Should I upgrade MCSA directly to MCITP:EA?

I just got my MCSA and am really debating whether to finish the MCSE 2003 or go directly to MCITP:EA. Each option has it's pros and cons, so it's really hard to decide. How did you guys decide which would be the better path?

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Essendon

I was in the same situation, I am employed and work on 2003 servers. I stopped at the MCSA and am the 647 away from the EA. After the MCSA you still have the 293, 294, 297 to go which are all fairly difficult exams. In comparison the 640, 642 and the 643 are relatively easier and if you did the 620 as the elective for your MCSA, the EA is only 3 exams away.

smg1138

Essendon wrote: »

I was in the same situation, I am employed and work on 2003 servers. I stopped at the MCSA and am the 647 away from the EA. After the MCSA you still have the 293, 294, 297 to go which are all fairly difficult exams. In comparison the 640, 642 and the 643 are relatively easier and if you did the 620 as the elective for your MCSA, the EA is only 3 exams away.

Did you take the individual exams or the 70-648 upgrade exam? I did the Sec+ as my MCSA elective, so I'll need 4 exams to get MCITP:EA.

Essendon

I took the individual exams, just so I could hopefully learn more (and did). Yeah, that'll be 4 exams for you. Also, I found the server 2008 exams to be more straightforward than the 2003 ones with the questions being short and to the point.

gateway

Personally I would continue to finish the MCSE - there is a lot of material in the 293 and 294 especially that will make you a much more rounded systems engineer.

The MCSE is still a massively searched keyword by agencies too. In fact, most sys admin jobs round here now have MCSE as a requirement, and they won't consider employing anyone with anything less... Hence I need to pull my finger out!

The upgrade from the MCSE is only 2 exams as well.

Mojo_666

I would continue with the MCSE, MCITP's are still not really sought after, most places still want an MCSE and as gateway says you will be much more rounded as a result of your studies.....alos this is the last chance to be an MCSE so you should take it while you still can.