Microsoft introduces two types of certification -
- Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
- Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications
The MCTS certifications are designed to validate a candidate’s skills on the features and functionality of key technology areas in Windows Server 2008. According to the latest information available in Microsoft’s official site, three Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications on Windows Server 2008 demonstrate an IT professional’s in-depth, current skills on Active Directory, network infrastructure, or applications infrastructure. These certifications are as follows:
- MCTS – Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
- MCTS – Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
- MCTS – Windows Server 2008 Application Infrastructure Configuration
They can be achieved in the following ways:
Passing Microsoft exam 70-640 TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring will earn you the MCTS – Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration certification.
Passing Microsoft exam 70-642 TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring will earn you the MCTS – Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration certification.
Passing Microsoft exam 70-643 TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring will earn you the MCTS – Windows Server 2008 Application Infrastructure Configuration.
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
The MCITP credential is the ideal way to demonstrate a candidate’s ability to use Windows Server 2008 to excel in a specific, real-world job role. The two certifications in this category are as follows:
- MCITP: Server Administrator – Focuses on day-to-day operations and management.
- MCITP: Enterprise Administrator – Validates your skills focused on Windows infrastructure design.
MCITP Server Administrator – In order to earn this certification, a candidate has to pass the following Microsoft exams:
Note: Exam 70-646 is a professional series exam of Windows Server 2008 track.
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator – In order to earn this certification, a candidate has to pass the following five Microsoft exams:
Note:
- You can choose between exams 70-620 and 70-624.
- Exam 70-647 is a professional series exam of Windows Server 2008 track.
Upgrades from Windows Server 2003
MCSEs and MCSAs on Windows Server 2003 have transition paths towards MCITP certifications.
From MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to MCITP: Server Administrator
To earn the MCITP: Server Administrator certification, MCSAs on Windows Server 2003 have to pass the following two Microsoft exams:
From MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
To earn the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification, MCSAs on Windows Server 2003 have to pass the following four Microsoft exams:
From MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to MCITP: Server Administrator
To earn the MCITP: Server Administrator certification, MCSEs on Windows Server 2003 have to pass the following two Microsoft exams:
From MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
To earn the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification, MCSEs on Windows Server 2003 have to pass the following three Microsoft exams:
Note: Exams 70-620 and 70-624 are Microsoft Vista exams.
- Exam 70-620: TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
- Exam 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops
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- Make a Windows 2008 domain-based network of two computers. Configure a computer as domain controller running Windows Server 2008 Enterprise. Configure the other computer with Windows Vista (Enterprise, Ultimate, or Business).
- Plan for name resolution and IP addressing and TCP/IP version coexistence.
- Install and configure DNS.
- Design Active Directory forests and domains.
- Design for software updates and compliance management including patch management and patch management compliance, Microsoft Update and Windows Update, security baselines, and system health models.
- Configure RRAS, NAP, wireless access, and firewall settings.
- Plan the domain or forest migration, upgrade, and restructuring. Planning includes cross-forest authentication, backward compatibility, object migration, migration planning, implementation planning, and environment preparation.
- Design the operating system virtualization strategy, management, and placement of servers.
- Design for data management including data security, data accessibility and redundancy, and data collaboration.
- Design the enterprise-level group policy strategy such as group policy hierarchy and scope filtering, control device installation, and authentication and authorization.
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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
- Exam 70-431: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance
SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence
- Exam 70-445: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence – Implementation and Maintenance
Business Intelligence Specializations
- Exam 70-235: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server
Live Communications Server 2005
- Exam 70-262: Office Live Communications Server 2005-Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Configuration
- Exam 70-236: Exchange Server 2007, Configuring
Windows Specializations
Windows Mobile 5.0 Applications
- Exam 70-540: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 – Application Development
Windows Mobile 5.0, Implementing and Managing
- Exam 70-500: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0, Implementing and Managing
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Application Development
- Exam 70-541: Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 – Application Development
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuration
- Exam 70-631: Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring
Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments, Configuration and Management
- Exam 70-501: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments, Configuring and Managing
Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining
- Exam 70-624: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops
- Exam 70-620: Windows Vista, Configuring
Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
- Exam 70-640: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
- Exam 70-642: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration
- Exam 70-643: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
Professional Series
Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)
These certifications are designed for .NET software developers and are based around .NET 3.5, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2005/2008.
- Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation
- Exam 70-505: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Application Development
- Exam 70-563 (PRO): Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation
- Exam 70-562: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development
- Exam 70-564 (PRO): Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
Web Developer, Visual Studio 2005
- Exam 70-528: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development
- Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Application Development Foundation
- Exam 70-547 (PRO): Designing and Developing Web Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5
- Exam 70-503: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Communication Foundation Application Development
- Exam 70-505: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Application Development
- Exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation – applicable to both .NET 2.0 and .NET 3.5
- Exam 70-561: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development
- Exam 70-562: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development
- Exam 70-565 (PRO): Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications using Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credential is the leading certification for Microsoft. It provides widely recognized, objective validation of your ability to perform critical, current IT job roles by using Microsoft technologies to their best advantage.
These certifications are designed for IT professionals including administrators and support personnel in addition to database specialists (both administrators and developers).
Business Intelligence Developer
- MCTS: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence
- Exam 70-446 (PRO): Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Consumer Support Technician
- MCTS: Windows Vista Configuration
- Exam 70-623 (PRO): Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Consumer Support Technicians
Database Developer
- MCTS: SQL Server 2005
- Exam 70-441 (PRO): Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Open License 6.0
- Exam 70-442 (PRO): Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Database Administrator
- MCTS: SQL Server 2005
- Exam 70-443 (PRO): Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
- Exam 70-444 (PRO): Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Enterprise Messaging Administrator
- MCTS: Exchange Server 2007 Configuration
- Exam 70-237 (PRO): Designing Messaging Solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
- Exam 70-238 (PRO): Deploying Messaging Solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
- MCTS: Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007
- MCTS: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
- Exam 70-634 (PRO): Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects and Programs
Enterprise Support Technician
- MCTS: Windows Vista Configuration
- Exam 70-622 (PRO): Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Microsoft Windows Vista Client for Enterprise Support Technicians
Server Administrator
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
- Exam 70-646 (PRO): Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator
Enterprise Administrator
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration
- MCTS: Windows Vista Configuration OR MCTS: Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining
- Exam 70-647 (PRO): Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
Master Series
Architect Series
The Architect Series is completely different from the Technology Specialist and Professional series, composed of a five-week training session, at a cost of $25,000. Candidates are paired with an existing Microsoft Certified Architect for the duration of the program who mentor and provide guidance to complete a series of tasks. At the conclusion the candidate must submit a report and pass a Review Board interview.
The Architect Series is very similar to other industry professional certification programs, such as the Certified Practicing Engineer (CPEng) offered by Engineers Australia.
There are two primary tracks in the Architect Program:
Technology-based Architecture
There are two MCA Certifications in the Technology-based Architecture track:
- Messaging (Microsoft Exchange Server)
- Database (Microsoft SQL Server focused on OLTP
Broad Architecture
This track is designed for professionals that use a variety of Microsoft and non-Microsoft technologies to deliver customer solutions. Again there are two primary tracks:
- Infrastructure certifications
- Solutions certifications
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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.
Professional Developer (MCPD) Upgrades
The upgrade paths for the Professional Developer series require that candidates have a minimum existing Microsoft Certified Application Developer certification, although since this is a prerequisite for the Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer series, this also qualifies. Generally candidates who specialized in Windows Forms development in the MCAD would upgrade to the MCPD: Windows Developer, Web developers would take the MCPD: Web Developer path, and MCSD holders would upgrade to the MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer. However, there is no actual restriction enforced and a candidate holding any variant of the MCAD three MCAD to MCPD paths, and an MCSD can take any of the four MCSD to MCAD paths.
MCAD/MCSD to MCPD: Web Developer
This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
- Exam 70-551: UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
MCAD/MCSD to MCPD: Windows Developer
This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
- Exam 70-552: UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
MCAD to MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer
This certification requires that one pass the following examinations:
- Exam 70-551: UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
- Exam 70-552: UPGRADE: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
MCSD to MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer
This certification requires that one pass the following examinations:
- Exam 70-553: UPGRADE: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework: Part 1
- Exam 70-554: UPGRADE: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework: Part 2
IT Professional (MCITP) Upgrades
MCDST to MCITP: Enterprise Support
This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
- Exam 70-621: PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support
MCDBA to MCITP: Database Administrator This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
- Prerequisite: MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance
- Exam 70-447: UPGRADE: MCDBA Skills to MCITP Database Administrator by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
MCSA and MCSE Transitions
MCSA and MCSE certifications will not be retired. Microsoft has introduced a transition path to allow MCSA/MCSE holders to obtain MCITP certification. Both certifications require a common transitional exam (70-649), as well as two additional exams for MCITP: Server Administrator and three additional exams for the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator.
Microsoft Certification Resources
There are several courses, boot camps and practice tests from different vendors offering preparation material for Microsoft certification exams. Boot camps normally provide residential program that includes food and lodging. These courses are meant for busy professionals who do not have enough time for self preparation or wish to get trained by professional trainers. Microsoft Press provides several books towards Microsoft certification exams preparation. Books are normally the first place to explore Microsoft certification options, and preparation. Apart from Microsoft Press books, there are other reputed publishers like Sybex, and others. In addition to books, Microsoft Learning also offers courses for each of the exams.
Apart from books, there are several practice tests vendors that offer pre-certification exams. These mock exams almost mimic actual exams, and normally priced much less than the actual exam. Several user forums are available for certification preparation where most questions are answered by other forum users.
Experts and past candidates recommend not only reading more than one book, but spending a good amount of time practicing the concepts on computers on a test environment. After practicing and reading, it’s also recommended to take sample exams before taking the Microsoft exam.
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- Configuring providers.
- Configuring authentication, authorization, and impersonation.
- Configuring projects, solutions, and reference assemblies.
- Configuring session state using Microsoft SQL Server, State Server, or InProc.
- Publishing Web applications.
- Configuring application pools.
- Compiling an application using Visual Studio or command-line tools.
- Implementing data-bound controls.
- Loading user controls dynamically.
- Creating and consuming custom controls.
- Implementing client-side validation and server-side validation.
- Consuming standard controls.
- Reading and writing XML data.
- Manipulating data using the DataSet and DataReader objects.
- Calling a Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) service or a Web service from an ASP.NET Web page.
- Implementing a DataSource control.
- Binding controls to data using data binding syntax.
- Configuring debugging and custom errors.
- Setting up an environment to perform remote debugging.
- Debugging unhandled exceptions when using ASP.NET AJAX.
- Implementing tracing of a Web application.
- Debugging deployment issues.
- Monitoring Web applications.
- Implementing Web Forms using ASP.NET AJAX.
- Interacting with the ASP.NET AJAX client-side library.
- Consuming services from client scripts.
- Creating and registering client script.
- Accessing device capabilities.
- Controlling device-specific rendering.
- Adding mobile Web controls to a Web page.
- Implementing control adapters.
- Customizing the layout and appearance of a Web page.
- Working with ASP.NET intrinsic objects.
- Implementing globalization and accessibility.
- Implementing business objects and utility classes.
- Implementing session state, view state, control state, cookies, cache, or application state.
- Handling events and control page flow.
- Implementing the Generic Handler.
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A. The Microsoft 70-502 (C#) exam measures your knowledge and skills in developing and implementing Windows-based applications by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. It measures your knowledge of Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. You have to take this exam along with 70-536 (C#). NET in order to achieve the MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Presentation Foundation Applications certification.
Q. What are the prerequisites for the exam?
A.There is no such prerequisite for taking the exam 70-502 (C#). However, before taking the exam, you should have at least one year of experience in developing Microsoft Windows-based applications by using the Microsoft .NET Framework and a working knowledge of Visual Studio 2008.
Q: What programming languages are available for the exam?
A: You can choose the Microsoft Visual C# 2008 programming language for this exam. Other programming language is Microsoft Visual Basic 2008.
Q: In which speaking languages do the exam available?
A: The exam 70-502 (C#) is available in English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, and Japanese languages.
Q: What credit does the exam provide?
A: After passing the exam, you will earn credit toward the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) status. You will also earn credit toward the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Presentation Foundation Applications credential.
Q. What certificate does this exam provide?
A. This exam will provide the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Presentation Foundation Applications certification.
Q. How many questions are asked in the exam?
A. You will be asked to attempt approximately 55 questions.
Q. What is the duration of the exam?
A. You will be required to finish the exam in 90 minutes.
Q. What is the passing score?
A. The passing score of the exam is 700 out of 1000.
Q. Which type of the exam is it? (Adaptive/Linear)
A. You will be tested on different type of questions that include single and multiple choices, drag and drop, build list and reorder, and build a tree. The test can be adaptive and provides simulation questions, but there are no case study type questions.
Q. Where to take the exam?
A. You can register with a Prometric testing center. You can also register for the exam online at your local test center or a regional contact center.
Q. What are the areas on which the exam is focused?
A. The exam is totally objective-based. This exam focuses on the areas in which candidates are able to develop and implement Windows-based applications based on the Windows Presentation Foundation technology by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.
Q. What is the exam fee?
A. The exam fee is US $125.
Q. What are the job prospects after passing this exam?
A. After qualifying the exam, it prepares you with various job roles that include Web Developers, Windows Developers, or Enterprise Software Developers.
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