Microsoft Certifications - Need Help!!!

dheeraj_kumar · 07-05-2008, 10:17 PM

DO NOT READ THIS THREAD IF YOU DONT LIKE ACRONYMS!!!

This damn Microsoft's site is giving me a headache with all flowery language and polished terms! Why the hell wont they say anything to the point?!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to study and get a Microsoft Certification. Currently, my skills include -

C, C++, VB6, VC++6, WIN32, ASM(only basic stuff), SQL

I wont mention Java since my skills in it are like a baby, too young and immature. As of now, I'm learning C# 2008 and dabbling with Windows Forms.

I went through List of all certifications by catagory and by name. That left be with a blinding headache, so I'm uh... seeding my headache to you leechers

1. I personally think that MCPD will be a good choice for me, as I like programming. From what seeped into my mind, MCPD = MCTS + Extra exams. Does anyone know anything about those two certifications? Are they actually worth taking?

Next headache is the validity of certifications. Microsoft calls it "Lifetime" and true to its name, it looks like its gonna take me a lifetime to understand.

2. Take a look at This which talks about MCTS and MCPD. MS says it normally expires around 7-10 years. However it also says that recertification is required within three years. Thats only AFTER the 7-10 years, right? and the validity if not JUST 3 years, am I correct?

3. I just finished all those stuff, and Now for the secondary headache, the "old age" certifications, like MCSA and MCSE. Because they are called the old age by microsoft itself, does that mean certs like MCTS and MCPD surpass MCSA and MCSE?

4. Also, in that validity link above, it says "There are no current plans to retire any of our existing credentials." So, the old age certs are lifelong? no validity? no reason to retake examinations?

5. Third headache, Microsoft better run a cloth shop. They never say anything properly, whichever shirt we choose they say "its the best brand in the market sir, see pure 100% cotton and nice colors" Anyway, read This which is the MCSE's requirements page. On top, it says that we have to take all exams. On bottom it says several exams have retired in 2008 March. How the hell are we supposed to take exams that no longer exist?

I'm going to bed now, I'm really confused and I need to be alert enough for tomorrow's vc++ exam. Someone, preferably MVPs or those with a microsoft certification post something thats easy to understand without making my brain mush like someone put a handheld blender through it. If you make me really understand, I might take you out for dinner next time you're here in Chennai. I'm 19, male, single, and straight. Goodnight, folks!

phreak0ut · 08-05-2008, 12:59 AM

Since you are keen on programming, you shouldn't be thinking of MCSA and MCSE as these two mainly deal with maintaining the OS, managing users, etc, etc. Nothing related to programming. If you choose to take up the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certification, you'll be dealing with Visual Studio and .NET. Check here for that. You can be an Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) only on these technologies. For that, you should have the relevant certificate. If you are keen to move to database exclusively, you can take up the A Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA).

Coming to the 'old' certificate part. Recently, certificates related to MCSA/MCSE Windows 2000 was retired. Means, they are no longer valid and can no longer be obtained. So, if you had a MCSA/MCSE Windows 2000 certificate, you had to recertify to the latest certificate, i.e., Windows 2003 I don't know there were any MCTS or MCPD being retired. Almost all vendor certifications need to be recertified after 3 years(it varies, depending on the vendor. Cisco is 3 years also) The 7-10 years what they are talking is about the software development cycle. I can't explain that in complete detail. Google out for that

I'll be coming to Chennai soon. So, get ready to take me to Ponnusami