~~***~~ I'm Lost: How Do I Go About Getting My MCSE? ~~***~~

[Arsynic]

I need to know what's the best and most cost-effective way to get my MCSE. I already have two years experience managing a network with more than a half-dozen Windows 2000 Servers and I have piecemeal knowledge in Active Directory, Exchange and various other aspects of Windows 2000 along with a BS in Computer Science. I just want the certification to round out my resume and get paid a bit more.

 

[mrdenny]

The most cost effective way would be to just take the tests. But most people can't pass them without some sort of study and review.

The URL for the MCSE is

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/default.asp.

All the info on what the tests are is up there.

You'll want to at the minimum pick up some of the books (I've been using the MS Press books, the big blue ones) and a couple of pc's to work with. The books will come with demo versions of all the software you'll need to know how to use to pass that course.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

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

http://www.mrdenny.com

(Not quite so old any more.)

 

[mrdenny]

The most cost effective way would be to just take the tests. But most people can't pass them without some sort of study and review.

The URL for the MCSE is

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/default.asp.

All the info on what the tests are is up there.

You'll want to at the minimum pick up some of the books (I've been using the MS Press books, the big blue ones) and a couple of pc's to work with. The books will come with demo versions of all the software you'll need to know how to use to pass that test.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

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

http://www.mrdenny.com

(Not quite so old any more.)

 

[Arsynic]

KK, I was just going to get the books. I "experiment" alot at work when possible/feasible so I picked up a lot of stuff plus I have access to free software.

 

[Arsynic]

I might go the book route. I looked up boot camps and such and the price isn't worth it. Right now I'm working on my Network+ and I already have my A+ so that should take care of at least one of the electives.

 

[Wishdiak]

Arsynic,

Your approach seems reasonable, but you do have one common misconception.

The A+ and Network+ exams collectively satisfy the elective requirement for MCSA, but not [red]MCSE[/red].

In any event, good luck with your exams!

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[Arsynic]

Thanks, those are good to have anyways. One more question, how long does it take the average person to get their MCSE?

 

[Wishdiak]

Arsynic,

The factors, which vary greatly from individual to individual are: 1. Experience, 2. Drive, 3. Preparation Time, 4. Perseverance.

Without experience, it would probably take the average person years to become MCSE certified.

Without drive, the average person would probably find enough distractions to avoid studying for exams.

Without adequate preparation time, passing an exam is difficult at best.

And finally, without perseverance, a person could get discouraged by his/her first failed exam.

All of these things are necessary, plus the means to pay for the exams. With all of the above, I believe it could be done in 6 months, maybe faster, depending on the individual.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[Arsynic]

How much do exams cost?

 

[Wishdiak]

Arsynic,

Whether you pass or fail, the cost of any Microsoft exam is US$125.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[Arsynic]

Not bad. The Comptia exams cost more. I know enough to study on my own so I can factor in the cost of books and such. I just hope its worth my time. Do you by chance know how much more money a MCSE makes?

 

[Wishdiak]

Arsynic,

Yes, Microsoft exams are less expensive than CompTIA exams, but they're also more difficult and more of them are required to reach a respectable level of certification.

BTW, in case you're interested in the future, CompTIA Security+ satisfies the elective requirement for MCSE.

As for the earning potential of a MCSE, the certification by itself does not guarantee any particular salary level. Salaries generally go along with job titles.

I know one person employed as a Network Engineer who does not have his MCSE certification, but he does have over 5 years with the same company. It's rude to ask what a person earns, but he did say that he was approached by another company, and that he told them that it would cost them $80k/year to get him to change jobs.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[mrdenny]

Salaries also range based on what part of the world/country you work in. Large companies usually pay better, companies in large cities usually pay better. It will also depend if the cert you have is valued by the company and the hiring manager. Some people don't think that MCSE means anything. These people won't be willing pay pay any extra for you having the cert.

As wish said, having the certs doesn't guarantee any salary level. Check Dice.com, they are currently doing a salary survey, and certs are included as a factor of the survey.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

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

http://www.mrdenny.com

(Not quite so old any more.)

 

[NickFerrar]

Best and most cost-effective way is definetly books + a couple of old PCs for testing stuff out on. For this though you need to be pretty motivated and disciplined enoug to self-study.

Personally I didn't have the motivation to want to spend hours self-studying outside of work so I went on a 14-day bootcamp for MCSE2003, you still need a fair amount of knowledge/experience before going on a bootcamp though as there's just way too much info thrown at you if you have to learn it all from scratch.

 

[Wishdiak]

NickFerrar,

In your case, was the 14 days sufficient for you to pass all of the MCSE 2003 exams, or did you still need to spend time self-studying?

In my case, I went to school, part-time for 6 months. Between work and family, I couldn't find enough time to read all of the material, and now months later, I'm still having trouble.

I managed to get my MCSA: Security, and I only have 2 more exams for MCSE, but finding the time/motivation for self-study is my downfall.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[SimonDavies]

As some of you know I did my MCSE based on classroom training, I spent just shy of 2 months doing so, in the class every day for those two months. During that time I passed the exams required for my MCSE, MCSE:Security and my Sec+. It wasn't easy but things that helped were :-

Books (don't bother with the MOC books, go for the MS Press Exam Prep books).
VMWare and XP and 2003 eval software.
Transcender exams
Boson exams
ExamCram exams
my already existing MCSE:NT4 and nearly 8 years IT experience (CNE, CCNA, MCSE etc).

Passing the MCSE2003 isn't an easy thing, gone are the days of the paper MCSE. If you pass the exams, you know you have the knowledge to do the work, feel proud of it.

Salary expectations, let me blow this one out of the water, just having the MCSE certification doesn't automatically mean you earn more money, all it means is that you know the theory side of things, what you need is experience to back it up, know about the different routes to go to get the same results. Salaries vary from country to country and industry to industry (schools and local governments won't pay anywhere near the same as a large blue chip company).

I will tell you that I decided to update my certs because I found that although I have 5 years contracting experience I didn't have up to date certs and that started hurting me when I went for interviews. I got my current position based not on my certs but actually on previous experience with the company, sure it's great to have upto date certs but all they should do is open the door for the interview.

 

[NickFerrar]

I passed all my MCSE 2003 exams during the 14 days however I had about 7 years of NT4/Windows2000 experience before and had already done some Windows NT/2000 MCPs so I knew what I was getting into The bootcamp was still crazy-intense (I did a few 18-20 hour days in the first week) and if you're weak on everything you're in big trouble (I was weak on things like DNS but because I was OK on other stuff I had more time to study DNS than I'd have had if I was weak on most things etc.).

 

[projector1]

hi
how many exams are involved in getting an mcse.
i have paid for a course who are telling me that i have to pass four exams
70-270
70-290
70-291
70-299
is this the norm?

 

[SimonDavies]

Have a look here and it explains it for you.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/windows2003/

You are being offered the MCSA rather than the MCSE.

 

[Wishdiak]

projector1,

Those four exams, plus an elective, will qualify you for MCSA certification. If your elective is the CompTIA Security+ or 70-227 (Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition), then you'll gain MCSA: Security 2003 certification.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/windows2003/

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/security/windowsserver2003.asp

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com