6/11/2008 -- Virtualization is a hot topic and Microsoft Learning hasn't ignored it as a certification; the group has been developing exams aimed at testing candidates' knowledge of the technology on Windows Server 2008. And last week, according to a blog post from Microsoft marketing team member Trika Harms zum Spreckel, it introduced the first virtualization-based exam into beta testing.

Exam 70-652 TS: Windows Server Virtualization-Configuring is now available in beta form, which means it's free, until June 23 worldwide, except in India, Pakistan and China. (The exam number is prefaced with a 71 while under beta.)

Candidates who pass the exam will earn the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server Virtualization-Configuration certificate when the exam goes live some time later this year.

Exam 70-652 is intended for those who have extensive working knowledge of setting up and managing a virtual machine in a virtualized environment, with a good portion of the exam concentrating on managing or migrating some VMs to and from Hyper-V.

Beta exams are free to take at any Prometric testing center, but you must obtain a code or get an invitation to take one. Beta invites often go out to those who qualify and subscribe to Microsoft's MCP Flash newsletter; details for subscribing are here. Michael Domingo, courtesy of MCPmag.com