Microsoft To Raise Exam Prices 25 Percent Next Year
12/5/2001 -- Sources have told MCPMag.com that beginning Jan. 4, 2002, U.S. pricing for Microsoft exams through Prometric and VUE testing centers will increase 25 percent to $125. Microsoft's exam pricing hasn't changed in about seven years.
The increase comes at a time of global recession, and speculation is that the increase will help to offset the added cost of maintaining the certification program's quality. Andy Barkl, MCT and owner of WeTrainIT in Glendale, Arizona, notices that Microsoft is following suit with other certification programs. "Cisco exams were just raised to $125 also and CompTIA exams always have been more expensive than most."
The increase is likely to affect international pricing. Georges Thibault, an MCT in Quebec, Canada, calls the increase "ridiculous." He notes that the exchange rate can translate to about $200 Canadian. "Why does Microsoft have to make the certification process so expensive?" Microsoft would not comment on the increase, but plans to officially release this information on Friday. -MCPMag.com
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There are 75  user Comments for “Microsoft To Raise Exam Prices 25 Percent Next Year”
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| 12/5/01: Nick says: |
Who cares? the cert is as valuable as public restroom toilet paper anyway. Oh wait, even that has some use. |
| 12/5/01: Steve (Cryptotoad) says: |
I don't like it either, but you have to look at it from a business perspective. We can probably say that the average inflation rate is about 3.3% per year. I started taking these exams in 96 for $100 a pop. Now, 6 years later, $125 doesn't seem like too far of a stretch when you take inflation into account. Doesn't really matter to me anyway since my company reimburses all exams I pass and I have yet to fail an exam (14/14), but I probably just cursed myself there. |
| 12/5/01: Be says: |
What you should do is: 1. Contact MCP program and complain directly. They only care if they hear complaints directly from you. They have changed policy in the past when enough MCP's complained to them and asked for their supervisor. 2. Ask MCP program to extend the testing period for Accelerated Exam, 70-240 (they will do it if enough of you people request it). Good public relations for them especially if they do raise exam prices. 3. Register for your Microsoft exams TODAY for dates past January 4, 2002. You will only pay $100 and have the option of rescheduling exam for free (one business day before test date) or even canceling exam for full refund (one business day before test date). 4. Remember to CALL ASAP at 1-800-636-7544. State that you are a MCP (or higher) and that you want the first two points written above. They have weekly meetings to discuss calls like these. I was told that when they get a lot of complaint calls, especially when you ask for a supervisor or supervisor callback, they have emergency meetings. Remember, complain here only and it's our heartache. Complain to them and it's their headache. Empower yourselves and remember to ask for the supervisor!!! |
| 12/5/01: rajesh says: |
MS has gone mad. It will loose many probable MCP from Eastern side of world. Actually they should reduce by 50%. |
| 12/6/01: Super says: |
No price increase for seven years and it goes up $25? Yeah, big deal. If you even have to open your mouth about a lousy 25 bucks, well, I really feel your pain. Things are tough all over. Quit your whining and get back to work! |
| 12/6/01: Nawar says: |
I believe the time for changing the exams fees is wrong , since Microsoft did come back from expiring the NT exams , many NT MCSEs and MCPs were back to take more new W2K exams , by increasing the prices I guess this will effect the number of people taking the exam. Anyway MS exams still much cheaper than CompTIA's & Cisco's ones. |
| 12/6/01: Hershel says: |
Microsoft dictates policy at the direction of those in power within Microsoft. If Microsoft would stick to providing the test material, and quit trying to govern their Certifications, the whole industry would be better. Let the HR people in industry weed out the unqualified and those with little or no experienced. Microsoft has yielded to a certain element that believes they should wield the power. Taking Certification away from MCSE's who held NT4.0 Certification was a crime. If a new Certification was to be required, so be it, but it should have been an extention to the one already EARNED by people all over the world. Microsoft forgets that it costs a lot of money and time for an individual to prepare for the MCSE exams. They flush it down the drain without even blinking. Yes, prices will always go up. Testing is no exception, but when we get set up by Microsoft, it seems to take the enthusiasm and incentive out of the effort of testing. Why spend more money if Microsoft takes away your hard earned Certification on their next project or upgrade? I suggest that Microsoft re-think their position of eleminating Certifications earned by so many people. They need to recognize the efforts by individuals and quit playing GOD! |
| 12/6/01: Hershel says: |
This is a corrected copy of my statements with an addition. You folks who complain about Paper MCSE's and state how hard it was for you to earn your position: You need to grow up. If you qualify for a position with Certification and experience,then it is the HR department of that business that holds the responsibility for hiring you over a less experienced MCSE. That responsibility should not go to Microsoft. Microsoft requires testing, if a person passes the test, then he/she becomes Certified. Example: If you hold a college degree, it only allows certain doors to be open, it doesn't guarantee a job or a high starting salary. Plus, nobody can take that degree away from you. If the job requires more education, you go get it, but you do not have to earn your degree all over again. If that isn't plain enough for you folks who are worried about Paper MCSE's, then I can't help you. Microsoft dictates policy at the direction of those in power within Microsoft. If Microsoft would stick to providing the test material, and quit trying to govern their Certifications, the whole industry would be better. Let the HR people in industry weed out the unqualified and those with little or no experienced. Microsoft has yielded to a certain element that believes they should wield the power. Taking Certification away from MCSE's who held NT4.0 Certification was a crime. If a new Certification was to be required, so be it, but it should have been an extension to the one already EARNED by people all over the world. Microsoft forgets that it costs a lot of money and time for an individual to prepare for the MCSE exams. They flush it down the drain without even blinking. Yes, prices will always go up. Testing is no exception, but when Microsoft sets us up, it seems to take the enthusiasm and incentive out of the effort of testing. Why spend more money if Microsoft takes away your hard earned Certification on their next project or upgrade? I suggest that Microsoft re-think their position of eliminating Certifications earned by so many people. They need to recognize the efforts by individuals and quit playing GOD! |
| 12/6/01: Hershel says: |
This is a corrected copy of my statements with an addition. You folks who complain about Paper MCSE's and state how hard it was for you to earn your position: You need to grow up. If you qualify for a position with Certification and experience,then it is the HR department of that business that holds the responsibility for hiring you over a less experienced MCSE. That responsibility should not go to Microsoft. Microsoft requires testing, if a person passes the test, then he/she becomes Certified. Example: If you hold a college degree, it only allows certain doors to be open, it doesn't guarantee a job or a high starting salary. Plus, nobody can take that degree away from you. If the job requires more education, you go get it, but you do not have to earn your degree all over again. If that isn't plain enough for you folks who are worried about Paper MCSE's, then I can't help you. Microsoft dictates policy at the direction of those in power within Microsoft. If Microsoft would stick to providing the test material, and quit trying to govern their Certifications, the whole industry would be better. Let the HR people in industry weed out the unqualified and those with little or no experienced. Microsoft has yielded to a certain element that believes they should wield the power. Taking Certification away from MCSE's who held NT4.0 Certification was a crime. If a new Certification was to be required, so be it, but it should have been an extension to the one already EARNED by people all over the world. Microsoft forgets that it costs a lot of money and time for an individual to prepare for the MCSE exams. They flush it down the drain without even blinking. Yes, prices will always go up. Testing is no exception, but when Microsoft sets us up, it seems to take the enthusiasm and incentive out of the effort of testing. Why spend more money if Microsoft takes away your hard earned Certification on their next project or upgrade? I suggest that Microsoft re-think their position of eliminating Certifications earned by so many people. They need to recognize the efforts by individuals and quit playing GOD! |
| 12/6/01: Anonymous says: |
I think the posts are good, but miss the point. Fine, the tests are 'only' $125, but MS makes you take SEVEN before you have a cert worth "anything". (Thats $875 for you non-accounting types.) |
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