12/14/2000 -- Microsoft announced today that it is extending the life the Windows NT 4.0 exams through February 2001. In fact, all 18 exams that were scheduled to be retired on Dec. 31 will now be available through Feb. 28, 2001.

As MCPmag.com and CertCities reported last week, Microsoft had been considering extending the December deadline due to overwhelming demand for these exams. In the official announcement posted today on Microsoft's Web site, the company said: "The additional two months of availability will accommodate candidates who are experiencing difficulty scheduling testing times because of limited capacity at testing centers in some areas, especially around the holidays."

The extended deadline does NOT apply to Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs); MCTs' deadline to obtain an premier certification remains Dec. 31, 2000.

According to the post, those who do pass the exams during the extended deadline will still be eligible for a free 70-240 Accelerated exam voucher. However, although the Windows NT exams and other exams will now be offered until Feb. 28, candidates earning the MCSE or MCDBA certification in the Windows NT 4.0 track must still upgrade to the respective Windows 2000 track by Dec. 31, 2001 in order to remain certified.

New NT Exam
Microsoft also announced today plans for a new NT-related exam, to be released in beta version during Q2 2001.

According to Microsoft, the exam, which will be made up of a new objective domain and entirely new questions, will certify individuals as MCPs and will count as an elective toward the Windows 2000 MCSE certification. The new exam will emphasize day-to-day operations, administration and maintenance skills in a mixed NT/Win2K environment.

For more information on both of these developments, please see the official posts on the Microsoft Web site. -B.N.