Some confusion about what you need for MCP and MSCA…

Matt_Smi

I am a little confused about just what you need for the MCP and MCSA certs. Right now I am focusing on CompTIA certs, I plan to get A+, Net+ and possibly Security+. After that I want to get both MCP and MCSA certified. Now from what I have heard in order to get MCP I only need to take one Microsoft test, XP pro for example. And for MCSA I need to take a total of four MS test, but I would only need to take two more, because Net+ counts as one. Is this correct? Or do I need to take a total of four MS tests in order to obtain an MSCA?

TeKniques

MCP = 1 MS test like your example (70-270 XP Pro)
MCSA = 4 MS tests

MCSA w/A+ & Network+ = 3 MS tests (Your CompTIA tests will count as an elective).

For more information: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/

Hope that helps.

Matt_Smi

Ok thanks, but lets say I take 70-270 and get my MCP. Once I want to get my MCSA will that carry over and count towards my MSCA (like Net+) so I will only need to take two more MS tests, or will I need to take three new and different ones?

TeKniques

Yes if you pass 70-270 that counts as the client exam for the MCSA certification. The 270 exam can be used for the client exam for both MCSA: 2000 or 2003 programs.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/default.asp

So once 270 is done and assuming you have A+ and Network+ you will only have 2 more exams to pass to be MCSA. I would go to Microsoft's website that I posted above, because you will have all your questions answered there.

Good luck.

Matt_Smi

Ok cool, so I only have to take a total of 3 MS exams, thanks again.