| When preparing for a Microsoft certification, it's | | | | certification, you must pass each of the core exams, |
| important to understand the entire set of MCSE | | | | and then select from two elective tests to complete |
| requirements. An understanding of the core | | | | your certification. You can choose from several |
| requirements for the certification test will help you to | | | | related options for each of the operating system, |
| get a broader sense of the exam material, as well as | | | | design and elective exams, while the core networking |
| helping you to pace your studies properly. | | | | system exams are all prerequisites for the full set of |
| Microsoft continues to update its product sets, | | | | tests. The core exams cover installation, configuring |
| providing an opportunity to earn certifications on its | | | | and administration of the server infrastructure. |
| Windows Server 2000, 2003 and 2008 products. | | | | Many companies rely upon the 2003 Servers as their |
| Since organizations run on a variety of server | | | | core Information Technology infrastructure, and |
| formats, it's important that you get the broadest set | | | | Microsoft has developed a clear path from a 2003 to |
| of certification as possible, and should always check | | | | 2008 certification. Similar to the 2000 Server exam, a |
| with your current or prospective employer to ensure | | | | candidate for an MCSE on the 2003 Serve should |
| you are studying for the proper exam. As many IT | | | | have a year of network administration. The exam |
| departments are preparing to upgrade to the | | | | structure requires seven tests, but extends the core |
| forthcoming Windows Server 2008 technology, | | | | requirements to four network systems tests and |
| developing a complete MCSE study plan is important. | | | | only a single elective exams. The elective options |
| An ideal starting point is to earn your Sever 2000 | | | | cover a wide range of Microsoft products from SQL |
| certification first, which gives you a foundation to | | | | servers to Exchange Servers and Share Point, |
| then take the exams for future releases. In order to | | | | allowing you to focus your elective exam efforts on |
| earn your MCSE for Windows 2000, you need at | | | | your core skill set. |
| least one year of network administration, and then | | | | While previously you could follow a transition path |
| must pass seven exams. The first set of exams | | | | from Windows 2000 to 2003 certification, those |
| cover core materials on networking systems, | | | | certifications were retired in March. However, if you |
| followed by a core exam on client operating systems | | | | hold a 2003 certification, then you can take a single |
| and another on core design. To proceed in your | | | | upgrade exam to earn MCTS certification. |