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Query on 70-648 Upgrade and expiry on July 31st 2013

Question
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Hi,
I am slightly confused. I have my MCSA 2003 qualification and I am wanting to upgrade to a 2008 qualification.
As from my own research I need to pass 2 exams the 70-648 and the 70-646.
Do I need to pass both of these exams before July 31, 2013 or do I just need to pass the 70-648 exam before July 31, 2013 as this is the exam that is being retired? Then can I pass the 70-646 to gain the MCSA 2008 after 31 July 2013?
The information is very unclear on Microsoft's website.
In summary my query is: If I pass both 70-648 and 70-646 before 31 July 2013, do I get both MCITP Server Administrator 2008 & MCSA Server 2008? And If I pass only the 70-648 exam before 31 July 2013 and then pass the 70-646 after 31 July 2013, will I then only get the MSCA Server 2008.
I want to make sure I am 100% correct so I don't waste my time studying for a qualification I can't get if I don't have the time to do both exams before 31 July 2013.
Thanks
Eli
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 8:55 PM
Answers
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Eli,
You're correct with your questions and own answers.
- If you pass 70-648 (upgrade for MCTS 70-640 and MCTS 70-642) and 70-646 before July 31, 2013 you'll get both MCITP and MCSA.
- However, if you pass only the 70-648 before July 31, 2013 you'll earn the 2 MCTS certificates for 70-640 and 70-642. If you then pass the 70-646 after July 31, 2013 you'll be awarded the MCSA.
I've previously queried this with Microsoft as they published conflicting dates about MCITP/MCSA on their website, and in response they updated this FAQ with the correct expiry dates for awarding both MCITP and MCSA certificates for windows server:
Certification Overview page, click Server, then in the FAQ it says:
- Q. Will I be able to earn a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification for passing exams that count towards the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification?
- A. You will continue to earn an MCTS for passing Exams 70-640 and 70-642 until July 31, 2013. Also until July 31, 2013, when you earn an MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification, you will receive the MCITP: Server Administrator certification. After July 31, 2013, the MCITP: Server Administrator and MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certifications will be retired
- Edited by DataCruncher Thursday, May 9, 2013 9:03 AM formatting
- Marked as answer by Mike Corkery, Microsoft Certified Trainer Thursday, May 9, 2013 1:38 PM
Thursday, May 9, 2013 9:02 AM
All replies
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Eli,
You're correct with your questions and own answers.
- If you pass 70-648 (upgrade for MCTS 70-640 and MCTS 70-642) and 70-646 before July 31, 2013 you'll get both MCITP and MCSA.
- However, if you pass only the 70-648 before July 31, 2013 you'll earn the 2 MCTS certificates for 70-640 and 70-642. If you then pass the 70-646 after July 31, 2013 you'll be awarded the MCSA.
I've previously queried this with Microsoft as they published conflicting dates about MCITP/MCSA on their website, and in response they updated this FAQ with the correct expiry dates for awarding both MCITP and MCSA certificates for windows server:
Certification Overview page, click Server, then in the FAQ it says:
- Q. Will I be able to earn a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification for passing exams that count towards the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification?
- A. You will continue to earn an MCTS for passing Exams 70-640 and 70-642 until July 31, 2013. Also until July 31, 2013, when you earn an MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification, you will receive the MCITP: Server Administrator certification. After July 31, 2013, the MCITP: Server Administrator and MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certifications will be retired
- Edited by DataCruncher Thursday, May 9, 2013 9:03 AM formatting
- Marked as answer by Mike Corkery, Microsoft Certified Trainer Thursday, May 9, 2013 1:38 PM
Thursday, May 9, 2013 9:02 AM -
Thank you very much, exactly what I was after :)Thursday, May 9, 2013 9:38 PM