Upgrading MCSE in 2003 to MCSE 2012 smartest path?

jonjon3s

Hi guys,

I've spent about an hour looking for this, certainly searched the forums here and still can't see an answer.

I've got an MCSE in 2003. I want to upgrade - now I see MCSE is back with 2012. I do not see a direct upgrade path that MS provide for an MCSE in 2003.

So does anybody know the smartest route to upgrade?

Many thanks!

ptilsen

There is no direct upgrade path from 2003-era exams to the 2012-era exams.

You can, however, upgrade MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to MCSA: Windows Server 2008 by passing exam 70-646 along with 70-648 OR 70-649. You can then in turn upgrade MCSA: Windows Server 2008 to MCSA: Windows Server 2012 by passing exam 417. You can then complete exams 413 and 414 to complete MCSE: Server Infrastructure.

Note there is no such thing as MCSE 2012, while MCSA does refer to specific server versions in the title. There are upgrade path to MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure and MCSE: Private Cloud, which revolve around MCSA 2008 and MCSA 2012, respectively.

Sources:
MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure
Microsoft Private Cloud Overview
MCSE: Server Infrastructure
TS: Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 MCSA to, Windows Server 2008, Technology Specializations
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?id=70-649
MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) | Training Courses for IT Professionals
MCSA: Windows Server 2012 Certification
MCSA: Windows Server 2008 Certification

My personal recommendation at this point is to complete exams 70-648 and 70-646. This will provide you with MCITP: Server Administrator and MCSA: Windows Server 2008 simultaneously (they are effectively the same certification). You can in turn upgrade this to whichever style of MCSE(s) you prefer using the paths described above. The other route is to take 70-640, 60-649, and 70-647 to achieve MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, but that is a very difficult path at this point with no benefit other than achieving the Enterprise Administrator title, which in and of itself is not specifically asked for that much. Focusing on getting to the current iteration of MCSEs makes more sense, in my opinion.

jonjon3s

Excellent advice Sir, thank you very much.

Looks like I'll take your advice and go the MCITP Server Administrator route.

MeanDrunkR2D2

If you want to do it the quickest and least amount of tests so you can get one of the new MCSE's when they are released it will depend. Do you want to knock out a couple of exams now and then upgrade your MCSA to 2012 when the upgrade exam is released? Or would you rather wait and just take the 3 exams when they come out later this year?

Here's the link to the track for the MCSA 2012.

MCSA: Windows Server 2012 Certification

It encompasses the 410,411,412 exams to get MCSA 2012. So, basically 3 tests.

Now, if your goal is the new MCSE in Server Infrastructure, you would have just 2 more exams to do after this.

But if you wanted to pick up the MCSA 2008, you can do that, but if your goal is to get the MCSE, it's going to be 1 additional exam to get to where you want. For the MCSA 2008, it's 3 exams, 640-642 and 646. You will need to upgrade that to MCSA2012 to be able to get the new MCSE, which is exam 417.

But in the end, it all comes down to what makes the most sense for you.

Myself, I'm going to finish the 70-686 soon to pick up my MCITP EDA, then later on take the 417 test to upgrade that to MCSA 2012, then pick up the MCSE. So my route currently will take me 2 exams to be MCSA,2012, and then 2 more for the MCSE.

jonjon3s

Thanks MeanDrinkR2D2!

I'll put my thinking cap on ...

Eng_Ayman

Dear ptilsen,
i needs you advice
i want to upgrade from MCSE 2003 to MCITP 2008 Enterprise Administrator then upgrade to MCSE 2010
this is my plan to do it
first upgrade to MCITP 2008 Enterprise Administrator
by passing exam 70-680, 70-647 and 70-649
second upgrade to MCSE 2012
what is the required exams???
Waiting your reply

ptilsen

Eng,

My strong advice is not to pursue MCITP: Enterprise Administrator. The exams necessary expire in less than a year. Unless you are unemployed and have no obligations other than studying and/or a lot of hands-on experience with 2008 R2, it might be risky to begin pursuing it.

I would recommend the following path:
Upgrade MCSA 2003 to MCTS x2 (AD & Net. Infra.) with exam 70-648
Take exam 70-646 to complete MCSA 2008 (AKA MCITP: Server Administrator)
Take exam 417 to upgrade MCSA 2008 to MCSA 2012 (not yet available)
Take exam 413 (not yet available)
Take exam 414 to complete MCSE Server Infrastructure (not yet available)

Note, again, that there is no such thing as MCSE 2010 nor MCSE 2012. Current and upcoming MCSEs are:
Desktop Infrastructure (most similar to MCITP: Desktop Administrator)
Server Infrastructure (most similar to Enterprise Administrator and the original MCSE)
SQL Server 2012
MCSE Private Cloud (focuses on System Center)

If you do want to achieve MCITP:EA and still upgrade, you would need to take exams 70-649 and 70-647 instead of 70-648 and 7-646, respectively. You would also need to pass 70-680 (or 70-270). The upgrade exams are the same, however; taking EA does not change the 417-413-414 progression listed above. MCITP:EA grants you MCSA 2008, from which you upgrade. MCITP:EA itself does not upgrade to anything.

Jimmer33

Hi ptilsen,
I currently have an MCSA on Windows 2003. I still need one design exam to get the MCSE 2003. I was considering taking it, along with the needed to upgrade to Windows 2008 but since it expires on this 31st of July, I'm thinking of skipping everything and go directly to 2012. What do you think? I mean what's the point in dragging in 2003 and 2008 exams anymore, unless it is better to have a 2008 title for the record?

ptilsen

If you are confident you can do it, I would finish the MCSE 2003. It's old, but IMO it will still add significant value to your resume. Upgrading it to 2008 at this point wouldn't actually save you any money or time in getting MCSE Server Infrastructure, and at best you could just get another MCSA with it. That would be low value if you have MCSE 2003, so I wouldn't bother with it.

Ebunky

PTILSEN:

I have an MCSE 2003 +Messaging. I need to update ASAP the fastest way possible. Your thread mentions taking test 70-648 for the people who hold an MCSA 2003. But I thought test 70-649 would be the better route for the people who hold an MCSE 2003? I know both are retiring very soon, so wanted to know what I need to do to not miss out.

Thanks!
Mike

ptilsen

What do you need to upgrade to? If you're trying to get from MCSE 2003 to MCSE Server Infrastructure, you will actually have to go through more studying and just as much testing as you will from starting from scratch. If you have a strong desire to have 2008-era certification in there (specifically MCITP:Enterprise Administrator), the 70-649 upgrade makes the most sense, but otherwise upgrading from MCSE probably doesn't make sense anymore.

Ebunky

Thanks - so if I understand correctly, the 70-649 test will only get me closer to a 2008 MCITP:EA (which is no longer a cert for 2012). After taking the 70-649, I still won't have a "more recent" cert until I take more tests? So you are saying it will take as much studying to obtain a 2012 MCSE?

I see that in order to get a MCSE 2012 Server Infrastructure Cert you need tests, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414. But to upgrade to 2012 MCSE you only need 413, 414, and 417. I am just wondering if taking the 70-649 will get me to a 2012 cert with less tests.

ptilsen

There is no 2012 MCSE (there are several 2012-era MCSEs for different specialties). That's 2012 MCSA that takes three tests. You can upgrade to it in three tests (70-648 OR 70-649, 70-646 OR 70-647, and 70-17). That path would get you MCSA 2008 and MCSA 2012 in three tests, but MCSA 2012 itself is only three tests, so it doesn't get you there any faster. Since 70-648 and 70-649 are, respectively, two and three tests rolled together, you are in fact studying for a minimum of four tests if you go the upgrade route, even if you only pay for three.

The only advantage to upgrading from 2003 to 2008 and then to 2012 is that you get MCSA 2008 (and MCITP:EA if you go the harder route). There is no cost reduction or study time reduction. I personally don't think the risk of failing (which is very high on the upgrade and PRO 646/647 exams) is worth getting that extra credential at this point.

Ebunky

Thanks again for the info. I am not sure you are correct about there not being a 2012 MCSE - not Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer as in 2003, but Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert - 2012. See: MCSE: Server Infrastructure | Microsoft Learning. Looks like there are MCSA, MCSE, and MSCM for 2012. Do you mean there is no 2008 MCSE?

ptilsen

No, I mean the new MCSE line does not have a version to it. It is simply MCSE: Server Infrastructure, Private Cloud, etc. The number 2012 is not part of the title, and the cert will in theory eventually no longer include tests on Windows 2012. That's all I mean. I more was concerned that you had confused MCSA 2012 (which does have a version) and were thinking that was three tests for an MCSE.

Jimmer33

You have a point, but I forgot to mention that I already have an "antique" MCSE+I NT4 , along with MCSA 2000/2003, and since I'm determined to get the MCSE Server Infrastructure, so donno if it is worth the hassle to still study for 2003, specifically a design exam , and since I'll be skipping the 2008 cert, so no upgrade path in mind.
Anyways, I'll give it a thought. Thanks!

yogender999

Hi,

Please suggest whether should i go directly from MCSE 2003 to MSCE 2012 or through MCITP 2008 because MCITP is going to expire soon.


thanks
yogender

ptilsen

Even the 2003-2008 upgrade tests retire soon. You would have less than a month. I would advise skipping 2008 altogether at this point if MCSE is your goal.

yogender999

I can go with the option directly MCSE 2003 to MCSE 2012 but my problem here is that it may be impact by CV and during interview if i would say that I am MCSE 2012 without MCITP 2008 then my selection can get less priority among those have done MCSE 2012 after MCITP 2008 .

Another point is that on those ways directly and through MCITP, I have to give 5 Exams.

On upgrade path from MCSE 2003 - 646, 649 (MCITP) 417,413,414 (MCSE 2012)

On direct path from MCSE 2003 - 410, 411, 412, 413, 414

Hence, Can you please clear me on my this dilemma ??

ptilsen

I would really take the direct path. Unless you are already prepared to take the tests, there is almost no way you can take 649 (enterprise admin) or 648 (server admin) along with 647 (EA) or 646 (SA). The 649 is three tests glued together, and the 648 is two. None of them are easy.

I really doubt it will hurt you that much to lack MCITP or any 2008-era certifications. Having 2003 MCSE along with MCSE Server infrastructure is going to look pretty good, and that along with your experience should easily make up for any perceived lack of 2008 knowledge.

Devilsbane

ptilsen wrote: »

Even the 2003-2008 upgrade tests retire soon. You would have less than a month. I would advise skipping 2008 altogether at this point if MCSE is your goal.

You still have through January to upgrade to MCSA 2008. But like Ptilsen said, you'd have to take the 70-649 by the end of this month. I believe you could take the 649 now and then the 646 (which is not retiring in July) in August and still get the credentials but I'm not positive on it. You would want to confirm with Microsoft before making that your plan.

If you feel like skipping 2008 completely would be a black hole on your resume, pick up the MCSA and then move on to 2012.

yogender999

Thanks Ptilsen & Devilsbane

See the below link

Windows Server Certification | Microsoft Learning

where it has been mentioned that 649 & 647 ( 647 part of ET )will expire on 31 Jan 2014
and 646 will expire on 31 July 2013.

And I dont want to skip MCITP if any case it impact my resume because on both ways (directly or through MCITP) i have to give 5 exams.

So, i am thinking that its sound good to go through MCITP SA to MCSE 2012.


What do you all say finally ?

ptilsen

Devilsbane wrote: »

I believe you could take the 649 now and then the 646 (which is not retiring in July) in August and still get the credentials but I'm not positive on it. You would want to confirm with Microsoft before making that your plan.

This is correct, but the 70-648 is more logical. It makes very little sense to take 70-649 unless you are going for MCITP:EA. However, preparing for the 70-648 in less than a month is probably a fool's errand. It took me closer to two, and I had been working with Server 2008 and the topics tested every day for a year, and all of the same ones in 2003 for three or four.

That being said, the worst than can happen is it retires and you then take the three-exam path to MCSA 2008. I just don't think it's worth it. The version missing from the resume doesn't seem like a deal-breaker, and it's just a distraction from MSCE Server Infrastructure.

yogender999

ptilsen wrote: »

This is correct, but the 70-648 is more logical. It makes very little sense to take 70-649 unless you are going for MCITP:EA.

@Ptilsen

But 70-648 is not a part of either SA or ET. then how can i do 648 instead of 649

And mostly companies are demanding only MCITP as of now and time of 2012 infrastructure will take 2-3 years.

saad331

Hello everyone .. I just need few advice for my career.. Actually I am currently doing Bachelors in Commerce but I really want to pursue my career in I.T but don't know where to start or which certification to pick first. Kindly help me suggesting any good microsoft certification which will help me starting my career and which has a good future ahead if upgraded. thanks