I was once a network administrator for the US Army, but I didn't get ANY IT Certs like A+, N+, MCSE, MCSA, MCDST, MCP, etc....
I was on the microsoft website and the requirement for MCP is passing one EXAM, now I know 1 core exam for MCSE is 70-270 (windows xp related exam), does that make me a MCP on Windows XP or just an MCP period?
If I'm going get IT Certifications, I know that CompTIA Security+ counts as an elective on MCSE and A+ with N+ counts as 1 elective on MCSA along with completion of MCDST Cert = 1 elective credit on MCSA Cert....
So My question is, what Exams should I Take 1st? Below is what I'm considering...
Microsoft Certified Professional
1 of 7 exams
MCP on Windows XP (70-270) = $115 (counts for 1 core exam on MCSE and MCSA)
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Tech
2 Exams Required (70-271 & 70-272) = $230
NOTE: MCDST Exams DO NOT COUNT FOR MCSE EXAMS Counts for 1 Elective on MCSA
CompTIA
Security+ = $145
This satisfies MCSE both the MCSE elective requirement and an MCSE: Security specialization requirement.
A+ = $145
N+ = $145
Together A+/N+ count as 1 elective for MCSA on Windows 2000
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer on Windows 2000
7 Exams Required (5 Core, 2 Elective)
MCP Counts for 1 Core Exam
CompTIA Security+ counts as 1 Elective Exam
Exams Needed (4 Core, 1 Elective)
Total Cost = $575
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator on Windows 2000
4 Exams Required (3 Core, 1 Elective)
MCSE Cert Counts for 2 Core Exams (70-215, 70-270)
MCDST Counts for 1 Elective
Also A+/N+ Counts for 1 Elective
Exams Left = 70-218 (1 core) -- $115
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator for Windows 2003
1 Upgrade Exam Required = 70-292 ($115)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer for Windows 2003
2 Upgrade Exams Required = 70-292 and 70-296
70-292 taken on MCSA for Windows 2003
1 Exam Left 70-296 = $115
So.....When it says:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mc...quirements.asp
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) candidates are required to pass one current Microsoft certification exam that provides a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise (a current exam is any that has not been retired).
Do I just have to pass say exam 70-270, which counts as 1 Core Credit on MCSE and MCSA? I was told A+ and N+ are very BASIC Certifications and that it doesn't really mean alot now a days because if you go into CompUSA ALL of there Computer Techs (20+ in our local store) are A+ Certified!
help me I just want to know what Certifications I should get and in what order (a logical order) to minimize the # of exams I have to take....
~PCT