5/3/2006 -- If you've been planning to take Microsoft's Small Business Specialist exam (#70-282) for your MCP or MCSE 2003 title and wanted to become a registered Microsoft partner (or perhaps just want to get that discount on the SBS exam), now may be the time to pull the trigger.

Anyone can sign up as a registered Microsoft partner through the company's Web site, and through June anyone registered as a partner can get their the SBS exam at a 20 percent discount.

The discount comes in the form of a voucher, which is available only through Pearson Vue testing centers worldwide.

The company also just announced that partners can combine this discount with its Second Shot retake promotion, which allows those who fail a Microsoft exam to retake it for free. Previously, the promotions could not be combined.

Candidates must use special discount codes to also apply the free retake offer. The retake can be taken through July 31.

This discount is part of a larger program offering partners at various levels discounts on a number of its exams. More information on the partner discounts and combining it with the retake offer can be found in the MCPmag.com article here. -Becky Nagel