Microsoft is yet again making important changes to its IT training certification program. While these changes are meant to make the Microsoft certification program much easier to use, there are some disadvantages involved and whoever has or is thinking about getting Microsoft training need to be familiar with the way the program is evolving. It should also be known that professionals who currently have Microsoft certifications should also be aware of these new changes, as they have an impact on a few Microsoft certificates.
What Modifications Will Be Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title and also the MCTS title. These particular titles shall be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft had been actually utilizing for the longest time.
Nevertheless, Microsoft is doing much more than merely changing the names around. It's also decreasing its ranking for the MCITP title, rendering it equal to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is commonly regarded as being the premium form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is yet again making re-certification a requirement for those who wish to keep the new MCSE or MCSD title. While this is a requirement that angered numerous certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are coming to recognize that ongoing, rapid changes in the computer world make it impossible for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of qualification with no ongoing education. MCSE certifications will need 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 weren't received well by either certificate trainees or those who were trying to hire graduates from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of employers were and are still not technically savvy and therefore did not comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This made it difficult for individuals who were looking for a job, as these individuals were required to explain to possible employers what the new forms of certification meant and why they were just as valid as the old ones.
Another reason why the initial program change was not well accepted is the fact that Microsoft stated that the new certificates would have to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding exactly what would have to be done to acquire certificate renewal and when the certificates would expire. As you can imagine, this approach created a large amount of uncertainty for those that were thinking of getting started with the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Existing Certificates
Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks offer special upgrade exams. These exams focus on evaluating the know-how of a student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology edition. The prerequisite for these particular upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Besides, in the event you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?
Due to the fact Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't imperative for an individual to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of organisations that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if this individual has experience and can show that he or she is staying up to date with new developments connected with his or her type of work.
Even so, sometime soon it will be necessary for someone to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new systems and technology versions. Although it may require some time and cash to obtain a new certification, it will be worth the effort. Besides, the skills obtained under Microsoft's previous program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new kind of certification (via special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade present certifications will get more urgent when businesses begin using the more modern Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 and so on).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some people who have been thinking of taking a Microsoft training course or have already taken such a course. Whilst the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to accurately reflect precisely how much education and knowledge an individual has in any given area of IT. Any person who is at this time taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more recent technology versions will already be using the new program and so have nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) can keep utilizing their old certifications without any problems, whilst eventually transitioning to a newer certification is definitely recommended.
What Modifications Will Be Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title and also the MCTS title. These particular titles shall be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which happen to be the titles that Microsoft had been actually utilizing for the longest time.
Nevertheless, Microsoft is doing much more than merely changing the names around. It's also decreasing its ranking for the MCITP title, rendering it equal to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is commonly regarded as being the premium form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is yet again making re-certification a requirement for those who wish to keep the new MCSE or MCSD title. While this is a requirement that angered numerous certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are coming to recognize that ongoing, rapid changes in the computer world make it impossible for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of qualification with no ongoing education. MCSE certifications will need 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 weren't received well by either certificate trainees or those who were trying to hire graduates from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of employers were and are still not technically savvy and therefore did not comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This made it difficult for individuals who were looking for a job, as these individuals were required to explain to possible employers what the new forms of certification meant and why they were just as valid as the old ones.
Another reason why the initial program change was not well accepted is the fact that Microsoft stated that the new certificates would have to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding exactly what would have to be done to acquire certificate renewal and when the certificates would expire. As you can imagine, this approach created a large amount of uncertainty for those that were thinking of getting started with the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Existing Certificates
Practically all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification tracks offer special upgrade exams. These exams focus on evaluating the know-how of a student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology edition. The prerequisite for these particular upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Besides, in the event you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?
Due to the fact Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't imperative for an individual to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are lots of organisations that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if this individual has experience and can show that he or she is staying up to date with new developments connected with his or her type of work.
Even so, sometime soon it will be necessary for someone to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new systems and technology versions. Although it may require some time and cash to obtain a new certification, it will be worth the effort. Besides, the skills obtained under Microsoft's previous program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new kind of certification (via special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade present certifications will get more urgent when businesses begin using the more modern Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 and so on).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some people who have been thinking of taking a Microsoft training course or have already taken such a course. Whilst the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to accurately reflect precisely how much education and knowledge an individual has in any given area of IT. Any person who is at this time taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more recent technology versions will already be using the new program and so have nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, anyone who has old(er) certificates (or what is now called legacy certification) can keep utilizing their old certifications without any problems, whilst eventually transitioning to a newer certification is definitely recommended.
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