Exam Directory

Microsoft has released a new three-tiered certification hierarchy. It consists of three series and four credentials that introduce an entry-level Technology Series composed of the “Technology Specialist” credential, a Professional Series composed of the “IT Professional” and “Professional Developer” credentials, and the Master Series composed of the “Master” credential. There also exists a new Architect Series composed of the “Microsoft Certified Architect” program, which consists of a Review Board interview.

Technology Series (MCTS)

The Technology Specialist certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies, and are generally the first step toward the Professional-level certifications. There are currently 20 MCTS certifications, which can be roughly grouped into the following specializations, each requiring certain examinations to be passed:

Office Specializations

Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007

• Exam 70-632: Microsoft Office Project 2007, Managing Projects

Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

• Exam 70-633: Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects

Forefront Client and Server, Configuration

• Exam 70-557: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuration

Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuration

• Exam 70-630: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring

Office SharePoint Server 2007, Application Development

• Exam 70-542: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – Application Development

.NET Framework Specializations

.NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications

• Exam 70-528: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

.NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications

• Exam 70-526: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

.NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications

• Exam 70-529: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development
• Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation

SQL Server Specializations

With the exception of Obsolete Certifications, Microsoft generally offers upgrade paths, which allow a person holding a previous generation certification to upgrade to the current generation paths by sitting upgrade exams. Typically this is a single normal exam, usually consisting of a mixture of questions from the composite exams making up the current certification path. Using this upgrade feature, professionals in the field can maintain their certification standards without having to start from scratch every few years.

With the introduction of the Professional Series your MCTS, MCITP, or MCPD certifications will retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology. Typically, mainstream support is discontinued 7 to 10 years after the initial product release. When support ends, your related certification will retire.

Microsoft’s initial communications about the Professional Series certifications was announced that a “refresh” or recertification of the MCITP and MCPD credentials would be required within three years. This policy has changed. To address the needs of the worldwide customer base, the updated policy is to retire a certification when mainstream support for the related technology retires. There is no action required from you if you earned a Professional Series certification before the policy change; the updated policy applies to your certification, which will be valid until mainstream support for the related technology retires.

Technology Specialist Series (MCTS) Upgrades

There are no upgrade paths that lead only to an MCTS certification. All prior certification paths lead to either an MCPD or MCITS certification, which will indirectly confer the relevant prerequisite MCTS certification on the successful candidate.

Set a Deadline

Although studying at your own speed and taking the exam “when your ready” has its merits, it doesn’t work sound for millions of people who tend to postpone, or whose busy lives are filled with distractions. When you begin your studies, set a real schedule for yourself including how much you will read every day, when you will start with studying review questions, lab time, etc., depending on the amount of study time you have available and your level of experience.

Pick a training method that works for you

Not everyone learns the same approach. Formal classroom training has its advantages, but it’s not an option for many people because of price, availability, and scheduling conflicts. Self-studying with books is cheaper and more flexible, but it can be monotonous and very boring. So what’s left? uCertify offers an excellent computer based training curriculum that is well below the cost of classroom training. uCertify offers an excellent and reasonable software prep kit-training program that is very similar to classroom instruction. You will get a combination of theory and practical instruction as you progress through the lessons.

Be prepared for the new test format

To discourage memorization of answers, use of “Brain dumps”, and to make the exams a little more significant to real world environments Microsoft has redesigned the test format for all the exams. Expect of lots of troubleshooting questions, complex scenarios, and interactive questions that require you to execute a specific task on a simulated control panel.