Microsoft Certification Ebook

Q: What is the Microsoft technical certifications program?
A: The Microsoft technical certifications program is designed to validate the technology and job -role skill set of an individual. Microsoft certification makes it easier for IT managers and human resources consultants to identify candidates for hiring, and earning certification can help support your career goals, differentiate you from the competition, and help you attain Microsoft Competencies. And when you achieve Microsoft technical certification, you qualify for the designation of Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP).
The program includes four series of credentials, each of which demonstrates an increasing level of skill and experience:
*Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) . Technology series certifications enable professionals to select technologies and distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in a broad range of technologies. Certified Technology Specialists are consistently capable of implementing, building, troubleshooting, and debugging a particular Microsoft technology.
*Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP). This series validates specific job-role skills outside of core technology. These skills include design, project management, operations management, and planning —in the context of a particular role. By validating a more comprehensive set of skills, these credentials give you and potential hiring managers a reliable indicator of on-the-job performance.
*Microsoft Certified Master . Senior IT professionals: Master certification enables you to demonstrate and validate your technical expertise of Microsoft server products. Qualified Certified Master candidates are highly skilled technical experts in their discipline, with several years of experience designing, deploying, and managing solutions by using Microsoft technology. Master certification is a prerequisite for all Microsoft platform Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certifications.
*Microsoft Certified Architect . Distinguish yourself as a top industry expert in IT architecture, through the Certified Architect program. Professionals who meet this qualification have a minimum of 10 years of advanced IT-industry experience, have three or more years of experience as practicing architects, and possess strong technical and managerial skills.

Q: How are Partner Competency Exams (PCEs) affected by the Microsoft technical certification framework?
A: PCEs will now be recognized as Technology Specialist (TS) Exams. If you have already passed a PCE or if you pass one in the future, you will now receive the TS certification (MCTS, as described earlier) and associated benefits. The competencies affected by this transition include Service-Oriented Architecture and Business Process, Information Worker Solutions, and OEM Hardware Solutions. These exams are designated by exam numbers that begin with 74.

Q: I passed a PCE before this announcement. What certification will I receive?
A: You will receive the Certified Technology Specialist certification.

Q: Will my certification for Windows Server 2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 count toward obtaining a competency?
A: Yes. Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Visual Studio 2008 exams will be added as exam options when appropriate.
If you hold certifications for previous releases of Windows Server, SQL Server, and Visual Studio, you should consider upgrading your credentials to the Certified Technology Specialist series and the Certified IT Professional and Certified Professional Developer series certifications that reflect the latest technology. Passing these exams can help you meet Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Data Management Solutions, and Custom Development Solutions requirements. Learn about these specific exams and dates today to ensure that you’re prepared well in advance of important deadlines.

Q: I was invited to take a beta exam and passed it. Will this exam count toward Microsoft technical certifications?
A: Yes.

Q: If someone in my organization passes an exam that’s required by more than one competency, will it count toward the attainment of all those competencies?
A: Yes.

Q: Will previously issued Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credentials still count toward Microsoft Partner Program requirements?
A: Though MCP credentials will apply to Microsoft Partner Program requirements until further notice, you should obtain Microsoft technical certification on the latest Microsoft technology releases. Microsoft Partner Program competencies evolve, and in some cases, you may be required to upgrade your certifications. Regularly review the program requirements for each competency to remain informed.

Q: If I have an MCP credential, will I automatically become a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Microsoft Certified IT Professional, Microsoft Certified Professional Developer, Microsoft Certified Master, or Microsoft Certified Architect?
A: If you have a current MCP credential, you will become a Certified Technology Specialist, Certified IT Professional, Certified Professional Developer, Certified Master, or Certified Architect only by passing new certification exams.

Q: How do Certified Master and Certified Architect designations count toward Microsoft Partner Program requirements?
A: Microsoft Certified Master program and Microsoft Certified Architect programs combine advanced training and certification components, including expert-level classroom training and labs. The programs include up to four weeks of intensive classroom training, computer-based tests, and lab-based exams for each training and exam series.

Q: Does the new structure of the Microsoft certification program make all current certifications obsolete?
A: Current certifications will remain valid as long as the associated technologies and products are supported. You may continue to pursue your current credentials and follow the upgrade path to the latest Microsoft technical credentials, or, if you are new to a product or have never been certified on it, you may follow the full path to study and test for the latest credential.

Q: Where can I find more details for each certification?
A:
*Microsoft Certified Professional. The MCP designation is granted when you take and pass your first MCP certification exam. The MCP designation enables you to join the Microsoft certified community and be recognized as beginning to pursue the former Microsoft certifications of Microsoft Certified System Engineer, (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST).
If you pass one of the MCTS certification exams, you will not be awarded an MCP credential. Rather, you’ll attain the Microsoft technical certification credential associated with that exam after you have completed the entire exam path, and you will gain access to the Microsoft certified community and benefits.
*Microsoft Certified System Engineer, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator or Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. No action is required at this point. No changes are planned for the MCSE and MCSA certification credentials for Windows Server 2003. The new credentials for Windows client and Windows server products follow the new structure of the Microsoft technical certification program, with MCTS series and MCITP and MCPD series. MCSEs, MCSAs, and MCDSTs are offered an upgrade path to attain the new credentials.
*Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA). The MCDBA credential in Microsoft SQL Server 2000 continues to be recognized by Microsoft. SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 have accompanying MCTS and MCITP certifications.
*Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD), Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD). These credentials continue to be recognized by Microsoft.
*Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). You’ll need to upgrade your certifications to teach courses about Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, or Visual Studio 2008.
*Microsoft Business Solutions Certified Professional (MBSCP). If you’ve achieved this designation on currently supported Microsoft Dynamics and related business technologies (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions technologies), you’ll now be recognized as a Microsoft Certified Business Management Solutions Specialist.
*Microsoft Business Solutions Certified Master (MBSCM). If you’ve achieved this designation on currently supported Microsoft Dynamics and related business technologies (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions technologies), you’ll now be recognized as a Microsoft Certified Business Management Solutions Professional.

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