Sign in
Microsoft.com
 
Microsoft
 
 
 

locked
Passed exams and got unexpected certifications RRS feed

 > 

  • Question

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    I recently passed the 70-680 and 70-685 Windows 7 exams. I thought this would earn me an MCITP certification, but when I got my access code to the MCP website, I was surprised to find that as a result of passing these two exams I now got TWO certifications, MCTS and MCSA (and THREE certificates to download: MCTS, Win7 Configuration, and win7 MCSA).

    I spent some time trying to understand why I got these certificates and what each of the certificates I got mean, but failed to find any clear explanation. Particularly, I am wondering why I got two certificatations, what they mean, and why not the one I thought I was going to receive. My understanding was that until July 2013 MCITP was still earned by passing these two exams.

    Can someone explain what's going on, or refer me to the relevant information?

    Saturday, June 1, 2013 5:45 AM

Answers

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    2
    Sign in to vote

    I believe the July 31, 2013 certification retirement deadline applies to all the remaining Windows XP (70-270, anyone? :-p) & Windows Server 2003 exams/MCITP certifications still available; and some of the MCTS and MCITP exams/certifications for Windows Server 2008 track, SQL 2008 etc, amongst others.

    You'll get an MCTS certificate just for passing 70-680

    I understand the MCITP Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician and MCITP Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator certifications for the Windows 7 client are not retiring until Jan 31, 2014. The Windows 7 exams themselves would not be retired until July 31, 2014 (as they're continuing to be counted for the newer MCSA certificate).

    I know for certain that for the Windows Sever 2008 track, Microsoft are awarding both the MCITP and MCSA certificates as a transitional arrangement, until the MCITP Server 2008 retires on July 31, 2013. Thereafter it'll just be the new MCSA.

    On the MCSA: Windows 7 page, it says they are doing the same thing for Windows 7, offering both the MCITP and the newer MCSA, until January 31, 2014. Thereafter it'll just be the newer MCSA:

    • "Until January 31, 2014, when you earn your MCSA: Windows 7 certification you also earn your MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration certification and either your MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 certification (Exams 680 and 686) or your MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7 certification (Exams 680 and 685).
    • After January 2014, you can no longer earn the MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration, MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7, or MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7 certifications, but Exams 680, 685, and 686 will still be required for the MCSA: Windows 7 certification."

    So you'll pass two exams and be awarded three certifications -  MCTS, the MCITP and the MCSA.

    Unless anyone else knows otherwise, if they aren't showing up on your transcript I'd email your regional support centre to query, contact details here

    As some background info - Microsoft used to offer its certifications as MCSA (Systems Admin) and MCSE (Systems Engineer), but they changed it to MCTS and MCITP. Hey - you can get a certificate just for passing a single 'entry' level type exam! Then businesses grumbled they didn't know about/care for the MCTS/MCITP. So Microsoft is bringing back (kinda of) the MCSA (Solutions Associate) and MCSE (Solutions Expert). But they aren't changing the existing exams - so it is rather confusing that the same set of exams will earn the MCITP and the newer replacement certification, the MCSA. But Microsoft wants to change (or revert back to, depending upon your point of view) the MCTS/MCIPT certifications to the MCSA/MCSE certifications. So while you're in the transitional time period - you get both! (plus the MCTS!)





    Sunday, June 2, 2013 2:52 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    2
    Sign in to vote
    Update: two days after the appearance of my MCTS and MCSA certifications the exptected MCITP was added to the list too. Turns out it just takes time for Microsoft to add all the certifications. (One could expect from a technology giant like Microsoft to use computers that can take care of this kind of tasks instanteneously, no?)
    Monday, June 3, 2013 7:13 AM

All replies

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    1
    Sign in to vote

    If you examine the description page for 70-680 (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-680), you will see a section titled "Credit towards certification" where it shows tha this one exam will earn you the certification "(MCTS): Windows 7, Configuration". This explains the MCTS.

    If you look at the MCSA explanation (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-windows-7-certification.aspx), you will see that by completing both 680 and 685 you get the "MCSA:Windows 7".

    As far as I can tell, there has never been an MCITP awarded from 680+685. Perhaps you are being confused by the "MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7", which requires 680 and 686 (not 685), or in other words, "Enterprise Desktop Administrator" instead of "Enterprise Desktop Support Technician".

    Saturday, June 1, 2013 6:36 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Thank you.

    No, I am not confused by the 680+686 combination. I took a course that included preparation for 680+685 in a microsoft certified training center, and the course description stated that the certification awarded by passing the 680+685 exams was MCITP: Desktop Support Technician.

    I completed that course and went ahead to take those exams, and was surprised to be awarded certifications different than the one I was expecting.

    Saturday, June 1, 2013 7:17 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    2
    Sign in to vote

    I believe the July 31, 2013 certification retirement deadline applies to all the remaining Windows XP (70-270, anyone? :-p) & Windows Server 2003 exams/MCITP certifications still available; and some of the MCTS and MCITP exams/certifications for Windows Server 2008 track, SQL 2008 etc, amongst others.

    You'll get an MCTS certificate just for passing 70-680

    I understand the MCITP Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician and MCITP Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator certifications for the Windows 7 client are not retiring until Jan 31, 2014. The Windows 7 exams themselves would not be retired until July 31, 2014 (as they're continuing to be counted for the newer MCSA certificate).

    I know for certain that for the Windows Sever 2008 track, Microsoft are awarding both the MCITP and MCSA certificates as a transitional arrangement, until the MCITP Server 2008 retires on July 31, 2013. Thereafter it'll just be the new MCSA.

    On the MCSA: Windows 7 page, it says they are doing the same thing for Windows 7, offering both the MCITP and the newer MCSA, until January 31, 2014. Thereafter it'll just be the newer MCSA:

    • "Until January 31, 2014, when you earn your MCSA: Windows 7 certification you also earn your MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration certification and either your MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 certification (Exams 680 and 686) or your MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7 certification (Exams 680 and 685).
    • After January 2014, you can no longer earn the MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration, MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7, or MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7 certifications, but Exams 680, 685, and 686 will still be required for the MCSA: Windows 7 certification."

    So you'll pass two exams and be awarded three certifications -  MCTS, the MCITP and the MCSA.

    Unless anyone else knows otherwise, if they aren't showing up on your transcript I'd email your regional support centre to query, contact details here

    As some background info - Microsoft used to offer its certifications as MCSA (Systems Admin) and MCSE (Systems Engineer), but they changed it to MCTS and MCITP. Hey - you can get a certificate just for passing a single 'entry' level type exam! Then businesses grumbled they didn't know about/care for the MCTS/MCITP. So Microsoft is bringing back (kinda of) the MCSA (Solutions Associate) and MCSE (Solutions Expert). But they aren't changing the existing exams - so it is rather confusing that the same set of exams will earn the MCITP and the newer replacement certification, the MCSA. But Microsoft wants to change (or revert back to, depending upon your point of view) the MCTS/MCIPT certifications to the MCSA/MCSE certifications. So while you're in the transitional time period - you get both! (plus the MCTS!)





    Sunday, June 2, 2013 2:52 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Thanks DataCruncher. The information you cited confirms my understanding concerning the certifications awarded by passing exams 680 and 685. I'll follow your advice and contact a support center to try to figure out why the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Technician was not included in the certifications I got.

    Sunday, June 2, 2013 5:41 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    2
    Sign in to vote
    Update: two days after the appearance of my MCTS and MCSA certifications the exptected MCITP was added to the list too. Turns out it just takes time for Microsoft to add all the certifications. (One could expect from a technology giant like Microsoft to use computers that can take care of this kind of tasks instanteneously, no?)
    Monday, June 3, 2013 7:13 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote

    Congrats, that's good to know! Stupid Micro$oft.

    Tuesday, June 4, 2013 12:26 AM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Sad to say. The site has low link profile and doesn't look authoritative at all.
    Sunday, May 12, 2019 12:37 PM