Training And Certification For MCSE

MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers. With a MCSE boot camp intensive training you get a quick injection of knowledge. Moreover the timings of MCSE boot camps are flexible to meet the training requirements. Of course, it does depend on what career path you want to take as to whether you want to get either MCSE training or MCP training.

A MCSE enhances the position in an organization along with quick rise in the salary. Such a certification makes a tremendous difference in how a person is viewed in an organization. The training program includes everything one needs to fully prepare for and pass the exams.

To get your MCSE you have to go through extensive training. 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.

Experience counts for a lot, but having a Microsoft certification or two does not hurt either. Is there a downside of getting a MCSE certification as far as what it will mean to the lifetime of your career? From year to year their systems will change so drastically that within a very short period of time, a certification become less valuable. Your time is precious, and you should never choose to pursue a certification because it is ?hot?. But, education and training is always valuable in itself. It broadens your base of knowledge and makes it easier to take the next step, whatever that is.

Yes, there is so much information in these exams that you can actually take one of them 3 times and still not get a majority of the same questions twice. Five of the exams are what they call core exams and the last two are called elective exams.

To wade through the extensive coursework and comprehend it?s applications on your own is time consuming and you may not be able to appear for exams in the stipulated time. The important thing is to get a thorough knowledge and understanding of the coursework, write the exams on time and be aware of the practical applications of the Microsoft products and services. The design core exams determine the excellence in designing the Windows server.

The certification do qualify a person to analyze the business requirements and find solutions in information systems. The individual is able to design and implement the infrastructure required in the two available streams, Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003. There are different sets of examinations for them. When you have passed the exams you will be able to pin point the tasks involved in supporting Windows 2000/2003 networks. You will be knowing the network concepts and how to implement it in Windows 2000/2003. You will also gain the knowledge of how to configure Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 Professional on stand-alone computers and on client computers, and to install and configure Windows 2000/2003 Server. Finally you will gain the knowledge and skills in designing a Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 directory service and infrastructure.

Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews. A related resource is Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers Further information can be found at Trends & News

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.

How to Pass the MCSE 2003

When I started down the certification path towards my MCSE 2003, I really didnt know where to start. Of course, as a helpdesk support person for 2 years I knew that being MCSE 2003 Certified would increase my chances of being promoted to a systems administration job or securing a new, higher paid role with another company.

So I first went to Microsoft's MCSE Certification website to find out which exams I needed to pass. Sure, I wanted to pass these MCSE 2003 exams, but I didnt want to cheat using braindumps which are not only illegal, but I think defeat the whole purpose of being MCSE 2003 Certified in the first place. What I wanted was the pass my MCSE 2003 exams, but actually UNDERSTAND and LEARN the material, so that way, I could hold my head up high, knowing that my skills would match my MCSE 2003 status.

Once I knew which exams I had to pass, I went out and searched the web for more information about each exam. I bought the core set of MCSE 2003 Microsoft Press books from Amazon, but in all honesty, they werent a lot of help. I also bought a few exam preparation software packages, which did help somewhat, but only for last minute revisions...as study and learning material they were grossly ineffective.

It took me a while to find the right information, but finally I came across the CBT Video site, Winstructor.Com. Actually I cant take all of the credit for it, one of our systems administrators recommended them. So I signed up to Winstructor for 12 months and downloaded their MCSE 2003 Training Videos. Now this is what I had been missing.

As far as training goes, I am a convert to CBT, or Computer Based Training. The thing I liked about these videos was that I could watch them over and over until I fully understood what is being taught. During the time that I was watching these videos, I did have a couple of questions relating to different exams. Not only did Winstructor support take the time to answer my questions, which they didnt have to do, but they also gave me the ultimate piece of advice.

"When studying for your MCSE 2003, pick one exam, concentrate on it and forget the others exist. Once you've passed it, only then move onto the next"

Whilst this sounds quite obvious, there I was, wasting my time reviewing subjects that were'nt being tested. Only once it was mentioned to me, did I realize what I was doing and focused on the immediate goal of the exam I was trying to pass.

So if you want to pass your MCSE 2003 like I did, here is what I recommend.

* Visit Microsoft.Com and create a list of the exams that you need to study for and pass.

* Sign up to Winstructor.Com for 12 Months and download their videos.

* Pick 1 exam, only 1, and concentrate on it. Dont be tempted to look at the others.

* When you watch the Winstructor Videos, have 2 computers or a copy of Microsoft Virutal PC handy and Lab out what you're learning. You'll be so surprised at how much more you'll retain and understand about what you're learning.

* If you do fail an exam, get over it, move on. Its not the end of the world. No-one but you will know, so study the areas where you went wrong and you'll be fine the next time around. I found that the areas I did poorly on are now some of my best subjects since I took the time to really learn them and that learning sticks in your memory.

* Enjoy learning and studying for your MCSE 2003. If you dont like learning about IT, then maybe you're in the wrong job.

Best of luck in your exams.

Jason Stan regularly reviews Computer Based Training and some of his reviews can be found at http://www.CBTReview.Com. This article may be reproduced as long as all links remain intact.

Microsoft Certification: Farewell To The MCSE

Microsoft is in the middle of a major push to overhaul its certification program. Last year, they announced the new Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certification, which is not a written exam but rather a practical exam that will be graded by a board of examiners. Just applying for the certification will require 10 years' experience in IT as well as three years of practical experience as a network architect.

For those of us not quite ready for that, Microsoft has announced that it's also going to revise other certifications. The MCSE that we've all come to know and love is going to be a thing of the past. In its place will be a series of specialization exams and IP Professional certification tracks.

If you're currently an MCSE or working it, don't worry, you have plenty of time to adapt to the new tracks. Microsoft's official word is that the new certification structure will be implemented when the next Windows server/client version is released. For those holding MCDBAs, your current certification will remain valid and you'll have a chance to upgrade to the new certification with SQL Server 2005.

Those of us who have been on the certification track for a while remember the outcry when Microsoft planned to phase out the much-maligned NT 4.0 certification in the move to Windows 2000. There was quite an outcry from many certified individuals who felt MS was being unreasonable in their timetable and planned lack of support for the 4.0 certification. Whether you agree with Microsoft's planned changes, I urge you to visit Microsoft's certification site regularly to keep up with these changes.

Whether you choose to pursue any of these new tracks is your decision, but you owe it to yourself and your career to know about the new tracks. Change is inevitable in IT and the IT certification world, and you must be aware of these changes!
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (http://www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials! For my FREE "How To Pass The CCNA" or "CCNP" ebook, visit the website and download your copies. Pass your CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!