Windows 2008 Server Certifications and Exams Overview
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Microsoft already announced the new generation of Microsoft certifications quite some time ago, but just recently shed some light on the certifications for Windows 2008 Server. This overview is meant to give you a clearer picture of what this can mean for you, whether you are just starting with Microsoft certifications, or are looking to upgrade your MCSA/MCSE. The key item is that there won’t be an MCSA or MCSE certification for Windows 2008, but instead several MCTS and MCITP certifications.
Most of you probably already heard of the MCTS (Microsoft Certification Technology Specialist) as several MCTS certifications and exams have been available for some time now, starting for several Microsoft development certifications for the .NET 2.0 Framework, and by now for roughly 20 difference technologies. You usually need to pass 1 or 2 exams to become a MCTS, and is therefore somewhat similar to the MCP. A major difference with the MCP however, is that you can, and likely will, become a MCTS multiple times for different technologies. A list of current MCTS certifications can be found here, the related Windows 2008 MCTS certifications are listed further below in this article.
Another new addition that is part of the new generation of Microsoft certifications is the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP). Despite the difference between the name MCP and MCITP just being two letters, and every MCP is assumed to be or at least to go into ‘IT’, the MCITP is more similar to the current MCSA and MCSE than the MCP. Just like the MCTS certifications, you can become a MCITP for different Microsoft technologies. The MCITP certification usually require 4 or 5 exams in total, however, that includes several exams from the MCTS certifications. In other words, to become a MCITP, you need one or more MCTS certifications, plus one or more additional exams as specified in the list below.
Let’s start with the Windows 2008 MCTS certifications. Note that each requires you to pass only a single exam.
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
- Exam 70-640 – Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Networking Infrastructure Configuration
- Exam 70-642 – Windows Server 2008 Networking Infrastructure, Configuring
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Application Platform Configuration
- Exam 70-643 – Applications Platform, Configuring
Following are the Windows 2008 MCITP certifications, which require two or three of the above MCTS pre-requisites and one or more additional exams:
MCITP: Server Administrator
Requires the first two MCTS credentials above (ADS 70-640 and Networking Infra 70-642), and the following additional exam:
- Exam 70-646: MCITP: Server Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Requires all three MCTS credentials above, and two additional exams, of which one focuses on Windows Vista client and the other on Windows 2008 features that are more likely to be used in large corporations.
- Exam 70-620: MCTS: Vista, Configure or 70-624 Deploying and Maintaining Vista and 2007 Office System Desktops
- Exam 70-647: MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Upgrade Exams and Paths
MCSA/MCSE 2003 to MCTS Windows 2008
MCSA 2003 can upgrade to MCTS Active Directory and MCTS Networking by passing the following exam:
- 70-648 – Upgrading your MCSA on Windows 2003 to Windows 2008
MCSE 2003 can upgrade to all three Windows 2008 MCTS certifications by passing the following exam:
- 70-649 – Upgrading your MCSE on Windows 2003 to Windows 2008
- There is not a direct upgrade path from MCSA/MCSE 2003 to an MCITP for Windows 2008.
- There is not a separate upgrade path for those who hold a Messaging or Security specialization in Windows Server 2003. Separate new generation certifications are available for Microsoft Exchange, and security has become an integral part of the Windows 2008 MCTS and MCITP exams.
- There is not a direct upgrade path from Windows Server 2000 certifications.
Following is a list of example paths that includes the shortest paths for those who currently are MCSA or MCSE 2003 or both, and want to become MCITP: Server Administrator, MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, or both.
MCSA 2003 -> MCITP: Server Administrator
1. Upgrade exam 70-648 to become MCTS ADS and MCTS Networking
2. Exam 70-646 to become MCITP: Server Administrator
MCSA 2003 -> MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
1. Upgrade exam 70-648 to become MCTS ADS and MCTS Networking
2. Exam 70-643 Applications Platform, Configuring
3. Exam 70-620: MCTS: Vista, Configure or 70-624 Deploying and Maintaining Vista and 2007 Office System Desktops
4. Exam 70-647: MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Although this is just one exam less than without the upgrade exam, it results in 3 MCTS certifications and one MCITP. Adding Exam 70-646 to become MCITP: Server Administrator would also result in MCITP: Server Administrator.
MCSE 2003 -> MCITP: Server Administrator
1. Upgrade exam 70-649 to become MCTS ADS, MCTS Networking, and MCTS Application Platform
2. Exam 70-646: MCITP: Server Administrator
MCSE 2003 -> MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
1. Upgrade exam 70-649 to become MCTS ADS, MCTS Networking, and MCTS Application Platform
2. Exam 70-620: MCTS: Vista, Configure or 70-624 Deploying and Maintaining Vista and 2007 Office System Desktops
3. Exam 70-647: MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Just as for second MCSA 2003 upgrade path above, this also results in 3 MCTS certifications and one MCITP, but it requires 3 exams instead of 4. And again, adding Exam 70-646 would also result in MCITP: Server Administrator.
'Client' MCITP
MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician
Rather surprisingly, this certification requires only a single exam in addition to the MCTS Window Vista Configuration cert.
www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/entsupport/default.mspx
To put it simple, you only need to pass 2 Vista client exams to become a MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician, while the MCITP for Windows 2008 Server requires at least 3 or 4.
Some notes:
An interesting change on the exam pages, the ones listing the ‘skills being measures’ aka exam objectives, is the list of ‘Exam Topics’ that include percentages, similar to what CompTIA does in their exam objective PDFs.
The MCSA and MCSE 2003 certifications, just like the previous versions, will not retire. The exams will eventually retire but the MCSA and MCSE credentials for Windows 2003 will not be changed or replaced. Obviously, the MCSA and MCSE certifications too will some day be little more than a glimpse of the good days, and hopefully the bad days. Even though it’s been almost a decade since I got my MCSE NT4, it still has some value on a resume, and so will the MCSA/MCSE 2003, as well as 2000, for many years to come.
Those who are currently working on the 2003 tracks should continue to do so. Besides the availability of the upgrade exams, it will look good to eventually have the MCSA/MCSE for Windows 2003 and the MCTS/MCITP for Windows 2008. This also improves your chances of getting a job that involves upgrading Windows 2003 to Windows 2008. Besides that, many organizations will continue to run Windows 2003 for a long time.
Those who are about to start with Microsoft certifications and are currently employed as an IT professional, should try to predict the demand for specific skills in the organization they work (or will work). For example, simply ask your employer whether and when an upgrade to Windows 2008 is likely to occur. Those who are currently not employed, or don’t expect to move to a job role that entails Window servers soon, could go for the latest – the Windows 2008 MCTS/MCITP certifications, but, the available upgrade exams allow for some additional flexibility.
For a short and concise overview as well as some comments also check out this topic earlier topic: www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24388
And here's another topic on the subject of upgrading to Windows 2008:
www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24441
Also check out the FAQ at trika's blog:
Windows Server 2008 certification paths - "So, a booth babe and a geek walk in to a bar..." - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
Most of you probably already heard of the MCTS (Microsoft Certification Technology Specialist) as several MCTS certifications and exams have been available for some time now, starting for several Microsoft development certifications for the .NET 2.0 Framework, and by now for roughly 20 difference technologies. You usually need to pass 1 or 2 exams to become a MCTS, and is therefore somewhat similar to the MCP. A major difference with the MCP however, is that you can, and likely will, become a MCTS multiple times for different technologies. A list of current MCTS certifications can be found here, the related Windows 2008 MCTS certifications are listed further below in this article.
Another new addition that is part of the new generation of Microsoft certifications is the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP). Despite the difference between the name MCP and MCITP just being two letters, and every MCP is assumed to be or at least to go into ‘IT’, the MCITP is more similar to the current MCSA and MCSE than the MCP. Just like the MCTS certifications, you can become a MCITP for different Microsoft technologies. The MCITP certification usually require 4 or 5 exams in total, however, that includes several exams from the MCTS certifications. In other words, to become a MCITP, you need one or more MCTS certifications, plus one or more additional exams as specified in the list below.
Let’s start with the Windows 2008 MCTS certifications. Note that each requires you to pass only a single exam.
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
- Exam 70-640 – Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Networking Infrastructure Configuration
- Exam 70-642 – Windows Server 2008 Networking Infrastructure, Configuring
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Application Platform Configuration
- Exam 70-643 – Applications Platform, Configuring
Following are the Windows 2008 MCITP certifications, which require two or three of the above MCTS pre-requisites and one or more additional exams:
MCITP: Server Administrator
Requires the first two MCTS credentials above (ADS 70-640 and Networking Infra 70-642), and the following additional exam:
- Exam 70-646: MCITP: Server Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Requires all three MCTS credentials above, and two additional exams, of which one focuses on Windows Vista client and the other on Windows 2008 features that are more likely to be used in large corporations.
- Exam 70-620: MCTS: Vista, Configure or 70-624 Deploying and Maintaining Vista and 2007 Office System Desktops
- Exam 70-647: MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Upgrade Exams and Paths
MCSA/MCSE 2003 to MCTS Windows 2008
MCSA 2003 can upgrade to MCTS Active Directory and MCTS Networking by passing the following exam:
- 70-648 – Upgrading your MCSA on Windows 2003 to Windows 2008
MCSE 2003 can upgrade to all three Windows 2008 MCTS certifications by passing the following exam:
- 70-649 – Upgrading your MCSE on Windows 2003 to Windows 2008
- There is not a direct upgrade path from MCSA/MCSE 2003 to an MCITP for Windows 2008.
- There is not a separate upgrade path for those who hold a Messaging or Security specialization in Windows Server 2003. Separate new generation certifications are available for Microsoft Exchange, and security has become an integral part of the Windows 2008 MCTS and MCITP exams.
- There is not a direct upgrade path from Windows Server 2000 certifications.
Following is a list of example paths that includes the shortest paths for those who currently are MCSA or MCSE 2003 or both, and want to become MCITP: Server Administrator, MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, or both.
MCSA 2003 -> MCITP: Server Administrator
1. Upgrade exam 70-648 to become MCTS ADS and MCTS Networking
2. Exam 70-646 to become MCITP: Server Administrator
MCSA 2003 -> MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
1. Upgrade exam 70-648 to become MCTS ADS and MCTS Networking
2. Exam 70-643 Applications Platform, Configuring
3. Exam 70-620: MCTS: Vista, Configure or 70-624 Deploying and Maintaining Vista and 2007 Office System Desktops
4. Exam 70-647: MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Although this is just one exam less than without the upgrade exam, it results in 3 MCTS certifications and one MCITP. Adding Exam 70-646 to become MCITP: Server Administrator would also result in MCITP: Server Administrator.
MCSE 2003 -> MCITP: Server Administrator
1. Upgrade exam 70-649 to become MCTS ADS, MCTS Networking, and MCTS Application Platform
2. Exam 70-646: MCITP: Server Administrator
MCSE 2003 -> MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
1. Upgrade exam 70-649 to become MCTS ADS, MCTS Networking, and MCTS Application Platform
2. Exam 70-620: MCTS: Vista, Configure or 70-624 Deploying and Maintaining Vista and 2007 Office System Desktops
3. Exam 70-647: MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Just as for second MCSA 2003 upgrade path above, this also results in 3 MCTS certifications and one MCITP, but it requires 3 exams instead of 4. And again, adding Exam 70-646 would also result in MCITP: Server Administrator.
'Client' MCITP
MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician
Rather surprisingly, this certification requires only a single exam in addition to the MCTS Window Vista Configuration cert.
www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/entsupport/default.mspxTo put it simple, you only need to pass 2 Vista client exams to become a MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician, while the MCITP for Windows 2008 Server requires at least 3 or 4.
Some notes:
An interesting change on the exam pages, the ones listing the ‘skills being measures’ aka exam objectives, is the list of ‘Exam Topics’ that include percentages, similar to what CompTIA does in their exam objective PDFs.
The MCSA and MCSE 2003 certifications, just like the previous versions, will not retire. The exams will eventually retire but the MCSA and MCSE credentials for Windows 2003 will not be changed or replaced. Obviously, the MCSA and MCSE certifications too will some day be little more than a glimpse of the good days, and hopefully the bad days. Even though it’s been almost a decade since I got my MCSE NT4, it still has some value on a resume, and so will the MCSA/MCSE 2003, as well as 2000, for many years to come.
Those who are currently working on the 2003 tracks should continue to do so. Besides the availability of the upgrade exams, it will look good to eventually have the MCSA/MCSE for Windows 2003 and the MCTS/MCITP for Windows 2008. This also improves your chances of getting a job that involves upgrading Windows 2003 to Windows 2008. Besides that, many organizations will continue to run Windows 2003 for a long time.
Those who are about to start with Microsoft certifications and are currently employed as an IT professional, should try to predict the demand for specific skills in the organization they work (or will work). For example, simply ask your employer whether and when an upgrade to Windows 2008 is likely to occur. Those who are currently not employed, or don’t expect to move to a job role that entails Window servers soon, could go for the latest – the Windows 2008 MCTS/MCITP certifications, but, the available upgrade exams allow for some additional flexibility.
For a short and concise overview as well as some comments also check out this topic earlier topic: www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24388
And here's another topic on the subject of upgrading to Windows 2008:
www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24441
Also check out the FAQ at trika's blog:
Windows Server 2008 certification paths - "So, a booth babe and a geek walk in to a bar..." - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
Comments
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ajs1976
Member Posts: 1,945 ■■■■□□□□□□
For some reason your link to Trika's blog is not working for me. Looks like it is missing the x in aspx.
One important thing you left out is lifecycle of the new certs. More info can be found here: http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/2007/07/03/lifecycle-of-new-generation-certifications.aspxAndy
2020 Goals: 0 of 2 courses complete, 0 of 2 exams complete -
Webmaster
Admin Posts: 10,292 Admin
Thanks, fixed the link. And good point about the lifecycle policy, I'll add a couple of lines to it for completeness. I actually wrote most of the above some time ago already, was waiting for the exam codes (and ideally all of the corresponding exam pages at microsoft.com) but found out just today the codes were already available.
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garv221
Member Posts: 1,914
Nice post Johan, I was searching for a thread with this exact info. I was looking over possible exams to take and didn't want to go down the dying MCSA/MCSE path. I think this new cert path will weed out the "all or nothing" credentials MS has created.
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LukeQuake
Member Posts: 579 ■■■□□□□□□□
Thanks for this Johan, it's nice to be able to find all of the information needed in one place!
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pwjohnston
Member Posts: 441
So essentially
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator is the equivalent of MCSE 2008
MCITP: Server Administrator is the equivalent of MCSA 2008
right? -
dynamik
Banned Posts: 12,312 ■■■■■■■■■□
I don't know. There actually isn't too much overlap between the exam objectives:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-646.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-647.mspx
The EA also requires a Vista exam, but personally, I think that's pretty negligible.
Also, the EA doesn't encompass the SA, like the MCSE encompasses the MCSA (in nearly every circumstance).
I don't think you can really compare the 2003 and 2008 tracks like that. I read somewhere that they specifically designed them to be geared towards specific roles. If you look at the objectives, they do seem to have different focuses. I think a combination of the two would be more like the current MCSE.
The EA is going to be the most prestigious though. It requires one more exam and sounds sexier (and to be fair, the objects for the pro test seem more difficult). -
Kasor
Member Posts: 934 ■■■■□□□□□□
Great information, still haven't got time to finish up everything... Too many exams that need to take.Kill All Suffer T "o" ReBorn -
jamesp1983
Member Posts: 2,475 ■■■■□□□□□□
Does anyone know if you take one of the upgrade exams (ie; the 649) and fail, do you have to take all of the tests individually? I believe it was that way with upgrading from 2k to 2k3."Check both the destination and return path when a route fails." "Switches create a network. Routers connect networks." -
dynamik
Banned Posts: 12,312 ■■■■■■■■■□
I'm pretty sure you need to pass all three to pass the exam. I haven't seen or heard anything to the contrary.
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aaronchristenson
Member Posts: 261 ■■■■□□□□□□
The upgrade exams are just like regular exams. You can use the second shot vouchers and take them as many times as you need to pass.Aaron
MCSE Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, MCSA Windows Server 2012, MCSA SQL Server 2012/2014, MCSA Windows 10, MCITP Server Admin, Security+, Virtualization with Windows Server Hyper-V and System Center Specialist -
jamesp1983
Member Posts: 2,475 ■■■■□□□□□□
I'm pretty sure you need to pass all three to pass the exam. I haven't seen or heard anything to the contrary.
Oh, what I meant is the 649 is comprised of the 640, 642, 643. If i take the 649 and fail would I have to take all of the three tests individually instead?"Check both the destination and return path when a route fails." "Switches create a network. Routers connect networks." -
jamesp1983
Member Posts: 2,475 ■■■■□□□□□□
aaronchristenson wrote: »The upgrade exams are just like regular exams. You can use the second shot vouchers and take them as many times as you need to pass.
thank you!"Check both the destination and return path when a route fails." "Switches create a network. Routers connect networks." -
dynamik
Banned Posts: 12,312 ■■■■■■■■■□
Oh sorry, I thought you were asking if you failed one section if you could just take that exam and not the other two.
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Claymoore
Member Posts: 1,637
Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Server 2008 Certification
Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 certification
Q.Can I retake Exam 70-648 or Exam 70-649?
A.Yes. There is no limit on retakes of these upgrade exams. However, you must follow the standard retake policy for all Microsoft Certification exams
Microsoft learned their lesson on the NT4-2000 MCSE Upgrade exam. -
jamesp1983
Member Posts: 2,475 ■■■■□□□□□□
Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Server 2008 Certification
Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 certification
Q.Can I retake Exam 70-648 or Exam 70-649?
A.Yes. There is no limit on retakes of these upgrade exams. However, you must follow the standard retake policy for all Microsoft Certification exams
Microsoft learned their lesson on the NT4-2000 MCSE Upgrade exam.
good! thanks guys for your help!"Check both the destination and return path when a route fails." "Switches create a network. Routers connect networks." -
whatthehell
Member Posts: 920
Thanks for the post --- will definitely put it to use!2017 Goals:
[ ] Security + [ ] 74-409 [ ] CEH
Future Goals:
TBD -
mshilunga
Member Posts: 26 ■□□□□□□□□□
thanks for the post,,this will do good for me i will be going for the test on the 29julyonce we’ve mastered the art of diligence, we can use it in any important area of our lives, in any endeavor or pursuit to achieve incredible outcomes.
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earweed
Member Posts: 5,192 ■■■■■■■■■□
Exam 70-680 Windows 7, Configuring is also an eligible cliet exam for the MCITP:SA/EANo longer work in IT. Play around with stuff sometimes still and fix stuff for friends and relatives. -
earweed
Member Posts: 5,192 ■■■■■■■■■□
The 70-640, 70-642, and 70-643 skills measured have all been updated to include material specific to Server 2008 R2No longer work in IT. Play around with stuff sometimes still and fix stuff for friends and relatives.
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za3bour
Member Posts: 1,062 ■■■■□□□□□□
The 70-640, 70-642, and 70-643 skills measured have all been updated to include material specific to Server 2008 R2
Both 70-647 and 70-646 now are updated to include R2 as well -
drew2000
Member Posts: 290
The Microsoft Test Lab Guides are useful for hands-on practice. I wish I had found out about them sooner.
Test Lab Guides - TechNet Articles - Home - TechNet Wiki
Drew -
Moiz Khan
Registered Users Posts: 1 ■□□□□□□□□□
Dear Friends,
i have completed my training for server 2008 r2 NI, AD and AI now i want to appear for the exam so which exam should i take bcz i have heard that previous certifications will be updated to new one from july 2013 onwards so we have to appear for the new certification exam too?.. please guide me ...
