70-640 or 70-410

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Hi Guys – need some exam cert advice, what do you recommend for my first server exam? 70-640 on Server 08 or 70-410 on Server 2012? Please correct me if there are better first exams. I feel like I’m at a crossroad between the two.

Background – A+, N+, 70-680 & 685. I need a server cert or 2 under me as a foundation for future e.g. next exams/jobs, but also to develop my current role at work.

Work – I’m a desktop technician and an advanced beginner on servers. I use Server 08 R2, but we will be getting 2012 on some servers in the coming months.

Feelings – I do use 08 currently, it is quite common, plenty of study material about and may suit for a first server exam, but those exams are retired next summer so is it worth pursuing? 2012 on the other hand will have a greater life span, the MS book isn’t out yet (31st Dec), we will soon be using it in work and as the years role on it may be prefered over 08?

So what do you recommend? 08 as a first and established exam cert even tho it’s being retired next summer or 2012 for the greater lifespan. I’m edging towards 2012.

Cheers

 

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Hi,

the rule of thumb is always to try to certify in the Technologies that you have experience with. But yes, you also need to keep an eye on exam retirements.

But I believe that you have tripped over a common misconception here, as the 640 exam is not retiring next summer - only the MCITP cert that it is currently attached to. Instead you will receive the MCSA Certification laid out here:

MCSA: Windows Server 2008 Certification

There are a couple of 2008 exams retiring next summer, but not these...

HTH to make your decision easier.

I'd suggest getting 2012 in and working with it for 6 months before trying to tackle the cert for it - your 640 will then become an invaluable help in the upgrade to this, I'd say.

 

I would say go for 640 first then do the upgrades to server 2012... I think you'll benefit more from Server 2008 right now. I know companies are slowly starting to adapt server 2012 so that's cool.

RickyV has a good point, try and stick to what you work with for the moment, it will be easier to pass the exams and the whole experience can better. A lot of times you learn stuff that can be applied to the new stuff too so you're not really wasting time.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

Hi - I afraid I still need help in choosing my first server exam, 70-410 or 70-640? Help.

As first exams they look very different (contents below). 70-640 is only AD in a 1000 pages. 70-410 covers AD, Hyper V etc in 400 pages!

My head says go for 2008, but my heart says 2012. Any more advice would be welcomed.

Server 2012 - 70-410
Installing And Configuring Windows Server 2012 - 400 pages

Install and Configure Servers (17%)
Configure Server Roles and Features (16%)
Configure Hyper-V (17%)
Deploy and Configure Core Network Services (16%)
Install and Administer Active Directory (18%)
Create and Manage Group Policy (16%)

Server 2008 - 70-640
Configuring Windows Server 2008 Active - 1002 pages

Configuring Domain Name System (DNS) for Active Directory (18%)
Configuring the Active Directory infrastructure (17 percent)
Configuring Active Directory Roles and Services (14 percent)
Creating and maintaining Active Directory objects (18 percent)
Maintaining the Active Directory environment (18 percent)
Configuring Active Directory Certificate Services (15 percent)