MCTS/MCITP certification enquiry

PStefanov

Hello,

I am thinking of attaining a few Microsoft certs because I'd like to gain some knowledge in areas besides networking. I've got a few questions I guess haven't been answered:

1. What are the time frames for a preparing for a single exam?
2. How many hands-on experience is recommended before sitting an exam?
3. What kind of resources would you use - VoD, books, etc?
4. Which books would you recommend reading?
5. Do these certifications expire and if so, how often do I recertify?
6. How much of a raise can one expect?

Pavel

bertieb

1. Depends on experience really. I usually aim between 1-2 months per exam but that just suits my learning methods more than anything else.
2. The more the better, though using labs/vm's etc is fine if you don't have much in the 'real world'.
3. Books, MS Technet (is much better than it used to be), CBT Nuggets, Labs and a decent software testing engine such as Transcender usually.
4. MS Press/Sybex/Syngress normally - depends which exam as some are better than others.
5. The MCTS/MCITP expires when mainstream support for the product expires, typically around 5 yrs after it was released. You 'recertify' on the next new version.
6. Ummmm, depends. Wouldnt expect much for a CCIE thats for sure