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What is being done about people who cheat to get MS certifications? RRS feed

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    I took the 70-480 exam today (I'm glad to say I passed with a reasonably good score!). I spent a good few weeks studying for it and I've achieved what I wanted to do - i.e. to learn something and to be able to put something on my cv.

    But it saddens me to see websites offering '100% valid dumps' of these exams for $100+, with feedback from people crowing about their scores of 980 etc., and openly swapping details of the individual questions and answers in the exam I've just taken. I think these websites devalue the whole certification process.

    My question: what is Microsoft doing about this? On the face of it, it seems these websites are violating Microsoft's intellectual property rights, and they're not exactly being secretive about it. There's a clear dividing line between supplying study materials, and supplying the actual questions. No one can possibly be in doubt about where that dividing line is.

    The answer I would like to hear: Microsoft is prosecuting the website owners and withdrawing the certifications of anyone found to have used them!


    • Edited by martinchambers Wednesday, May 15, 2013 1:11 PM title not an accurate reflection of content!
    Wednesday, May 15, 2013 1:04 PM

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    Hi,

    First off, congratulations on passing the exam. Which exam are you working towards next?

    Microsoft Learning has a very active anti-piracy team. If you see a web site that appears to be a brain dump, or you see other potential violations of Microsoft's exams, you are encouraged to send an email to TCTips@microsoft.com. This email alias is monitored by the anti-piracy team. They will investigate the information that you send and try to correct the situation.

    Mike Corkery, MCT, MVP (Office Systems), MCSD (Windows Store Apps), MCITP, MCPD, MSF, etc. Please do not forget to click “Vote as Helpful” if any post helps you and "Mark as Answer”if it solves the issue.

    Wednesday, May 15, 2013 8:59 PM

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    Your always going to have cheats, and yes it devalues the certification, but no one actually hires people based on certification alone, experience is vital. Certification is merely a step along the way to learning the topic fully IMHO! 
    Wednesday, May 15, 2013 2:06 PM
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    Hi,

    I don't know what Microsoft is doing against the website owners, but they take cheating serious. Microsoft Learning has some guys who are working on methods to identify people who are cheating.

    Best Regards. When you see answers and helpful posts, please click Vote As Helpful, Propose As Answer, and/or Mark As Answer. This helps us build a healthy and positive community.

    @Horizon_Net | Blog

    Wednesday, May 15, 2013 4:07 PM
    Answerer
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    Hi,

    First off, congratulations on passing the exam. Which exam are you working towards next?

    Microsoft Learning has a very active anti-piracy team. If you see a web site that appears to be a brain dump, or you see other potential violations of Microsoft's exams, you are encouraged to send an email to TCTips@microsoft.com. This email alias is monitored by the anti-piracy team. They will investigate the information that you send and try to correct the situation.

    Mike Corkery, MCT, MVP (Office Systems), MCSD (Windows Store Apps), MCITP, MCPD, MSF, etc. Please do not forget to click “Vote as Helpful” if any post helps you and "Mark as Answer”if it solves the issue.

    Wednesday, May 15, 2013 8:59 PM
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    I agree there's no substitute for experience in solving real-world problems. But there are are plenty of developers who've spent 5 years in one job using a small range of features. How is a recruiter to know what they can do? Many so-called 'experienced' developers would be reluctant to take certifications because it would expose gaps in their knowledge. Unfortunately they have a good excuse - they say the certifications are meaningless because you can buy them.

    Martin Chambers

    Thursday, May 16, 2013 7:24 AM
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    Thanks for your comments, Mike. I've sent a few examples to the mailbox you mention. But frankly, these websites are all too easy to find. Microsoft is keen for people to adopt their technology. One of the ways to do this is ensuring the integrity of the certification process so that employers can rely on the technical quality of the people they recruit. It's a way for Microsoft to quality-control their ultimate product and it's worth expending a few resources on it - after all, that's what we do when we pay for the exams!

    I'm taking 70-486 MVC4 next. Even though the rest of the world won't know whether I've cheated or not, I still regard this as the best way to systematically grow and benchmark your skills.

    Martin Chambers

    Thursday, May 16, 2013 7:25 AM