Microsoft Certification's

[Windows Sniper]

Main Question, Are they Worth it?

At the moment i can purchase Individual Tests for £30 But are they really worth it?

 

[Devux]

Really depends on what you're doing for work, if you're looking for a new job, etc. A lot of time if you have years of experience, certs are a bonus. If you're young and without a ton of experience (like me), certs may be the only way that employers will take you seriously.

 

[Windows Sniper]

Haha im 18, And Starting work with a Networking Company Next Week since i impressed them with my trial period ...

Just Wondering if the MSC's are worth much if anything.

 

[Devux]

Oh yeah, certifications are always good when you're just starting in the IT world. I would start with A+ and Network+ certifications before you do Microsoft or Cisco though. Microsoft ones are rough. You can usually find practice questions online, Microsoft might even have a practice test on the website somewhere.

 

[Windows Sniper]

Alright so things like the CompIT A+ ?

 

[Devux]

Yeah start with CompTIA A+ certification. Believe me it is way easier now then when I took it. When I took it you had to know DOS and 9X. I think it is just XP up now, plus hardware questions.
Sample Questions
Here's a link to their practice questions for A+ certification. Just remember you have to renew every few years now, not like back in the day when it was good for life.

 

[Windows Sniper]

Thanks Devux

Im just looking for Something to Work for Whilst Working, so i can still learn and Get Certs When i start this new Job

 

[Devux]

Not a problem. I feel ya'. Have to keep learning, and ~try~ to keep up with technology, otherwise you get left behind. If your new job is cool they may even pay for your certification exam expenses. Companies love to see that you wanna keep learning.

 

[Windows Sniper]

Thats the Thing they Gave me the Learning Materials for Windows 7 Exam and The WIndows server 2008 R2 Exam

SO thats what i think they want me to learn, and they aint exactly cheap books

 

[Devux]

Wow! That's awesome, yeah if they are willing to give you the study books for the exam, they may just pay for the exam too. That's cool they've invested that much with you so far.

 

[Windows Sniper]

Hmm i agree, Im reading through the Windows 7 one, its where i get most of the info to help on here from (*cheats*).

But i can only wait to see how far i can go,


So aside from the CompIT A+ exam what other ones should i look for ?

 

[Devux]

Once again, depends on what you're going to do. If you're going to be doing a lot with Linux then CompTIA has a Linux+ certification. It's always good to take ones that interest you as well, I am currently looking at a few of these. They may not be as "well known" as Microsoft, CompTIA and Cisco but it would be good fun.
Online Cyber Information Security Training

 

[Windows Sniper]

Hmm i've Bookmarked that page as it looks interesting, Oh and i forgot to mention i've done CCNA 1 and i'm doing CCNA 2 Next year

 

[pparks1]

Certs are a good baseline. Coupled with years of on the job experience it's usually pretty safe to assume that you have a certain level of understanding and should be able to have conversations with other certified individuals and be able to keep up.

As somebody said before, they are a great way to get your foot in the door...as it shows initiative. I got a number of certs from a previous employer who was at the time willing to pay for them. I got MCP, MCSE, CCNA, Citrix MetaFrame, and RHCE (Red Hat Certified Systems Engineer). However, with the downturn in the economy companies are far less willing to pay for these classes, books and materials. Thus, for somebody like me with older certs, and years of experience, I "should" be able to explain that my employers simply didn't value paying for certs and most people would understand that. For example, I work day in and day out with VMWare Vsphere. I'm trying to get certified on vmware vsphere 4, however in addition to a $150 exam (no big deal), I also have to take at least 1 week long course. The cheapest course that qualifies is nearly $3,000. So, unless I pay for that class out of pocket, I'm not going to get certified because my employer is not willing to pay for it. And paying $3,000 out of pocket is a bummer for me as it won't get me a pay raise or anything at my current job.

 

[Windows Sniper]

Wow that must have taken a while to get those Certs, But thats one thing im willing to do, As well as do My Bsc IT at Uni. I dont Mind Time Just Wondering What are there and what people have good experiences With using and getting

Thanks all for these Replys

 

[karlsnooks]

If your company is paying for the books, that saves you a pile of money.

Take the certifications for which they have supplied you books.

Lookup the cost of the tests.

Study the books, but don't rely upon them. I would like to say that you can (that's what MS claims). My experience was otherwise. I did exceptionally well on the certs I took but I also went to Pass4Sure and paid for their prep tests. I strongly suggest you look into this.

You will find this link interesting:
Microsoft Presents: Are You Certifiable?

 

[PompeyFC]

Thats the Thing they Gave me the Learning Materials for Windows 7 Exam and The WIndows server 2008 R2 Exam

SO thats what i think they want me to learn, and they aint exactly cheap books

You can prolly tell from my siggy that I am certified.

Definitely start with the CompTIA A+. You will also need to decide which A+ route to go down - I believe there are 3 you can choose from, I chose IT Technician, but there is a hardware focused one and one other. Get onto the CompTIA website. My next recommendation is you do the CompTIA Network + which is a little harder conceptually but still a multiple choice based exam

From there you move onto Microsoft. There are a number of windows 7 exams you can take rather than just 1 - ranging from Configuring Windows 7 to Deploying/Installing through to providing support in a desktop support environment.

The old MCDST - Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician is now called Windows 7 MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician and compromises of exams :-

Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring

TS: Windows 7, Configuring - Click Link to M/Soft Site and exam info

Exam 70-685: PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician

Pro: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician - Click Link to M/Soft Site and exam info

I suggest this route as being the ideal route to follow for anyone just starting out in the IT world who has a little experience and wants to validate it. Microsoft certs are valued within the IT industry and if you come up against a candidate with similar experience but who does not have the certs and you do it will certainly count in your favour.

I recommend the Micrsoft Press books for any revision and learning - they come with a CD which contains 200 odd questions to help you revise and other reading materials. They also come with a 15% off voucher for the exam in the back of the book.

I am currently studying to upgrade my MCDST to the windows 7 equivalent.

Any questions your welcome to give me a shout

Please rep me if you find this useful.