Starting Microsoft Cert

Vask3n

Hello everyone.

What would you consider a good starting Microsoft certification? I am currently A+ and Security+ certified, have most of the knowledge for Network+, just haven't had the chance to take it...

I'm not lazy, but I don't want to jump into something too huge right away. Do any of the Microsoft certifications fit my situation?

Thank you.

rcoop

An MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) certification is a fairly easy venture, and definitely not any more difficult than Security+.

I would recommend going with what you have experience with, if it's Windows 2000, then 70-210 or 70-215 are not bad places to start, and if you're more familiar with WinXP then 70-270, or even 70-271 (or 70-272) would probably be the place to get your MCP. Doing 70-271 will get you an MCP designation, and after adding 70-272, you now get your MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician).

You could also utilize your Security+ on the way to becoming MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator), as it is an elective, and take the other three Microsoft tests... which you earn your MCP after passing the first exam.

HTH,
Rcoop

Vask3n

I believe 70-270 might be the best choice....I was just intimidated by the extremely long questions....are they all a paragraph+ long?

Danman32

MCP: 1 test
MCSA: 3 tests plus 1 elective (security+ accepted as elective)
MCSE: For 2003, MCSA + 3 more tests.

TeKniques

Vask3n wrote:

I believe 70-270 might be the best choice....I was just intimidated by the extremely long questions....are they all a paragraph+ long?

They are pretty long questions, but some are not longer than a paragraph. It really isn't that bad when you get used to them ... I've taken quite a few MS tests that I have forgotten what 'one liner questions' look like

To get a good idea of the question format and length, try downloading the Transcender Demos.

Good luck!

Megadeth4168

I signed up for the 70-270 after passing the Security+... I didnt give myself any study time, I was just trying to get in while the promostion for the 2nd sho was still going on.

Needless to say... No study time= no pass.
I got a 571 but I am going to take the test again, this time I will be a little more prepared.

The test was for the most part very long drawn out questions which did add a little bit of challange to it because I found myself rereading questions a couple times.

Anyway, I think you would be alright to start studying for this one. You could take your Net+, but I honestly think starting your microsoft certs will bennefit you more right now.

mikey_b

Honestly, I'd get that Net+ cert, then tackle the MS 70-270. Then if you do 70-290 and 70-291 (long term commitments for most inexperienced people) you've got your MCSA. And Security+ counts towards MCSE, you'll only have 3 more to do (70-293, 70-294, and 70-297). Just be sure to get some experience to back those certs up or they won't hold any water.

bcairns

This is what I am doing

70-270
70-290
70-291
Elective (done with security+)

Gets MCSA http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/) status, then do :-

293
294
70-297 or 70-298


For MCSE (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/windows2003/)

If you choose to take 298 for your design, adding 299 gets a security specialization. But will decide on that later.

If you are looking for non-microsoft certs just to padd a resume, do the following....

Roll over you A+ and Network+ certs into CST and CNST - basically free certs that you don't have to test for.
http://www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13374

Most anyone posting in these forums should be able to Pass CompTIA iNet+
http://certification.comptia.org/inet/

Wireless# looks like it is the barebones basics of wireless networking.
http://www.cwnp.com/certifications/wsharp/index.html