Microsoft Certification - Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Certification

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Certification

(Please note that this certification is part of a series launched by Microsoft primary for Information Technology professionals or as Microsoft classifies it – IT Professionals – for those who are Information Technology (IT) specialists in that this is there career (there are also additional certifications for Developers and Trainers). Please do also not that people whose careers lie in Computer Science, Software Engineering and Information Systems are also classified as IT Professionals in this manner.)

What is this Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification all about?

It tests the following skills; implementing infrastructure for Microsoft Windows 2000 Server–based and Windows Server–based business solutions, simplifying IT management, strengthening security, extending interoperability of systems and software.

What are the Pre-requisites of Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification?

As Microsoft puts it quite clearly, “One to two years of experience in designing, installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network systems”.
You should also have sufficient preparation for the exams.

Additionally depending upon the exam and location, several pre-requisites may be required. This certification is divided into two further sub-certifications. It is also essential that you check the exams carefully for any pre-requisites.

Why should I get certified? What benefits are there?

The quote below, taken from the Microsoft website should be more than enough.
"Forty-three percent of survey respondents report salary increases as a result of Microsoft Certification."
– Redmond magazine 2006 survey of Microsoft IT professional’s compensation

These certifications allow an IT professional to keep up with a dynamic marketplace and gain an ‘edge’ – which will at times be the only thing that will differentiate you from a number of candidates. It also provides you technical problem-solving skills and experience that is useful in real world problems one encounters in the workplace. Additionally, and as is the case in many jobs, Microsoft technologies are being used. And example is the usage of Microsoft SQL Server technologies that are used in databases. Having certification in this may be a requirement or an added advantage for you.  In terms of jobs, the above job roles and the individuals who would like to perform such jobs may be required to take this certification.

This also provides access to several online resources on the Microsoft website that are specifically for Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP’s) Individuals who are certified with the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) are generally capable of any job roles that are related to the Windows Server 2000 and 2003 suite of technologies and software developed by Microsoft.

How do I take MCSE the exams?

Exams are conducted by Prometric (www.prometric.com) and are conducted in various locations – and possibly online. However, you have to check the website since this depends on your location and time of registration.
 
How do I prepare for the exams?

There are several options in terms of preparing yourself. Please note that some such as the books and practice tests can be used together whereas the practice tests cannot be used alone to prepare yourself.  These are:

1. Practice tests: Provided by several websites, which are Microsoft Certified Practice Test Providers, these allow you to get a feel of your current level and in the case where you are pursuing independent study, these tests will prove useful. These cannot be used alone as preparation methods.
2. Instructor-led training in centers worldwide: various centers worldwide have Microsoft Certified Trainers who provide a superior learning experience by using in-depth knowledge that they possess as well as by using Microsoft Learning Products. However, please check that your trainer or training centre is certified by Microsoft or not before starting preparation. This is the recommended method.
3. E-Learning Self-paced training: another option provided by Microsoft; this allows those who use Microsoft technologies in the workplace and want to enhance their skills,. “Microsoft E-Learning self-paced training offers you the flexibility to learn at a time and place that is convenient for you” – ideal for those whose schedule cannot allow fixed classes. However please note that this is for those who have the ability to grasp concepts easily and have experience in independent study, in for example, university during the time when they were preparing for their degree.
4. Microsoft Official Distance Learning: Distance learning is a sort of system whereby the classroom is ‘virtualized’ – in essence you learn exactly as though you were in a classroom. This is also a recommended method since it is conducted by Microsoft Professionals and is also cost effective. Additionally, it can also fit into your busy schedule easily. It is also a combination, sort of, of the E-Learning Self Paced Training and Instructor led training – the best combination by far.
5. Microsoft Press books: Microsoft has published various books on nearly all of its certifications. Using these hand in hand with several other options and as a reference is suitable. Studying through these alone is not recommended – although it depends on the person.
6. Self-paced training kits: these are complete, DIY type, kits that combine a number of items that allow you to study independently. These have been developed by Microsoft specialists and are also a suitable mode of learning.  These kits include the following items (as per Microsoft’s website):

• A 15 percent exam discount voucher from Microsoft
• Official, self-paced study guide, including a fully searchable e-book version
• Practice tests with multiple, customizable testing options and a learning roadmap based on your results
• More than 200 practice and review questions
• Case scenarios, practice exercises, and best practices
• A 180-day evaluation version of the product that is covered by the kit

7. Microsoft online resources: Microsoft has included various resources on its own website that provide you with information, allow you to create your own study guides, interact with professionals and students alike and much more.

How am I certified?

Additionally, please note that this is a difficult certification – as seen from the aforementioned table – you are required to pass four exams and seven exams respectively. That is why having experience, as mentioned earlier, is essential.

An important point to be noted is that some of the required exams have been finished. Thus, if you didn’t give these exams before they finished, you can’t be certified. However, please do also note that there are several choices of exams as well.

MCSE on Windows Server 2003

The following exams are required in order for an individual to earn the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification:
Four exams on networking systems

• One exam on client operating systems
• One exam on design
• One elective exam
•  

Exams on networking systems: All required	Exam number
Managing and Maintaining a Woindows Server 2003 Environment	Exam 70-290
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure	Exam 70-291
Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure	Exam 70-293
Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure	Exam 70-294
Exams on client operating systems: Choose one	Exam number
TS: Windows 7, Configuring Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the client operating systems requirement—not both.	Exam 70-680
TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the client operating systems requirement—not both.	Exam 70-620
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional	Exam 70-270
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-210

Exams on design: Choose one	Exam number
Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the design requirement—not both.	Exam 70-297
Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the design requirement—not both.	Exam 70-298
Elective exam: Choose one	Exam number
Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-086
Planning, Deploying, and Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Note This exam can count toward both the MCSA and the MCSE elective exam requirements.	Exam 70-089
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. This exam can count toward both the MCSA elective requirement and an MCSA: Security Specialization requirement.	Exam 70-227
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. This exam can count toward both the MCSA and the MCSE elective exam requirements.	Exam 70-228
Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-229
TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server	Exam 70-235
TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuring	Exam 70-236
TS: Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 – Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting	Exam 70-262
Planning, Deploying, and Managing an Enterprise Project Management Solution	Exam 70-281
Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business	Exam 70-282
Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Note This exam can count toward both the MCSA elective requirement and an MCSA: Messaging Specialization requirement.	Exam 70-284
Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization	Exam 70-285
Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Note You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-297
Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network Note You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-298
Implementing and Administering Security in a Windows Server 2003 Network	Exam 70-299
Managing, Organizing, and Delivering IT Projects by Using Microsoft Solutions Framework 3.0 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-301
Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 Note This exam can count toward both the MCSA elective requirement and an MCSA: Security Specialization requirement.	Exam 70-350
TS: Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, Configuring	Exam 70-351
TS: Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007, Configuring	Exam 70-400
TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring	Exam 70-401
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance	Exam 70-431
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence – Implementation and Maintenance	Exam 70-445
TS: Microsoft Windows Mobile Designing, Implementing, and Managing	Exam 70-500
TS: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuration	Exam 70-557
TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client Note You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the client operating systems requirement.	Exam 70-620
TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops	Exam 70-624
TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring	Exam 70-630
TS: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring	Exam 70-631
TS: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Configuring	Exam 70-638
TS: Windows 7, Configuring Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the client operating systems requirement—not both.	Exam 70-680
MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server	MCSA
MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server	See requirements in the next section
MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Note This certification is discontinued, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Discontinued
Specific third-party (CompTIA) certifications	CompTIA

If you have the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification, you can upgrade to the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) on Windows Server 2008 certifications.

MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

The MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server certification is for IT professionals who work in “typically complex computing environments of medium-sized and large organizations.”
To earn the certification, you must pass seven exams:

• Three exams on networking systems
• One exam on client operating systems
• One exam on design
• Two elective exams

Exams on networking systems: All required	Exam number
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-215
Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-216
Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-217
Exams on client operating systems: Choose one	Exam number
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-210
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional	Exam 70-270
TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the client operating systems requirement—not both.	Exam 70-620

Exams on design: Choose one	Exam number
Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the design requirement—not both.	Exam 70-219
Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the design requirement—not both.	Exam 70-220
Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the design requirement—not both.	Exam 70-221
Designing Highly Available Web Solutions with Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Technologies Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the design requirement—not both.	Exam 70-226
Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the design requirement—not both.	Exam 70-297
Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the design requirement—not both.	Exam 70-298
Elective exams: Choose two	Exam number
Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-086
Planning, Deploying, and Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003	Exam 70-089
Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-214
Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-218
Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-219
Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-220
Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-221
Migrating from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows 2000 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-222
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Clustering Services by Using Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-223
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-224
Designing and Deploying a Messaging Infrastructure with Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-225
Designing Highly Available Web Solutions with Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Technologies Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-226
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-227
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-228
Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-229
Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-230
Implementing and Maintaining Highly Available Web Solutions with Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Technologies and Microsoft Application Center 2000 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-232
Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-234
Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server	Exam 70-235
TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuring	Exam 70-236
Supporting and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Network Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-244
TS: Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 – Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting	Exam 70-262
Planning, Deploying, and Managing an Enterprise Project Management Solution	Exam 70-281
Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business	Exam 70-282
Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003	Exam 70-284
Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization	Exam 70-285
Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Note You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-297
Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network Note You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-298
Implementing and Administering Security in a Windows Server 2003 Network	Exam 70-299
Managing, Organizing, and Delivering IT Projects by Using Microsoft Solutions Framework 3.0 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.	Exam 70-301
Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004	Exam 70-350
TS: Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, Configuring	Exam 70-351
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance	Exam 70-431
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence – Implementation and Maintenance	Exam 70-445
TS: Microsoft Windows Mobile Designing, Implementing, and Managing	Exam 70-500
TS: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuration	Exam 70-557
TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client Note You can only choose this elective if you did not choose it to satisfy the design requirement.	Exam 70-620
TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops	Exam 70-624
TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring	Exam 70-630
TS: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring	Exam 70-631
TS: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Configuring	Exam 70-638
Specific third-party (CompTIA) certifications	CompTIA

 

Link to Official Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Website

 

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcse.aspx

 

 




---

Related Articles





Useful & Related Links







 


Bookmark useful topics to different sites by choosing them from this button