72 instead of 70

The company I am with recently became a member of Microsoft's IT Academy which allows us to get the MCSA/MCSE 70 series exams and others at 50% cost, so $60 instead of $125 or whatver. It also gives us a TechNet Plus subscription, pretty neat deal.

However, Microsoft has a different designation for the tests you take when purchased this way. Instead of 70-291, 70-293, 70-294, etc. They are 72-291, 72-293, 72-294, etc. I have been told the tests, 2nd shot offer, application towards MCSA/E are all the same as the 70 series exams, just curious if anyone on here could verify this for me or had any input? The Microsoft Certification Planner just lists exam numbers as #291, #293, #294, etc. so it appears they do not make the distinction. Any thoughts...anyone?

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astorrs

72 is just the designation for the academic version. The exam itself is identical, it's there to account for the different prices (and no to everyone thinking of asking they are not open to the general public

)

FishOnAH

Thanks! It's good to hear someone else tell me that, puts my mind at ease!

*UPDATE*

I just found out that Microsoft IT Academy discounts only apply to the MCSA track, not the MCSE track...bummer. Why couldn't we have been members back when I was persuing the MCSA! Oh well, it's not going to stop me.

skrpune

Just an FYI, it's not just folks at Microsoft partners/academies - students can get this discount as well. Listing of the exams and the "terms" can be found here.

Jagged

FishOnAH wrote: »

I just found out that Microsoft IT Academy discounts only apply to the MCSA track, not the MCSE track...bummer. Why couldn't we have been members back when I was persuing the MCSA! Oh well, it's not going to stop me.

List of Academic (72-) exams

Note that it covers all MCSA versions so you can get Security and Messaging at the discount. (But for some reason ISA 2004 is listed but not 2006).

The big plus is all the Technical Specialist exams are there, even the 648 and 649 multi-exams. Three certs and 3/4 of the way to MCITP:EA for $60!

The only drawback is having to call Prometric directly rather than using the web site.

vCole

Jagged wrote: »

List of Academic (72-) exams

Note that it covers all MCSA versions so you can get Security and Messaging at the discount. (But for some reason ISA 2004 is listed but not 2006).

The big plus is all the Technical Specialist exams are there, even the 648 and 649 multi-exams. Three certs and 3/4 of the way to MCITP:EA for $60!

The only drawback is having to call Prometric directly rather than using the web site.

Calling them doesn't take too long. Just keep all your info handy and it's painless.

Tryntotechit

This messed me up too. As I have been finishing my degree and getting my MCSA, I kept taking the 72- certs. I finally asked our test admin and she said it was because of the academic discount. That eased my mind. I thought I had been taking the wrong tests.