Mcsa Exams

[Carmen Kalua]

Microsoftis present in nearly every work environment. Windows is the most popular operating system in the world. Microsoft Server is the industry standard. Azure cloud services power an ever-increasing number of business processes. (That's probably why Microsoft Azure certifications are in high demand right now.)

Most IT professionals will manage and configure at least one Microsoft product in their career. Many IT professionals build entire careers installing, configuring, managing, and eventually designing Microsoft products and systems.

Microsoft certifications are essential for IT professionals to learn the products and validate their knowledge. In most cases, employers are either seeking certified IT professionals or willing to train their technical staff to earn the right certifications.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) was a certification designed by Microsoft to test and validate the product knowledge and technical skills of entry-level IT professionals. The MCSA validated the knowledge and skills someone would acquire in their first year of work experience.

MCSA certification showed applicants had the experience required in a consistent, industry-approved way. Conversely, employers could hire a Microsoft-certified IT professional with confidence that they have the appropriate level of knowledge to manage their Microsoft products.

The MCSA was the second level of Microsoft certification. Microsoft certifications were previously laid out as a pyramid, with each level of certification leading learners to higher, more specialized, complex certifications.

At the base of the Microsoft pyramid, IT professionals develop the foundation of knowledge with the MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate). The MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer) was an entry-level track similar to the MCSA, except for Microsoft developers.

Finally, the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) represented the highest level of certification offered by Microsoft and provides learners with the opportunity to develop specializations related to MCSA-level content.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE) were the entry- and expert-level certification tracks, respectively. Not only did they have separate requirements and validate different skills, but the two exams also prepared learners for different IT career roles.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) was an entry-level Microsoft certification that validated the knowledge and skills an entry-level IT professional will learn in the first year of working with a Microsoft product. That's why Microsoft recommended test takers have at least one year of experience working in a Microsoft environment.

Though recommended, Microsoft does not verify work experience in the exam process. To earn the MCSA, IT professionals typically need to pass three exams. Certification at the associate level prepares IT professionals for jobs like system or network administrator, desktop support specialist, or other support roles. The MCSA certification was also a prerequisite for the MCSE.

MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) was an expert-level Microsoft certification. While the MCSA was a three-exam series, the MCSE only required passing one exam. However, MCSE validated a higher level of expertise than MCSA.

While you only needed an additional exam to earn the MCSE, the subject matter was more difficult and technically in-depth than the MCSA. The MCSE typically qualified the recipient for management roles like IT manager or senior technical roles.

Until 2017, the biggest difference between the MCSA and MCSE was the recertification process. Before 2017, MCSE certifications expired every three years. But that's no longer the case. Just like MCSA certifications, MCSEs are valid for two years after the exam is retired.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifications are vastly different, but many IT professionals obtain both. While there's some overlap in some Microsoft networking certifications, CCNA validates knowledge about different product types and prepares test takers for different IT roles.

The biggest difference between CCNA and MCSA is the companies' respective approaches to certifications. Microsoft certifications are largely product-based. For instance, the MCSA library comprises dozens of certifications that validate knowledge about Microsoft products, including Windows, Server, SQL Server, Dynamics, and Office.

Cisco has a robust certification program that's more role-centric. Their certification exams cover topics like routing and switching, security, collaboration, and wireless. Cisco certifications also test product knowledge, but typically within the context of a network.

One similarity between the MCSA and CCNA certifications is that they are both entry-level certifications. System and network administrators are typically responsible for managing both Cisco and Microsoft products. For that reason, it's not uncommon for IT professionals to earn both the MCSA and CCNA certifications relevant to their job roles.

So, instead of taking one entry-level exam, you'd select the role you're in (or looking to move to) and take courses in that field. You can explore the different certifications by role on the Microsoft Learn website.

Microsoft exams have a reputation for being challenging, and it's not uncommon for learners to take an exam more than once. Microsoft is aware that their exams are difficult. Most years, it offers an Exam Replay, allowing an exam retake at a fraction of the original cost. Because Exam Replay availability varies by exam, test takers should regularly check their availability for certain exams.

MCSA certifications do not expire or require recertification/renewal, even though the exams have been retired. MCSA holders can find all their certifications listed on their official Microsoft Certified Professional Transcript classified as "Active" or "Legacy."

Information technology has a diverse set of job roles and titles. With more than a dozen MCSA certifications that span the entire universe of Microsoft products, IT professionals who earn these certs can expect disparate and varying salary ranges.

While certifications are valuable on their own, they are even more valuable combined with commensurate experience, education, and complementary technical skills. It's also important to note that salary ranges vary greatly among industry and geography.

Microsoft has revamped its certification process in recent years. While the MCSA is no longer offered, Microsoft does offer a range of certifications based on specific IT roles. These certifications can help you expand your income, learn new skills, and expand your career opportunities.

CBT Nuggets offers several training courses for the current Microsoft certifications. Whether you're just getting started in your IT career or looking to expand your career in a new direction, our online training prepares you to take on the current certifications. Explore CBT Nuggets Microsoft training to learn more.

If you currently hold a MCSA, MCSD, or MCSE certification, why not update your profile with one of our new role-based certifications that may be relevant to you. Check out our recommended role-based certifications:

A: Yes, you can continue earning the MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE certifications as long as the required exams are still available. As we retire the exams that are part of those certification paths, you will no longer be able to earn those certifications.

A: Before the exams expire, you must pass all required exams which are a part of the MCSA, MCSD, or MCSE certification(s) that you are trying to achieve. If you pass the required exams before they expire, you will earn the certification and it will appear on your certification transcript.

Q. If Microsoft is focused on role-based certifications, what will happen to Windows Server and SQL Server certifications? Will there be Windows Server 2019 and SQL Server 2019 certifications available?

A: No, there will not be Windows Server 2019 and SQL Server 2019 certifications. Windows Server 2019 and SQL Server 2019 content will be included in role-based certifications on an as-needed basis for certain job roles in the Azure Apps & Infrastructure and Data & AI solution areas.

A: If you passed a qualifying exam prior to its retirement, it will still count toward competency attainment for 12 months after the exam is retired. If you have not passed the required exams, please see this overview document for the full list of retiring and new exams and certifications required for competency attainment and renewal. The new exams and certifications will be available in Partner Center in March 2020.

Q. Does having the MCSE Productivity Solutions Expert certification still meet pre-requisite requirements for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert role-based certification?

A: The MCSE Productivity Solutions Expert certification will meet one of the pre-requisite requirement options for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert until June 30, 2021.

You have the option to take Microsoft certification exams in person at a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center or online in the comfort and privacy of your home with OnVUE. Questions about the online exam experience? Watch the short videos below to ensure you are prepared and know what to expect.

Scheduling a Microsoft certification exam with Pearson VUE starts by creating a free Microsoft Certification profile. Before beginning, be aware that the name on your profile must exactly match the name that appears on the government-issued ID you will present to enter the exam.

If you do not have an ID that meets the requirements of the ID policy and would like to request an exception, or if you are testing outside your country of residence, please contact Pearson VUE support. Any exceptions to the ID or out-of-country testing policy must be pre-approved by the Pearson VUE customer service center at least three business days before the scheduled exam appointment.

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