MCSE 2003 Expiration question

Super99

I see that the 2003 exams like 70-291 is expiring in July 31st 2013.
So my question is when the exam expires, does the Cert expire as well or can one still upgrade from 2003 to the latest after 31st?
I don't want to spend time and money on the 291 and then be outdated and have to start all over after July 31st.

Qord

The way I understand it is that after July 31st, you will no longer be able to get this cert. It also looks like the upgrade exam (640 ) will expire at the same time, which means there will be no more path to go straight into Server 2008 (or 2012) without starting fresh. However, since the 646 is not retiring, you might be OK if you knock out the 291 and 648 prior to next August and leave the 646 for a later date. Not 100% sure about that part though. If that is how it would work out, that will get you the MCSA 2003 and guarantee the chance to upgrade it to 2008. However, if you wanted the full MCSE, you might be very short on time.