Microsoft is once more making significant improvements to its IT training certification program. Although these changes ought to make the Microsoft certification program much easier to use, there are drawbacks involved and anyone who has or is thinking of getting Microsoft training will want to be aware of just how the program is changing. It should also be pointed out that professionals who already have Microsoft certifications also need to be aware of these new improvements, because they do have an impact upon a few Microsoft certificates.
Just what Improvements Are Being Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title plus the MCTS title. Those certifications will be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft was formerly using for the longest time period.
However, Microsoft does much more than just changing the names around. It's also lowering its rating for the MCITP title, rendering it comparable to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is commonly viewed as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification required for people who wish to retain the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement that angered many certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to realize that continuous, rapid changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for someone to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no ongoing 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 Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not well accepted by both certificate trainees or those who were looking to hire graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of companies were and are still not technically savvy and therefore did not 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, as these individuals needed to explain to possible employers precisely what the new forms of certification meant and why they were as valid as the old ones.
One more reason why the initial program change was not well accepted is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would need to be periodically renewed. However, the company was unclear regarding precisely what needed to be done to get hold of certificate renewal and even when the certificates would reach their expiration date. As you can imagine, this created a great deal of uncertainty for those who were contemplating signing up for the Microsoft training program.
Tips On How To Upgrade Existing Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths offer special upgrade exams. These examinations focus on assessing the know-how of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The precondition for these upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Besides, in the event you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Benefits Associated with Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't essential for someone to immediately upgrade his or her certification. There are numerous employers who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if this individual has experience and can show that he or she is staying abreast of new developments related to his or her type of work.
Having said that, down the road it will be beneficial for an individual to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Even though it might require some time and funds to obtain a new certification, it truly is well worth the effort. Besides, the skills acquired under Microsoft's former program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new type of official certifications (by means of special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade present certifications will become more urgent when businesses start using the newer Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 and so on).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some individuals who are contemplating taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken such a study course. Even though the changes are not small or light in nature, they will be generally beneficial and in the long run will help to accurately represent the amount of education and knowledge one has in any given field of IT. Any person who is at present taking a Microsoft course for one of the more recent technologies will already be using the new program and thus have nothing to worry about. At the same time, individuals who have old(er) certificates (or what is now known as legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications without any problems, whilst ultimately transitioning to a current certification is definitely advisable.
Just what Improvements Are Being Made?
Microsoft will be phasing out both the MCITP title plus the MCTS title. Those certifications will be replaced by the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft was formerly using for the longest time period.
However, Microsoft does much more than just changing the names around. It's also lowering its rating for the MCITP title, rendering it comparable to the MCSA title and not to the MCSE title, which is commonly viewed as the top form of Microsoft qualification.
Microsoft is once more making re-certification required for people who wish to retain the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement that angered many certification holders when Microsoft initially attempted to introduce it, increasing numbers of people are beginning to realize that continuous, rapid changes in the computer world make it extremely hard for someone to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no ongoing 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 Modifications?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not well accepted by both certificate trainees or those who were looking to hire graduate students from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of companies were and are still not technically savvy and therefore did not 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, as these individuals needed to explain to possible employers precisely what the new forms of certification meant and why they were as valid as the old ones.
One more reason why the initial program change was not well accepted is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would need to be periodically renewed. However, the company was unclear regarding precisely what needed to be done to get hold of certificate renewal and even when the certificates would reach their expiration date. As you can imagine, this created a great deal of uncertainty for those who were contemplating signing up for the Microsoft training program.
Tips On How To Upgrade Existing Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths offer special upgrade exams. These examinations focus on assessing the know-how of a student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The precondition for these upgrade examinations is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Besides, in the event you presently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically be given a corresponding MCSA certification.
Are There Any Benefits Associated with Upgrading a Microsoft Certification?
Given that Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't essential for someone to immediately upgrade his or her certification. There are numerous employers who are more than happy to hire a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if this individual has experience and can show that he or she is staying abreast of new developments related to his or her type of work.
Having said that, down the road it will be beneficial for an individual to have new upgraded certifications that reflect Microsoft's new standards and technologies. Even though it might require some time and funds to obtain a new certification, it truly is well worth the effort. Besides, the skills acquired under Microsoft's former program do count for something and can be put towards the learning requirements for the new type of official certifications (by means of special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade present certifications will become more urgent when businesses start using the newer Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 and so on).
Microsoft's new certification system has alarmed some individuals who are contemplating taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken such a study course. Even though the changes are not small or light in nature, they will be generally beneficial and in the long run will help to accurately represent the amount of education and knowledge one has in any given field of IT. Any person who is at present taking a Microsoft course for one of the more recent technologies will already be using the new program and thus have nothing to worry about. At the same time, individuals who have old(er) certificates (or what is now known as legacy certification) are able to keep employing their old certifications without any problems, whilst ultimately transitioning to a current certification is definitely advisable.
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