beta exams

just got this email from Microsoft (TechNet Flash email):

Beta Exams Are Open to All

Microsoft beta exams are now available to everyone. For those registered as a
subject matter expert (SME), we will continue to maintain our invitation-only
free beta program (quantity limited). These beta exams count the same as live
exams toward certifications. Available now are Exam 410:
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012, and Exam 687:
Configuring Windows 8.

Has anyone actually got an invite? I have received invites in the past but nothing to any Windows 2012/8 exams. Why would you pay for a beta exam if the real exam is going to cost the same thing?

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aaronchristenson

I have not seen anything on the beta exams for Windows 8 or 2012. I am thinking they should be any day now.

alokin123

alokin123 wrote: »

just got this email from Microsoft (TechNet Flash email):

Beta Exams Are Open to All

Microsoft beta exams are now available to everyone. For those registered as a
subject matter expert (SME), we will continue to maintain our invitation-only
free beta program (quantity limited). These beta exams count the same as live
exams toward certifications. Available now are Exam 410:
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012, and Exam 687:
Configuring Windows 8.

Has anyone actually got an invite? I have received invites in the past but nothing to any Windows 2012/8 exams. Why would you pay for a beta exam if the real exam is going to cost the same thing?

They are already available on Prometric to be taken at the full price though. People who attend Teched can take them for free but it doesnt look like the normal invite or free beta period applies for these few exams at the moment.

MentholMoose

Is your SME profile updated? They added Windows 2012 to the list of skills recently. I only had Windows 8 checked until today so maybe I missed the cutoff for the free exam invites.

alokin123

MentholMoose wrote: »

Is your SME profile updated? They added Windows 2012 to the list of skills recently. I only had Windows 8 checked until today so maybe I missed the cutoff for the free exam invites.

updated it now. Probably too late

RobertKaucher

My SME profile is up-to-date. I imagine the TechEd route was easier for MS Learning after the b*tch fest that occurred with the Windows 7 exams. A large number of IT "professionals" complained vociferously about how they didn't get invites and whined in the Born to Learn site's comments sections. I was concerned at the time that a truly public beta was going to seem way more trouble than it was worth for the next cycle. So none of this really surprises me at all.

As I mentioned in another thread I got an invite to the 70-480 bet on Wednesday night. The last test day is Saturday!

Claymoore

I just got the email invites from MS Learning for the 411 and 412 beta exams. Registration opened last Friday, 7/13 and the beta period ends next Sunday, 7/29. Unfortunately I am on the road this week and next so I have no opportunity to take the exams (never mind preparing for them).

I'll just wait for the 417 upgrade exam to go live.

aaronchristenson

I got the invites also. I scheduled them for Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th. I plan on doing the upgrade exams if I dont pass that is. They will be good practice for the upgrades.

undomiel

It is definitely tempting. I'm just not sure when I would fit in some study time due to chaos at work, so I'll be following Claymoore on the wait for the upgrade exam.

alokin123

i got the email as well. Shame it isn't a lot of time. I wont be able to sit the beta or prepare so will wait for the upgrade

NinjaBoy

Got the invite, I've booked myself for the 71-411 but not the 71-412, Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services as I don't have enough time to sit both exams.

If I pass, great. If I don't, I'll also be doing the upgrade exams

aaronchristenson

Did any of you get an email about 71-410? I did not, if you did and you won't be able to take it let me know, I am looking forward to that one also.

alokin123

aaronchristenson wrote: »

Did any of you get an email about 71-410? I did not, if you did and you won't be able to take it let me know, I am looking forward to that one also.

I didnt get anything. I also havent gotten anything for the windows 8 exams which is strange because i got all of the exam blueprinting emails from MS.