How long for your MCSE???

Noods

I had a talk with "The Man" today about the certifications I was thinking about taking. I took from the meeting is that I would benefit most by having my MCSE next above other certifications. So, Im 99% sure plans have changed.

Im trying to set in stone what is next, and I need to find out generall how long MCSE is going to take to accomplish. Approximately, how long did it take you to achieve your MCSE?

3000GT

I would say "how long is a piece of string?"

It depends on time commitments to doing the exams and studying for them, i was hoping to do an MCP a month but have taken about 2-3 months each as i have to work 40h+ a week and rarley get time to myself, ive given my self to end of this year to be MCSA and MCSE by next summer.

jmc724

Depends, if you simply want to memorize every book and prep test, then people got it done in less time but if you really want to know things and figure it out the hard way 6-12 months.

evanderburg

I did it in 28 months. That included doing everything in my own lab and reading the material while working and going to school.

mikey_b

I'm with RobsonGTO, I was originally planning to blow through all the exams as fast as possible, but it's not doable with a full time job, a wife, and some semblance of a social life. My goal for end of this year is MCSA, as I have already completed 270 and 290, leaving me with just 291. I have books and documentation and no more excuses. My New Years resolution will be to complete MCSE by the summer. Then I can relax a bit and wait for the Vista upgrade exams to come out.

It doesn't seem like it for something as silly as a Microsoft certification, but it really requires a serious commitment and a lifestyle change to pull it off. But there is nothing like the sense of accomplishment gained from busting your ass and seeing the "Congratulations!" after you click on "Finish" (and then waiting 10 minutes for your score to be tallied;)).

NPA24

It's taken me 12 months to get my MCSA in windows 2000. So I think for me another year will get me my MCSE. I'm also doing other exams in between though. But I've seen people do it all in less than 12 months.

Slowhand

I think it varies, just like any other cert. There those of us who are just starting out, never having touched a server before, and there are those who have been working with Microsoft networking since before there was MCSE to shoot for. And, of course, it all depends on how many hours per day, days per week, (and gray hairs,) you're willing to commit to. I've also found that the level of stress in your life at the time impacts the retention of what I'm learning. (It's hard to set up IAS properly when you're in the middle of a break-up, for example.)

The breakdown follows something like this. . . loosely:
If you've been working as a network admin for years and years, if you've got plenty of experience or work as a Windows Server admin, or even if you're coming from another type of admin-background, (like Linux/Unix, Novell, etc. . .) then it's not going to be such an ordeal. You might do it in a year, you might just have to read and take a test each month, you might just laugh and schedule all the tests in a day, who knows. ("What are you doing this weekend?". . . "Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'll get MCSE certified, then go drinking." ) Sorry, couldn't resist. I know someone who did this with another cert. . . that bastard.

If you're just starting out, though, it's a different ballgame. If you're shooting for MCSA/MCSE and you've never really worked with this material before, you're really climbing a mountain. You not only have to learn how everything works, how everything is supposed to work, but also how Microsoft wants it to work. Especially if you're like me, and you have a lot of other things, (like college, work, other obsessions,) and you're learning this as a greenhorn, it's going to take quite a while. Then again, that's not such a bad thing, if it means that you've earned that MCSE and you can go out into the job-market and do just about anything any employer would ask of you. It also means that you've got those "x number of years" experience employers ask for.

magikrat

I'm one who is coming from the perspective of basically studying this stuff 6-8 hours a day. I started on August 8th opening my A+ book and I have passed A+(2), Network+, 70-210, 70-290, 70-291, failed 70-291 once and I'm taking Security+ this week and 70-293 probably at the end of next (put off the Security+ for the holidays). I'm looking at MCSE being finished by middle of January. So almost 6 months doing it practically full time. I have alot of IT experience in the AS400 world, so I didn't come into it as a complete novice.

If that's any help...

SRTMCSE

It took me a little over 1 year to get my MCSE:Security 2003. This was because I worked at an IT bootcamp/test center and all my testing & classes were free and I had access to as much lab equipment as I wanted. I was able to test most anytime I felt like it as long as one of my co-workers was there to proctor the exam.

nqt_1976

I do my A+ in a week, and 270 in a week. guess other will take same time. since I use computer since 1995 until now anh spend alot of time on them.
I think depend on experence.

Spot1963

It all depends on how much (spare) time you can put into it.

I started with my fist exam on December 16th and the last exam (number 7) was on April 28th.

I still have 8 exams planned which will keep me busy till the end of the year, by then I should be MCSE + Messaging + Security. (in addition to being MCP, MCDST, MCDBA, MCSA)

If I have some extra time I might go for some extra exams to get MCAD & MCSD certification.

Olajuwon

Spot1963 wrote:

It all depends on how much (spare) time you can put into it.

I started with my fist exam on December 16th and the last exam (number 7) was on April 28th.

I still have 8 exams planned which will keep me busy till the end of the year, by then I should be MCSE + Messaging + Security. (in addition to being MCP, MCDST, MCDBA, MCSA)

If I have some extra time I might go for some extra exams to get MCAD & MCSD certification.

You already achieved MCDBA if you passed 228, 229, 290.

Back to topic. It's taken me 3 months to get my MCSA. I need another 2 months for my MCSE.

Spot1963

Olajuwon wrote:

You already achieved MCDBA if you passed 228, 229, 290.

Nope, still need 70-293 to get MCDBA. (which I need anyway to get MCSE)

Olajuwon

Spot1963 wrote:

Olajuwon wrote:

You already achieved MCDBA if you passed 228, 229, 290.

Nope, still need 70-293 to get MCDBA. (which I need anyway to get MCSE)

I overlooked the elective, you're right.