A note to those not already Microsoft certified, I often get asked when a student passes their exam, “How will I receive my certificate?” in the past Microsoft would have sent you an MCP Welcome Kit with your paper certificate, this would have been sent automatically when you passed your first MCP exam

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This post is just a reminder to those considering taking one of Microsoft’s new certifications – MCTS, MCITP or MCPD on Windows Server 2008.

Microsoft have updated their exam retirement policy, unlike the MCSA & MCSE certifications on Windows Server 2003 which once passed will at the time of writing never retire, Microsoft have introduced a lifecycle policy for the MCTS, MCITP or MCPD, to ensure that these certifications are kept relevant and up to date.

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Microsoft started offering a free second chance to take and pass a Microsoft IT Professional, Developer, or Microsoft Dynamics certification exam back in September 2007, this offer was originally going to end on 31 January 2008, however due to demand Microsoft Learning and Prometric have just announced that they are extending the offer through to 30 June 2008

Of course being well prepared you will pass first time and will not need this, but just in case I will list a couple of useful links below:

For answers to your FAQ’s Click Here

To register for this offer visit Microsoft Learning,

Good Luck

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I recently received the Microsoft January MCP Flash. In this Microsoft encourages people to be amongst the first to become Windows Server 2008 qualified, which is unsurprising, however there was also an article focusing on the Windows Server 2003 certification.

Even though Windows Server 2008 is due for release next month and I will admit that from my experience and from what I have seen it is a great operating system, I know of a number of companies that I have been in contact with recently that are running Windows Server 2003 in an Active Directory environment and at this stage do not intend to migrate to Windows Server 2008, recognising this Microsoft can still see there is a demand for individuals with the appropriate skills and the Microsoft MCSA or MCSE 2003 certifications

The newsletter stated “These certifications will not change or retire with the release of Windows Server 2008. MCSA and MCSE will continue to be recognized and supported by Microsoft, and will be valued by organizations seeking skilled professionals on the Windows Server 2003 infrastructure all over the world. In the future, you can leverage your Windows Server 2003 certification for a shortened path to Windows Server 2008 certifications, when that makes sense for you.“

If you are still interested in these certifications and the upgrade paths available to Windows Server 2008, Microsoft has released a number of alternative electives, for example: exam 70-620 –TS on Windows Vista client, Configuring – can also be used as a core client or general elective exam on the MCSA or MCSE 2003 certification. For a list of the exams needed for MCSA 2003 click here, for MCSE 2003 click here.

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The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification is designed to provide the skills to Implement, manage and troubleshoot a Windows based Network including Windows 2000, XP Professional and Windows Server 2003.

The major responsibilities of an MCSA are

• Installation and configuration of parts of the system

• Management and administration of supporting systems

The MCSA is designed for:

• Network and system administrators

• Network engineers

• Network technicians

• Technical consultants

The MCSA on Windows Server 2003 must pass four exams, these include:

• One Core Client System Exam:

Install, Configure & Administer Windows XP Professional – exam: 70-270

• Two Core Network System Exams:

Manage & Maintain a Windows 2003 Server Environment – exam 70-290

Implement, Manage & Maintain a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure – exam 70-291

• One Elective Exam

For further details on the MCSA track visit the Microsoft Web site

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NOTE: Microsoft has also designed an upgrade path for an MCSA on Windows 2000 to update to Windows Server 2003 one exam is needed: Exam 70-292 - Manage and Maintain a Microsoft Server 2003 Environment

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