| Requirements of Becoming MCSE Certified | | | | active directory. The other choice is exam 70-298, |
| The MCSE certification is one of the most popular | | | | where students work more with designing security |
| certifications in the IT industry. Through this | | | | for the Windows server 2003 network. |
| certification, IT professionals gain the ability to work | | | | Once the core exams are mastered, Microsoft |
| proficiently with Microsoft Windows platforms and | | | | requires one elective course. There are 17 different |
| carefully configure, install, and maintain Microsoft | | | | elective courses offered by Microsoft which can be |
| operating systems. It is an accomplishment that is | | | | selected; however it is only necessary to pass one. |
| recognized throughout the IT industry. | | | | Microsoft reports that MCSE electives can also be |
| In order to earn this certification, candidates are | | | | substituted by other Microsoft certifications, such as |
| required to pass seven tests, or in other words gain | | | | MCSA 2000 or MCSE 2000. There are also some third |
| seven different titles. There are four titles which deal | | | | party certifications which can serve this same |
| specifically with networking; such exams are 70-290, | | | | purpose; however if this is something you are |
| 70-291, 70-293, and 70-294. Through these exams IT | | | | considering, follow up with the Microsoft website to |
| professionals and MCSE students will be gain | | | | double check. |
| specialized training working with the Windows 2003 | | | | Earning the MCSE certification will require a lot of |
| Server infrastructure. | | | | work; however the benefits will be felt throughout |
| The next portion of the core exams required deal | | | | your career as an IT professional. There are many |
| specifically with operating systems. Microsoft offers a | | | | different routes one can take in preparing for the |
| few different options to students to choose from; | | | | MCSE certification, for example candidates can |
| however only one is required. Tests 70-270 or 70-210 | | | | choose to attend boot camps, distance learning |
| both deal with installing, configuring, and administering | | | | programs, or take a self-paced training program. If |
| Microsoft operating systems; however 270 deals | | | | the MCSE certification is something which interests |
| specifically with XP, while 210 works with Windows | | | | you and your career, TestOut has created a MCSE |
| 2000. | | | | certification course to better prepare students |
| The last portion of the core examinations focuses | | | | through the use of multimedia technology and |
| around design. Again, Microsoft offers two different | | | | simulations. Become MCSA, A+, Server+, or CCNA |
| options for students to choose from, but only one is | | | | certified and improve your career. Mike Allen writes |
| required. The first is exam 70-297, which teaches | | | | about technical training for IT certifications. |
| students to design a Microsoft Windows server 2003 | | | | Sources: Microsoft. |