Becoming a Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) has its advantages: You
will increase your marketability, which can advance your career, and you can
reap financial rewards, because employers will generally pay more for your
expertise. According to Microsoft, the world recognizes that with your MCSE, you
have the knowledge and skills to effectively work with Windows NT and
BackOffice. With these benefits in mind, let's examine the MCSE process.
After the release of NT 4.0, Microsoft modified the MCSE training path. The
most important change was the division of the Server exam into two separate
exams. One exam focuses on NT Server in a single-domain environment; the other
concentrates on NT Server in an enterprise environment.
To help you understand the certification path for NT 4.0 MCSE status,
Microsoft provides a course list at the Microsoft Training & Certification
Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert. This path contains four groups
that are generally referred to as core requirements. To become MCSE certified,
candidates must pass six exams: one exam from each core requirement group and
two elective exams.
Out with the Old
Of course, the certification path changes as network software products
change, but the NT 4.0 certification requirements remain similar to the
requirements for NT 3.51. Microsoft is in the process of revamping its course
numbering system to avoid confusion that can result from the release of new
courses (associated with the release of new software products or new versions of
existing software products). Microsoft provides up-to-date information on its
Web site and recommends that candidates refer to the Microsoft Training &
Certification site for the most recent information about certification.
The length of the certification process depends on several factors,
including your knowledge base and how much time you can devote to study. The
average time to become an MCSE is about six months (one exam each month).
When you are choosing which exams to prepare for, be aware that the clock
is ticking. Microsoft occasionally retires exams, which means that the exam no
longer qualifies for MCSE certification. If you're an MCSE candidate, Microsoft
will notify you that it plans to retire an exam, and you will have six months to
pass either the required exam or an applicable alternative exam. Microsoft
retired the exams for NT 3.1, and although the exams associated with Windows
3.1, Windows 3.11, and DOS still qualify for MCSE certification, Microsoft will
also eventually retire these exams. Because of the time limit, I recommend that
you not use these courses for certification.
As I mentioned, MCSE certification requires that you successfully pass six
certification exams. An independent organization, Sylvan Prometric, administers
the certification exams at Authorized Prometric Testing Centers. A passing score
on an exam within group 1 or 2 results in qualification for Microsoft Certified
Product Specialist status (MCPS), which is a first-level certification for a
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP--an MCSE also has MCPS and MCP status). If
you are an MCP, Microsoft identifies and promotes you as an expert who knows how
to design, implement, and support solutions with Microsoft products.
NT 4.0 Certification Path
Microsoft's Training & Certification Web site lists the exams that you
need to pass for the NT 4.0 certification track. Clicking an exam name takes you
to a site that gives you more information about how to prepare for the exam.
Resources include
* the exam preparation guide, which provides information to help you prepare
for the test, and a list of the topics you'll be tested on
* the exam study guide, which explains the origin of the exam, the types of
items on the exam, and how the exam is scored
* the Microsoft official curriculum, which lists the courses Microsoft
product groups designed to support the certification exam process and includes
study guides and assessment exams
Candidates must also pass two elective exams to fulfill MCSE certification
requirements. Table 1 lists these electives. Deciding which electives to take to
satisfy MCSE requirements depends on your goals. For example, if your career is
Internet-related, you will want to focus on passing the exam "Creating and
Configuring a Web Server." If your career centers on database concepts, you
will consider exams that relate to SQL Server. You need to review all available
resources to make an informed decision about which electives are best for your
career. You can find valuable information in resources such as Microsoft
Certified Professional Magazine (http://www.mcpmag.com), Microsoft's
Roadmap to Education and Certification, and a variety of online sources
including Microsoft's Web site and Beverly Hills Software (http://www.bhs.com).
MCSE Training Centers
Once you have decided which exams you want to prepare for, instead of
self-study, consider training classes at an education center. Microsoft has a
vested interest in providing qualified individuals who are properly educated and
trained in the installation and administration of its network operating system.
The reason is obvious: In situations where poorly trained systems administrators
control network operations, the perceived quality of NT can suffer.
To help systems administrators better understand Microsoft's network
operating systems, Microsoft has established a network of Authorized Technical
Education Centers (ATECs). Additionally, Microsoft has developed
relationships with traditional educational institutions (i.e., universities and
colleges) under its Authorized Academic Training Program (AATP), for delivering
its official curriculum to registered academic certification candidates.
Microsoft maintains stringent standards to ensure a quality education. You need
to find out whether the training institution is an ATEC or AATP.
As a second step, visit the training center. Visiting before making a
training decision is important for a number of reasons. First, it gives you an
opportunity to view the classrooms. Make sure you're comfortable with the
classroom size and the number of students. Second, visiting gives you the chance
to see the students and a trainer in action. During class breaks, ask students
how they like the facility and their instructor. Also, check the equipment in
the classroom. Make sure the computers are relatively new and have enough memory
for MCSE courses.
Remember, the goal of training is two-fold: to obtain a quality education
that will let you better perform the job functions of a Microsoft network
systems engineer and to pass the requisite six exams and obtain MCSE status.
Selecting the right training center can go a long way toward meeting your MCSE
goal.
Staying on Track
When you reach the end of the path and become an MCSE, the journey's not
over. You must keep your expertise current to maintain your certification. When
Microsoft retires an exam, you will be decertified unless you pass the required
current exam (or an applicable alternative) within a specified time (a minimum
of six months).
The benefits to MCSE training can include better job opportunities and a
better salary. If your job involves working with NT and BackOffice, you might
want to start your trek down the certification path.
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