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MCSE
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
 achieved on april 6th 2001
 achieved on september 27th 2001
USEFULL INFORMATIONS ON MCSE & RELATED ITEMS
Microsoft has developed the premier certification program. This program certifies Information Technology (IT) professionals in the use of Microsoft products for networking, desktop and Internet systems. Since 1992, the Microsoft certification program has helped over 300,000 professionals advance their careers.
Microsoft offers eight certifications grouped into three tracks. The only requirement to obtain a certification is to pass the required exam(s). Work experience and college education are not required for certification. The certification exams test for knowledge of Microsoft products and computer systems. See the table below for an overview of the certification program:
| Certification track |
Certification Title |
Certification Expertise |
Required number of exams |
| MCP is the first certification for all three tracks |
Microsoft Certified Professional |
Any one Microsoft product |
1 |
| Systems Engineering Track |
MCP+Internet: Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet |
Internet technology, web design, network security, installation and maintenance |
3 |
| MCSE: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer |
Operating systems and applications for networking, servers and desktop |
6 |
| MCSE+Internet: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet |
Same as MCSE with a specialty in internet and intranet technology and products. |
9 |
| Solution Developer Track |
MCP+Site Building: Microsoft Certified Professional + Site Building |
Web site design and development |
2 |
| MCSD: Microsoft Certified Solution Developer |
Software application development |
4 |
| Database Administrator Track |
MCDBA: Microsoft Certified Database Administrator |
SQL database development and maintenance |
5 |
| Instructor |
MCT: Microsoft Certified Trainer |
One or more official Microsoft training course |
Varies with selected course |
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Maintaining certification is a long term commitment. When Microsoft develops a new version of a product, new exams are introduced and exams for previous versions are eventually retired. To maintain your certification when an exam is retired, you will be given a designated time frame (typically between six and twelve months) to pass the required replacement exam or an approved alternate exam. If you do not pass within the specified time frame, you will be decertified. You can be re-certified at any time by taking the specified alternate exam. You do not need to retake any non-retired exams which you previously passed.
As a professional certified by Microsoft, you will benefit from being a member of an elite class of computer experts. Employers respect the initiative and drive it takes to get certified. A certification is proof of your IT knowledge and skills. Most salary surveys indicate that certified computer professionals earn an average of 15% to 20% more than uncertified professionals. Other certification benefits include use of the Microsoft certification logo and title, free subscriptions to selected Microsoft publications and access to special Microsoft web sites and Beta versions of software.
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About the exams
Microsoft certification exams are offered worldwide. Exams are taken at a computer terminal and typically consist of 50 to 70 multiple choice questions. Most exams have a 90 minute time limit to complete. Exam questions are changed often for security reasons. Each exam costs $100.
All exams are closed-book. The majority of questions are multiple-choice type consisting of a question and four alternative answers for selection. Some questions may be scenario-based type questions which present a scenario, desired results and a proposed solution. The examinee determines if the proposed solution achieves the desired results.
Microsoft is implementing adaptive testing methods. Some exams currently have this format. Adaptive testing is unique in that the type and number of questions vary based on the examinee's responses. Each question type depends on the accuracy of the response to the previous question. Upon answering a question incorrectly, the next few questions will generally be on the same topic. Microsoft's policy is to not disclose the format of each exam.
Exam preparation
Training courses are not required, however they may improve your chances of passing. Microsoft offers training courses through their Microsoft Certified Technical Education Centers. Contact Microsoft at 800-688-0496 for center locations. Independent vendors may also offer training for Microsoft Certification exams. Hands-on experience is another excellent method for exam preparation.
Self-paced training using reference books is the most economical method of preparation. Check out the product catalogue for books related to your certification. Practice as many problems as possible and take a practice exam to improve your chances of passing.
Scheduling the exams
Exams are scheduled through Sylvan Prometric or Virtual University Enterprises. Microsoft uses two companies to provide improved, economical service through competition. You can select either company. Choosing one company does not obligate you to continue using the same company for other exams. Both companies have locations worldwide. The following is contact information for within the United States:
Sylvan Prometric : 800-755-3926
Virtual University Enterprises : 888-837-9616
To register for an exam, simply contact one of these companies and provide them with the exam title, desired exam date and method of payment. Exams can be scheduled up to six weeks prior to the exam date, or as late as the day before. Some locations may permit registration on the same day as the exam. Exams can be canceled with a full refund up to one working day prior to the exam. All exams must be prepaid with check or credit card. Upon scheduling an exam, your personal information will automatically be sent to Microsoft to be entered into their database. After taking the first exam, you will automatically be registered with Microsoft for their MCP certification program.
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Taking the exams
Two forms of identification (one must be a photo ID) are required for entrance to the exam center. Reference materials are not permitted in the exam. Blank scratch paper and pens are provided by the exam proctor.
A Non-Disclosure Agreement must be signed which essentially states that the examinee will not disclose exam question information. In addition, a simple demographic survey must be filled out. 15 minutes is allocated for the survey and 90 minutes for the exam. If the survey is completed in less than 15 minutes, the remaining survey time can be added to the 90 minutes for exam completion.
Blank answers are marked as incorrect, so answers should never be left blank. Questions can be "marked" for review (standard tests only, not adaptive tests) at the end of the exam. During the review, the examinee can return to the marked questions and change the answers if desired.
An opportunity to give feedback is provided at the end of the exam. The computer then calculates the score in less than one minute. The score is presented in a bar graph format along with the passing score. A stamped score sheet, which is proof of the exam results, is provided by the exam proctor.
Microsoft provides notification within two to six weeks of meeting a certification's requirements. Microsoft mails out a Welcome Package that includes a certificate, a license to use the certification logo and subscriptions to TechNet and Microsoft Certified Professional magazine. Depending on the certification, a subscription to the Microsoft Beta Evaluation program may also be provided.
There is no limit to the number of times that an exam can be taken without passing. After failing the exam for the first time, the exam can be retaken at anytime. You must wait 14 days to retake the same exam for the third or more times.
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