MCSE/MCSA

daztrouk · 2 Nov 2013 at 21:34

I’m lost when it comes to trying to understand the new format. With the old MCSE/MCSA, it specifically told you what MCP modules you needed to pass, in order to get the overall MCSE/MCSA certification. However, I can’t find such info with the new MCSE/MCSA setup.

I’m currently working in a role in which we support Windows 7 desktops, so I’ll be going for the 70-680 and 70-685 exams. However, say for example, I wanted to achieve a MCSE/MCSA certification by this time next year, what other modules would I need to choose in order to attain this?

Matthew-1985 · 2 Nov 2013 at 21:51

Those two exams will give you the Windows 7 MCSA.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsa-windows-7-certification.aspx

daztrouk · 3 Nov 2013 at 16:52

Matthew-1985 said:
Those two exams will give you the Windows 7 MCSA.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsa-windows-7-certification.aspx

So it's not like before where you need to pass 4 or 5 different courses in order to get an MCSA, and i believe 7 to get the MCSE? How does this work with employers then, as i've seen a few asking for job seekers who have MCSA/MCSE certs. I'm guessing their talking about the old system, otherwise i could say i have an MCSA, due to only passing the 2 windows 7 exams?

Saundie · 3 Nov 2013 at 19:04

daztrouk said:
So it's not like before where you need to pass 4 or 5 different courses in order to get an MCSA, and i believe 7 to get the MCSE? How does this work with employers then, as i've seen a few asking for job seekers who have MCSA/MCSE certs. I'm guessing their talking about the old system, otherwise i could say i have an MCSA, due to only passing the 2 windows 7 exams?

There are various MCSA certifications, including ones for the Windows client as well as the server. MCSA: Server 2008 is roughly analogous to the old Microsoft Certified System Administrator certification, as is the Server 2012 version. MCSA: Windows 7 is like the old Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician certification.

In answer to your question, yes, passing the two Windows 7 exams will get you an MCSA. I imagine the employers will want specific MCSA/MCSEs depending on the role - a 3rd line support role will probably require an MCSE in Server 2008, for example.

The new style certifications are modular like the old ones. For example, passing 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412 earns you MCSA: Server 2012. You can then take 70-413 and 70-414 to get your MCSE: Server 2012. This was like the old MCSA for Server 2003 (though I can't remember the exam numbers now).

I don't know why Microsoft chose to change their certifications yet again; it was bad enough when they introduced MCTS and MCITP for Server 2008!

daztrouk · 6 Nov 2013 at 09:06

Saundie said:
There are various MCSA certifications, including ones for the Windows client as well as the server. MCSA: Server 2008 is roughly analogous to the old Microsoft Certified System Administrator certification, as is the Server 2012 version. MCSA: Windows 7 is like the old Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician certification.

In answer to your question, yes, passing the two Windows 7 exams will get you an MCSA. I imagine the employers will want specific MCSA/MCSEs depending on the role - a 3rd line support role will probably require an MCSE in Server 2008, for example.

The new style certifications are modular like the old ones. For example, passing 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412 earns you MCSA: Server 2012. You can then take 70-413 and 70-414 to get your MCSE: Server 2012. This was like the old MCSA for Server 2003 (though I can't remember the exam numbers now).

I don't know why Microsoft chose to change their certifications yet again; it was bad enough when they introduced MCTS and MCITP for Server 2008!

Ahhh, thanks for the explanation, appreciated

m4cc45 · 6 Nov 2013 at 12:55

Microsoft changed the exams because of employers. They changed away from the MCSE 2003 (as it was Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and people were moaning that people who passed this cert weren't engineers).

They changed to the MCITP: EA (Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Admin) and I've yet to see this requested in a job. Potential employees were moaning because there qualification wasn't recognised and employers just thought they'd ask for a MCSE 2008 and trying to explain that's what it was is a bit of a nightmare).

So they reverted back to MCSA / MCSE as employers understood what they were potential-employees didn't have to explain what they were and changing the name to Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert meant they kept the people moaning about Engineer happy.

The exams now are also much harder, more modular, still as unrealistic in terms of what you do and the way you do it when you are in work but they are getting better

M.