For IT pros who already hold Microsoft certifications
on Windows Server 2008 or various related platforms, there’s a
single-exam upgrade path to the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions
Associate): Windows Server 2012.
Because this credential is a key stepping stone to the new MCSE
credentials for Windows Server and Desktop Infrastructures, and Private
Cloud, this shortcut may prove valuable to interested (and qualified) IT
professionals.
On September 17, 2012, the MCSA: Windows Server 2012
credential went live. Ordinarily, candidates for this new Microsoft
credential must take and pass three Windows 2012 exams – namely:
- Exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
- Exam 70-411: Administering Windows Server 2012
- Exam 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services
At $150 a pop in the USA (and similar prices elsewhere, either in US
dollars or local currency), plus the cost of prep materials – usually
including a full-length study guide, an Exam Cram, and one or
more practice tests – total outlays for this cert can easily top $900,
not including time spent studying and travel costs to/from a local or
accessible Prometric testing center. That’s a fair amount of time and
money to climb the first rung on the new and re-minted Microsoft
certification ladder.
But for IT pros who already hold certain credentials, there’s a quicker and easier way to earn the MSCA: Windows Server 2012. Individuals who hold one or more of the following credentials need only to take Exam 70-417: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012 to earn this credential:
- MCSA: Windows Server 2008
- MCITP: Virtualization Administrator
- MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator
- MCITP: Lync Server Administrator
- MCITP: SharePoint Administrator
- MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator
With all of the aforementioned MCITP credentials scheduled for
retirement on July 31, 2013, I’m guessing that the MCSA: Windows Server
2008 won’t be too far behind. Thus, this upgrade path makes great
financial and technical sense for those seeking to extend their skills
and knowledge, and extract as much value as they can from their current
MS certifications.
If you qualify for this upgrade, it makes too much sense not to take advantage of it – and if you do, be sure to follow the Second Shot instructions
when you call Prometric to register for your exam or visit the Web site
to purchase an exam voucher. That way, if you don’t pass the exam on
your first try, you’ll be able to re-take that exam at no additional
charge, as long as you do so before May 31, 2013 (or December 31, 2013
if you go whole hog and sign up for a follow-on MCSE “certification exam
pack”).
This is too good a deal to pass up, so if you qualify be sure to sign up for the exam as
soon as you can. Normally, MS upgrade exam coverage only lasts for
about a year after a product becomes generally available. Because
Windows Server 2012 hit GA status on September 4, 2012, the clock’s
already ticking on this one-exam upgrade to MCSA: Windows Server 2012.
