MCSE Certification Exam

There are two types of MCSE certifications available by Microsoft, and the examination requirements for both are different. The MCSE 2003 has six core exams and one elective exam, and extensive study and preparation is required for clearing these.

Of the core exams, four of them are the networking exams. These networking exams accurately gauge the candidate's ability to plan and maintain a Microsoft Windows 2003 environment, implementing the Windows infrastructure and maintaining the directory of the Windows network. One client operating system exam measures the ability in installing, configuring and administering the Microsoft Windows professional (XP). The design core exams determine the excellence in designing the Windows server. For the elective exam there are fifteen options. It is compulsory to pass one elective exam out of these options.

For the MCSE 2000 option, there are five core examinations, three of which are based on the Windows 2000 networking, implementing, operating and updating support skills from Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000. One design exam needs to be cleared which proves expertise in designing skills for Microsoft technologies. In addition to these core exams, there are two elective exams which demonstrate technical proficiency in solution design and implementation.

The duration for each of the core exams is 175 minutes, with 45 questions to answer, and the pass mark is 700. Upon the clearing of an individual core exam, the candidate is awarded an MCP certificate (Microsoft certified professional), and this certificate adds credit to the total pass park of the MSCE certificate.

MCSE Certification provides detailed information on MCSE Certification, MCSE Certification Training, Online MCSE Certification, MCSE Certification Exam and more. MCSE Certification is affiliated with MCSE Term Papers.

Information About MCSE

MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. It is the most widely known Microsoft certification and it is available for Windows 2000 and Windows server 2003. Each has a different set of examinations. MCSE qualified persons have the ability to provide business solutions by designing and implementing the required infrastructure. MCSE certification is useful for Technical support & Systems engineers, Technical consultants, Network and Systems analysts and also for regular software engineers.

MCSE 2000 has four operating exams, two electives and one design exam that is a total of seven exams. The topics include configuring, installing and administrating Windows 2000 professional, Windows 2000 server and implementing and administering, Windows 2000 Network infrastructure and Windows 2000 directory service infrastructure.

MCSE 2003 has four networking exams, one design exam and one client operating system exam that is a total of seven exams. The topics include configuring, installing and administrating windows XP professional, implementing, planning and maintaining, windows server 2003 environment, server 2003 network infrastructure and server 2003 active directory infrastructure. The topics also include Microsoft SQL server, Microsoft exchange, Active Directory, Network infrastructure, network security, and topics on general networking and Microsoft products.

There are many ways of obtaining MCSE training. The easiest is to take training at any local training center. MCSE training can also be done at home by CD-ROMS or through books. The courses usually have extensive content but basic tutorials can guide you to pass the examination if you have a basic knowledge of Microsoft systems.

Presently the cost of a MCSE exam is about $125 USD. The exams have 50-90 multiple choice, drag and drop questions and solution building questions. The content of exam can be changed so it is prudent to check on the internet at microsoft website for any change.

There are lots of benefits of MCSE certification like industry recognition, access to technical and product information directly from Microsoft, discounts on products and services, Microsoft paraphrenalia like MCSE logo, certificate, transcript etc. However the immediate and most important benefit is the increase in market value of the person and boost in career for software professionals.

The URL`s http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/MCSE/requirements.asp and http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/MCSE/windows2003/default.asp provide all the details, courses, books and their cost, syllabus, modules etc for the MCSE training and examination for Windows 2000 and Windows 2003. MCSE training books cost approximately $50 USD.

Specialisations available on MCSE Windows 2000 are MCSE messaging on Windows 2000 and MCSE security on Windows 2000. Specialisations available on MCSE Windows server 2003 are MCSE messaging on Windows 2003 and MCSE security on Windows 2003.

Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews. A related resource is MCSE Training Further information can be found at Tips & News

Online MCSE Certification

An MCSE certification is one of the most valued qualifications in the IT industry. The credentials of earning the MCSE traditionally would be same as earning it through an online system, and there are several advantages of following the online path.

Through an online course, all study takes place at home or in the office, wherever is convenient. Most companies who provide online certification training have been certified by Microsoft, and they have a network of teachers and administrative personnel to help a candidate sail smoothly through the study period and the exam. There is an added advantage of cutting down on traveling time and costs, which one would generally waste in traditional classroom training. Also, the fees of such programs are considerably lower than their study center counterparts.

The pace of study for these programs is decided by the candidate. One can spend from a few minutes to a few hours a day, depending upon one?s personal schedule. Also, one can study anytime, twenty-four hours a day. The course materials, reference and sample test papers for individual subjects are available on the servers. Moreover, the entire software required for the learning process is in constant supply, and this software provides real exam-like simulations which engage the candidates in the learning process.

The duration of these courses can vary from 6 months to an entire year depending upon the company offering the course. Upon successful completion and passing of a grade of 70% or higher, these companies are authorized to grant the candidate with an MCSE certificate.

MCSE Certification provides detailed information on MCSE Certification, MCSE Certification Training, Online MCSE Certification, MCSE Certification Exam and more. MCSE Certification is affiliated with MCSE Term Papers.

Microsoft Certification: The New MCTS Tracks And Exams

Microsoft is revamping its certification tracks, and will eventually retire the familiar MCSE certificatons. The new certification setup is much like Cisco's, where there are specialist certifications to go along with the more general CCNA, then mid-level certifications such as the CCNP, and then a more-advanced practical exam modeled somewhat after the coveted CCIE certification.

Microsoft's new specialist exams are the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) exams. As of March 2006, there were five separate MCTS Tracks. Three of them deal with .NET Framework 2.0; these are the Web Application, Windows Applications, and Distributed Applications certifications. Each of these separate certifications requires the candidate to pass two exams. There is also a one-exam SQL Server 2005 certification, as well as a BizTalk Server 2006 single-exam certification.

The initial question is "Why is Microsoft doing this?" According to their website, MS feels that IT hiring managers today have a tough time deciding which computer certifications best identify job candidates who best meet their needs. I know it's easy to take verbal shots at Microsoft (it'll be an Olympic sport one day), but this new series of certs does have appeal for hiring managers, which can only help qualified candidates. Instead of the more-general MCSE, which does still suffer from the overcertification of NT 4.0 MCSEs back in the day, these more-specific certifications will make it easier for the job candidate to prove that they can do the job - and easier for the hiring manager to make an informed decision.

Microsoft hasn't announced the track that will eventually replace the MCSE, but this track will be revealed with the next client-server Windows release. It's up to you to stay informed of these changes, so I recommend you visit Microsoft's certification website often. "I didn't know" isn't much help once a certification expires!

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of over 100 free certification exam tutorials, including Cisco CCNA certification test prep articles. His exclusive Cisco CCNA study guide and Cisco CCNA training is also available!

Visit his blog and sign up for Cisco Certification Central, a daily newsletter packed with CCNA, Network+, Security+, A+, and CCNP certification exam practice questions! A free 7-part course, "How To Pass The CCNA", is also available, and you can attend an in-person or online CCNA boot camp with The Bryant Advantage!