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Requirments for Taking the Windows 2012 Bridge Exam

Question
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I am hoping someone can help answer a few questions for me and possibly I am hoping I can get some good news. In the past 2 months I have gotten certified in both Windows 2008 Server R2 and Windows 2008 R2 Managing Active Diectory. Do I have to take 6 tests in the Windows 2012 track to achieve my MCSE or can I take a bridge exam/exams to Windows 2012 for the certifications I already have in Windows 2008, thus saving me taking 1 or 2 of the Windows 2012 exams for my MCSE? Is taking the bridge exams in this way allowed by Microsoft? Thanks in advance everyone!
-Shawn Joyner
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 1:00 PM
Answers
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There is an upgrade exam for Windows Server 2012 (70-417). I'm not sure if that is what you mean by a bridge exam. you can read more about it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-417.aspx
If you have any of the following certifications you are eligible for the upgrade exam.
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MCSA: Windows Server 2008
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MCITP: Server Administrator on Windows Server 2008
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MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008
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MCITP: Virtualization Administrator on Windows Server 2008 R2
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MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator 2010
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MCITP: Lync Server Administrator 2010
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MCITP: SharePoint Administrator 2010
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MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7
Paul Stork SharePoint Server MVP
Principal Architect: Blue Chip Consulting Group
Blog: http://dontpapanic.com/blog
Twitter: Follow @pstork
Please remember to mark your question as "answered" if this solves your problem.- Proposed as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:29 AM
- Marked as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:30 AM
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 1:22 PM -
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Nope, MCTS is not enough to be able to take the upgrade exam. YOu would need to finish MCITP on Server 2008 r2 to take the upgrade exam or you will need to take all three of the 2012 exams.
Paul Stork SharePoint Server MVP
Principal Architect: Blue Chip Consulting Group
Blog: http://dontpapanic.com/blog
Twitter: Follow @pstork
Please remember to mark your question as "answered" if this solves your problem.- Marked as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:30 AM
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 3:09 PM -
Hi Shawn,
You can try to pass all the exams for MCSA on Server 2008 (70-640, 70-642, 70-646)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsa-windows-server-2008-certification.aspx
From there you can upgrade to MCSA on Server 2012 by passing exam 70-417.
You probably already have 1 or 2 of the required exams for MCSA: Server 2008.
I wrote a wiki about upgrading from previous certifications
When you see answers and helpful posts, please click Vote As Helpful, Propose As Answer, and/or Mark As Answer
MCSE:Server Infrastructure, MCSE:Desktop Infrastructure, MCSA Server 2012, Citrix CCIA & CCEE, Cisco CCNA, VMware VCP 3/4/5 Twitter: @dnyvandam http://www.dannyvandam.net- Edited by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Tuesday, August 13, 2013 6:48 PM
- Proposed as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:29 AM
- Marked as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:29 AM
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 6:47 PMAnswerer
All replies
-
There is an upgrade exam for Windows Server 2012 (70-417). I'm not sure if that is what you mean by a bridge exam. you can read more about it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-417.aspx
If you have any of the following certifications you are eligible for the upgrade exam.
-
MCSA: Windows Server 2008
-
MCITP: Server Administrator on Windows Server 2008
-
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008
-
MCITP: Virtualization Administrator on Windows Server 2008 R2
-
MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator 2010
-
MCITP: Lync Server Administrator 2010
-
MCITP: SharePoint Administrator 2010
-
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7
Paul Stork SharePoint Server MVP
Principal Architect: Blue Chip Consulting Group
Blog: http://dontpapanic.com/blog
Twitter: Follow @pstork
Please remember to mark your question as "answered" if this solves your problem.- Proposed as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:29 AM
- Marked as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:30 AM
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 1:22 PM -
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I should be more specific... I have both a MCTS in Windows 2008 Managing Active Directory and Window 2008 Server R2. I am wondering if the bridge exams can apply to persons who hold a MCTS, saving a little heart ache and taking 1 or 2 full exams for 2012 if someone is going for their MCSE. Thanks guys!
-Shawn
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 2:04 PM -
Nope, MCTS is not enough to be able to take the upgrade exam. YOu would need to finish MCITP on Server 2008 r2 to take the upgrade exam or you will need to take all three of the 2012 exams.
Paul Stork SharePoint Server MVP
Principal Architect: Blue Chip Consulting Group
Blog: http://dontpapanic.com/blog
Twitter: Follow @pstork
Please remember to mark your question as "answered" if this solves your problem.- Marked as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:30 AM
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 3:09 PM -
Well the reason I ask is that they retired the Windows 2008 Network Infrastructure, as of July 31st. Which puts me in a bind because now I can't get my MCITP in Windows 2008 R2. I know from there I would have to take three Windows 2012 exams after the bridge exam. So since the 2008 Network Infrastructure certification is no longer available for the MCITP does this mean I have to take all 6 certifications inn Windows 2012?
I appreciate all the help and guidance.
-Shawn
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 5:02 PM -
Hi Shawn,
You can try to pass all the exams for MCSA on Server 2008 (70-640, 70-642, 70-646)
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsa-windows-server-2008-certification.aspx
From there you can upgrade to MCSA on Server 2012 by passing exam 70-417.
You probably already have 1 or 2 of the required exams for MCSA: Server 2008.
I wrote a wiki about upgrading from previous certifications
When you see answers and helpful posts, please click Vote As Helpful, Propose As Answer, and/or Mark As Answer
MCSE:Server Infrastructure, MCSE:Desktop Infrastructure, MCSA Server 2012, Citrix CCIA & CCEE, Cisco CCNA, VMware VCP 3/4/5 Twitter: @dnyvandam http://www.dannyvandam.net- Edited by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Tuesday, August 13, 2013 6:48 PM
- Proposed as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:29 AM
- Marked as answer by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:29 AM
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 6:47 PMAnswerer -
You can still get your MCSA Server 2008. 70-642 which is the Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring Exam hasn't been retired. MCSA Server 2008 qualifies for the upgrade exam. See the MCSA exams here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsa-windows-server-2008-certification.aspx
Paul Stork SharePoint Server MVP
Principal Architect: Blue Chip Consulting Group
Blog: http://dontpapanic.com/blog
Twitter: Follow @pstork
Please remember to mark your question as "answered" if this solves your problem.Tuesday, August 13, 2013 8:20 PM