Microsoft MCSE Certification

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Contents 1 All about the Microsoft MCSE Certification 2 What is the MCSE all about? 3 How much will it cost me? 4 What’s the best way to start? 5 What’s the difference between core and elective examinations? 6 Wrapping Things Up

[edit section] All about the Microsoft MCSE Certification

Now that you are familiar with the 70-270 exam, you are probably very curious to know what lies ahead. The most obvious choice in your certification path is the Microsoft MCSE certification, which requires the 70-270 as a “core” examination choice. You probably have a few questions about the MCSE, and we’ll try to address these core concerns:

• What is the MCSE and what are the advantages of being MCSE-certified?
• What costs are involved in obtaining the MCSE status?
• How and where do I start obtaining MCSE status?
• What are core and optional topics, and how should I choose them?

[edit section] What is the MCSE all about?

MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. That being said, the MCSE candidate is usually anything but a “systems engineer” – most candidates work in diverse and stimulating careers and already have some technical knowledge. What differentiates this certification from many others, however, is its inclusive nature and the fact that it is comprehensive over seven exams, four of which are mandatory and three of which cover elective or optional topics. The MCSE actually covers such a wide variety of information that candidates can specialize in topics of interest.

MCSE certification is sought for several different reasons. Obviously, many people desire to earn certification in order to pursue a new career or extend an existing one. But others pursue the certification for college credit, accreditation, or even for simply personal fulfillment. It is a certification that indeed holds intrinsic value for the holder and merits recognition from employers and universities.

The MCSE also reassures potential customers that technicians and electronics servicemen are credible and reputable enough to be trusted in their homes and businesses with expensive and difficult-to-replace equipment.

[edit section] How much will it cost me?

In no uncertain terms: An arm and a leg. The MCSE certification consists of seven exams, each of which costs $125.00 per attempt. At minimum, therefore, the certification would cost $925.00 if the candidate passed every examination on first attempt, which does not always happen. Additionally, the cost of certification-related materials and study guides, in addition to the cost of transportation to the testing center, must be factored into consideration. Considering that the test costs at a minimum around $1000.00 to earn certification, the investment into earning MCSE status is a momentous one.

[edit section] What’s the best way to start?

While there is certainly no “best way” to begin obtaining Microsoft MCSE status, we would recommend pursuing (you guessed it) the MCP certification in Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP. This certification exam is (as you will learn later) part of the core or required exams for MCSE certification and is also among the more difficult exams that you will take in pursuit of MCSE status. Therefore, it would only make sense that you would pursue this certification first. Luckily, we have a guide for the Windows XP (70-270) exam on ProProfs designed to help you pass the exam quickly and painlessly.

[edit section] What’s the difference between core and elective examinations?

Both core and elective exams are required to achieve MCSE certification and therefore neither of them is really “optional” in the truest sense of the word. The difference between the core and elective exams, however, lies in the fact that Microsoft dictates the required Core exams while allowing the candidate to choose his or her elective examinations. In fact, Microsoft has even allowed some CompTIA exams to be used in place of MCP exams in recent years.

The core examinations for the MCSE track are:

• Exam 70–290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• Exam 70–291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• Exam 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• Exam 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
• Exam 70–270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Exam 70-297: Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure OR Exam 70-298: Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network

The choices for elective exams include:

• The CompTIA Security+ Exam (Kill two birds with one stone!)
• Exam 70-297: Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
• Exam 70-229: Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
• Exam 70-281: Planning, Deploying, and Managing an Enterprise Project Management Solution

There are over 20 choices for elective exams which are available on the page at [1]. We would highly recommend that any serious candidate for MCSE certification visit the page and learn more information.

[edit section] Wrapping Things Up

We hope that you have been encouraged (and possibly enticed) to pursue the MCSE certification if it is right for you and that our brief information on the matter has been helpful. While MCSE is no holy grail, it can be a great stepping-stone to a technical career.

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