Query

[Jay_7]

Hi all,

Just a general query I can't seem to get to the bottom off. My understanding of Microsoft Certification is this:

Many exams make up MCSA/MCSE

One exam makes you a MCP... Once the correct combination of exams have been passed you are a MCSA.

Once you are MCSA you only need a few more (3 or 4 I think) to be MCSE?

Is this all correct?

[greenbrucelee]

certain microsoft exams like 70-271 make you an MCP, to get the MCSE you have to pass all the exams the MCSA does not count towards it.

however compTIA A+ and N+ count towards the elective of the MCSA but you still have to do 2 exams after that.

[Stoney]

Yes almost.

One Microsoft exam = MCP

3 core MS exams + 1 elective (or 2 ComptiA exams) = MCSA

6 core MS exams + 1 elective (not including Comptia certs) = MCSE

If you do an elective exam for your MCSA that is in the MCSE then you do not have to do any additional exams, so you can do the minimum of 7 exams.

The mystery is revealed here .

HTH

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by greenbrucelee

certain microsoft exams like 70-271 make you an MCP, to get the MCSE you have to pass all the exams the MCSA does not count towards it.

Ermm, yes it does.

You need 70-270, 70-290, and 70-291 for the MCSA and these are core exams for the MCSE as well. If you do 70-284 in your MCSA then this also counts towards an exam in the MCSE.

[Jay_7]

Excellent, cheers guys!

[Jay_7]

Actually, just to clarify, here's my plan...

After I have my N+, I will be starting on my MCSA working towards: 70-290, 70-291 and 70-270. My understanding is that my A+ and N+ will count as my elective?

After this, I will be doing Security+ and heading onto MCSE:Security; and my understanding of this is as follows:

70-293, 70-294, 70-298 and 2 from 70-299, 70-227, 70-350, 70-351

Does that all seem like it's a plan?

[greenbrucelee]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Ermm, yes it does.

You need 70-270, 70-290, and 70-291 for the MCSA and these are core exams for the MCSE as well. If you do 70-284 in your MCSA then this also counts towards an exam in the MCSE.

I was under the impression even if you did those core exams you had to do different ones to get the MCSE

[nugget]

GBL, the core exams are the same for MCSE as well as MCSA. When you think about it logically the MCSE is just an extension of the MCSA path.

Jay_7, if you plan on doing the full MCSE you won't be able to use the A+ and N+. You'll have to do the full 7 MS exams. Also as I understand it if you do the 227 or 350 (ISA Server 2000 and 2004 respectively) then you'll get the Security tagged on the end anyway so you won't need to do the Security+.

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by greenbrucelee

I was under the impression even if you did those core exams you had to do different ones to get the MCSE

Say you get the MCSA for 2003. What "different" core exams could you possibly take to get the MCSE for 2003?