CompTIA vs Microsoft certs

Discussion in 'General Microsoft Certifications' started by Sparky, May 3, 2006.

  1. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    May 3, 2006 #1
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    Many people are studying for certs in the order of A+, Network+ and then MCSE so I’m wondering if there is a major jump in difficulty between the CompTIA exams and the first few exams of the MCSE cert, especially the MCP 70-270 exam.

    Apart from the length of the exam and more questions is there a big difference? I appreciate there are sims in some of the other exams but I believe there are no sims in the 70-270.

    Oh, and I know some of the later exams in the MCSE cert are tough so I’m only really comparing MCP 70-270 to say the A+ and Network+ in this question. 8)
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
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  2. Luddym

    Luddym Megabyte Poster

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    I can only go from my experience, and I found the A+ and N+ quite easy to understand and passed both exams with high'ish scores.

    When it came to the 70-270, the material seemed to sink in, but when it came to testing on it, I found some of it quite obscure and difficult. I managed to pass, but on then with 700, and only then I think by luck.

    So, in my experience I'd say that even the 70-270 was harder than the A+ and N+.
     
    Certifications: VCP,A+, N+, MCSA, MCSE
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  3. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    May 4, 2006 #3
    Hi,

    Comptia exams are straight questions and answers, plus they are non-vender specific.

    Microsoft exams are long questions, scenario's and simulations. Plus they are vender specific - so they will delve deeper into the subject from a MS point of view/OS stance. (Just like eg CISCO, or Citrix, etc).

    The initial jump from Comptia to MS was a shock, but after a while, once you get into the style & format of the MS exams you'll get use to it.

    In my opinion Microsoft Exam's are generally harder than Comptia exams, because of the above reasons.

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
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  4. Theprof

    Theprof Petabyte Poster

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    Jun 15, 2006 #4
    A+, N+, MCP 70-270 are all entry level certs, some are a bit more difficult then others. Personaly I found the 70-270 easier then N+, maybe because I have a good practical knowledge of xp, so for me to pass the 70-270 was easier and N+ was harder, but that all depends on the person and the level of experience and knowledge they have at the time of the exam.
     
    Certifications: A+ | CCA | CCAA | Network+ | MCDST | MCSA | MCP (270, 271, 272, 290, 291) | MCTS (70-662, 70-663) | MCITP:EMA | VCA-DCV/Cloud/WM | VTSP | VCP5-DT | VCP5-DCV
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  5. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    I found three of the seven exams in my MCSE track to be as tough as nails. First there was 70-216 (the beast), the only exam I actually failed and that was after six months full on study. Then the elective Active Directory Design (the bitch) and then finally ISA (the horrendous monster).

    Apart from those the other four were straight forward enough if you know your stuff. So nearly half of the exams for me were more difficult than I previously thought they would be.

    I never did the CompTIA ones so I can't comment on them.
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)
  6. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    Jun 15, 2006 #6
    I never looked at material for the Microsoft certs for too long, as they didn't really appeal. But from what I have seen/heard, the jump between CompTIA and MCerts is somewhat like the culture shock you got when you went from GCSE to A-Level's (the AS Level apparently now 'buffers' you from this!)

    Where the GCSE was generalised to give you a good overall view of a subject, they start to try to make you specialise in A Level. And I suppose you could liken difficulty further on in the Certs to jumping from A Level to a degree.

    (this is not in like-for-like difficulty of course. Just a basis for comparison :biggrin )
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
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