Microsoft MCSE
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification is the hottest ticket to career advancement in the computer industry today. Hundreds of thousands of corporations and organizations worldwide are choosing Microsoft products for their networks. This has created a tremendous need for qualified personnel and consultants to help implement and support these networks. The MCSE certification is your way to show these corporations and organizations that you have the professional abilities they need.
Candidates for the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 must pass seven exams — one core desktop OS exam, four core network OS exams, one core design exam, and one elective.
MCSE Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer on Windows 2003
70-210 Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
70-270 Installing, Configuring and Administring Microsoft Windows XP Professional
70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
70-291 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-294 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
70-297* Designing a Microsoft Windows Server2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
70-298* Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
70-227 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition
70-228 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
70-229 Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
70-284 Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
70-297* Designing a Microsoft Windows Server2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
70-298* Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
70-299 Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
70-292 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000
70-296 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000
About the Exams
Candidates who want to become MCSE certified in Windows 2000 must take a total of seven exams. Four exams cover the core technologies, one focuses on network design, and the last two exams can be from a number of electives. For more specific information on the exams and requirements, open the preceding "Exam Chart and Sybex Products" section.
Although Microsoft does not require that you take these exams in any particular order, it is highly recommended that you take the four Core exams first, probably in this order: Professional, Server, Directory Services, and Network Infrastructure. You should then take the Design exam. If you try to take the Design exam first, you will soon discover that this tests more on business knowledge and less on the specifics of a particular product or technology.
Depending on which exam you take, your test may have between 50 and 70 questions, and you are allowed anywhere from one to four hours to take the exam. Generally speaking, the four Core exams and most of the electives will have a set number of questions, whereas the four Design exams have Case Stud — based questions, which require the test-taker to read through a Case Study and then answer questions based on that Case Study.
However, if you're expecting your Windows 2000 exam to look anything like the exams you took for Windows NT 4 or even NT 3.5, you're in for a shock. In addition to the typical multiple-choice questions — which aren't typical by any means — there are also select-and-place questions and simulation questions. For more information on the types of questions, visit the related page on Microsoft's Web site.
Taking the Exams
You may take the exams at any of more than 1,000 Authorized Prometric Testing Centers (APTCs) and at VUE testing centers, available around the world. For the location of a testing center near you, call 800-755-EXAM (755-3926), or call VUE at 888-837-8616. Outside the United States and Canada, contact your local Sylvan Prometric or VUE registration center.
To register for a Microsoft Certified Professional exam, determine the number of the exam you want to take, and then contact the Prometric (800-755-EXAM) or the VUE (888-837-8616) registration center that is nearest to you.
You can also register for your exams online at www.prometric.com or at www.vue.com/ms.
For more information on the Microsoft exams, see the Microsoft Certified Professional Program Web Site.
Notes
* MCSE candidates may not count a design exam taken under the core track as an elective as well. For example, if you took 70-219 as your fifth core exam, you may not also count it as an elective.
Certification requirements and exam objectives are subject to change at any time without prior notice from the sponsoring organization. Sybex recommends that you visit the web site of the sponsoring organization for the latest information prior to signing up for any exams.
The information provided on this Web site is not sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Microsoft. Sybex is an independent entity from Microsoft Corporation, and not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation in any manner. Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.
