I selected the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certification track as my first goal. The MCDST qualifies as an elective for the MCSA certification which I am ultimately going for by the end of the year. The MCDST is an entry-level IT certification for the Windows XP operating system. To obtain the credential, you need to pass two of the following exams:

• Exam 70-271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System
• Exam 70-272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System

The exams are taken at a Microsoft designated test center operated by Prometric. The Microsoft exam fee costs exactly $125.00 USD but you can obtain discount vouchers or purchase the exam voucher at a discount price on eBay. I bought two on eBay and immediately registered for both MCDST exams. Please note that two different vouchers can not be applied together to register for an exam. I found out when I tried to combine both the Second-Chance voucher code with the exam voucher.

The study guides I bought and using is the Microsoft Self-Paced Training Kits for each exam. Members on different IT forum say that the exam is fairly easy compared to the other exams but since I lack the months of actual experience that they've acquired, I am relying on any study material I can find online and in the local libraries. Unfortunately study materials for the MCDST are rare in the libraries.