8/27/2003 -- Microsoft will release three key exams for the MCSE for Windows 2003 track on Thursday.

They are:

• 70-293, Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• 70-294, Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
• 70-296, Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000

Exams 70-293 and 70-294 comprise two exams that MCSE on Windows 2003 candidates must complete for the Core Exams: Networking Systems portion of the track. (Two more exams, 70-290 and 70-291, are the others; they were released August 14. Click here to read details.) Both exams are aimed at measuring the skills of MCSEs whose job roles include the functional design of networks.

Exam 70-296 makes up one of two upgrade exams for MCSE on Windows 2003 candidates; Exam 70-292, released August 14, is the other one. Both exams, available only to those who have completed the MCSE on Windows 2000, are all that are required to upgrade to the newer Windows 2003 credential.

Registration for all three exams opens up August 27 through Prometric and Vue testing centers. According to the exam guides, candidates can expect to encounter adaptive formats and simulation questions, but Microsoft may also include new testing innovations, such as hot areas, drag and place and testlets (click here to read more).

To view the requirements for the MCSE on Windows 2003, click here. -Michael Domingo, courtesy of MCPmag.com