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.
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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