About Microsoft Certifications & Exams

When there was nothing, there was Microsoft. This is one of the many reasons why one should go for a Microsoft Certification. By being certified from Microsoft, you are labeling your skills and proficiency in Microsoft products and platforms, and proclaiming your market worth to the world.

Microsoft Certifications not only assist you in your technology problem solving approach, but enhanced your job satisfaction as well as overall performance. And after all, no technology is being used as extensively as Microsoft technology.

You career will never be the same, once you endorse a Microsoft Certification. No matter what discipline you belong to, there is a certification just for you.

The most in-demand certifications are MCSE, MCAD, MCSD, MCSA, MCDBA, MCDST, MOS and MCT.

By passing any single operating exam, you are certified as Microsoft Certified Professional, MCP (with the exception of some individual exams that are a part of the Microsoft Dynamics series of certifications)

1. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
   This is the best known premier Microsoft certification qualifying an individual as capable of analyzing the prerequisites of an information system, and designing as well as implementing the structure fashioned.
   Today 2 different sets of MCSE are offered for Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003.
   To be certified as MCSE 2000, you are required to pass a total of five core exams and two electives, where as for MCSE 2003, there six core exams and one elective. The exams cover network security, computer networking infrastructure, Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, and other topics of both general networking interest as well as specific Microsoft products.
   MCSE NT 4.0 is not being offered anymore but is still recognized.
2. Windows Server 2008 Certifications
   New certifications have been designed for 2008, MCITP Server Administrator and MCITP Enterprise Administrator.
3. Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD)
   This mid level programming certification focuses on the requirements of developers using .NET Framework 1.0 and 1.1 versions and leads to Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD). To attain MCAD, you need to pas two core exams and one elective.
   For .NET Framework 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certifications are offered.
4. Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
   After passing four core exams and one elective, you can be certified with MCSD. This is usually done after MCAD, and is directed towards .NET Framework 1.0 and 1.1 versions developers.
5. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
   This certification is meant to authenticate a professional's skills in system administration of Microsoft Windows operating systems. Both for Windows Server 2003 MCSA and Windows Server 2000 MCSA, three different core exams and one elective are required. MCSA is NOT a subset of MCSE. MCSE certifies the ability to plan, design and implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and architectures where as MCSA certifies the ability to implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment. However, while doing MCSE, one can be certified as MCSA without having passed any other certification, since some of the core exams required to pass are same. For Windows 2000, there is MCSA on Windows 2000 and for the 2005, MCSA on Windows 2003. One can specialize in Messaging or Security from both the tracks.
   In case one is already certified from CompTIA A+ and Server+, the credits can be substituted for an MCSA elective exam through Microsoft and CompTIA partnership agreement. Similarly in Security specialization, Security+ can be substituted. These are cost effective solutions in case on is already certified in other areas before undertaking MCSA.
6. Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
   This certificate is directed towards database administrators who basically implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases. To acquire this certification, three core exams and one elective need to be passed. Microsoft also suggests that candidates operating SQL Server 2005 should think of MCITP or MCTS, rather than MCDBA.
7. Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
   This lower level certificate is awarded on the capability of supporting end users and trouble shooting desktop environments running on Microsoft Windows, and hence only 2 core exams are required to pass.
8. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
   Previously known as Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS), this certification proclaims authority on the use of MS Office suite of business applications. Officially it is not an MCP certification and is managed by Certiport, a third party company, and is a valuable credential for professionals of all genres.
9. Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)
   This certification accredits instructors who can then train professionals of all genres in Microsoft Training courses. MCTs are the ultimate instructional experts in Microsoft Products, technology and solutions that Microsoft certifies.