I recently wrote a blog entry on how I will pursue the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification by the end of the year. This is in addition to my other studies and work so doing my best to set aside an hour or two each day for studying and preparing for the computer-based tests.

Mid March 2008
It was early March when I was reading up on different certification tracks on the Microsoft webpage. I was finding out which IT certification was prominently known worldwide and whether my previous computer experience can guide me on the certification path. When I came to the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) homepage, I just found out that the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Masters certification did not certify me as a MCP. I then perused the MCP homepage to learn more on how to qualify oneself as a MCP and become a part in the IT industry.

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.

The first MCDST exam 070-271 (Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System) is scheduled in late April and I have gone through the entire Training Kit book. Lot of the materials on the book were familiar as I spent years using the Windows XP operating system and helped my colleagues on their troubleshooting. New materials that I need to go back to are:

• Supporting Security Settings and Local Security Policy
• Supporting NTFS Permissions
• Supporting and Troubleshooting Hard Disks
• Overview of TCP/IP
• Key Terms and Key Points
• Exam Tips

The computer-based tests are multiple choices and a few click-and-drag type of questions. The book contained two discs: a 120-day evaluation only Windows XP SP2 disc and the Microsoft Press Readiness Review Suite software. The Readiness Review Suite software is powered by MeasureUp and contains 146 practice exam questions to practice and review.

There are now a total of four exams scheduled until June 2008. The first two are the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician exams which are 070-271 and the 070-272 exam. Passing both exams grants the MCDST credential.

The two scheduled exams for May 2008 are 070-620 TS: Windows Vista, Configuring and the 070-290 Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment. The Windows Vista exam is a core client exam for the operating system and a core requirement for both the MCSE and the MCSA. I have three weeks gap between the two exams and I'm going to start studying for the 070-290 exam as soon as the study guides become available at the library. I've managed to reserve several study guides for the Vista and Server 2003 exam.

I read online that the Vista client exam is not as challenging as the other Microsoft exams so two weeks should be enough for the preparation. But the 070-290 exam will not be a walk in the park. Planning to spend everyday on all the study materials I can get my hands on: Microsoft Press Training Kit (ordered the MCSE Training Kit set), Sybex books, Measureup simulation software, and much more. Microsoft is offering a second-chance voucher to use during the exam registration which allows the candidate to get a second chance to pass the exam without paying for the retake. This offer expires on June 30, 2008 so I few weeks to master the material.


New Goal!
I'm going all out and aiming for the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) credential! As mentioned on the MCSA blog entry, the MCSE requires a total of seven exams and five (or six) of the exams have to do with the Microsoft Server 2003 operating system. This new endeavor is one of my goals to become an IT professional and who knows where this may lead me down the career path. After all, with both the MCSE and the MCSA along with other credentials, I can venture into a new industry if needed.

Hello there and thanks for reading my progress journal to become a MCSE. I passed the 70-271 'Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System' exam yesterday at a Prometric test center. The exam was not difficult but I did read each question twice carefully to analysis the information given and the question being asked. I can't give out too much details on the exam because of the Non-Disclosure agreement.

The materials I've used to pass the 70-271 exam was:

• MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit
• Microsoft Press Readiness Review Suite (included with the above textbook)
• Experience with Microsoft XP Professional
• Technet

The difficulty level of the exam didn't warrant a purchase of an exam simulation software like Self Test Software, Measureup, Boson, or Transcender. I did purchase the MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit book on Amazon.com because the libraries didn't carry it. The same book is now being shipped out to a MCDST candidate in the east coast.

The next exam 70-272 was scheduled for May 9th but I decided to reschedule it for tomorrow! My road to becoming a MCSA by the end of the year is not out of reach after all.


MCDST to MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician
Found a listing on eBay for a Prometric voucher to register for the upgrade exam and purchased it for more than 50% off the regular Microsoft exam fee. The upgrade exam path allows any MCDST to upgrade the credential to earn both the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Vista – Configuration and the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Support Technician certifications for Windows Vista. Yeah it is confusing with new additions of Microsoft exams and certifications after introducing the new lineup of their softwares.

The exam 70-621: PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support is scheduled for June 2008 because I want to have enough time to prepare for the 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment exam in the month of May. For your information, the 70-621 upgrade exam is not in the MCSA/MCSE curriculum. The 70-620 TS: Windows Vista, Configuring is a core client exam for both MCSA/MCSE and that exam will be scheduled in the same month as the 70-621. I'll bring you guys another upgrade next month.

The official Microsoft transcript has been updated and has assigned the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) credential to my MCP record. Now I am studying for the Windows Server 2003 exam and doing practically every hands-on practice to get up and ready for the 070-290 exam coming up at the end of this month.

This is a little off-topic story about a Microsoft MCSE candidate. During my first visit to take the Microsoft exam, I met an Asian man who had the same exam appointment but taking the 070-290 exam. I initiated a few questions to learn his background in IT and which exam he was taking. After listening to his replies, I was a little concerned for him even though he said he had years of experience.

• He knew about the Second-Chance Offer but he didn't apply for it (ummm..it takes no more than two minutes )
• He used the Microsoft Press Training-Kit but didn't know that a practice exam CD was enclosed in the back of the book
• Paid full exam fee (understandable )
• Did not know that the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and Vista exams came out few months ago
• Didn't seem to know much about what's going on with Microsoft (i.e. Microsoft Heroes nationwide event)

Early this month, I installed Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate on one of the PC and started learning the new OS from the ground up. The exam preparation materials are an excellent guide for both IT members and home users. I just bought a Prometric voucher for the 070-620 TS: Windows Vista, Configuring exam at half price and got it registered for mid-May. This exam is one of the core client exam for both the MCSE and MCSA.

The 070-620 'Windows Vista, Configuring' exam got done early this week and passed it. I still have not migrated my computers to Windows Vista and my experience with the operating system reflected in the exam score. But a pass is a pass and the score has been received by Microsoft. The transcript has been updated and I ordered all the welcoming kits and certificates yesterday.

I am going over the study materials for the 070-290 'Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment' exam approaching late May. I actually paid the full exam fee of $125 just so that I could register with the Second-Chance offer. Once this exam is done, only the 070-291 'Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure' remains before I earn the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) credential. Then I'll take a break before going back to study mode to finish the remaining MCSE course requirements.

Comptia A+
I decided to study and take the Comptia's A+ exams after going through the 070-290 and the 070-621 exams. The A+ certification was one of those things that I should have gotten done back in my freshman year. The exam vouchers are pretty expensive but better to get it done this year than to wait for another exam fee increase.

I'm scheduled to take the 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment exam tomorrow morning.

Spring is almost over and I asked myself why am I devoting so much time and energy studying for the Microsoft exams especially when the weather is so nice outside?! There is no rush in earning the MCSA credential and has never been my priority. I decided to finish tomorrow's exam and take a long break from the rest of the Microsoft exams (possibly stop at MCSA and not MCSE). I rather be investing my time in other endeavors until Fall.

Check out the blog page for other updates.