What are your thoughts on the current promotion from Microsoft?

TacoRocket

Instead of Second Shot we get this

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/offers.aspx

Thoughts everyone?

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gorebrush

Who needs 4 retakes for a Microsoft exam? That's bonkers.

Do you get any money back if you pass it first time?

TacoRocket

gorebrush wrote: »

Who needs 4 retakes for a Microsoft exam? That's bonkers.

Do you get any money back if you pass it first time?

What I'm concerned with is does it include the student discount that you get on regular Microsoft exams? That would be really sweet.

GSXR750K2

I was fortunate to not need a second attempt at any of my exams, but I think can see where they are coming from by doing this.

In the "Second Chance" program, you get two attempts for the price of one. For some people, if the second attempt is a failure, they feel they have to shell out another $150 for another shot plus the free one. I can imagine some who may be weary about that due to nerves or available money and that may cause them to waiver in their resolve to complete certification. In Microsoft's eyes, that's lost income on future certs.

In this "Booster Pack", you get one attempt at regular price, and four at a 91-ish percent discount. What is the likelihood someone will need four attempts? Slim, hopefully. I don't thin Microsoft will lose much if any on this. That aspiring IT guy/gal with delusions of grandeur isn't bothered by that second failed attempt anymore, so they will think it's a pretty good deal and may buy it again on the next exam...and that's the point, they'll keep paying for exams instead of giving up due to perceived rising costs in exam fees, even though in the long run they will have probably paid $200 a few times for a $150 exam.

To me personally, it's like buying flood insurance when you live on the very top of a mountain. 99.99% of the time it will be unnecessary, but when you look at Microsoft's exam model now compared to yesteryear, it's clear they are making a ton off of exam fees. In the cert world, keeping testers testing is what it's all about.