A Summary Of The Newly Designed Microsoft Certification Program

By Lisa Schmidt


Microsoft is once more making substantial modifications to its IT training certification program. Whilst these changes ought to make the Microsoft certification program much easier to use, there are disadvantages involved and anyone who has or is thinking of getting Microsoft training should pay attention to just how the program is evolving. It should also be known that those who currently have Microsoft certifications also need to be familiar with these new changes, since they do have an impact on a few Microsoft certificates.

Just what Modifications Are Going To Be Made?

Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title along with the MCTS title. Those certifications will be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft was actually utilizing for the longest period.

Nonetheless, Microsoft is doing much more than simply changing the names around. It's also bringing down its standing for the MCITP title, so that it is equal to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is widely accepted as the top form of Microsoft certification.

Microsoft is once more making re-certification required for those who want to keep the new MCSE or MCSD title. Even though this is a requirement that angered a lot of certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to realize that ongoing, fast changes in the technology world make it impossible for a person to continue to hold to the same level of qualification without on-going training. MCSE certifications will have to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications will have no re-certification requirements.

Why the Modifications?

Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles weren't well received by either certificate students or those who were seeking to employ graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of companies were and are still not computer savvy and for that reason failed to understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This made it challenging for individuals who were searching for a job, as these individuals were forced to explain to possible employers exactly what the new types of certification meant and why they were just as appropriate as the old ones.

Another reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft stated that the new certificates would have to be periodically renewed. However, the company was vague regarding exactly what needed to be accomplished to achieve certificate renewal and also when the certificates would reach their expiration date. As you can imagine, this approach created a great deal of uncertainty for those that were thinking about getting started with the Microsoft training program.

Tips On How To Upgrade Current Certificates

Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks offer special upgrade exams. These examinations concentrate on evaluating the knowledge of a student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology edition. The precondition for these upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, if you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you can expect to automatically receive a corresponding MCSA certification.

What Are The Advantages Associated with Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?

Because Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it is not crucial for anyone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of companies that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if he or she has experience and can demonstrate that he or she is staying current with new developments associated with his or her line of work.

Even so, at some point it would be necessary for a person to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Even though it might require some time and cash to secure a new certification, it is well worth the effort. Besides, the skills acquired under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new style of accreditation (through special upgrade exams). The need to upgrade present certifications will become more urgent when organizations begin using the more recent Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etcetera).

Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some individuals who are thinking of taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken this kind of study course. Even though the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are for the most part advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly represent the level of education and expertise a person has in any given area of IT. Any person who is at present taking a Microsoft training course for one of the newer technologies will already be using the brand-new program and therefore have absolutely nothing to worry about. Simultaneously, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now referred to as legacy certification) are able to keep utilizing their old certifications with no problems, although ultimately transitioning to a current certification is definitely advisable.




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