Does the A+ and Network+ still count as an elective toward MCSA / MCSE

Moon Child

Now that I have the A+ and Network+ I was thinking of trying to get a higher level cert. I know you use to be able to use the Network+ and A+ certs together to fulfill an elective exam for the MCSA or MCSE, but is that still the case? I was visiting Microsoft's website and reading the exam requirements for the MCSA or MCSE and was unable to find anywhere where it said these exams could be substituted for the newer MCSA / MCSE 2012 exams. If it just applies to the old MCSA / MCSE exams can I still take those or do I have to stick with the 2012 editions?

Asif Dasl

No the CompTIA exams don't qualify as an elective these days towards MCSA like they did with Server 2003. In the past you had to take a client exam also, that is now gone as well. The old Server 2003 exams were retired July 31st (last week) so your options are probably to go with Windows 7 and then on to MCITP:SA on Server 2008 or MCSA 2012.

Moon Child

Oh rats oh well.


How difficult are the three exams for the MCSA 2012? I am new to Active Directory and have never used Windows Server 2012. I am tempted to downloading the 180 day trial from Microsoft even if I don't take the exams just so I can get familiar with Windows Server 2012. Regardless if I take the MCSA or not I think becoming familiar with Windows Server 2012 would be something else I could put down on my resume. My previous work experience was on a LAMP framework doing a lot of PHP/SQL/Database stuff. Although I did also repair computers for clients at the company, it was the Windows client software I was working with and not the server versions.

Asif Dasl

I would suggest starting with Windows 7 as you have prior Windows client experience which should make the transition to Server 2012 less hard. I have not taken MCSA 2012 yet, I am just starting my studies with it. But just going by people who have passed so far in the forum it seems to be a little easier than maybe Server 2008 was - but that's just my opinion - I won't know for sure until I take the exams..

Once you have the client exam done then I would go with MCSA 2012 - not all of the books are out at the moment as well for 70-411 & 70-412 (October 22nd). Everything you need for Windows 7 is out there and by the time you get that done everything will be out for MCSA 2012.

HTH.

Bibleblackbabybird

MCSA 2012 can be difficult in patches. I did the 410 and the 412 first shot, the 411 took me three shots. The forums here have really good listings of Technet articles.