MCSA Head Scratcher

Discussion in 'General Microsoft Certifications' started by GSteer, Apr 9, 2010.

  1. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    Hey everyone, wondering if someone can throw some light on MCSA Specialisations for me.

    MS states the following:

    Code:
    To earn the MCSA Messaging on Windows Server 2003 certification, you must pass four exams (in any order):
    
        *Two exams on networking systems
        *One exam on client operating systems
        *One exam on messaging specialization
    
    To earn the MCSA Security on Windows Server 2003 certification, you must pass five exams (in any order):
    
        *Two exams on networking systems
        *One exam on client operating systems
        *Two exams on security specialization
    Now, I've got the 70-290 and will be doing 70-291 soon, thats the "networking systems" core covered. I'll be taking 70-680 as well, so that covers the "client". I'll also be taking the CompTIA Security+, according the MS's site that counts as an elective so technically at that stage I'll have a base MCSA and one of the "security" exams for the MCSA Security.

    To get to the beef of the question; at that stage if I then take one more security exam from the list and one messaging exam that I'll then be MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security or doesn't it work like that ? :eek:

    I wasn't intending to complete the specials as I'm looking at completing the MCSA then upgrading it to MCITP:EA but if it's only another exam covering work experience I've already done it might be worth considering (more interested in the security than the messaging but thought I'd ask our of curiosity).
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2010
    Certifications: BSc. (Comp. Sci.), MBCS, MCP [70-290], Specialist [74-324], Security+, Network+, A+, Tea Lord: Beverage Brewmaster | Courses: LFS101x Introduction to Linux (edX)
    WIP: CCNA Routing & Switching
  2. DC Pr0Mo

    DC Pr0Mo Kilobyte Poster

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    Only the 70-284 counts as the messaging exam for MCSA:Messaging, and 2 of the folowing would be needed for security;
    • Exam 70-299
    • Exam 70-227
    • Exam 70-350
    • Exam 70-351
    • CompTIA Security+
    • SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)
    • CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
    • CISA (Certified Information Security Auditor)
    • CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)

    See Here for more info
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2010
    Certifications: MCDST | BSc Network Computing | 365 Fundamentals
  3. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    Cheers DC, I kinda realised the individual requirements, the main thrust of the question, which I appear to have hidden amidst the rambling is:

    "To get to the beef of the question; at that stage if I then take one more security exam from the list and one messaging exam (ergo 70-284 as you say) that I'll then be MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security or doesn't it work like that ? "

    I guess it could be summarised as:

    Does having the following give MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security?

    • 70-290 (core)
    • 70-291 (core)
    • 70-680 (client - interestingly this only shows as valid on base MCSA not the specials)
    • 70-284 (messaging)
    • 70-351 (security #1 for example, it could be one of the others)
    • CompTIA Security+ (security #2)
     
    Certifications: BSc. (Comp. Sci.), MBCS, MCP [70-290], Specialist [74-324], Security+, Network+, A+, Tea Lord: Beverage Brewmaster | Courses: LFS101x Introduction to Linux (edX)
    WIP: CCNA Routing & Switching
  4. DC Pr0Mo

    DC Pr0Mo Kilobyte Poster

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    Yup, that should give you both Certs, and 680 is stated as a vaild client exam in both specials.
     
    Certifications: MCDST | BSc Network Computing | 365 Fundamentals
  5. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    Cheers, would appear that MS needs to update this page then in reference to 70-680: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcsa.aspx#tab3

    So technically that would give the certification craziness of MCSA, MCSA:M & MCSA:S as different certs? Or does the MCSA base get absorbed into the MCSA:M and :S - sheer curiosity that one.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2010
    Certifications: BSc. (Comp. Sci.), MBCS, MCP [70-290], Specialist [74-324], Security+, Network+, A+, Tea Lord: Beverage Brewmaster | Courses: LFS101x Introduction to Linux (edX)
    WIP: CCNA Routing & Switching
  6. DC Pr0Mo

    DC Pr0Mo Kilobyte Poster

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    Im not sure on that one, I have also wondered that aswell, hopefully im going to find out in a few months :D
     
    Certifications: MCDST | BSc Network Computing | 365 Fundamentals
  7. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    Hehe - GL with yours :)
     
    Certifications: BSc. (Comp. Sci.), MBCS, MCP [70-290], Specialist [74-324], Security+, Network+, A+, Tea Lord: Beverage Brewmaster | Courses: LFS101x Introduction to Linux (edX)
    WIP: CCNA Routing & Switching
  8. DC Pr0Mo

    DC Pr0Mo Kilobyte Poster

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    When you first posted the query on the 680 exam it wasn't listed on the site as a client, then I rechecked and it was :blink, but I have had a few wines tonight so im going check it out tomorrow.:biggrin
     
    Certifications: MCDST | BSc Network Computing | 365 Fundamentals
  9. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    It ain't the wine!

    I didn't show it under the specialisations about 15-30mins ago when I loaded the page.

    Weird but good to see at the same time.
     
    Certifications: BSc. (Comp. Sci.), MBCS, MCP [70-290], Specialist [74-324], Security+, Network+, A+, Tea Lord: Beverage Brewmaster | Courses: LFS101x Introduction to Linux (edX)
    WIP: CCNA Routing & Switching
  10. DC Pr0Mo

    DC Pr0Mo Kilobyte Poster

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    Thanks, good luck to you aswell.
     
    Certifications: MCDST | BSc Network Computing | 365 Fundamentals

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