Understanding The MCSE Exam Path

Are you involved in the field of information technology, or someone who is interested in entering this field??  If so, then you may be interested in what kind of direction you should pursue when it comes to getting Microsoft certifications.   There are two things to consider when seeking answers to this issue.  One of these is the MCSE exam path in regards to certification.  How do you begin to prepare for the exams that could begin to change your life??

To properly prepare for these exams, it’s important to realize the second issue you face:  the MCSE certification is beginning to be phased out.  In 2008, a new Microsoft certification began to be established, and the goal for many is to transition to this certification.  Those who hold MCSEs on Windows Server 2003 can get a transfer to the certificates offered in Windows Server 2008 – Microsoft Certified IT Professional, or Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist.  Now, it isn’t necessary to get a 2008 certification, as the 2003 certificates are still in play.  On the other hand, anyone with a certificate in Windows Server 2000 should take note that the exams for that particular certification have now expired.  You no longer will be able to take these exams, so your goal should be to at least seek a Windows Server 2003 MCSE exam path.

Anyone with an MCSE on Windows 2000 must pass a pair of transition exams to earn certification in Server 2003.  To make the move from 2003 to 2008, it only takes passing one exam to accomplish this.  These transition exams are not designed to measure potential job skills – they simply are based on the improvements in technology between the Server 2003 and Server 2008 versions.

As far as preparation for these exams is concerned, one thing you should know is that great steps are taken to ensure the security of your exam testing center so that the integrity of exams in uncompromised.  Cheating, for example, will not be tolerated and will result in loss of current Microsoft certifications as well as permanent ineligibility for any future certifications.  In regards to exam prep, things like simulated exams are helpful in limiting desire to memorize questions thanks to requirements to complete certain tasks rather than robotic question and answering.

In order to take certification exams, you must pay a fee that usually runs about $125 in the US for a live examination.  If you select a beta exam – which is a pool of questions that frame the exam objectives (followed by response period and analysis to determine which questions will be in the cert exam) – then it will be no charge.  If you are seeking these exams for employees, you may do so at a volume discount – roughly 10% for groups of 20 or more exam vouchers.

So if you want to make the move to getting your MCSE exam path set, best of luck – and hopefully, you will succeed in this career-charting step.