Microsoft is yet again making important improvements to its IT training certification program. Whilst these changes are supposed to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are some disadvantages involved and whoever has or is looking at getting Microsoft training should be aware of how the program is evolving. It should also be noted that professionals who have already got Microsoft certifications must also be familiar with these new modifications, since they will have an impact upon a few Microsoft certificates.
What Modifications Will Be Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title and the MCTS title. Those titles are going to be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which had been the titles that Microsoft was formerly utilizing for the longest time.
Nonetheless, Microsoft does a lot more than merely changing the names around. Also, it is lowering its standing for the MCITP title, defining it as equivalent to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is commonly thought of as the top form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification a requirement for individuals who want to keep the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement which angered a lot of certificate holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, a lot of people are beginning to realize that ongoing, fast changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for a person to continue to hold to the same level of qualification without ongoing education. MCSE certifications must be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications will have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not appreciated by both certificate students or all those that were seeking to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of companies were and are still not technologically savvy and for that reason failed to comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This meant it was challenging for those who were looking for a job, because these individuals had to explain to possible employers just what the new forms of certification meant and why they were as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would be required to be periodically renewed. However, the company was vague regarding precisely what needed to be done to acquire certificate renewal as well as when the certificates would reach their expiration date. Naturally, this created a lot of uncertainty for people who were contemplating signing up for the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Current Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths provide special upgrade exams. These exams focus on assessing the knowledge of the student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The requirement of these upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Moreover, in case you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically obtain a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Benefits Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't crucial for an individual to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are numerous organisations that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if this person has experience and can prove that he or she is staying up to date with new developments related to his or her line of work.
Even so, in the future it would be necessary for people to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technology versions. Even though it may require some time and cash to acquire a new certification, it truly is worth the effort. Furthermore, the skills obtained under Microsoft's former program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new form of accreditation (by way of special upgrade examinations). The necessity to upgrade present certifications is set to become more urgent when organizations start using the more recent Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has worried some people that are contemplating taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken such a training course. Even though the changes are not small or light in nature, they will be generally speaking advantageous and in the long run will help to accurately represent just how much education and knowledge a person has in any given subject of IT. Anyone who is presently taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the new program and thus have nothing to worry about. Simultaneously, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now named legacy certification) are able to keep using their old certifications with no problems, whilst ultimately transitioning to a newer certification is unquestionably advisable.
What Modifications Will Be Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title and the MCTS title. Those titles are going to be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which had been the titles that Microsoft was formerly utilizing for the longest time.
Nonetheless, Microsoft does a lot more than merely changing the names around. Also, it is lowering its standing for the MCITP title, defining it as equivalent to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is commonly thought of as the top form of Microsoft certification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification a requirement for individuals who want to keep the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement which angered a lot of certificate holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, a lot of people are beginning to realize that ongoing, fast changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for a person to continue to hold to the same level of qualification without ongoing education. MCSE certifications must be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications will have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not appreciated by both certificate students or all those that were seeking to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of companies were and are still not technologically savvy and for that reason failed to comprehend the differences between Microsoft's new certifications types and the company's old ones. This meant it was challenging for those who were looking for a job, because these individuals had to explain to possible employers just what the new forms of certification meant and why they were as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not well received is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would be required to be periodically renewed. However, the company was vague regarding precisely what needed to be done to acquire certificate renewal as well as when the certificates would reach their expiration date. Naturally, this created a lot of uncertainty for people who were contemplating signing up for the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Current Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths provide special upgrade exams. These exams focus on assessing the knowledge of the student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The requirement of these upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Moreover, in case you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically obtain a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Benefits Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't crucial for an individual to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are numerous organisations that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if this person has experience and can prove that he or she is staying up to date with new developments related to his or her line of work.
Even so, in the future it would be necessary for people to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technology versions. Even though it may require some time and cash to acquire a new certification, it truly is worth the effort. Furthermore, the skills obtained under Microsoft's former program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new form of accreditation (by way of special upgrade examinations). The necessity to upgrade present certifications is set to become more urgent when organizations start using the more recent Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etc).
Microsoft's new certification system has worried some people that are contemplating taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken such a training course. Even though the changes are not small or light in nature, they will be generally speaking advantageous and in the long run will help to accurately represent just how much education and knowledge a person has in any given subject of IT. Anyone who is presently taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the new program and thus have nothing to worry about. Simultaneously, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now named legacy certification) are able to keep using their old certifications with no problems, whilst ultimately transitioning to a newer certification is unquestionably advisable.
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