Ideal Path for MCSA/MCSE

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Hey everyone,

Ive just started in IT and what to get some certs done. My company will be funding the training and exams. What would be an ideal path to get the MCSA/MCSE 2003?

I was thinking of doing the 70-270 (Windows XP Pro) exam first, then the core exams 70-290, 70-291 and then an elective.

Can you all advise me of the best path, or the paths you have taken to achieve the MCSA/MCSE 2003 or the paths you are thinking of taking?

Thanks

 

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Do you already have any IT Certs??
The general reply you will find will be to start with the Comptia A+ and N+, giving you a solid base on which to build your knowledge befor moving on to MCP exams.

If you feel that you already have a solid Base then the client exam 70-270 would be the ideal place to start on the Microsoft certification route.

 

I dont have any certs at the moment.
A+ and N+ look like most peoples starting off point. I will have a look into these, and then possibly do the 70-270 Windows XP exam, followed by the 2 core exams 70-290 and 70-291.

Thanks

 

Like Tyler has said- it all depends on what you already know. You got a B.Sc - is it in something Computing? Do you have an Networking experience? Too many questions!

If you really know that the MCSA is the cert you want then i got two ways you might want to start off. You could either do the MCDST - which is a Windows XP cert with Office and Desktop support - this will also count as an elective towards MCSA - then 270,290,291.

Your second option is doing 270, 290, 291 then an elective.

MCDST will give you a good grounding into MS exams and will prepare you for 270 - which is alot harder than the two MCDST exams.

 

My BSc is in Computer Science, and I haven't really got any networking experience as of yet, but I guess I will while doing my new job.

Essentially I want to work towards the MCSE 2003, but I need the experience first, so I can understand and apply the knowledge for the exams.

The MCSA would be a good cert to have towards the MCSE. I will look into the 2 routes you suggested.

What would be the most common route for someone in a similar situation to me? Or, what do most people do in my situation....which of the 2 routes?

Thanks

 

To me it sounds like A+ would be a little waste of time. I say go onto Network+ then hit the MS certs.

 

I think you need A+ and Network+ to count as an elective, so it would be pointless doing just the Network+ by itself!

 

How about doing it in this order...

70-270
70-290
70-291
70-293
70-294
70-297/70-298
Elective exam

any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

I have another question for you guys...
Essentially I want to get MCSE 2003 certified in the future. Would it be good to be MCSA 2003 certified first? Or would it be advisable to go straight for the MCSE 2003 while working?

Another thought: If I had both certifications would I be potentially be able to earn more money than if I just had the MCSE?

Thanks

 

ukspeedster,

What background in computing/networking do you have?

 

Unlikely as an MCSE supersedes MCSA. It's the same as having both an A-Level in Maths and a GCSE. Having both wouldn't get you more money than someone who only has an A-Level.

 

I think you've got the right idea. I've just started on the Microsoft cert track. I've been in IT for many years and started off with the 70-270.

I would start with the 70-271 and 70-272 for the MCDST cert. This can also count towards an MCSA but not an MCSE. It'll get you used to MS exams and give you an MCP and a good base to attack 70-270.

I'm thinking about going back to do the MCDST not decided yet.

 

As I said before, im just starting out in IT. I have an A Level in computing and degree in Computer Science.

 

You and ukspeedster should both start off with mcdst as your first ms exams... i done all three exams and they are much "more gentle" than the other ms exams i took.

 

If I do the MCDST it wouldn't count towards the MCSE would it?
I think it only counts as an elective towards the MCSA.

A friend of mine has done all 7 exams, and he advised me to look at the server exams first (70-290, 70-291) and then the client exam (70-270 - difficult as there is so much to learn).

 

Altough I'm currently working on my first MCP (70-270) I would suggest that it would make life more difficult doing the server exams first without a thorough knowledge of the client. Servers serve clients, how can you understand the server if you don't understand the thing they serve?

 

Wot he said ^^

 

Agreed totally!

Ok it makes sense but i found 290 believe it or not builds on stuff from 270.

LMO