Upgrade from MCSE to MCITP: EA/SA

I'm just curious how difficult people found it to upgrade their MCSE's to MCITP's. I'm expecting that it should be realatively easy, given that fundamental concepts are already understood and there are just some revisions added and some changes to where things are located.

(Plotting out my year)

Thanks

Edit: Bumping up the information that I found through this thread...

You can take MCSE, 70-649 , and 70-646 for MCITP:SA

Then you can take MCSE, 70-649, 70-647, and 70-680 for MCITP:EA

or for both...
70-646
70-647
70-649
70-680 (or 682 if you have MCDST)

So by following that path I can knock 2 tests out.

My sources:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcitp.aspx#tab2
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windowsserver.aspx#tab4

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Comments

Essendon

I have an MCSA and upgrading it to MCITP has been more fun than doing the MCSA. The fundamentals are already there which has made things easier to understand and of course the new OS looks better and is better.

Devilsbane

Would people agree that this is a basic equivalency chart?

70-640: Active Directory (70-294)
70-642: Network Infrastructure (70-293)
70-643: Application Infrastructure (70-291)
70-646: Server Administrator (70-290)
70-647: Enterprise Administrator (Design elective)
70-680: Client OS (70-270)

za3bour

Devilsbane wrote: »

Would people agree that this is a basic equivalency chart?

70-640: Active Directory (70-294)
70-642: Network Infrastructure (70-293)
70-643: Application Infrastructure (70-291)
70-646: Server Administrator (70-290)
70-647: Enterprise Administrator (Design elective)
70-680: Client OS (70-270)

This sounds Perfect to me.

Devilsbane

So how do the 70-648 and 70-649 work? It says they count for credit for the MCITP SA/EA, but doesn't say how.

Devilsbane

Looks like you can take MCSE, 70-649 , and 70-646 for MCITP:SA

Then you can take MCSE, 70-649, 70-647, and 70-680 for MCITP:EA

or for both...
70-646
70-647
70-649
70-680

So by following that path I can knock 2 tests out.

My sources:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcitp.aspx#tab2
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windowsserver.aspx#tab4

Devilsbane

Rather than starting new, I thought I would bring this up and add to it.

The information above is accurate to the best of my knowledge to upgrade MCSE to MCITP SA/EA. My questions is now on the client exam. Since I already have the MCDST, is taking the 680 the best choice or should I be taking an upgrade exam?

I know that you can take MCDST and 70-682 to upgrade to the Desktop Support on Windows 7. Is this the route I should go or just do the 680?

Asif Dasl

If it were me, I would go with 682. You get the added benefit of an extra cert for nothing while maybe getting an easier test. A buddy took 682 and said the 685 part was easy and the 680 part was hard (which I would agree with having taken it) but he felt he got less difficult questions because there was only 25 questions being asked for that part. And the 685 questions were short and to the point so with both benefits it might end up being an easier exam experience. I am taking 685 tomorrow because I bought another 5 pack with second shots, so I could confirm the 685 part then.

Devilsbane

Good luck. So if I pass the 682, that can be substituted anywhere I see the 70-680?

Asif Dasl

Thanks. Yes it's 680 & 685 together so whereever you use 680 it'll be valid (like the MCITP:EA). The only thing about the test is you must have the MCDST (or the Vista equivalent) before you can take it. Pretty sweet deal.

Devilsbane

Is there a good all in one book for the 70-682?

I'm thinking http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Desktop-Support-Administration-Certification/dp/0470597097/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1313693206&sr=8-2 Not specifically for the 682 but covers content for the 680 and 685. Plus it is written by Darril Gibson. If it is half as good as his Security+ book then it is worth its weight in gold.

Or for the 70-649? I think that is where I'm gonna go after the 682.

Thanks.

neathneathneath

Devilsbane wrote: »

I'm just curious how difficult people found it to upgrade their MCSE's to MCITP's.

70-680 (or 682 if you have MCDST)

QUOTE]

AS I have the MCDST, Is it possible to use the 70-682 instead of the 70-680 as an elective for the MCITP:EA ?

I can't see any thing on the Microsoft site regarding this, can anyone point me to this?

MS Website states for 682 (although I appreciate you can use to 680/685/686 books):

Classroom Training
There is no classroom training currently available.

Microsoft E-Learning
There is no Microsoft E-Learning training currently available.

Microsoft Press Books
There are no Microsoft Press books currently available.

Practice Tests
There are no practice tests currently available.

neathneathneath

Just found what I was looking for:
Pro: Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician

Credit Toward Certification
When you pass Exam 70-682: Pro: Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician, you complete the requirements for the following certification(s):
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7
MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration

Psoasman

Devilsbane wrote: »

Is there a good all in one book for the 70-682?

I'm thinking Amazon.com: Windows 7 Desktop Support and Administration: Real World Skills for MCITP Certification and Beyond (Exams 70-685 and 70-686) (9780470597095): Darril Gibson: Books Not specifically for the 682 but covers content for the 680 and 685. Plus it is written by Darril Gibson. If it is half as good as his Security+ book then it is worth its weight in gold.

Or for the 70-649? I think that is where I'm gonna go after the 682.

Thanks.

I used Darril's book for the 685 exam. I was fairly well-written, but didn't go into as much detail. It covers content for the 685 / 686 exams, but will help with the 680 material. I would go over some of the server-related stuff that the exam objectives state to help out as well.

Devilsbane

Bought Amazon.com: MCTS 70-680 Cert Guide: Microsoft Windows 7, Configuring (9780789747075): Don Poulton: Books and Amazon.com: Windows 7 Desktop Support and Administration: Real World Skills for MCITP Certification and Beyond (Exams 70-685 and 70-686) (9780470597095): Darril Gibson: Books off amazon. A little upset that nobody has a book specifically for the 682, but I'll get over it pretty quick. James Conrad does have videos specifically for it so that should be a good source.

Both books are rated well on Amazon, but I will let you know what I think of them.

Devilsbane

Asif Dasl wrote: »

Thanks. Yes it's 680 & 685 together so whereever you use 680 it'll be valid (like the MCITP:EA). The only thing about the test is you must have the MCDST (or the Vista equivalent) before you can take it. Pretty sweet deal.

Is it 680/685 or 680/686? I've seen it listed as both. Somebody is clearly wrong here.

neathneathneath

Devilsbane wrote: »

Is it 680/685 or 680/686? I've seen it listed as both. Somebody is clearly wrong here.

Credit Toward Certification
When you pass Exam 70-682: Pro: Upgrading to Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician, you complete the requirements for the following certification(s):
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7
MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration

The first one is 70-685 and the second one is 70-680

I understand that if you have an MCDST (or vista equivalent) the 682 exam gives you
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7
Exam 70-680
Exam 70-685

Devilsbane

So here is the plan and tentative time table.

70-682 - MCITP:EDST, MCTS: Win7 9/30
70-649 - MCTS: AD, MCTS:Applications, MCTS:Network Infrastructure 10/31
70-646 - MCITP:SA 11/30
70-647 - MCITP:EA 12/31
Then maybe I will finish off with 70-686 - MCITP:EDA

Devilsbane

I'll be the first to admit that I've been out of the game for awhile, but I'd like to get back in. I know there have been a lot of changes going on with the MCITP and MCSE names/ certifications, as well as some exams retiring.

Can anyone fill me in on what I need to do to upgrade my 2003 MCSE to either the 2008 or 2012 equivalents? Thanks!

tbgree00

Devilsbane wrote: »

I'll be the first to admit that I've been out of the game for awhile, but I'd like to get back in. I know there have been a lot of changes going on with the MCITP and MCSE names/ certifications, as well as some exams retiring.

Can anyone fill me in on what I need to do to upgrade my 2003 MCSE to either the 2008 or 2012 equivalents? Thanks!

The 70-648/649 exams are still available until July 31st 2013. To upgrade 3003 to anything you have to do the 648/649 and then take the 646/647 to get the MCITP: SA or EA. After July 31st you can no longer get the MCITP titles. There also isn't a direct upgrade from 2003 to 2012.

If you take the 648 and 646 you get the SA but also you get the MCSA 2008. The 649 / 647 only gets you the MCITP accreditation. They haven't announced if they are going to have any sort of MCSE 2008 type title as far as I know.

It's funny that you and I are in the same boat again. I've scheduled my first shot at 649 for 1/28/13. I'm about halfway through the nuggets and the CBT Nuggets subscription has a transcender practice test with it. I'm also reading technet for stuff I am having trouble with.

Devilsbane

Thanks for the info, sounds the same as I've been hearing from other sources.

My plan back in the day was to take the 70-682 instead of the 70-680. If memory serves, that was the upgrade from MCDST to the MCITP Desktop administrator and was a hybrid between the 70-680 and the 60-685. Do you know if that exam is still available or when it would be retiring? MS has changed their site, I found a list of retired exams and it wasn't on there. But I wasn't able to find the page that shows when exams will be retired.

Thanks! And good luck on the 28th sir.

tbgree00

I always check the details of the test itself to see if it's retiring. For instance if you google for the 70-649 under overview it says This exam is scheduled to retire on July 31, 2013 but the page for the 682 doesn't say that.

I know the list of soon to be retired exams existed at one point but I am having a hard time finding it. You could try tweeting @mslearning to get some guidance. They sent me a link to the upgrade information when I was really confused.

Devilsbane

I logged into the MCP site the other day and they have a chat now link. It was mostly a waste of time. The guy didn't really answer my questions and just went on preaching the 2012 route. Not to mention the long pauses in the chat. I spent about a half hour chatting and didn't leave with any additional information than I had other than to go 2008 I'll need to take a lot of exams (not even which ones I would need).

tbgree00

I've done MS chat a few times and been left underwhelmed. Their social media presence is much nicer though. @keithmayer is another good resource to reach out to. He is in charge of the 2012 training but seems to be pretty helpful with certification overall.

neathneathneath

tbgree00 wrote: »

I always check the details of the test itself to see if it's retiring. For instance if you google for the 70-649 under overview it says This exam is scheduled to retire on July 31, 2013 but the page for the 682 doesn't say that.

I'm pretty certain that the 682 has no retiring date set.

Devilsbane

neathneathneath wrote: »

I'm pretty certain that the 682 has no retiring date set.

Excellent.

So I'm thinking I might take this route, in this order. I have a buddy with his MCSA on 2003. I talked to him today about his certification plans (and let him know about the retiring). He is also interested in working on this upgrade.

70-646
70-648/70-649 (MCSA and MCITP:SA if before 7/31) I would take the 649 and he would take the 648
70-682 (MCITP:EDST)
70-647 (MCITP:EA if before 7/31) This one would be just me, unless my buddy decides he wants the EA too and is willing to take this plus the 643.

This order would ensure that we at least get the SA part complete before the deadline. Next would be the 682, even though it isn't expring it is a requirement for the EA. If I would run out of time after this exam then I wouldn't have wasted any effort on the 647 if I don't have time to get there anyway. Plus it means that we could be working together for the first 3 exams and then I'd be on my own for the last.

Or would you guys suggest doing the 648/649 before the 646? It is retiring first, so maybe there is added value just to get it out of the way. I guess I'm not certain which material would build off of which.

Any recommendations on books? For the 2003 I used mostly the MS MOAC books (the larger sized softcover ones that came with study guides) and I liked them. Do they even make these anymore? They are pricier because they are used for classroom learning, but if they get the job done then so be it. I already have a book for the 680 and one for the 685/686 which I plan on using together for the 682.

Thanks everybody!

Devilsbane

Devilsbane wrote: »

Do they even make these anymore? They are pricier because they are used for classroom learning, but if they get the job done then so be it.

It appears they do. (Slightly different cover than what was on the 2003 stuff, but I'm sure its the same format.)

Exam 70-646: Windows Server 2008 Administrator with Lab Manual Set (Microsoft Official Academic Course Series): Microsoft Official Academic Course: 9780470875070: Amazon.com: Books $105
Can't find one for the 649
Exam 70-647: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator with Lab Manual Set (Microsoft Official Academic Course): Microsoft Official Academic Course: 9780470875933: Amazon.com: Books $72