MCSA / MCSE Track Question 1

[Pfranco]

Hello,
I am the I/T Manager for the company I work for.
Ive been there for almost 4 years and decided im gonna actually go get my certs.

I am working on the exams in this order .

MCSA
-------
70-290
70-291
70-270
70-284(Supposedly this is good twored both)

Then

MCSE
------
70-293
70-294
70-297

Now if I am not mistaken I only need to take 7 exams since I am taking the 70-284 for my MCSA first and it counts twored the MCSE.

Can somone please clarify for me?

Taken from the upgrade from MCSA to MCSE MS Site

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

Exam 70-284 (5)
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

(5) Exam 70-284 satisfies both the MCSA elective requirement and an MCSA: Messaging specialization requirement.

3 Collegues have said this is correct
2 have said this is not correct.

Can somone please clarify things lol ..

Thank you much in advance.
Paul Franco

 

[Pfranco]

Well Nevermind ..
Apparently not only can I not ready but the other 3 from the office who agreed with me cant either ..

Its good for specilaization in Messaging and an elective on the MCSA..

Sorry ..
I tried to delete the post but didnt see the option .

 

[ntinlin]

70-284 counts as an elective for MCSA and MCSE.

If you take it and get your MCSA you automatically become MCSA: Messaging.

I'd also advise taking 70-620 (Vista) rather than 70-270 (XP).
620 is a LOT easier and if you then want to upgrade to a 2008 qualification you'd have to take it anyway. You might as well save yourself the extra $120.

Neill

 

[kmcferrin]

I agree. I don't recommend that anybody take the 70-270 anymore, especially if there's a chance that they'll be upgrading to the Server 2008 MCITP certs.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003
MCTS:Active Directory
MCTS:Network Infrastructure
MCTS:Applications Infrastructure

 

[Pfranco]

Hey thank you guys for the replies

I have in fact decided to take the 620 instead.

I also needed to add an additional elective to get the MCSE so I was figuring on taking the

70-282: Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business

I figured since it focused on Small business server it wouldnt be that far off and that much more studying since SBS is just Server 03 R2 with Sharepoint, Exchange, a 75 user limit and only one SBS in a network.

So here would be the layout and timeline.

In Order:

MCSA
-------
70-620 TS: Windows Vista, Configuring (This first becasue it will give me MCTS credentials.)

70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment

70-291 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

70-284 Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Then

MCSE
------
70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

70-294 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

70-297 Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure

70-282 Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business

Then

Security +
Network +

70–624 Technology Specialist: Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining

70–431 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance

This would give me:

MCSA: Messaging
MCSE: Security 2003
MCTS: Windows Vista – Configuration
MCTS: Business Desktop Deployment
MCTS: SQL Server 2005

Does that all sound about right.. Is there anything Im missing or a different direction I should go. I have to be honest I have devised my list based on Field Experience and LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of research.

Thanks again in advance.
Sincerely,
Paul Franco

 

[kmcferrin]

That will not give you an MCSE:Security. The Security specialization requires that you take the Security Design exam (70-298, which can substitute for your normal design exam in the "standard" MCSE track). It also requires TWO security specialization exams. One of those can be the CompTIA Security+ exam, but the other one has to be a Microsoft exam. It can be either an ISA 2000, 2004, or 2006 exam (70-227, 70-350, or 70-351) or it can be the Implementing Security exam (70-299).

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/security/windowsserver2003.mspx

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003
MCTS:Active Directory
MCTS:Network Infrastructure
MCTS:Applications Infrastructure

 

[tnpctech]

I was curious about something myself. The 3 (other than the Security+ elective) MCSA exams appear to be the same as MCSE. If I take those 3 exams as well as the Security+, I will be MCSA certified. Do those 3 exams count toward the MCSE too, or do you have to take 6-7 different ones?

 

[kmcferrin]

There are three exams that will count towards the MCSA and the MCSE. They are 70-290, 70-291, and a client OS exam (either 70-270 or 70-620). Regardless of whether you are getting an MCSA or an MCSE, these exams will be required.

Also, depending upon the elective that you have it will usually count towards the MCSE as well. The one big gotcha to watch for is on third-party exams. Having two of the CompTIA A+/Network+/Server+ certs will qualify as an elective towards your MCSA, but it will not qualify towards the MCSE. However, the CompTIA Security+ exam will.

MCSA Requirements:

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

MCSE Requirements:

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

Third-party certifications and getting credit for them:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/partners.mspx

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003
MCTS:Active Directory
MCTS:Network Infrastructure
MCTS:Applications Infrastructure

 

[tnpctech]

So I understand from the information you posted and the links, that if I pass the S+ exam, complete "70-290, 70-291, and a client OS exam (either 70-270 or 70-620)" on my way to completeing the MCSE, I automatically qualify for the MCSA. I understand that once you pass one exam from M$, they consider you a "Microsoft Certified Professional"? I apologize if I speak in redundancy, I want to make the right choices.

A+
Working on N+ and S+.

 

[kmcferrin]

That is correct on the first question, and mostly correct on the second. If the one MS exam that you pass is one of the new generation of MS exams you will be an MCTS instead of an MCP, though you still access everything via the MCP site.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003
MCTS:Active Directory
MCTS:Network Infrastructure
MCTS:Applications Infrastructure

 

[tnpctech]

Phew...I should have started this endeavor in my late teens to early twenty's. I do appreciate all the help.

____________________
CompTIA A+