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Microsoft Certification: Farewell To The MCSE |
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Microsoft is in the middle of a major push to overhaul its
certification program. Last year, they announced the new Microsoft
Certified Architect (MCA) certification, which is not a written
exam but rather a practical exam that will be graded by a
board of examiners. Just applying for the certification will
require 10 years' experience in IT as well as three years
of practical experience as a network architect.
For those of us not quite ready for that, Microsoft has announced
that it's also going to revise other certifications. The MCSE
that we've all come to know and love is going to be a thing
of the past. In its place will be a series of specialization
exams and IP Professional certification tracks.
If you're currently an MCSE or working it, don't worry, you
have plenty of time to adapt to the new tracks. Microsoft's
official word is that the new certification structure will
be implemented when the next Windows server/client version
is released. For those holding MCDBAs, your current certification
will remain valid and you'll have a chance to upgrade to the
new certification with SQL Server 2005.
Those of us who have been on the certification track for
a while remember the outcry when Microsoft planned to phase
out the much-maligned NT 4.0 certification in the move to
Windows 2000. There was quite an outcry from many certified
individuals who felt MS was being unreasonable in their timetable
and planned lack of support for the 4.0 certification. Whether
you agree with Microsoft's planned changes, I urge you to
visit Microsoft's certification site regularly to keep up
with these changes.
Whether you choose to pursue any of these new tracks is your
decision, but you owe it to yourself and your career to know
about the new tracks. Change is inevitable in IT and the IT
certification world, and you must be aware of these changes!
About the Author:
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage,
home of free CCNP and CCNA tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study
Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. For a FREE copy
of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and
“How To Pass The CCNP”, just visit the website!
You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day!
Pass the CCNP exam with The Bryant Advantage!
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