238 is the best exam in the Exchange 2007 MCITP series, IMO. It's challenging (unlike 237) without being nit-picky (like 236). Very little Powershell - certainly no problems that could be resolved IRL with tabbed completion of the command or the get-help cmdlet - which is a major complaint I had about 236. You do have to know your stuff though, and the questions don't do you any favors. They were longer and more involved, and they also require you take multiple factors into account when determining the correct answer. There were a few that had options that seemed designed to make you second-guess yourself, but I was sure my answers were right and I stuck to them. Other questions would have been better answered with a 'None of the Above' option when asked which option was the best - but that's just my opinion, what do I know? I was surprised by the number of MIIS/IIFP/GalSync/Free-Busy/Availability/IORepl type questions I had. Fortunately (or unfortunately) that is part of the implementation I am wrapping up so I have some experience with all those technologies.
Final score was 828 which is close to my goal of 850. 100% in the High Availability section, strong in Upgrades/Migrations and Topology, weaker in Security/Compliance and Maintenance.
Meh, it's over. I used to get more excited when I achieved a major cert milestone, but the two MCITPs haven't been as personally fullfilling as the MCSEs were before. Maybe after 20 Microsoft exams I shouldn't expect to feel as excited as I did 10 years ago after I passed my first. There were some positives to celebrate, though.
- MS Exam Pass # 20. The Win7 Beta was actually exam #20, but the results haven't been announced yet so 238 is pass #20. After 20 exams I feel like I should get some kind of frequent-tester reward. Perhaps a lapel pin instead of a digital wallet card.
- 2 of 3 Certification goals for 2009 are complete - MCITP EA and EMA. Now I just need to pass BCMSN to renew my CCNA.
- I met my personal goal of completing the EMA before my current 2007 deployment project ends, but only by a few days. With experience and the cert it should be easier for my unit to sell more Exchange work.
Next up, 70-624 - hopefully before the second shot expires at the end of the month. It's to satisfy a work requirement and not just a personal quest to collect all the MCITP:EA client requirements. After that, BCMSN to renew my CCNA and then perhaps VCP if I can get the class approved.
Ultimately, I think I would like to go for an Exchange master rotation. There is still so much more to see and do with Exchange - I feel like I've just gotten started.