Microsoft is once more making substantial improvements to its IT training certification program. While these changes ought to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are drawbacks involved and whoever has or is looking at getting Microsoft training ought to be aware of the way the program is changing. It should also be known that professionals who have already got Microsoft certifications should also be knowledgeable of these new changes, since they will have an impact upon some Microsoft certificates.
Just what Changes Will Be Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title and the MCTS title. These titles will be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft was actually using for the longest time period.
However, Microsoft is doing much more than just changing the names around. Also, it is decreasing its ranking for the MCITP title, rendering it comparable to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is commonly looked upon as the premium form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification a requisite for people who wish to keep the new MCSE or MCSD certification. While this is a requirement that angered numerous certificate holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to realize that ongoing, fast changes in the computer world make it unachievable for a person to continue to hold to the same level of qualification with no regular training. MCSE certifications will have to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications are going to have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not received well by either certificate trainees or all those that were trying to hire graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. Lots of employers were and are still not technically savvy and therefore did not comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This caused it to be difficult for people who were searching for a job, since these individuals were forced to explain to potential employers precisely what the new types of certification meant and why they were every bit as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would need to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding what exactly needed to be done to achieve certificate renewal and also when the certificates would expire. Obviously, this created a large amount of uncertainty for individuals who were contemplating getting started with the Microsoft training program.
The Way To Upgrade Existing Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths provide special upgrade examinations. These examinations focus on testing the know-how of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology version. The precondition of these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, should you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you can expect to automatically receive a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Because Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not essential for a person to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of businesses who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if he or she has experience and can show that he or she is staying up-to-date with new developments related to his or her type of work.
Having said that, down the road it becomes good for people to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new standards and technologies. While it may require some time and cash to acquire a new certification, it is well worth the effort. Additionally, the skills earned under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new form of official certifications (by way of special upgrade examinations). The need to upgrade present certifications will be more urgent when corporations begin to use the newer Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some people who have been considering taking a Microsoft training course or have by now taken this type of course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they are surely generally speaking beneficial and in the long run will help to accurately reflect the level of training and knowledge one has in any given field of IT. Any person who is currently taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more recent technology versions will already be using the brand-new program and therefore have nothing to be concerned about. Simultaneously, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications without any problems, whilst eventually switching over to a newer certification is certainly advisable.
Just what Changes Will Be Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title and the MCTS title. These titles will be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft was actually using for the longest time period.
However, Microsoft is doing much more than just changing the names around. Also, it is decreasing its ranking for the MCITP title, rendering it comparable to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is commonly looked upon as the premium form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification a requisite for people who wish to keep the new MCSE or MCSD certification. While this is a requirement that angered numerous certificate holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to realize that ongoing, fast changes in the computer world make it unachievable for a person to continue to hold to the same level of qualification with no regular training. MCSE certifications will have to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications are going to have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not received well by either certificate trainees or all those that were trying to hire graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. Lots of employers were and are still not technically savvy and therefore did not comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This caused it to be difficult for people who were searching for a job, since these individuals were forced to explain to potential employers precisely what the new types of certification meant and why they were every bit as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would need to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding what exactly needed to be done to achieve certificate renewal and also when the certificates would expire. Obviously, this created a large amount of uncertainty for individuals who were contemplating getting started with the Microsoft training program.
The Way To Upgrade Existing Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths provide special upgrade examinations. These examinations focus on testing the know-how of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology version. The precondition of these upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Furthermore, should you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you can expect to automatically receive a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Because Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not essential for a person to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of businesses who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if he or she has experience and can show that he or she is staying up-to-date with new developments related to his or her type of work.
Having said that, down the road it becomes good for people to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new standards and technologies. While it may require some time and cash to acquire a new certification, it is well worth the effort. Additionally, the skills earned under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new form of official certifications (by way of special upgrade examinations). The need to upgrade present certifications will be more urgent when corporations begin to use the newer Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some people who have been considering taking a Microsoft training course or have by now taken this type of course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they are surely generally speaking beneficial and in the long run will help to accurately reflect the level of training and knowledge one has in any given field of IT. Any person who is currently taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more recent technology versions will already be using the brand-new program and therefore have nothing to be concerned about. Simultaneously, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications without any problems, whilst eventually switching over to a newer certification is certainly advisable.
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