advise between 70-648 and 70-649

jojopramos

Hey guys, after completing my CCNA, I decided to upgrade my MCSA/MCSE to MCITP Server Admin and possibly Enterprise Admin. Can you give me your advise regarding what will I take up for studies and exam, is it the 648 or the 649? I know that in 649 as per review with the upgrade path that it has an additional MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration exam for it. For now, I just want to finish my MCITP Server Admin. Please give me an insight on this. thanks...

brewd

If you have no desire to get the MCITP Enterprise Admin, then the fastest route from an MCSE to the MCITP Server Admin is by taking 70-648 and then 70-646.

However, as you mentioned possibly wanting the Enterprise Admin cert, the 70-649 exam is required, as well as 70-680 (Windows 7) and then the EA test itself, 70-647.

Here's Microsoft's upgrade path from MCSE to MCITP: MCSE Certification | MCSE Training | Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

earweed

This actually poses a good question which that diagram doesn't address:
Can the OP take the 70-649 and then the 70-646 to get the MCITP:SA right now? I believe the answer would be yes (because the 70-649 gives you the 3 MCTSes) but the chart doesn't show it. If that is true then when the OP wishes to get the MCITP:EA he would have to take (70-620 or 70-624, or 70-680) and 70-647 . this would be the easiest path the OP could take.

jojopramos

Thanks for your replies. Actually, my goal is for MCITP:EA so I think I need to go for 70-649 which is actually covered 3 exams (640, 642 and 643). The only thing that I am thinking here is that the scope of this exam covers wide topic, Is thier any book recommendation on 649 other than MS Press book 640/642 and 643? For now our company has this 3 books which we bought in bundle for MCITP: EA. Imagine reading all this 3 books then doing the 649 exam.

earweed

Amazon.com: MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-648 & 70-649): Transitioning Your MCSA/MCSE to Windows Server 2008 (9780735626331): Orin Thomas, Ian McLean Dr: Books
Amazon.com: The Real MCTS/MCITP Exam 70-649 Prep Kit: Independent and Complete Self-Paced Solutions (978159749234: Brien Posey: Books

These 2 are supposed to be good. Don't take that exam lightly. I've read posts by others who have taken it. It's graded differently as you get a grade for each SECTION (640, 642, and 643) and your total score is the lowest of the 3. If you fail a section then you fail the exam.