MCSE for Windows NT 4.0

Becoming a Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) has its advantages: Youwill increase your marketability, which can advance your career, and you canreap financial rewards, because employers will generally pay more for yourexpertise. According to Microsoft, the world recognizes that with your MCSE, youhave the knowledge and skills to effectively work with Windows NT andBackOffice. With these benefits in mind, let's examine the MCSE process.

After the release of NT 4.0, Microsoft modified the MCSE training path. Themost important change was the division of the Server exam into two separateexams. One exam focuses on NT Server in a single-domain environment; the otherconcentrates on NT Server in an enterprise environment.

To help you understand the certification path for NT 4.0 MCSE status,Microsoft provides a course list at the Microsoft Training & CertificationWeb site, http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert. This path contains four groupsthat are generally referred to as core requirements. To become MCSE certified,candidates must pass six exams: one exam from each core requirement group andtwo elective exams.

Out with the Old
Of course, the certification path changes as network software productschange, but the NT 4.0 certification requirements remain similar to therequirements for NT 3.51. Microsoft is in the process of revamping its coursenumbering system to avoid confusion that can result from the release of newcourses (associated with the release of new software products or new versions ofexisting software products). Microsoft provides up-to-date information on itsWeb site and recommends that candidates refer to the Microsoft Training &Certification site for the most recent information about certification.

The length of the certification process depends on several factors,including your knowledge base and how much time you can devote to study. Theaverage time to become an MCSE is about six months (one exam each month).

When you are choosing which exams to prepare for, be aware that the clockis ticking. Microsoft occasionally retires exams, which means that the exam nolonger qualifies for MCSE certification. If you're an MCSE candidate, Microsoftwill notify you that it plans to retire an exam, and you will have six months topass either the required exam or an applicable alternative exam. Microsoftretired the exams for NT 3.1, and although the exams associated with Windows3.1, Windows 3.11, and DOS still qualify for MCSE certification, Microsoft willalso eventually retire these exams. Because of the time limit, I recommend thatyou not use these courses for certification.

As I mentioned, MCSE certification requires that you successfully pass sixcertification exams. An independent organization, Sylvan Prometric, administersthe certification exams at Authorized Prometric Testing Centers. A passing scoreon an exam within group 1 or 2 results in qualification for Microsoft CertifiedProduct Specialist status (MCPS), which is a first-level certification for aMicrosoft Certified Professional (MCP--an MCSE also has MCPS and MCP status). Ifyou are an MCP, Microsoft identifies and promotes you as an expert who knows howto design, implement, and support solutions with Microsoft products.

NT 4.0 Certification Path
Microsoft's Training & Certification Web site lists the exams that youneed to pass for the NT 4.0 certification track. Clicking an exam name takes youto a site that gives you more information about how to prepare for the exam.Resources include

*the exam preparation guide, which provides information to help you preparefor the test, and a list of the topics you'll be tested on

*the exam study guide, which explains the origin of the exam, the types ofitems on the exam, and how the exam is scored

*the Microsoft official curriculum, which lists the courses Microsoftproduct groups designed to support the certification exam process and includesstudy guides and assessment exams

Candidates must also pass two elective exams to fulfill MCSE certificationrequirements. Table 1 lists these electives. Deciding which electives to take tosatisfy MCSE requirements depends on your goals. For example, if your career isInternet-related, you will want to focus on passing the exam "Creating andConfiguring a Web Server." If your career centers on database concepts, youwill consider exams that relate to SQL Server. You need to review all availableresources to make an informed decision about which electives are best for yourcareer. You can find valuable information in resources such as MicrosoftCertified Professional Magazine (http://www.mcpmag.com), Microsoft'sRoadmap to Education and Certification, and a variety of online sourcesincluding Microsoft's Web site and Beverly Hills Software (http://www.bhs.com).

MCSE Training Centers
Once you have decided which exams you want to prepare for, instead ofself-study, consider training classes at an education center. Microsoft has avested interest in providing qualified individuals who are properly educated andtrained in the installation and administration of its network operating system.The reason is obvious: In situations where poorly trained systems administratorscontrol network operations, the perceived quality of NT can suffer.

To help systems administrators better understand Microsoft's networkoperating systems, Microsoft has established a network of Authorized TechnicalEducation Centers (ATECs). Additionally, Microsoft has developedrelationships with traditional educational institutions (i.e., universities andcolleges) under its Authorized Academic Training Program (AATP), for deliveringits official curriculum to registered academic certification candidates.Microsoft maintains stringent standards to ensure a quality education. You needto find out whether the training institution is an ATEC or AATP.

As a second step, visit the training center. Visiting before making atraining decision is important for a number of reasons. First, it gives you anopportunity to view the classrooms. Make sure you're comfortable with theclassroom size and the number of students. Second, visiting gives you the chanceto see the students and a trainer in action. During class breaks, ask studentshow they like the facility and their instructor. Also, check the equipment inthe classroom. Make sure the computers are relatively new and have enough memoryfor MCSE courses.

Remember, the goal of training is two-fold: to obtain a quality educationthat will let you better perform the job functions of a Microsoft networksystems engineer and to pass the requisite six exams and obtain MCSE status.Selecting the right training center can go a long way toward meeting your MCSEgoal.

Staying on Track
When you reach the end of the path and become an MCSE, the journey's notover. You must keep your expertise current to maintain your certification. WhenMicrosoft retires an exam, you will be decertified unless you pass the requiredcurrent exam (or an applicable alternative) within a specified time (a minimumof six months).

The benefits to MCSE training can include better job opportunities and abetter salary. If your job involves working with NT and BackOffice, you mightwant to start your trek down the certification path.

MCSE Training Centers
Once you have decided which exams you want to prepare for, instead ofself-study, consider training classes at an education center. Microsoft has a vested interest in providing qualified individuals who are properly educated and trained in the installation and administration of its network operating system. The reason is obvious: In situations where poorly trained systems administrators control network operations, the perceived quality of NT can suffer.

To help systems administrators better understand Microsoft's networkoperating systems, Microsoft has established a network of Authorized Technical Education Centers (ATECs). Additionally, Microsoft has developedrelationships with traditional educational institutions (i.e., universities and colleges) under its Authorized Academic Training Program (AATP), for delivering its official curriculum to registered academic certification candidates. Microsoft maintains stringent standards to ensure a quality education. You need to find out whether the training institution is an ATEC or AATP.

As a second step, visit the training center. Visiting before making atraining decision is important for a number of reasons. First, it gives you anopportunity to view the classrooms. Make sure you're comfortable with theclassroom size and the number of students. Second, visiting gives you the chanceto see the students and a trainer in action. During class breaks, ask studentshow they like the facility and their instructor. Also, check the equipment inthe classroom. Make sure the computers are relatively new and have enough memoryfor MCSE courses.

Remember, the goal of training is two-fold: to obtain a quality educationthat will let you better perform the job functions of a Microsoft networksystems engineer and to pass the requisite six exams and obtain MCSE status.Selecting the right training center can go a long way toward meeting your MCSEgoal.

Staying on Track
When you reach the end of the path and become an MCSE, the journey's notover. You must keep your expertise current to maintain your certification. WhenMicrosoft retires an exam, you will be decertified unless you pass the requiredcurrent exam (or an applicable alternative) within a specified time (a minimumof six months).

The benefits to MCSE training can include better job opportunities and abetter salary. If your job involves working with NT and BackOffice, you mightwant to start your trek down the certification path.

Navigating the certification path