Choose : MCSE 2003 OR MCITP 2008 ???

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I am going to start certification, but quite confused whether I should follow the track for MCSE 2003 or MCITP 2008 with : Enterprise administrator. My background, working as 1st/2nd line support in large organisation using windows 2000 & 2003 mixed mode environment, 90 % workstations using XP and few on Vista. I have good hands on experience on technical support with windows cleints & servers.

Second question is which exams should be done first to acheive better results as I would prefer to take windows XP cleint exam 70-270 first rather than doing a win 2003 server exam 70-290, if I plan to go for MCSE 2003, am I right ?

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Considering Windows Server 2008 hasn't been released yet, and most companies will continue to use Windows Server 2003 for years to come (some companies still use Windows 2000!), the answer is pretty clear: the 2003 certifications are your best bet.

I would recommend the client exam before any others, if for no other reason than it'll help get your feet wet for what's to come.

 

Well,
I would personally suggest the 2k3 MCSE if you want to do one of those two

at least first

here are my reasons, some you may all feel are silly, but we shall see
firstly, 2k3 will be around for a LONG time, its a rock solid OS and that means that the age old 'aint broke dont fix it' rules apply, it aint broke, so it wont be going anywhere

the 2k exams are only just being retired, in 2k8! so you have plenty of time to get 2k3 sorted

the 2k3 MCSE is the last to bear the title MCSE, now this may sound stupid, but so are recruiters, and I think the MCSE will remain a big buzz word for a long time, try explain the difference to a recruiter and see how far it gets you!

You can upgrade in a few exams anyway,

ultimately its up to you, I took a solid aim last year to get 2k3 done, even though 2k8 was already in beta, and the upgrades will follow

 

Thanks, Shall I start with XP client exam or Vista ?

 

Thanks for replying, I agree with you and have decided to start with MCSE 2003. Are MS Press books any good for prepration ? or you think of any other press or CBT's etc ?

 

I won't spend much time preparing for 70-270 exam as I consider myself quite professional on windows XP. But any prepration advice will be much appreciated. thanks.

 

I find the MS Press books very dry and lacking in enough detail.. my preference was for Sybex, though i havent studied for any 2K3 related exams.

 

Don't underestimate the complexity of Microsoft exams.. i do agree the XP client exam will be a lot easier than those that follow, but it will still expect you to know some of the lesser used features inside out.

 

I completely agree with you, so If I go through sybex text book to prepare for exam, will it prepare me enough to take exam ?

 

It might.. i havent read that or taken that specific exam. Personally i use a good book or two, i read all the related white papers and RFCs, i trawl through Microsoft's Technet and KB articles, i use Cramsessions PDFs to keep refreshing the main concepts and exam topics so i stay focused on the *objectives* and then round it all off by doing the related Transcender and using that to highlight my weak areas. Then, when i am happy that i know things inside and out, i book the exam.

 

Considering the answer I gave regarding which server exam you should take... if I told you that most companies use Windows XP, which exam would you think I'd recommend?

That said, I'd make more money if you took the Vista exam and studied for it with the Sybex book.

 

Many thanks, i feel myself in better position to start now. would you please recommend me a study pattern and which course material I must follow, I will be self studying unless the need arises to join an institution. Plus I have a full time job to keep with so I guess I will be able to spare 2-3 hours a day.

 

It came out officially last week BM. Well to SA customers and I guess other types of volume license agreement customers also. We downloaded it, but haven't gotten around to installing it yet.

 

But not to most customers. And even if it had been, they aren't going to magically adopt it that very week. You won't likely see wholesale movement towards any OS without careful planning and - above all else - time.

 

I am also interested in getting MCSE. I heard 08 is coming [or is here] and was not sure if getting 03 would be a waste of time. But after reading this thread... I made my descision, 03 it is.

 

Glad you got use out of the thread! I think you've made a good decision.