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[edit section] All About the Microsoft MCTS 70-501 Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments Certification Exam

The Microsoft MCTS 70-501 Windows 2003 Hosted Environments Certification exam covers the skills and techniques used in configuring and managing a Windows Server 2003 hosted environment, including such common settings as web servers, application servers, and other shared/dedicated hosted servers that are commonly managed by MCTS certified individuals. Since the exam is along the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) line, you become MCTS certified after passing, which is certainly a boost on any resume. It is also one of the easier MCTS exams and is a great place to start if you are looking to begin a career in hosted server management. It is also a great place to get started with Microsoft certification exams if you are potentially interested in pursuing the MCSE/MCSA certifications.

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Difficulty and Scope

The Microsoft MCTS 70-501 exam is an easier Microsoft exam, even within the MCTS series, as it only covers topics related to Windows Server 2003 hosting technologies. Hands-on experience may be helpful for this exam but it certainly isn’t necessary for you to succeed – study and self-testing alone will suffice. However, it is still not an easy exam, and covers many difficult topics, including the deployment of Internet Information Services, database services, streaming media services, and other Microsoft-offered services. In addition, the test covers the basics of Windows Server 2003, Active Directory, and data hosting. In general, an understanding of Windows Server and networking in a Microsoft environment is helpful in taking this exam.

[edit section] When and why to take the MCTS 70-501 exam

One of the main reasons that people take the MCTS 70-501 is to earn the MCTS as a stepping-stone to other, later Microsoft certifications or credentials. The exam is very passable and many students find that it is a logical choice if they wish to go into any aspect of the hosted services or managed hosting industries. In addition, students who are interested in learning about one aspect of the Windows Server 2003 experience should look into the MCTS 70-501 certification as a potential look at later certifications.

[edit section] I’m going to take the 70-501! Now what?

First, you will need to determine if it is really feasible for you to take the certification exam. Not everyone has the time to set aside to study for this exam, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest that you should have at least 50 hours available to prepare for this exam, although anywhere from 30 to 70 hours would be a reasonable estimate of time required to prepare. For this reason, we would highly suggest that you have at least a month or two available to really prepare for the exam. Next, once you have set the time aside, you should probably schedule a date to take the exam with VUE or Prometric. Finally, use ProProfs resources in addition to your own study materials to prepare for the exam. We wish you the best of luck in your studies!