Which Microsoft Qualification?

Lt. Manlove · 5 Oct 2010 at 14:33

Years back at college, I had an ambition to complete an MCSE but time rapidly flew away; but now I'm back!

I've done a search on the forums and found there is now MCITP. Google bombarded me with confusing sales pitches and so I am here, for the expert advice of the OcUK community

Short on time at the moment, so a few questions to start:

What is an average completion time for one of these qualifications?
Would it make sense to do a MCSE or rather a newer MCITP?
Would it make sense to do an entirely different course altogether?
Would a self study guide, server and VMWare suffice for the practical work?
How does one actually take the exams? Can they be completed online?
On average, how much does the entire exam cost?

Thanks for looking

ringo747 · 5 Oct 2010 at 15:00

Heres my 2c:

1) MS recommend on average that you have a few years experience with the technology that you will be certified in. You can do it in less obviously if you study hard. I guess everyone is different on how they cram for exams but it is quite involved.

2) Go MCITP I'd say. I think MCSE needs many more exams to be taken.

3) Depends what route you want to go down. What do you currently do?

4) That sounds grand. MS provide training materials/courseware if you need to buy it.

5) You need to go to a prometric centre in order to take exams although some workplaces may organise for them to be taken internally. Not sure how this works.

6) I have just completed an MCITP in SharePoint 2010 - 2 exams (each about £80) but I got free vouchers through work. One exam was an MCTS, the other was an IT Pro.

Hope this helps.

Stelly · 5 Oct 2010 at 15:10

To do your MCITP you need to have done the MTS quals as well

Stelly

m4cc45 · 5 Oct 2010 at 15:30

1. Depends on the person. With experience a couple of months to revise / lab / etc. per exam.

2. I'd say go MCITP route.

3. Depends on the person. Maybe VM if interested in virtualisation. Maybe CCNA if interested in networking.

4. It would suffice but nothing beats practical experience.

5. Only at a Prometric Testing Centre. Of course you can't take them online (nice and easy way to cheat). It's around £110 including VAT per exam (£88+ VAT IIRC).

6. Well it's 7 exams * £110 = £770 but you have to say you may will fail an exam now and again. Especially if you are self studying.

M.