Microsoft guidance!

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I have never taken any microsoft courses and have little experience with Windows Server, Domains, Active Directory, etc etc even though I work in a small company with SBS 2003 and Exchange 2003.

I set these up using the wizards supplied during installation but have never really understood how its all suppose to work. For that reason I want to understand more and it would make sense to follow an exam path towards MCSE? MCDST? MCSA? I dont know what levels these are and which one I should start with.

Could someone pls assist. Pls dont get me wrong I have 15+yrs IT experience and 50% through my CCNA course. I just am not familiar with microsoft training/exam paths.

Many Thanks in advance.
jld2007

 

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With that much experience, MCDST (Entry Level), MCSA (Mid Level) and MCSE (High level) should all be in your grasp. Although if your not overly sure about things, why not start by picking up a few 70-271 / 70-272 books, having a look through and having a crack at the exams. All going well you can always move onto the higher level certs in the future.

 

You might be better off with the Microsoft Small Business Specialist Exam 70-282.

 

I would agree with the previous comment that you should start with the MCDST as a starting point, then maybe progress on to the MCSA. With 15 years of IT experience, those shouldn't be all that difficult.

 

I think it's innacurate to describe the MCSA as mid level and the MCSE as high level. Probably the hardest exam in the MCSE path is also in the MCSA. The main extras over and above the MCSA are the design exams. There is a longer time and study invesment, but no more difficulty I would say.

 

Does it have a nickname because it's so tough though?

 

Not with you mate, the 291 is a core exam in the MCSA. The original beast (70-216 or 215 can't remember which) was also a core part of the MCSA 2000.

 

At the end of the day it's relative isn't it. I may find the 297 tougher than the 291 if I ever get round to it. What some people find hard, some others find easy.

Funny thing about the 291 was, I didn't find the exam itself hard as such. More the intensive preparation and fully understanding all the objectives.

 

Well the 2003 track exams all seem intensive in preparation to the 2000 series, plus they have an edge to them in an exam sense as well compared to the 2000 exams.

The key point seems to keep at it until you get through - no matter how "beastly" the exam is...