Microsoft is once more making major modifications to its IT training certification program. Whilst these changes ought to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are a few drawbacks involved and whoever has or is thinking about getting Microsoft training ought to pay attention to just how the program is changing. It should also be known that those who already have Microsoft certifications also need to be knowledgeable of these new improvements, as they will have an impact upon a few Microsoft certificates.
What Improvements Are Being Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title as well as the MCTS title. Those titles are going to be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which had been the titles that Microsoft was actually using for the longest time period.
However, Microsoft is doing much more than only changing the names around. It is also lowering its ranking for the MCITP title, rendering it equal to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is widely looked upon as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification required for those who want to keep the new MCSE or MCSD title. While this is a requirement that angered lots of certificate holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, a lot of people are beginning to realize that continuous, fast changes in the computer world make it impossible for a person to continue to hold to the same level of certification without on-going training. MCSE certifications will have to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Changes?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles weren't well received by both certificate students or those who were seeking to hire graduates from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of organisations were and are still not technically 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 difficult for those who were searching for a job, because these individuals needed to explain to potential employers just what the new forms of certification meant and why they were just as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would have to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding precisely what would have to be accomplished to get hold of certificate renewal as well as when the certificates would expire. Not surprisingly, this created a large amount 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 tracks provide special upgrade exams. These exams concentrate on testing the know-how of the student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology edition. The precondition for these upgrade exams 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 can expect to automatically obtain a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Due to the fact Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not imperative for anyone to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are many companies that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if he or she has experience and can prove that he or she is staying up to date with new developments related to his or her type of work.
Having said that, sometime soon it becomes beneficial for an individual to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technology versions. While it may require some time and funds to secure a new certification, it is worth the effort. Besides, the skills obtained under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new kind of official certifications (via special upgrade examinations). The necessity to upgrade existing certifications will get more urgent when organizations begin to use the more recent Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etcetera).
Microsoft's new certification program has worried some individuals who have been thinking of taking a Microsoft training course or have by now taken this kind of study course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly reflect exactly how much training and expertise an individual has in any given subject of IT. Anyone who is at this time taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the brand new program and so have absolutely nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, individuals who have old(er) certificates (or what is now named legacy certification) are able to keep utilizing their old certifications with no problems, although at some point transitioning to a newer certification is certainly recommended.
What Improvements Are Being Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title as well as the MCTS title. Those titles are going to be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which had been the titles that Microsoft was actually using for the longest time period.
However, Microsoft is doing much more than only changing the names around. It is also lowering its ranking for the MCITP title, rendering it equal to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is widely looked upon as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification required for those who want to keep the new MCSE or MCSD title. While this is a requirement that angered lots of certificate holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, a lot of people are beginning to realize that continuous, fast changes in the computer world make it impossible for a person to continue to hold to the same level of certification without on-going training. MCSE certifications will have to be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Changes?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles weren't well received by both certificate students or those who were seeking to hire graduates from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of organisations were and are still not technically 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 difficult for those who were searching for a job, because these individuals needed to explain to potential employers just what the new forms of certification meant and why they were just as appropriate as the old ones.
One other reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft said that the new certificates would have to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding precisely what would have to be accomplished to get hold of certificate renewal as well as when the certificates would expire. Not surprisingly, this created a large amount 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 tracks provide special upgrade exams. These exams concentrate on testing the know-how of the student on the new and changed functionalities of a new technology edition. The precondition for these upgrade exams 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 can expect to automatically obtain a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Advantages Involved in Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Due to the fact Microsoft has just recently changed the certification rules, it is not imperative for anyone to instantly upgrade his or her certification. There are many companies that are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, particularly if he or she has experience and can prove that he or she is staying up to date with new developments related to his or her type of work.
Having said that, sometime soon it becomes beneficial for an individual to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technology versions. While it may require some time and funds to secure a new certification, it is worth the effort. Besides, the skills obtained under Microsoft's past program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new kind of official certifications (via special upgrade examinations). The necessity to upgrade existing certifications will get more urgent when organizations begin to use the more recent Microsoft technology versions (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etcetera).
Microsoft's new certification program has worried some individuals who have been thinking of taking a Microsoft training course or have by now taken this kind of study course. Although the changes are not small or light in nature, they really are generally advantageous and in the long run will help to correctly reflect exactly how much training and expertise an individual has in any given subject of IT. Anyone who is at this time taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technologies will already be using the brand new program and so have absolutely nothing to be concerned about. At the same time, individuals who have old(er) certificates (or what is now named legacy certification) are able to keep utilizing their old certifications with no problems, although at some point transitioning to a newer certification is certainly recommended.
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