Getting Your MCSE Certification - The Difference Between Real Boot Camps and Cheat Camps

A technical training school that provides accelerated instruction leading to MCSE certification is typically referred to as an MCSE boot camp. From my experience, having taught boot camps for five years, the name is fitting. It is an experience that can make or break you. It is at times painful, and at times one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable. And when I say rewarding, the last thing that comes to mind is the four-letter title at the end of your name when you pass all of the MCSE certification exams. The reward from an MCSE boot camp is in what you learn, how you learn it, and how the overall experience affects your life.

Involvement in an MCSE boot camp is an immersion experience. Students seeking MCSE certification are dunked --head first-- into the technology, and learn to swim in the binary waters with an urgency born out of a will to survive. They develop buddies quickly, and learn to trust the instructor who has charted the waters before. And the students develop greater self-respect, as they tackle a mountain of knowledge and put it to task.

This type of learning is the right way to achieve MCSE certification for folks who have experience in the IT industry and those with sufficient preparation. But, it is not for everyone. Boot camps that accept newbies should be avoided at all costs. These camps are most likely cheat camps masquerading as authentic training solutions.

A real MCSE boot camp only accepts qualified students. At least one year of experience in the networking field, managing users and dataflow, is an acceptable standard. Sales people at a real MCSE boot camp are required to turn down job-changers and folks that are not adequately prepared. Those same unprepared students, however, are accepted readily at the cheat camps; since they are merely learning to memorize answers to questions on the MCSE certification exams, actually learning the material in an enduring manner is not required.

A true MCSE boot camp requires highly customized training materials. Be wary of schools that solely use a vendor's official curriculum or some bookstore purchased self-paced training materials for MCSE certification. These both provide excellent instructional support in the right environment, but they are incompatible with an accelerated boot camp experience. Typically schools that rely on these for their class materials are doing so because they never bothered to improve their MCSE certification materials, and probably use web-found "MCSE braindumps" for the classes, focusing on helping you read the brain dumps rather than developing real skills. Real boot camps use highly customized materials that teach key concepts and skills with exam objectives in mind. The best MCSE boot camp makes its own materials, improving them based on appropriate feedback.

What cheat camps do, unfortunately, is rely on MCSE braindumps as their main materials. Their instructors, in direct violation of their non-disclosure agreement, are given the task of interpreting MCSE braindumps for their students. Some of these camps purchase braindumps from companies that steal questions from the actual MCSE certification exams, providing their best guesses on the answers. In such a situation, students learn how to beat--and at the same time undermine--the system that feeds them. Such camps deprive their students from acquiring a real learning experience, and denigrate the value of the MCSE certification itself. And, while students may achieve MCSE certification during a cheat camp experience, they lose their self-respect and the opportunity to prove to themselves that they have what it takes to get certified in a legitimate manner.

Lastly, coming to a real MCSE boot camp can require real preparation. For candidates that are already immersed in the technology, and those that are exceptional students and test-takers, it is quite possible to come to a MCSE boot camp and proudly walk out with MSCE certification with little or no preparation. But for most that are planning on attending accelerated training, some pre-training is essential. A real MCSE boot camp provides materials, practice tests, and guidelines for study to be completed before coming to class. They provide their students with contact to instructors before they attend class, to ensure that they are on target with their preparation.

Do yourself a favor: make sure that the camp you choose for your MCSE certification provides a real learning experience. Use the following tips when comparing boot camps to ensure that you are not going to pay for something that you might later regret.

Tips for Determining if a MCSE Boot Camp is Legitimate:

1. Look for real, verifiable references from past students, and ask those references about how the class was taught.

2. Inquire about details on what type of curriculum and materials are used in class.

3. Ask if the instructors are MCSEs, and what the average years of experience are.

4. Find out what type of pre-training is provided. Can students get in touch with an instructor for advice prior to coming to class?

5. Ask if the MCSE boot camp accepts people with minimal experience and how much experience is required to attend.

6. Find out what the company's philosophy is concerning MCSE braindumps. Do they use a third-party product that claims to have actual MCSE certification exam questions?

7. Ask if the company develops its own accelerated materials or if it relies on some package intended for self-study or prolonged training.

   Barry Kaufman, MCSE, CISSP, CEH, MS in Education, is the founder and director of training services of IntenseSchool, which was recently acquired by the security services firm, Vigilar. Barry has worked as a network consultant, trainer, and manager since NT 3.51 and Netware 2.0. He honestly believes that things have gotten better, even if it hasn't cut down on his workload in the least. He can be reached at bkaufman~at~vigilar.com. For more information about MCSE certification, please visit http://www.vigilar.com

MCSE Certification

To get a Microsoft certification is no easy task. It requires systematic study, completion of coursework and an examination. Candidates need to face multi-level testing of their design implementation and administration skills in Microsoft Windows platforms to provide business solutions. MCSE classes, boot camps, online study guides and practice exams can help them go a long way in getting certified.

So, what do you need to get the certification? MCSE certification requires lot of hard work and focused studying. To help MCSE aspirants pass the certification exam with decent grades, there are boot camps that comprise of intense classes stretching over two to three weeks. These are different from traditional MCSE classes that are held weekly and help students prepare for the exams.

MCSE certification involves seven levels of testing, with intense course modules in operating systems, design and other electives on implementation. The exams are broken into four exams in operating systems, design and two others chosen by the candidate. The first five exams are called core exams, and the remaining are elective exams. Though the students get a choice even in their core exams, they have to pass one exam from each set of operating systems exams namely client operating systems and networking systems. This effectively means they have to pass one out of two operating systems exams and one of three networking systems exams. And they need to pass only one out of six design exams set by the Microsoft and two out of more than a dozen electives.

Microsoft recommends different requirements for certification for the Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 platform. Microsoft's recommendations for the former include MCSE on Windows 2000 and NT 4.0 with specializations in Messaging and Security on Windows Server 2003. For Windows 2000 platform, Microsoft recommends just MCSE in Windows 2000 with specialization in Messaging and Security in Windows 2000.

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

MCSE Term Papers

Many courses require the candidates to submit detailed term papers relating to the subject at the end of each semester. These are aimed at in-depth research into the subject area.

But term papers are not always an important part in MCSE certification and training. Course work and exam prescribed for MCSE do not often require term papers that discuss in detail, particular subjects that are related to computer system and windows platforms.

Term papers are not mentioned as a stringent requirement for certification in Microsoft home page for the MCSE. The mandatory fulfillments for getting certified include work experience in a networking environment and the passing of seven exams that include operating systems, design and electives. All the same, boot camps and MCSE classes some times encourage and make it necessary for candidates to submit term papers on MCSE, with the aim of providing in-depth knowledge on the subject.

Courses for MCSE, in detail, cover all aspects of networking, design, messaging and security of systems using a windows platform. The operating system papers are Installing, Configuring and Administering Windows 2000 and XP professional, the networking papers include Installing, Configuring and Administering Windows 2000 Server, Implementing Windows Network Infrastructure, and Implementing and Administering Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure. Other courses that are required for MCSE include designing Directory Services, Security for Windows 2000 network, Network Infrastructure, Web Solutions, Active Directory and Infrastructure and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network.

Candidates in a bid to improve their knowledge levels and to come up with new ideas on implementation and design, though not compulsory, sometimes submit term papers. Intensive training in boot camps generally dos not require term papers, weekly classes and other training sessions sometimes do. Elective subjects for each candidate also sometimes are benefited by term papers submitted before each level of examination.

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

MCSE Certification - A Lifetime Of Educating

In this article we're going to focus on the downside of getting an MCSE certification as far as what it will mean to the lifetime of your career.

Let's be honest, Microsoft is the king of computer everything, from software to networking. Once upon a time Novell was the only real networking super power. Now Microsoft dominates the industry, though it is debatable as to whether or not they actually have the better product.

As a result, just about every company has a Microsoft network. Just the fact that this makes it easier to run your online applications, since most software is Windows based, makes it almost suicidal to go with anything else but Microsoft. Therefore, if you want to get a job at one of these companies, and believe me the competition is off the charts, you have to get MCSE certified.

Therein lies the rub.

See, the Microsoft network itself is far from stable. The truth is, every few years or so there are major changes in the operating system and everyone has to, literally, go back to school. Simply as a matter of being able to keep your network running, unless of course you stay with the old network, you have to get educated. If you choose not to, well, the problem you then face is that eventually the old network is no longer supported and you're out of luck should anything go wrong. So upgrading is almost a must.

But what about the people who have to get certified? Most of them probably just did a few years back and some maybe even within the past few months. And now here they are with a brand new certification and suddenly it is going to be worthless in a very short time. So what happens is they have to go back to school again and get recertified.

What about the ones who just say, "The heck with it. I know enough to do my job. I can learn the new changes on my own." Well, maybe they can. But what if they can't? If they can't and don't get recertified here comes the next problem. Many companies just look for excuses to lay people off. What better excuse to get rid of an older employee who is making more money than a new kid who just recently got certified? In most cases the company will fire the old guy, telling him simply that it is because he didn't get recertified, and hire this new kid right out of school, even though he may, in no way, be as capable of doing the job.

The point of all this is simply that if you want to be an MCSE then be prepared to go to school every few years for the rest of your life. Otherwise, at the very first opportunity you may very well find yourself losing your job to some new kid right out of school. Its just something to consider before you trek off into that land of no return called MCSE certification.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to MCSE Certification

What Is MCSE?

MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. What is this term, really? While the term sounds like a degree that you would get in Microsoft, it is not really an engineering degree, per say. In fact, that is one of the biggest complaints about this learning process. Nevertheless, MCSE is a training course of sorts that is designed to teach individuals who want to learn how to handle various aspects of Microsoft skills. The goal is to have a group of people who are knowledgeable in the areas that Microsoft is specific. Let?s explain.

Microsoft developed this type of training to allow individuals to get a specific training course, or several in various types of skills that pertain to Microsoft. The thing about this training is that it is specific to Microsoft. While you may learn to install a program in another course which would teach a broad range of information about all ways in which to do so, in the MSCE, you will learn strictly how it is done through Microsoft.

So, How Does MSCE Work?

In most cases, the training can be done in several ways. Students can take classes through certified teachers in school or they can study on their own. Some individuals feel that they have enough experience in the various uses of Microsoft to be able to take the test without taking a training class. The test is given at specific areas at specific times. In order to be considered, you must pay a fee of about $125 for each of the tests and certifications that you plan to take. The tests range in knowledge levels and in most cases, it is wise to take the training courses for MSCE prior to taking the test as it can be quite challenging.

You will find more information about MSCE throughout the web.
For more information please see http://www.mcse-shack.co.uk

The Value of Microsoft MCSE Certification and Career Path

Developing a professional career in the IT industry requires knowledge, computer training and dedication. Earning a MCSE Certification (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) is a valuable reference proving your expertise in designing and implementing the infrastructure for business solutions based on the Microsoft Windows Server System and Microsoft Windows 2000 platform.

Since January 2000, Microsoft Certification made effective a number of benefits for those individuals applying for a MCSE Certification, starting with the industry recognition of the knowledge achieved and proficiency handling Microsoft products and technologies.

This computer training offers a 50 percent discount or rebate on yearly subscriptions to Microsoft TechNet or TechNet Plus during your first year of certification exclusively, although fulfillment details may vary according your present location, in which case further details will be available in your welcome kit.

In fact, the TechNet subscription provides MCSE Certification with a portable IT survival kit, updated monthly, containing the complete Microsoft Knowledge Base that Microsoft Support uses, as well as service packs and other kits of great value to Microsoft Certification.

Computer training opens the access to Microsoft technical and product direct information through the MCP Member Site, with exclusive discounts on products and services, not only from Microsoft but also from many selected companies.

Another great advantage to consider is that individual who is currently certified in other fields can learn more about exclusive discounts on MCSE Certification and few more Microsoft Certifications by visiting the MCP Member Site.

This site is also the turnkey to free access to Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine Online, the acclaimed career and professional development magazine, as well as invitations to Microsoft conferences, technical training sessions, general computer training and most special events.

A side note on comments; security-enhanced content available on the Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine Online site includes the current issue for those enrolled on MCSE Certification courses and additional online-only featured columns and content, besides the MCP-only database, and regular chats with Microsoft and other technical experts.

Like with any Microsoft Certification, students obtain their certificate, MCSE logo, wallet card, transcript, and lapel pin to identify them as a MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) to colleagues or clients. Some of this material is downloadable through the exclusive MCP Member Site upon certification.

MCSE Certification values by itself, as a part of your career path. They offer you computer training required, and specializations in messaging, security, MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000, MCSE on Windows Server 2003, and special deals on subscriptions to Windows & .NET Magazine, considered the leading source of independent, how-to information for Microsoft Certification and IT professionals working on a Microsoft Windows platform.

Natalie Aranda writes about computer and information technology.