Confused about the Microsoft Cert programm. MCSE or MCTS???

[jabw]

Hi,

It's about time I do get some Microsoft Certificates.
But, the last(so to speak) time I looked there was MCSE XP/2003 but now there's also the "New generation of Microsoft Certifications".

I'm lost.

What to go for. Or better. Where to spend my money on.

 

[macleod1021]

That depends on what you're looking for. If you want to have every certification available, then hurry up and get the MCSE. If not, then you need to decide which "specialization" path you want to go down. Basically, they're trying to give more definition to the certified term. Previously the MCSE covered a huge amount of tests for optionals. Now you can say that you're specialized in a particular aspect.

 

[jabw]

.... hurry up ....?
The MCSE takes approx 2 Years to get all 7 certificates.

Any idea how much time is left.??

I expect that in the long run. The best thing to do is go for the new system.
But I have the feeling that the approach is completely different?

 

[macleod1021]

Typically Microsoft will expire tests about 1 year after the next gen comes out. Since these are out now, I'd expect them to expire some time around the beginning of next year. If you're just starting down the path, then I'd say start with the new system.

 

[jabw]

Thanks.

 

[mrdenny]

Currently the MCTS exams only cover SQL 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk 2006. The next gen of MCSE exams won't come out until after the next release of the server OS.

The won't start killing off the Windows exams until after the next release of Windows Server.

As to exams being killed of a year after the new version the SQL 7 exams just recently got removed, while the SQL 2000 exams have been out for years.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com