking down to do so. Because the Windows 7 MCTS exams count towards the MCSA in Windows 7, you lose nothing by taking them.
There are only two MCTS level exams for Windows desktop operating systems:
- 70-680, Windows 7 Configuration: Earns the MCTS: Windows 7 – Configuration until January 31, 2014
- 70-620, Windows Vista Configuration: Earns the MCTS: Windows Vista – Configuration until July 31, 2013.
If you don’t have experience in Windows 7 desktop client, you can take the 70-620 for a few more months.
Okay, so what test do I take today?
MSCD – A New Certification with an Old Heart of Gold
February 8, 2013 at 9:07 am | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft | 4 CommentsTags: 70-480, 70-481, 70-482, 70-483, 70-484, 70-485, 70-486, 70-487, certification lifecycle, CSS3, HTML5, JavaScript, MCSD, Web Applications, Windows Store Apps
(Editor’s note: This post belongs to our ongoing series about the new generation of Microsoft certifications. See also Customer asks: Is now the time to study for Windows Server 2008 certification, or Server 2012?, Don’t wait to finish your MCTS or MCITP: Microsoft retiring exam tracks, and Everything old is new again: the MCSE and MCSA are dead (long live the MCSE and MCSA).)
Having wandered the wilderness of Java and CIW certification for some years, I didn’t move into Microsoft developer certs until about 2002. At that time, the MCSD (known then as Microsoft Certified SolutioN Developer) was a catch-all certification, requiring a wide array of Visual Basic, DCOM, and ASP knowledge. Its prestige was based on the complexity and intensity of the exam objectives, and not whether these skills were required by a specific job role in the real world. Most Microsoft developers I knew focused on a type of application, whether it was Windows- or Web-based — not the entire gamut of Microsoft developer technology.
For that reason, few developers were surprised when Microsoft announced new developer certifications for .NET that focused on skill sets related to actual job roles. This change occured during Microsoft’s overall revamp of its certifications that resulted in the demise of the Windows NT and Server 2003-era MCSE. The “next generation” developer certifications were branded as the TS (Technology Specialist) level exams and the newly minted MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer). But in doing away with the old MCSD, Microsoft also lost the recognition the acronym had gained over the years.
So what could Microsoft do but find a way to join those job roles with their former reputation, like some cheesy romantic comedy?
Is that a shiny MCSD for my hard work?
In 2012. enter the Microsoft Certification SolutionS Developer (noticed the new s?). The acronym is also MCSD, but each certification is focused on an application type.* That way you can have your MCSD and eat it, too.
Continue Reading MSCD – A New Certification with an Old Heart of Gold…
1739 Certifications, 152 Vendors, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
December 28, 2012 at 9:22 am | Posted in Certification Paths | Leave a commentTags: top certifications
One of my coworkers recently pointed me toward a web page simply titled The List Of Certifications. According to the author, there are 1,739 current IT certifications offered across a spectrum of 152 vendors, from Adobe to Zend. I’ve never sat down and counted them all, but it sounds about right.
Faced with all these choices, how can a certification-seeker pick the best path to focus on? Obviously your industry will dictate whether you’re considering a project management-type path like Project+, ITIL, or Certified ICAgile Professional, versus a hardware-specific or OS-specific certification. The term “best” is also relative: are you looking for the certification that’s the easiest or least expensive to obtain, the one that requires the most (or least) training, the one that has the best future earnings potential, or the one that you can pick up while still working your day job?
As 2012 wraps up, different industry leaders are offering their take on the “best” five, ten, or twenty certifications to pursue for job growth. Time and again, the most recommended certs are vendor-neutral (CompTIA), have widespread application across multiple job sectors (CCNA and MCSE), or are process-based rather than OS-based (PMP, ITIL). Here’s several lists to start you thinking:
TechRepublic’s The top five in-demand IT certifications for 2013 list, drawn from “expert opinions, research, and Google trends”:
1, MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate)
2. MCSE: Private Cloud
3. PMP (Project Management Professional)
4. VCP (VMware Certified Professional)
5. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
Global Knowledge’s 15 Top Paying IT Certifications for 2012, ranked by salary and derived from their annual IT Skills and Salary report:
1. PMP – Project Management Professional – ($111,209)
2. CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional – $110,342
3. CCDA – Cisco Certified Design Associate – $101,915
4. ITIL v3 Foundation – ($97,691)
5. MCSE – Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer – $91,650
6. VCP – VMware Certified Professional – $91,648
7. CCNP – Cisco Certified Network Professional – $90,457
8. CompTIA Server+ – $84,997
9. MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional – $84,330
10. CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate – $82,923
11. MCSA – Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator – $82,923
12. CompTIA Security+ – $80,066
13. MCP – Microsoft Certified Professional – $79,363
14. CCENT – Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician – $74,764
15. CompTIA Network+ – $71,207
Here were the certs ranked “most likely to land you a new job” from IT job board Dice.com’s 2012 Salary Survey, as reported (with slightly different salary figures) by ITCareerfinder.com:
1. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Expert – salary estimate $107,092
2. PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) – salary estimate $103,570
3. (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – salary estimate $100,735
4. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – salary estimate $79,536
5. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) – salary estimate $77,529 (*Note: study was released before Microsoft revive the MCSE program)
6. CompTIA Security+ – salary estimate $75,508
7. CompTIA Network+ – salary estimate $68,963
8. CompTIA A+ – salary estimate $67,608* (not considered accurate, as A+ cert holders typically hold multiple certs that would affect salary results)
CIO Magazine’s 12 IT Certifications That Deliver Career Advancement (2012):
1. Project Management Professional (PMP)
2. Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP)
3. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
4. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
5. CompTIA A+
6. Oracle DBA
7. Information Technology Infrastructure Library
8. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
9. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
10. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
11. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
12. Microsoft’s Certified Systems Engineers (MCSE) (*Note: the author incorrectly identified the Windows 2000 Server MCSE as a “top” certification. We recommend you aim for the revamped 2012 MCSE instead.)
Whichever certification path you choose, we wish you happy certifying in 2013!
Grab your discount: Security+ and Network+ exams on sale until CompTIA rolls out new test format
October 3, 2012 at 9:14 am | Posted in Certification Paths, CompTIA | Leave a commentTags: casp, CompTIA, network+, Performance-Based Testing, Security+
As many of you may know, CompTIA introduced performance-based questions on the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certification exam. These questions have really added to the difficulty of the exam. The new A+ series (220-801 and 220-802), to be released in October 2012, will also include this item type. We were told that CompTIA was looking into expanding some of their other certifications to include this item type, but we weren’t told when the changes would occur other than “fourth quarter of 2012.”
Finally, CompTIA has released some concrete details about upcoming changes to the Network+ and Security+ certification exams. And the news? Both of these certifications will be adding performance-based questions in as soon as one month!
Network+ candidates: How the product changes affect you
For Network+, the last day to take this exam WITHOUT performance-based items is November 3, 2012. Starting on November 4, 2012, all Pearson VUE-delivered Network+ exams will include this item type.
CompTIA is encouraging individuals who are already studying for Network+ to take the current exam before the performance–based questions become incorporated. As part of this initiative, CompTIA will allow you to purchase a Network+ exam voucher by November 3 and save 15%. Purchase a Network+ Exam Voucher Now if you plan on taking the exam by November 3rd. Once you buy the voucher, you’ll have between ten and twelve months from the date of purchase to redeem it for a test. After November 3, these exam vouchers revert to full price.
Security+ candidates: How the product changes affect you
For Security+, the last day to take the exam WITHOUT performance-based items is December 31, 2012. Starting on January 5, 2013, all Pearson VUE-delivered Security+ exams will include this item type.
As with Network+, CompTIA is encouraging individuals already studying for Security+ to take the current exam before performance–based question become incorporated. Purchase a Security+ exam voucher by December 31, 2012 and save 15%. Purchase Security+ Exam Voucher Now if you plan on taking the exam by December 31st. The voucher is valid for ten to twelve months from the date of purchase. On January 1, 2013, these exam vouchers revert to full price.
Click here for more information on performance–based items from CompTIA.
In addition, CompTIA has created a great video all about the CompTIA testing experience that includes information about the PBT item type. The item type discussion section starts at around the 5-minute mark, but I would suggest watching the whole video, because it contains some great information.
Transcender customers: how the product changes affect you
As far as the Transcender products go, we will definitely be adding performance-based items to our current practice tests. But keep in mind that we do NOT get an advance viewing of these items — so we cannot see what these items entail until November 3rd for Network+ and January 5th for Security+. Once we see how CompTIA handles the performance-based aspect, we will put together a plan for revising our practice products so that they’ll best prepare you for the actual exam. We anticipate that we’ll be adding our own performance-based items approximately 6-8 weeks after the CompTIA exams release.
Any Transcender customers who have an active practice test license at the time we release the product update will be able to update their purchase to the new version at NO additional cost. (What a great value add!)
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, and happy testing!
-Robin Abernathy
Customer asks: Is now the time to study for Windows Server 2008 certification, or Server 2012?
September 27, 2012 at 1:39 pm | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft, Study hints | 32 CommentsTags: certification lifecycle, exam expirations, exam retirement, MCITP, mcsa, mcse, MCTS, private cloud, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012
In response to a recent post, blog reader Zappy asked,
I am new to Windows Server certifications and I currently hold none. I am thinking of getting certified but I am not sure if I should begin with Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012. I have a fair amount of experience in 2008. What would you suggest?
The knee-jerk response is “Forget 2008; study for the cert that will have the longest shelf life.” However, there are a few factors to consider before writing off a 2008 certification entirely. Those factors are:
- the number of exams required to earn a certification
- the desired time frame for earning a certification
- the user’s level of experience with 2008 versus 2012
- how soon the user can expect 2012 to be the standard in his or her particular industry
For the sake of demonstration, I’m going to look only at Windows Server certifications, and not specialties such as Lync, .NET, SharePoint, or Exchange. (You can find more information on those certification paths here.) I’m also going to stick with entry-level and mid-level certs, since you’d be earning those anyway as you blaze towards the MCSE or MCM.
(Remember: These recommendations are for someone who, as of late 2012, has not yet taken any Microsoft exam and needs to factor exam retirement dates into a certification strategy.)
Do it now: Be off like a shot
No matter which path you decide to pursue, do it now. The perfect time to buy your first Microsoft exam voucher is during the Second Shot promotion. That means that if you take an exam between now and May 30, 2013 and fail it, you can sit for a free retake. You can buy Second Shot assurance for a single exam or for a multi-exam voucher pack (which typically earns you a bulk discount on exam fees as well).
It only takes one
Remember that passing one certification exam, even if it’s part of a multi-exam certification track, earns you the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential. As a member of the Microsoft Certification Program, you have access to MCP Flash emails from Microsoft, and you can share your transcript with others to show your progress towards a specific certification.
Single-exam certs: testing the Microsoft waters
In the “need a cert now” category, you can obtain a Microsoft certification with just one test — and it will count toward a higher-level certification, should you choose to pursue one. However, one-test certs are only offered for Windows Server 2008. The three server specializations are:
- 70-640 – Earns the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration
- 70-642 – Earns the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
- 70-643 – Earns the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration (retires July 31, 2013)
Remember that these exams include Windows Server 2008 R2 material, so you absolutely must be familiar with R2 before sitting an exam.
Our recommendation: if you’ve never sat for any Microsoft test and don’t know what to expect, combining Second Shot with a one-test cert might be the perfect low-stress entrance strategy, even if it “only” earns you an MCTS Server 2008 credential. If you go this route, choose either the 70-640 or the 70-642, since these also count toward the newly fledged MCSA in Server 2008 (more on that in the next section).
70-643 alone is not relevant to the MCSA 2008, so look at the exam’s objectives, and only choose it if you need this certification in your current job (and your boss is paying).
Three to five exams: not all middle-tier certs are created equal
Things get a bit murky as you move up the Server 2008 certification ladder. Having divided Generation 2008 certifications into five MCTS (entry level) and three MCITP (mid level) exam tracks, all covering different job roles and skills, Microsoft recently collapsed the varied tracks back into a revised MCSA, and added the upper-tier MCSE options. However, the MCITP tracks are still active. Depending on the track, each MCITP will either be phased out in July 2013 or rolled into the new generation of certifications.
You can obtain an MCITP in a Windows client or in Server 2008 R2 by taking three to five exams. The three server paths are Enterprise, Server Admin, and Virtualization Admin.
- The MCITP: Server Administrator requires three exams. None of these exams is scheduled for retirement in 2013.
- The MCITP: Virtualization Administrator requires three exams. These exams retire July 31, 2013.
- The MCITP: Enterprise Administrator requires five exams. These exams retire July 31, 2013.
Earning the MCITP: Server OR the MCITP: Enterprise automatically snags you an equivalent MCSA: Windows Server 2008. However, Server can be earned in only three exams, while Enterprise takes five. A MCSA: Server 2008 plus the 70-417 upgrade exam can then earn you the MCSA: Server 2012.
The MCITP: Virtualization also allows you to upgrade to MCSA: Server 2012 — but, confusingly, you can’t upgrade it to an MCSA: Server 2008. Microsoft has dropped it from this list of current MCITP tracks; also see this blog post.
Our recommendation: Continue Reading Customer asks: Is now the time to study for Windows Server 2008 certification, or Server 2012?…
Resource Review: CompTIA A+ Complete Review Guide Second Edition by Emmett Dulaney and Troy McMillan
September 21, 2012 at 4:27 pm | Posted in Certification Paths, CompTIA | Leave a commentTags: a+, resource review, study resources
The latest version of the A+ exams (220-801 and 220-802) are due out in October. Many of us…ok, maybe just me….anxiously await this latest release from CompTIA.
With this latest iteration, CompTIA has dropped the test naming structures we saw in the past (220-701 A+ Essentials and 220-702 A+ Practical Application) and is just going with a number naming convention (A+ 220-801 and A+ 220-802). But that is not all that has changed: CompTIA has announced that the new exams will include performance-based testing (PBT) items. Think of these items as answering a question by DOING instead of answering a question by selecting from options. I imagine these items will involve running commands, configuring dialog boxes, and matching concepts, but I truly don’t know what they are like. Although Transcender is a CompTIA partner, the details I have about these items are few and far between. I’ll see the questions on the same day that you will, when they go live.
Now back to our resource review. The latest A+ release has been choreographed with the content publishers in a much better manner than in the past. I have been very impressed with the way publishers have hustled to meet the training world’s needs when it comes to these exams. In the past, books and study guides were often released weeks or months after an exam was released. This meant that test candidates did not always jump on the bandwagon early in the certification lifecycle. Often candidates were waiting for a book to help them prepare for the exam, which meant that certification popularity was influenced by the publication of study materials.
With the 800-series A+, trainers and early adopters don’t have the same issues. By the time these exams are released to the public, there will be several references available to choose from. Today I’ll share my thoughts on Sybex’s CompTIA A+ Complete Review Guide, Second Edition, by Emmett Dulaney and Troy McMillan.
Review Guide versus Study Guide: What’s the Difference?
I want to point out that Sybex also released the CompTIA A+Complete Study Guide, Exams 220-801 and 220-802, 2nd Edition by Quentin Docter, Emmett Dulaney, and Toby Skandier this month. Where the Review Guide is 496 pages, the Study Guide rings in at 1100 pages and provides much more background knowledge to help bring the beginner up to speed. Review Guides are better suited for experienced techs wanting to catch up on the latest A+ changes, or those who need a refresher course. Where the Study Guide may be better for self-paced instruction, the Complete Review Guide is more test-prep oriented.
CompTIA A+ Complete Review Guide, Second Edition by Wiley / Sybex
First, I have to share the feature I love the most about this book - its structure. Have you ever downloaded an Objective List from CompTIA? While it makes sense on the exam, it usually does not correspond well to an independent book reference. Often you spend time flipping from chapter to chapter just to find all the information on a particular topic that may be applicable to one exam objective. With Sybex’s Complete Review Guide, the flipping is over. This book is arranged according to the exam objecitves. Each chapter corresponds with a unique exam objective from the Objective List, and each section within a chapter corresponds to a subobjective from the Objective List. This translates into easy, targeted studying. It also makes it easy to find information about the latest new topics (Virtualization!! Mobile Devices?!?) So if you know that your knowledge is deficient in a particular area (did I mention mobile devices?), then you can go right to that chapter and section to find what you need. (BTW, mobile devices are covered in Chapter 8, pages 363-377.)
Secondly, I love that they give you just the facts you need. This guide is very exam focused. For example, they don’t spend a lot of time explaining the history of computer hardware. If you are looking for a resource that gets straight to the point, then this guide is your choice. It guides you into a focused mode of study to help you learn the information needed to pass the exam.
Finally, the book has plenty of charts, graphics, and bullet points (charts, graphics, and bullets, oh my!) If you have read any of my resource reviews in the past, you know I am a big fan of these study aids. When you have knowledge that you just need to know for an exam, it is often easier to study if this information is in a chart or listed in bullet points. Pictures always help you to recognize hardware, ports, connectors, and the like, which is VERY important for an A+ technician.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I played a small part in the publication of this book. As you may have noticed, Troy McMillan, a fellow member of Transcender’s Content Development team, is one of the authors of this book. Through my connection with Troy, I was able to participate as a technical editor of this book. I can attest to the effort that these authors put into its development. Because there are so many facts that you must know, covering the A+ content in a concise manner can be quite daunting. But after sharing the process with Emmet and Troy, I can tell you that these guys have done a great job!
Keep this book in mind when you decide to start preparing for the new A+ exam. It’s a great resource for getting up to speed! And watch in the coming days for my post regarding upcoming changes to the Network+ and Security+ exams.
-Robin
CompTIA Academy Educator Conference 2012: Study Resources and Takeaways
August 3, 2012 at 3:25 pm | Posted in Certification Paths, CompTIA, Vendor news | Leave a commentTags: a+, casp, cloud, HIT, jean andrews, joy dark, michael gregg, mike meyers, mike murray, mobile, study resources
I was fortunate to be able to attend the CompTIA Academy Educator Conference over this past weekend. CompTIA promised that we would learn about the new A+ exams, the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) exam, and the Healthcare IT Technician (HIT) exam. This promise was fulfilled with presentations from Mike Meyers, Jean Andrews, Joy Dark, and yours truly. Following is a quick recap on each of these topics, with more detailed posts to follow in the next week or two.
Virtualization in A+
Mike Meyers gave a presentation on virtualization. He covered the different virtualization products, including several free options as well as the major vendor products. He explained the installation and configuration processes for the various technologies. Educators reading this post should keep in mind that virtualization is a newly introduced topic to be included in the upcoming release of A+. In the A+ 220-802 exam, objective 1.9 states the following:
Explain the basics of client-side virtualization.
Purpose of virtual machines
Resource requirements
Emulator requirements
Security requirements
Network requirements
Hypervisor
Keep your eye out for my upcoming post about virtualization content in the new A+ exams.
Mobile technology in A+
Author Jean Andrews, best known for her CompTIA study guides and PC repair guides, also spent some time discussing the upcoming A+ exam changes. Her presentation included a great demonstration of mobile phone emulators that can be installed in a classroom environment. If you’re wondering why this is important, let me remind you that in the A+ 220-802 exam, objective 3 is dedicated to mobile devices (9% of the overall exam coverage). Look for my upcoming posts regarding mobile devices, including one on installing the mobile phone emulators and one on a new technician toolkit for mobile devices.
New certification: the HIT
I had the pleasure of meeting Joy Dark. Joy has recently released a book, which she co-wrote alongside author (and mom) Jean Andrews, all about the CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician (HIT) exam. Any A+ technician who is considering working in a healthcare environment should consider obtaining this certification. While A+ and Network+ knowledge is vital, a technician working in a healthcare industry must also understand healthcare terminology, regulations, and processes. This certification melds the world of IT with the needs of administering healthcare and healthcare records. I would highly recommend that educators take a serious look at this certification. CompTIA is expecting great things for it in the coming year.
Security+ and the CASP
In my presentation, I tried to explain to educators three main points about the CASP exam: What the CASP certification is, where the CASP certification fits in our industry, and how to prepare for the CASP certification. Look for an upcoming post that gives the details of this presentation. I will also be posting about the primary reference I used for this exam (see the “study guides and resources” header below for a quick link).
The event also included two great security presentations: one from Mike Murray of Mad Security on training the security professional and one from Michael Gregg, the author of the CASP book mentioned in the previous paragraph, on the role of certification in security. Again, look for an upcoming post regarding security training solutions.
Study guides & resources
Joy Dark and Jean Andrews wrote the book that maps directly to the HIT exam objectives: The CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician HIT-001 Authorized Cert Guide (Cert Guides), published by Pearson. This book is released and shipping.
Mike’s newest edition of the A+ study guide is the CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, 8th Edition (Exams 220-801 & 220-802) from McGraw-Hill Osborne Media, which is currently available for pre-order by clicking here.
As I prepared my CASP presentation, I referred extensively to the CASP CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner Study Guide: Exam CAS-001 (Comptia Study Guide), published by Sybex. This book is released and shipping.
As you can see, the event gave me a plethora of information that I feel I MUST pass on to you. So expect to be bombarded with posts from me over the coming weeks.
I am already looking forward to next year’s CompTIA Academy Educator Conference. You should start making plans to be there!
-Robin Abernathy
Don’t wait to finish your MCTS or MCITP: Microsoft retiring exam tracks
July 19, 2012 at 11:45 am | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft | 19 CommentsTags: certification lifecycle, exam expirations
Editor’s note: Dates and exam numbers in this post may have changed since it was published. Please refer FIRST to Microsoft’s master list of retiring certifications: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/retired-certifications.aspx#fbid=bFimCn-qjlo. Click http://transcender.wordpress.com/category/certification-paths/ to find the latest posts by date on this topic.
Microsoft’s 2003, 2007, or 2008 technologies may still be thriving in your workplace, but Microsoft places hard limits on the certification lifecycle. It’s easy to let deadlines get away from you when you feel like there’s no rush. Are you a test or two away from earning an MCTS or MCITP? If so, be sure to go over this list of exam expirations and schedule your test well before the deadline. This will make sure you aren’t caught in a time crunch, and have to fight off a slew of fellow last-minute test-takers to get a seat at your testing center.
ETA: Thanks to a sharp-eyed reader for pointing out that several exams scheduled to expire THIS month, July 31, 2012, are actually listed as Already Retired and so did not appear on our initial list:
- Upgrade: MCITP SQL Server 2005 to 2008
- Upgrade MCPD Windows Developer to MCPD Windows Developer 3.5
- 70-566 UPGRADE: Transition your MCPD Windows Developer Skills to MCPD Windows Developer 3.5
- 70-567 UPGRADE: Transition your MCPD Web Developer Skills to MCPD ASP.NET Developer 3.5
- 70-568 UPGRADE: Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 3.5, Part 1
- 70-569 UPGRADE: Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 3.5, Part 2
Exams expiring September 30, 2012:
- Office SharePoint and Office Communications 2007
- Exchange Server 2007
Exams expiring January 31, 2013:
- Office SharePoint Server 2007
- 70-542: TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – Application Development
- Office Project 2007 and Project Server 2007
Exams expiring July 31, 2013:
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2008
- 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
- 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
- 70-648: Upgrading your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
- 70-649: Upgrading your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
- Windows Server 2003
- 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
- 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
- 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
- 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
- 70-297: Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
- 70-298: Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
- 70-299: Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0
- 70-521: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD .NET Framework 3.5 Windows Developer Skills to MCPD .NET 4.0 Windows Applications Developer
- 70-523: Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD .NET Framework 3.5 Web Developer Skills to MCPD .NET Framework 4 Web Developer
- 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation
- Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- 70-502: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Presentation Foundation
- 70-503: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Communication Foundation
- 70-504: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Workflow
- 70-505: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Application Development
- 70-561: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development
- 70-562: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development
- 70-563: Pro: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- 70-564: PRO: Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- 70-565: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
For a complete list of exam expirations across all certification tracks, and more information on present and future certification tracks, visit Microsoft’s Certification Lifecycle page.
Don’t let a free exam pass you by: grab Microsoft’s two-for-one offer before June 30
June 7, 2012 at 1:14 pm | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft, Vendor news | Leave a commentTags: cloud, exam vouchers, MCTS
In their push toward MCSA and MCSE certifications (covered by George here), Microsoft is offering a fairly unprecedented deal on certification exams: pay full price now, get a free upgrade later. How does this compare to other Microsoft promotions, and is it the right deal for you?
The fine print is as follows:
To help you move to the cloud, Microsoft is offering a limited time* “Two for One” exam offer. When you purchase and take a qualifying exam at full price between April 11, 2012 and June 30, 2012, you will be emailed a voucher valid for the next version exam of your chosen technology path, at no additional cost. Your voucher for the second qualifying exam will be emailed to you when the new exams release and will expire 90 days after the new Certification in your technology path becomes available.
Let’s review the conditions that need to be in place for this deal to work for you:
- You should be ready to pass the current version of your qualifying exam in one of the four “cloud-bound” technology areas: Windows 7 Client (migrating to Windows 8), Windows Server 2008/Private Cloud (migrating to 2012/Private Cloud), Visual Studio 2010 (migrating to Visual Studio 11), and SQL Server 2008 (migrating to 2012: Data Platform or 2012: Business Intelligence).
- You should be able to pass the current exam(s) by the end of June. You can request up to five exam vouchers in any of the listed paths (which means you would take up to five exams in the next three weeks).
- You should have a plan in place to hit the ground running once the upgraded version of your exam is released. The clock starts ticking the 90-day countdown as soon as the exam rolls out.
- You should install and configure the updated versions of your technology as soon as they roll out (such as Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate).
- You should regularly check (or subscribe to a feed for) Microsoft Learning’s Cloud Certification Overview Page (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-cloud.aspx) for freebies and training offers to work your skills in the new areas.
If that sounds like a workable plan, then head over to Microsoft today and request your cloud-bound voucher.
Everything old is new again: the MCSE and MCSA are dead (long live the MCSE and MCSA)
May 14, 2012 at 8:15 am | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft, Vendor news | 28 CommentsTags: certification lifecycle, Certification Paths, cloud certification, mcsa, mcse, MCTS, zombie certifications
(ETA 10/01/12: Microsoft is still rolling out changes to these tracks. Be sure to check Microsoft Learning, Born To Learn, and our blog for the most current information on MCSA and MCSE.)
Yesterday a vendor called me on the phone and said that he had a great price on the latest MCSE classes. He went on to explain that these classes taught all the latest, hottest technologies. They were so virtualized, a team of physicists argued over their very existence. They were so far up in the cloud, you needed a telescope to find your exam. Once he’d wound down the hyperbole, I asked him what operating system that the classes covered. He told me, “Windows Server 2003.”
I have news for you, buddy: Windows Server 2003 is nine years old. The problem is that MCSE, as a certification, became both the gold standard for HR staff and a synonym for the “brand” of Microsoft certification. When Microsoft retired those certifications in favor of the MCITP and MCPD and MCTS in 2005, they had problems selling the switch to die-hard certification holders. More importantly, it faced uneven adoption in the business realm. No one really jumped on the bandwagon. Human Resource managers and hiring managers still referred to MCSA and MCSE in job listings. Vendors who called me on the phone only knew “MCSE” and “MCSA.” (Sales people in my own office still do not understand the differences between MCTS and MCTIP, but at least they realized the MCSE was gone.) I’ve had students tell me they’ve applied for recent jobs that cited a MCSE as a requirement. I guess Microsoft felt the time was right to reanimate the dead MCSA and MCSE certifications.
As I’m sure you’ve heard by now–that clueless vendor had it half-right. The MCSE and MCSA are back!
The new MCSE is not your Dad’s MCSE. First of all, MCSE now stands for Microsoft Certified SOLUTIONS EXPERT, not Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. If you attain the new and re-released MCSE, you are an expert in Microsoft solutions, not an engineer. (You are an engineer if you passed a lot of physics and calculus classes.) The new MCSA is now called Microsoft Certified SOLUTIONS ASSOCIATE, instead of Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator. That also makes more sense. If you attain the MCSA you are certified in various Microsoft solutions, but not necessarily a sysadmin.
The old MCSE made you pass several tests based on the Windows operating system plus an elective subject, like Exchange Server or SQL Server. The new MCSE currently offers certifications in MCSE – Private Cloud and MCSE SQL Server 2012. Going forward, Microsoft will offer more MCSE certifications as new versions of products are released. Look for the MCSE Data Platform certification to roll out tests in June 2012.
The new MCSA is similar the old MCSA. Microsoft currently offers certifications in MCSA Windows Server 2008 and MCSA SQL Server 2012, but will offer more MCSA certifications as new versions of products are released.
To get the MCSA: Windows Server 2008, you would have to pass the following:
- Exam 70-640 – windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
- Exam 70-642 – Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
- Exam 70-646 – Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator
Hey, wait a minute. Wasn’t there already a certification for someone who passed the above tests? Yeah, it was called the MCITP: Server Administrator on Windows Server 2008. The good news is that if you’ve been studying toward these exams, you haven’t wasted your precious certification time. The Private Cloud certification requires that you pass the following:
- Exam 70-640 – windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
- Exam 70-642 – Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
- Exam 70-646 – Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator
- Exam 70-247 – Configuring & Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 OR Exam 70-659 Windows Server 2008 R2 Virtualization
- Exam 70-246 – Configuring Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
The 70-246 and 70-247 exams should be released this summer.
The SQL Server 2012 MCSE Server certification has two different platforms: Data Platform or Business Intelligence. To get the MCSE: Data Platform, you have to pass the following:
- Exam 70-461 – Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
- Exam 70-462 – Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database
- Exam 70-463 – Implementing Data Warehouses with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
- Exam 70-464 – Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
- Exam 70-465 – Designing Database Solutions for SQL Server 2012
If you have a MCTIP: Database Developer 2008 certification or MCTIP: Database Administrator 2008 certification on SQL Server 2008, you can upgrade to the MCSE: Data Platform by passing the following:
- Exam 70-457 – Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Part 1
- Exam 70-458 – Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Part 2
- Exam 70-459 – Transition your MCTIP to MCSE: Data Platform
To get the MCSE: Business Intelligence, you have to pass the following:
- Exam 70-461 – Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
- Exam 70-462 – Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Database
- Exam 70-463 – Implementing Data Warehouses with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
- Exam 70-466 – Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
- Exam 70-467 – Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
If you have a MCTIP: Business Intelligence 2008 certification on SQL Server 2008, you can upgrade to the MCSE: Business Intelligence by passing the following:
- Exam 70-457 – Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Part 1
- Exam 70-458 – Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Part 2
- Exam 70-460 – Transition your MCTIP: Business Intelligence 2008 to MCSE: Business Intelligence.
These exams should be released later this year.
This would be an excellent time to answer some questions I’m sure you have.
What about your MCTS and MCTIP certifications?
Well, you will still have those, but as time goes by they will retire.
If I get a new MCSA or new MCSE certification, will I have to recertify?
You betcha, brothers and sisters. The MCSA and MCSE certification will probably last only about 3 years before you have to recertify. What constitutes recertifying? You will have to pass a test or series of tests. The MCTS and MCTIP will become like a Cisco CCNA certification, the CompTIA A+, and other certifications where you will have to recertify every three years. Microsoft wants to keep the MCSE and MCSA certifications relevant. You can read more about this policy on Microsoft’s site.
If you’re still confused, I recommend these informative videos from the Born To Learn blog:
Microsoft Certified Trainers Explain MCSE
In my next blog post, I’ll go over the new “extended matching” item types being rolled out in Microsoft’s exams. Until then, keep you nose clean and your acronyms straight.
–George Monsalvatge
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