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
|
There are 75  user Comments for “Microsoft To Raise Exam Prices 25 Percent Next Year”
|
|
Page 5 of 8
|
| 12/10/01: Jamie says: |
Everyone please stop complaining. This is a tax write-off for us anyway, and equal to at least one hour's worth of consulting time. Microsoft is probably trying to recoup the costs of distributing the tests through other outlets, like trade events. Plus, the higher price separates the wheat from the chaff. |
| 12/12/01: mark says: |
Hershel makes a valid point to those who are afraid of "paper MCSEs". For those of you who may feel side swiped by the inexperienced, newly certified, consider the strength of your experience. Thanks to Be Smart for pointing out a temporary way to get around a fee increase. Take advantage if you choose to/can. As far as the fee goes, 7 years with no increase is reasonable. Does it change things that this fee shouldn't be increased just because MS has so much money already? Maybe we should be complaining more about MS's prices for their software rather than their testing fees- Retail price for just Microsoft Word is $339 US and the Office 2002 is $579 US and WIN2K is $319 US. Excellent products (definitely not perfect), but really expensive. Given the demand (and business necessity to actually buy them) should they be charging so much?? Is this price gouging? Contact Microsoft and tell them your opinion! Their Customer Service # for the www.Shop.Microsoft.com department is (888)218-5617 or email them! at [email protected] (MSWISH in all CAPS). If they receive enough complaints from customers, they could decide to not increase their prices or even lower them! Will there be enough complaints to them to make a difference? |
| 12/12/01: H says: |
Living in London where there's no appreciation for people w/ tech skills and one makes the kind of money that should be worth of a CSE "MacDonald Certified Serveur Employee", affordability becomes an issue but then the MCSE title doesn't seem to matter much around here. Why even bother? |
| 12/13/01: Steve says: |
Every Coin has 2 sides. Microsoft's side says $25 more. My side says the timing is BAD but when does it satisfy everyone? Never!! If it is important to you to take the exam, then pay the small increment. It will mean a Whole Lot more to you when you pass. |
| 12/13/01: Bubba says: |
Later M$. Hello Brainbench! |
| 12/14/01: Be says: |
*** News Flash *** In case you haven't read the article on mcpmag.com, Microsoft stated that they will NOT extend deadline for the 70-240 Accelerated exam. I say, please read the following: According to information published on the company's MCT Secure Web site, Microsoft just recently has extended that deadline to May 1, 2002, which the company says is "based on requests from MCTs and Microsoft CTECs who have asked for more time." If Microsoft extended the deadline for MCT's (Microsoft certified trainers) because they complained directly to them, what do you think Microsoft will do for us MCP's/MCSE's if we do the same. Remember, there are more of us but it will not make any difference if we don't call them in large numbers. The number again is 800-636-7544 (toll free USA and Canada). Other areas contact your Microsoft regional education service center listed on the MCP Web site. Call TODAY!!! (HI BE SMART -- WE CHECKED THIS OUT. THAT'S THE DEADLINE FOR MCTs TO GET THEIR PREMIERE CERTIFICATION ON WIN2K, AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH 70-240. THE 70-240 IS STILL BEING RETIRED. AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, MCT'S HAVE TO TAKE THE 7-EXAM ROUTE. BTW -- IF YOU DO PLAN TO TAKE THE 70-240, CALL AND MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW -- WE'VE HEARD THAT A LOT OF TESTING CENTERS HAVE ALREADY FILLED UP! -- Becky Nagel, Web Editor, CertCities.com, [email protected].) |
| 12/14/01: Common Sense says: |
Its not Microsoft getting greedier its Prometric and Vue...Wake up! |
| 12/14/01: Be says: |
*** NEWS FLASH *** Just heard from a friend of mine that Microsoft has been letting people (worldwide) register for the 70-240 Accelerated exam even though they missed the November 1, 2001 deadline to request the free voucher. All you have to do is call 800-636-7544 (toll free USA and Canada). Other areas contact your Microsoft regional education service center listed on the MCP Web site. Microsoft has NOT posted this change in policy on their website. See, no deadline is absolute. |
| 12/14/01: SDL says: |
We should instead complain to Prometric and VUE...and not to M$. I think if there are more accredited testing providers, exam fees will actually go down. right now, Prometric and VUE have monopoly of the testing market. I think they actually call the shot and pressured M$ to allow them to increase testing fee. they begged for M$ to sign off on increasing the testing fee. Prometric and VUE want more dollar$ now!! demand is high, price is high. if less and less people want to get certfied and just go for experience instead, these two guys will drop their fees. |
| 12/14/01: Be says: |
Hi Becky Nagel, I sorry the analogy between the MCT's wasn't clear enough for people. Of course, the 70-240 Accelerated exam has the December 31, 2001 deadline (so far). My point was that Microsoft extended their (MCT) premiere certification because of requests from MCT's and CTEC's. They should do the same for MCP's / MCSE's if we request an extension too. Your facts are indeed correct and I agree fully with them. How about verifying the following posting about people who missed requesting a 70-240 voucher (November 1, 2001 deadline) being able to take the accelerated exam if they call the toll free number (800) 636-7544. I'm sure some of your readers will appreciate you confirming the fact with Microsoft personnel at that number. Especially since the MCP website does NOT mention their leniency. |
First Page Previous Page Next Page Last Page
|
|
|
|
