Too late to begin studying for MCITP:EA/SA?

Hello all, I am new to the forums. I am a full-time IT Field Technician for a fairly large company.

I want to begin gaining certifications towards Windows Server 2008/2012. I was informed by a co-worker that MCITP:EA is a good way to go. However, I read that the exams for this certification will retire by next July. I do not have any other certs, but just graduated with my Bachelor's in Technical Management and have taken many cisco courses.

What is my best approach? I have a decent amount of experience and we work heavily with server 2008 r2. I am still pretty green in the professional world though. Should I start with net+/server+?

My main goal is to greatly enhance not only my knowledge, but future payrate, hire-ability, etc.

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DoubleNNs

The certs actually aren't expiring next July, but instead this July. As in a few short weeks from now.

Whereas you won't be able to make the MCITP:EA/SA certs, you can get the MCSA 2008 cert.

Mutata

From what I recall as well, you can only sit the exams required for MCSA 2008 until January 2014. That makes it a pretty tight deadline as well

cg31

DoubleNNs wrote: »

The certs actually aren't expiring next July, but instead this July. As in a few short weeks from now.

Whereas you won't be able to make the MCITP:EA/SA certs, you can get the MCSA 2008 cert.

My fault, it is actually January 2014, according to this post:

http://www.techexams.net/forums/mcts-mcitp-windows-2008-general/90734-mcitp-enterprise-admin-title-no-longer-retires-july-31-moved-january-31-2014-a.html

Anyway. Would the best bet to start small with server+?

DoubleNNs

In another thread, there was a link that made it seem like MS retracted their Jan 31st deadline for the MCSA 2008.
Honestly, I'm confused as to what the official word is.

cg31

DoubleNNs wrote: »

In another thread, there was a link that made it seem like MS retracted their Jan 31st deadline for the MCSA 2008.
Honestly, I'm confused as to what the official word is.

yes definitely confusing. would you advise server+ or just shoot for the mcitp:sa? which is now mcsa

Mutata

I don't see the 640,642,646 under this list anymore Retired exams

ptilsen

I don't see the confusion for those who have seen the other thread. The information is readily available from the link, which is the official source. Here is the text from the linked Microsoft page:

MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008
Validates your ability to design, implement, and administer infrastructures on the Windows Server 2008 platform.
This certification will be retired on January 31, 2014. You must meet all of the requirements for the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008 certification prior to January 31, 2014, in order to earn it.

For OP, I would still advise against this. It would, in my opinion, be foolish for a relatively inexperienced professional to attempt to earn the entirety of this certification in less than six months. Unless you have significant experience implementing a high percentage of the technologies tested on all five exams or have an inordinate amount of free time to devote to studying, it will be extremely challenging to study for and pass each exam in such a short period. I would take a month on each exam even for someone with significant experience in the objectives, probably longer for the harder exams.

If you are looking to work towards a higher-level Microsoft certification as your next step, the MCSA 2012 followed by the MCSE Server Infrastructure certification are probably your best bets. While MCSA 2008 is not retiring and you could obtain it, then upgrade it, it's questionable at best that it will provide significant marginal value at this point. Focusing on 2012-era technology will let you learn the latest material faster and earn your MCSE Server Infrastructure faster. Windows Server 2008 R2 itself is still valuable to know, but I wouldn't focus on certifying on it, if I were you.

cg31

ptilsen wrote: »

I don't see the confusion for those who have seen the other thread. The information is readily available from the link, which is the official source. Here is the text from the linked Microsoft page:

For OP, I would still advise against this. It would, in my opinion, be foolish for a relatively inexperienced professional to attempt to earn the entirety of this certification in less than six months. Unless you have significant experience implementing a high percentage of the technologies tested on all five exams or have an inordinate amount of free time to devote to studying, it will be extremely challenging to study for and pass each exam in such a short period. I would take a month on each exam even for someone with significant experience in the objectives, probably longer for the harder exams.

If you are looking to work towards a higher-level Microsoft certification as your next step, the MCSA 2012 followed by the MCSE Server Infrastructure certification are probably your best bets. While MCSA 2008 is not retiring and you could obtain it, then upgrade it, it's questionable at best that it will provide significant marginal value at this point. Focusing on 2012-era technology will let you learn the latest material faster and earn your MCSE Server Infrastructure faster. Windows Server 2008 R2 itself is still valuable to know, but I wouldn't focus on certifying on it, if I were you.

That is what I am doing precisely after reading a few things and now more importantly your post. Even though my company uses windows server 2008, the future is 2012 as you mentioned. Which is why I am going to start studying for the 70-410, 70-411, 70-412 (once it is released in august). Im not sure if I need to study the 70-417 which is the upgrade exam, but I'm sure it couldn't hurt.

ptilsen

The upgrade exam will really just be a subset of the other three. I wouldn't spend any time on it.

cg31

ptilsen wrote: »

The upgrade exam will really just be a subset of the other three. I wouldn't spend any time on it.

microsoft has two books for the 70-410 exam. One is exam ref 70-410 and the other is the training study guide. I have read the exam ref is pretty terrible. Is there anything better in your opinion?

redworld

cg31 wrote: »

microsoft has two books for the 70-410 exam. One is exam ref 70-410 and the other is the training study guide. I have read the exam ref is pretty terrible. Is there anything better in your opinion?

TechNet. Use these as a reference.

410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 - Server Certification Exam Prep Resources - Server Certification Study Group - Born to Learn

http://www.techexams.net/forums/mcsa-mcse-windows-2012-general/88247-70-410-resources.html

ptilsen

I've sworn by the official MS Press books in the past, but they are mixed, and I couldn't tell you about 2012 specifically as I'm not studying for it. I do see that the 70-410 book has very mixed reviews on Amazon, while the 417 book has good reviews. The 417 would certainly not hurt, especially since you have 2008 R2 experience, but I do have to really question whether it will give you depth you'll need for certain material if you've never studied it. I notice this one has good reviews, so it might be a good supplement to either book.

To be honest, I'm not sure what I would do myself. Thankfully, I have no plans to study for it at this time.