Answered by:
Where should I begin?

Question
-
Just a little background:
I have been doing IT support in different aspects and degrees for 12 years for many different fields (military, financial, etc.). I have been off and on achieving my college degree while working fulltime and last year have finished finally with my Bachelors of Science in CIS.
What I am trying to achieve:
I am pretty frightful in taking exams. It really scares the jeezers out of me. But I want to take get my certifications because nowadays the Bachelors degree is like a high school to some companies. Can someone give me some advice on the track I should follow? I have a friend that wants me to study MCSA with him but I am not sure if this is the right path for me ... Reading the information provided on the Microsoft page always seems to be confusing as there are many different routes. Please help! =)
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 3:46 AM
Answers
-
Hi,
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is the most basic certification level and can be achieved by passing one exam:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mta-certification.aspxMicrosoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)is the next level of certification and this will probably become the mainstream certification that possible employers will look for it they need certified Windows Server specialist. If your friend is planning on studying MCSA then this would be a good certification to start with. The MCSA server tracks require three exams to pass . For example for MCSA Window Server 2012 you need exam 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-windows-server-certification.aspx
All three exams have self-study books available from MS Press:
70-410: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145369826.do
70-411:http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145370082.do
70-412: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145370167.do
Or a bundle for all three books: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145370594.do
The next step would be Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcse-certification.aspx but his not very suitable for a beginner.
As for some general study tips, have a look at part 1 for the blog series I am writing on for how to study the MCSE: Desktop infrastructure, the exam number listed will not match for MCSA but the tips are general and can be applied on studying for all types of exams:http://www.rds-support.eu/danny/hitchhikers-guide-to-mcse-desktop-infrastructure-certification-part-1/
For IT support Windows Server 2012 will definitely become mainstream within 1-2 years (replacing Windows Server 2008 R2) so getting certified on this will definitely have value if you support server running Windows Server.
Danny van Dam, Citrix CCIA/CCEE Microsoft MCSE Server Infrastructure/MCSE Desktop Infrastructure/MCSA Server 2008, Cisco CCNA, VMware VCP 3/4/5 http://www.citrix-guru.com http://www.rds-support.eu
- Edited by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Sunday, February 17, 2013 9:46 AM
- Proposed as answer by Mr. Wharty Monday, February 18, 2013 10:51 PM
- Marked as answer by Mike Corkery, Microsoft Certified Trainer Tuesday, February 19, 2013 12:46 AM
Sunday, February 17, 2013 9:45 AMAnswerer
All replies
-
Hi,
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is the most basic certification level and can be achieved by passing one exam:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mta-certification.aspxMicrosoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)is the next level of certification and this will probably become the mainstream certification that possible employers will look for it they need certified Windows Server specialist. If your friend is planning on studying MCSA then this would be a good certification to start with. The MCSA server tracks require three exams to pass . For example for MCSA Window Server 2012 you need exam 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsa-windows-server-certification.aspx
All three exams have self-study books available from MS Press:
70-410: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145369826.do
70-411:http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145370082.do
70-412: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145370167.do
Or a bundle for all three books: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0790145370594.do
The next step would be Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcse-certification.aspx but his not very suitable for a beginner.
As for some general study tips, have a look at part 1 for the blog series I am writing on for how to study the MCSE: Desktop infrastructure, the exam number listed will not match for MCSA but the tips are general and can be applied on studying for all types of exams:http://www.rds-support.eu/danny/hitchhikers-guide-to-mcse-desktop-infrastructure-certification-part-1/
For IT support Windows Server 2012 will definitely become mainstream within 1-2 years (replacing Windows Server 2008 R2) so getting certified on this will definitely have value if you support server running Windows Server.
Danny van Dam, Citrix CCIA/CCEE Microsoft MCSE Server Infrastructure/MCSE Desktop Infrastructure/MCSA Server 2008, Cisco CCNA, VMware VCP 3/4/5 http://www.citrix-guru.com http://www.rds-support.eu
- Edited by Danny van DamMVP, Editor Sunday, February 17, 2013 9:46 AM
- Proposed as answer by Mr. Wharty Monday, February 18, 2013 10:51 PM
- Marked as answer by Mike Corkery, Microsoft Certified Trainer Tuesday, February 19, 2013 12:46 AM
Sunday, February 17, 2013 9:45 AMAnswerer -
Thank you for explaining this! I really do appreciate it!Monday, March 18, 2013 11:18 PM