Microsoft Changes Plans for .NET Server MCSE and MCSA
12/4/2002 -- MCPMag.com reported Tuesday that Microsoft has decided to restructure its certification offerings for Windows .NET Server 2003. The changes encompass upgrade exams and a retooling of the way that the MCSE and MCSA credentials tie together.
Microsoft has decided to back away from the mix-and-match strategy it first announced in January (see "Windows .NET Exams in Pipeline"). At that time, the company said candidates could take both Windows 2000 and .NET exams toward the MCSE or MCSA titles. Now, the certification group has decided to eliminate that and simply offer upgrade exams for those holding Win2K credentials.
Dan Truax, Director of Microsoft Certification Business & Product Strategy, told MCPMag.com: "Now, if you're an MCSA on Windows 2000, when we release the .NET track, you'll likely take one exam, assuming your elective carries over. For MCSE, again assuming your electives carry over and still count, you will probably take one or two exams at most."
Truax said that unlike 70-240, the four-hour accelerated exam for moving to the Win2K MCSE, these tests will be about the same length as the regular exams. "Our plan right now is to make them as close to a normal exam time as possible, which is why you need to be at that credential level on Win2K — because they build on that knowledge." At the same time, he said, "The reason we're able to do the upgrade exams is because there's still a lot of similarities [between Win2K and .NET]."
The new MCSA title will be available in the summer timeframe, Truax predicted. He expected beta exams to begin in springtime. The MCSE title will be available in the fall. This follows the schedule first announced in June (see "Windows .NET Server Exams: Spring or Summer 2003?" ). The .NET product line itself is expected to be widely available in April.
For more details, click here to read the full story on MCPMag.com.  -D.S.
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There are 39  user Comments for “Microsoft Changes Plans for .NET Server MCSE and MCSA”
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| 1/5/03: John Okorie from Nigeria says: |
What impart can .NET make to the IT world presently, which can not be made by W2K. |
| 1/5/03: gunderstone from Connecticut says: |
Please don't re-certify, it makes it that much easier for those of us who do wish to and who have the knowledge and work experience to back up the certification to continue to renew our status and continue moving the certification towards center, where it will regain some of it lost credibility. Do I necessarily like the fact that MS keep switching gears? No. Do I like the fact that so many folks are irritated with the whole thing that they are giving up the pursuit? Yes. It gets all of the watered down techs off the boat. Mechanics that fix cars get continuing education and re-certification in order to keep up pace with the changes in their environment. Does this mean average Joe who owns a gas station in the middle of nowhere? Usually not (but never count average Joe out, he may do it out of pride and he MAY fully have a clue), but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the ASE service tech in Big City Garage can properly fix your car. Bottom line, keep up with the changes or get out of the way. .NET is coming and perhaps your company may not use it at all and you may not need to know it. If they go out of business or get bought out, will you be prepared to work with the new company that buys out yours or left behind playing catch-up? If you’re out of work and don’t know more than the next guy you won’t get the job either and you’ll be left complaining how “bad” the job market is or how there are too few jobs. (The IT job market IS tight, but not as bad as in other fields.) IF you know your stuff and the next big thing, whether that’s MS, Orcale, Linux or whatever, you will be better positioned than the next guy. (Just my, ten cents…. Inflation adjusted and all….) |
| 1/6/03: Thomas from New Mexico says: |
Well I have no idea what to do next? I am one exam away from MCSE! Should I wait it out or should I take the 70-219 exam??? |
| 1/6/03: Anonymous says: |
I passed the tests to become an MCSA (Win XP Pro, Win2000 Server, Win2000 Managing 70-218, A+, and Network+. Does all this mean that I will have to go back and take the Win2000 Pro exam to be able to upgrade my cert? |
| 1/10/03: Elcio Favare from São Paulo - Brazil says: |
Hi everybody. We should stop crying and start working in our career focus. Before attend classes, study alone or do the exams, everyone should think about how difficult is to get and keep a certification, and know that it means a lot of nights without sleep, much money to spend and strategic decisions about our lives. I'm certificated by IBM with their CSE - a weak program when they forget to call you about re-certification and you have to find them. Formely Compaq and now HP ASE is a kind of weard, the name changes with the wind and the Compaq Worldwide program was different out of US. Here is Brazil I had to do 2 exams every year. I'm MCSE (W2K and NT4), so after the fresh news about the brand new Windows name (the .Net was put off the name) let's wait for a while for more informations about the program. That's all about IT, business and math. Things change and we have to save some money earned with this certifications to be up to date, to keep earning this money and beyond. If you guys have any trouble to understand it, probably is better to find a career in a non-volatile area, or forget the IT certification programs because they are almost the same for all brands; new products - new tech (a lot of them - like W2K, or not too much - like W2K3), more challenge, tests with the products, study and exams. Happy new year for all of us! Success, and good luck with whatever certifications you want a get! |
| 1/15/03: Grant from Glenrothes, Fife says: |
Though less knowlagable than many here I`m sure, I get the impression there is to much complaining about the constant change, isn`t that what computers are all about ... as for the money aspect, who cares, its only money ... and if thats all that it takes to keep on-top off it all ... just pay it. |
| 1/15/03: BooBooKitty from Uranus says: |
F&!K all of you egotistical ignorant jerks (e.g. Grant, Elsio, Titus, Gunderstone, etc.) that don't understand the REAL problem here. People don't get certified in IT products unless it brings them more money or a better job. Since the majority of people in this forum aren't currently getting these with their W2K MCSE, why should they pursue a .Net MCSE? To waste time and money? Its also disadvantageous for MS if a large number of W2K MCSEs don't upgrade since this indicates a lack of support in the IT workforce. I say put the screws to M$ and don't upgrade your MCSE! Check out Linux instead! |
| 1/17/03: Tharg says: |
I'm with ya BooBooKitty! F*ck .NET certification!! |
| 1/24/03: Big Idea! from Cyberspace says: |
As for the certification tracks, etc.... Just get your MCT; then, you can keep your MCT current by taking the upgrades that are now coming out yearly. You'll need those points for MCT, anyway. You keep your MCSA, your MCSE, and your MCT current, and with a few tests a year instead of a whopping test that takes away your life for two months while you eat and breathe Windows trying for a one-time shot upgrade. Its a winning situation. I hate it - today, I am one test away from MCSA (scheduled for next week) and a few more for my 2000 MCSE. I will upgrade to .NET in both. I am pressing forward. Come with me if you like. |
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