MCSA quick question...plz

[1Q2W3E]

Hi there

Does anyone (who has finished the MCSA) knows, how long will it take to finish the 2274, 2277, 2285, 2284?

thank you

[sweetdisorder]

course 2274 leads to the 70-290 exam
course 2277 leads to the 70-291 exam
course 2285 leads to the 70-270 exam

course 2284, I can not find that one. Maybe its 70-284? Implementing and maintaining ms exchange 2003

My rule of thumb so far has been up to 3 months study per paper. Of course, I already have experience using the product, and I am seeking the proof that I know my stuff. That is, reading the ms press books, completing the suggested assignments, building and rebuilding configurations.

With the best of winds, I don't think you would complete this in under a year. Not when you include a job, family commitments. At most, you might be able to throw 15 hours a week at it?, (a couple of hours per night, solid sessions at the weekend).

[BosonMichael]

No idea - I don't do training courses. I just do self-study.

As far as how long self study takes, it's all up to the individual, their circumstances, and their current knowledge and experience level. Everyone is different. Some people need no study time at all; others need years.

[1Q2W3E]

I just wanted to say that, where do I need to start if I want to become a MCSA/MCSE. I want to work in this field and don't know where to start.

even thou if I get the certificate! will I be able to get a job with no experience, and how can I get into some practical work (rather than just theory) on my own time.

Thank you.

[zebulebu]

Originally Posted by a.gajari@hotmail.com

I just wanted to say that, where do I need to start if I want to become a MCSA/MCSE. I want to work in this field and don't know where to start.

even thou if I get the certificate! will I be able to get a job with no experience, and how can I get into some practical work (rather than just theory) on my own time.

Thank you.

You've asked this on another thread - and been given the answer. Start studying for the entry-level certifications recognised by the industry (A+, Network+) and look around for jobs. Put your CV online with job agencies, ask around your local area if they want any voluntary work done (local charities are a good place to start).

BTW, you;re looking at it wrong. You don't want to 'become an MCSA/MCSE'. You want to get a job in the IT industry. The MCSA/MCSE comes a few years down the line after you've been working in IT for a while.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by a.gajari@hotmail.com

2274, 2277, 2285, 2284?

to get the MCSA you need the 270,290,291 + one elective , like i said you can use the MCDST (271 and 272) as an elective and the MCDST is a good entry level cert to take, but after the A+ and N+.

The MCSA shouldn't be taken until you gain experience at work in administration, that is at least 12 months solid administration experience that meets the audience profile of the MCSA (found on microsoft.com).

Most people on average take 3 months per exam.

I like said in the other thread you should look at entry level and trainee jobs, such as 1st level helpdesk.

PS i would also point out that there are a lot of experienced people looking for jobs at the moment. Its tough out there!

[talk2alain]

you dont need to have one year solid experience to start studying MCSA/MCSE. Just a quick A+ selfstudy course is enough to have a good foundation/knowledge and after which you can start your MCSA/MCSE but try not to study it at home, do it with some training provider as a hands-on, tutor led course as you want someone to explain to you how things work in real life, also you can ask some questions. Plus you ll speed up the process
by the way MCSA its just a 4 out of 7 exams from MCSE, one client, 2 core, and one elective.
Antother thing, I would suggest you to study MCITP server 2008 instead of MCSE server 2003. As most companies are going to migrate to servers 2008 sooner or later, plus once you ve learnt MCITP you would know server 2003 anyway, so you ll be more flexible and marketable on a job market. And with MCITP you've got only 5 exams to do rather then MCSE 7. And another reason, by the time you ll finish studying yourself MCSE there ll be much more people that are already MCITP certified. So employers would consider them mostly.
To study MCITP or MCSE will take you 3 months hands on training, plus on average another couple of months to sit the exams. By the way pass couple of exams from MCSE/MCITP and you can already start looking for the jobs. There are quite few companies looking for junior/trainee administrators.

Thank you

Alain

[wagnerk]

Originally Posted by 1Q2W3E

Hi there

Does anyone (who has finished the MCSA) knows, how long will it take to finish the 2274, 2277, 2285, 2284?

thank you

To finish the course is different from the ability to sit and pass the exams. To finish the course(s), bootcamp style is a week each or part-time is about 8 to 12 weeks each.

However to be ready to sit the exam, like I said, is different.

-ken

[greenbrucelee]

Originally Posted by talk2alain

you dont need to have one year solid experience to start studying MCSA/MCSE. Just a quick A+ selfstudy course is enough to have a good foundation/knowledge and after which you can start your MCSA/MCSE but try not to study it at home, do it with some training provider as a hands-on, tutor led course as you want someone to explain to you how things work in real life, also you can ask some questions. Plus you ll speed up the process
by the way MCSA its just a 4 out of 7 exams from MCSE, one client, 2 core, and one elective.
Antother thing, I would suggest you to study MCITP server 2008 instead of MCSE server 2003. As most companies are going to migrate to servers 2008 sooner or later, plus once you ve learnt MCITP you would know server 2003 anyway, so you ll be more flexible and marketable on a job market. And with MCITP you've got only 5 exams to do rather then MCSE 7. And another reason, by the time you ll finish studying yourself MCSE there ll be much more people that are already MCITP certified. So employers would consider them mostly.
To study MCITP or MCSE will take you 3 months hands on training, plus on average another couple of months to sit the exams. By the way pass couple of exams from MCSE/MCITP and you can already start looking for the jobs. There are quite few companies looking for junior/trainee administrators.

Thank you

Alain

The MCSE is for people who already work in IT as systems engineers having it without the proper experience can make your job search hard because your expected to know what your doing if your an MCSE or MCSA

[supernova]

you dont need to have one year solid experience to start studying MCSA/MCSE. Just a quick A+ selfstudy course is enough to have a good foundation/knowledge and after which you can start your MCSA/MCSE but try not to study it at home, do it with some training provider as a hands-on, tutor led course as you want someone to explain to you how things work in real life, also you can ask some questions. Plus you ll speed up the process
by the way MCSA its just a 4 out of 7 exams from MCSE, one client, 2 core, and one elective.
Antother thing, I would suggest you to study MCITP server 2008 instead of MCSE server 2003. As most companies are going to migrate to servers 2008 sooner or later, plus once you ve learnt MCITP you would know server 2003 anyway, so you ll be more flexible and marketable on a job market. And with MCITP you've got only 5 exams to do rather then MCSE 7. And another reason, by the time you ll finish studying yourself MCSE there ll be much more people that are already MCITP certified. So employers would consider them mostly.
To study MCITP or MCSE will take you 3 months hands on training, plus on average another couple of months to sit the exams. By the way pass couple of exams from MCSE/MCITP and you can already start looking for the jobs. There are quite few companies looking for junior/trainee administrators.

Thank you

Alain

No offence, but the guy above is talking out of his arse.

Extremely potential career damaging advice there. He should be ashamed

[Modey]

Hey, GBL isn't that bad super.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by Modey

Hey, GBL isn't that bad super.

Lol yeah he beat me to it so, i quoted the original from Alain

[greenbrucelee]

lol

[talk2alain]

Originally Posted by supernova

No offence, but the guy above is talking out of his arse.

Extremely potential career damaging advice there. He should be ashamed

Can you justify supernova? I talk here from my own experience.
are you MCSE certified if yes how long did it take you to achieve this?
For me it took 4 months in total. and not years to achieve this.
Microsoft only "recommends" for candidate to have one year experience, however in real there is not any pre-requisites, any one can start the course. And you dont even have to have MCDST, or A+.
But for new to IT is better if you take one basice course like A+ one-two months study and then you can jump straight into MCSE, but it would be much better to do MCITP as i mentioned in my previous posting.
Thanks
Alan

[greenbrucelee]

Originally Posted by talk2alain

Can you justify supernova? I talk here from my own experience.
are you MCSE certified if yes how long did it take you to achieve this?
For me it took 4 months in total. and not years to achieve this.
Microsoft only "recommends" for candidate to have one year experience, however in real there is not any pre-requisites, any one can start the course. And you dont even have to have MCDST, or A+.
But for new to IT is better if you take one basice course like A+ one-two months study and then you can jump straight into MCSE, but it would be much better to do MCITP as i mentioned in my previous posting.
Thanks
Alan

yes we can justify. No right minded IT manager or network manager is going to hire someone with the MCSA or MCSE who has no prior background this is why MS recommend the 6-12 & 12-18 months experience.

With those certs you will be expected to be able to hit the ground running and not need training apart from being shown around the work place and where the toilets are when you need to hide.

The only places that advertise for MCSA/E level jobs for people with no experience are either run by idiots or have a HR team that do not know what they are on about, and it would be best to avoid working for companies like this.

Most places would reject your application if you said you were an MCSE,MCSA or CCNA with no experience. You may have put the work in and passed the required exams but having some exams under your belt and the theory is totally diferent to having the experience. so on that basis unless you have the experience you should not be doing high level certs.