1/31/2008 -- Microsoft's popular exam retake offer -- also known as the Exam Second-Shot -- was set to expire Jan. 31, but the Microsoft Learning Group has extended the popular program for three more months. The extension puts the expiration to June 30, 2008.

Steven H., an IT administrator at a bank in Miami who asked to remain anonymous, calls the second-shot extension good timing from Microsoft. "The [Windows Server 2008] exam will be my first, and I'm pretty sure I can pass... The second shot just relieves me of a lot of anxiety," he said.

The second-shot program requires candidates to register prior to setting up a date to take an exam. The offer can be applied to any IT professional, developer or Dynamics exam and is valid worldwide.

With typical exam fees in the U.S. at $125 (Windows 2008 exams will also follow suit), the second-shot can save candidates the full price of an exam. But it can only be used once per exam attempt, so candidates retaking any exams after the first retake must pay full price before obtaining another second-shot voucher.

According to a FAQ posted to Microsoft's site, the first attempt at passing the exam must be done prior to May 31, with any second attempt done prior to June 30.

Microsoft also offers a version of the retake offer for those who take Academic exams (which retail for $60 in the U.S.) prefixed with a 72- number. The extension also applies to those exams, but is only available in the U.S., Europe, Middle East, Africa and in some select countries. To find out more, review the FAQ posted on Microsoft's Web site. Michael Domingo, courtesy of MCPmag.com