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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A number of you have recently asked me about the Microsoft exam 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory and the newer Exam 83-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory.

Exam 83-640 was released by Microsoft back in November 2008 and is a lab-based exam which will gradually replace the current version of the Exam 70-640, the study content and objectives are the same for both exams. 70-640 & 83-640

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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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Happy holidays everyone. Several of you have recently asked where are our Windows Vista Courses and when will they be released.

I have been developing these courses for some time now, but have delayed their release in the hope that SP1 would be available, I have a few finishing touches that I want to undertake and expect both of them – The INTRO and MCTS course (which includes the INTRO course) – to be released late January 2008.

Unlike our previous courses, both will feature a downloadable PDF lab book with exercises. No written notes will be provided instead a more visual and detailed instructor led video simulation series will be available to assist with online self study, in responce to your feedback

Further courses covering Windows Server 2008 are also under development and should be available mid to late March 2008.

As soon as any new courses are available I will announce it here.

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One of my readers – Anne Frank – has asked me a question which I am regularly asked, so I have posted it and my reply in this post.

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“I am confused as to which Microsoft certification to study for – My company is running Windows Server 2000 and 2003. Should I continue to look at obtaining the MCSE or restart my studies on Windows Server 2008? If I study for Windows Server 2008 what exams must I study for?”

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Firstly there will be no MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) or MCSE Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) on Windows Server 2008, these qualifications are currently only available with Windows Server 2003 and will be replaced by the new qualifications – MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) and MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional).

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The Microsoft Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification is the first level of a new generation of Microsoft certifications targeted to specific Microsoft technologies,

A MCTS must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge, and be capable of implementing, building, troubleshooting, and debugging a particular Microsoft technology.

The Technology Series certifications do not include job role skills and will be retired when mainstream product support for the particular technology expires.

An examples of this certification is:

• A Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) on Windows Vista, Configuration. 

Only one Microsoft exam is needed for this certification: 70-620 This is designed for professionals with experience of resolving issues related to desktop operating systems and applications, logon problems, password resets, security and network connectivity.

Other MCTS certifications are available. Full details can be found on the Microsoft Website