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MCSE-Win2K Core Exams Getting Refreshed

Two key exams to be repopulated with new question types that are being developed for Windows Server 2003 exams, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft next week plans to "refresh" its 70-210: Windows 2000 Professional and 70-215: Windows 2000 Server exams with new questions and testing techniques that are being developed for the upcoming Windows Server 2003 exams. The refresh is an attempt to make the exams more secure by weeding out old or statistically irrelevant questions.

"Continually updating exam content and utilizing innovative testing techniques result in exams that are increasingly relevant to candidates while securing exam content," said Ken Rosen, product manager for Microsoft Training and Certification. "Our customers make a significant investment when they become certified, and we’re committed to protecting that investment by maintaining the integrity of our certification exams."


Refresh exams are similar to typical beta exams in that they're free, can only be taken once, and are longer in duration to allow more time for testers to complete the additional questions. Unlike typical betas, however, Microsoft says that "refresh exams will be scored immediately, based on the standard questions within the exam."

The refreshed content will be introduced during the following beta periods: May 12-28 for 70-210; May 12-June 2 for 70-215. The refresh exams will be available simultaneously with current, live versions of the 70-210 and 70-215 exams and, in fact, some test registrants may be offered a choice of the beta "refresh" or live exam upon registration. The company says it will also offer beta invitations to qualified recipients of its MCP Newsflash Newsletter.

Refreshing exam material is not an unusual practice and not unique to just Microsoft exams, according to Don Jones, whose company, Braincore.net, has developed exams for Microsoft and other vendors. "Typically, exams are 'transparently' refreshed by adding the new content to existing exams as unscored items—much like the SAT, LSAT, and other exams get new content into their pools," Jones explains. "Normally, you might get a handful of new, unscored items mixed in with the regular, scored items. So a normal 50-item exam might, for example, have 55 items, with five of those being unscored items," he added.

About the Author

Michael Domingo is executive editor of MCPmag.com and hosts the Redmond Radio podcasts.

Reader Comments:

Thu, May 25, 2006 Hemen India

Hi,

I would like to know more about MCP Exam, where to register online and where to get the details study material for the exam.

Mon, Nov 1, 2004 usman students

your website is good

Fri, Feb 20, 2004 Jerry n. of Detroit

Longer, no. Practical lab, YES. Unfortunately, I believe the motivation behind the Microsoft certs is quantity not quality. A lab similar (but not as tough) as the CCIE would lend a LOT to server certs.

Sun, Sep 28, 2003 malcom uk

As long as they dont intend on increasing the length of the scenario questions. Those with strong academic skills may be able to handle these never-ending plots but others find themselves lost in the wording, no matter how good their practical skills are.
Introduce simulation questions but keep the scenario lengths down !

Sat, Aug 9, 2003 Kishore India

Nead help for 210 new

Fri, Jun 13, 2003 Mick, MCSE Anonymous

just passed the refreshed exams for both 76-210 and 15...long and not so easy, but definately doable! 3 to go for 2000 MCSE now! Come on Microsoft, OFFER more exams for free, so people have a better chance! you have got enough money from us!!!!!

Fri, Jun 6, 2003 amirpasha istanbul

I would like to know if there is any change in questions of exam 70-218 inform me plz

Thu, Jun 5, 2003 experience braindumper Anonymous

I'm an experience network admin and i recently got my MCSE. ALl I can say is wo braindumps there is no way in hell the avg network admin can pass the exams.

Yes I can see why bootcamps and braindumps devalue exams BUT wo them, even the most experience people like me will find it diffficult to pass, expecially some of the questions absolutely have no bearing on real world scenerios.
I use braindumps as a guide, definitely not as the only means to get my mcse

Thu, Jun 5, 2003 Roger Boston

Absolutely .. stop ur whinging Earth. I'm in the middle of doing my MCSE and I don't expect to be handed a job when I get it. But I have a passion of this stuff and I hope that shows in any interview I get. And I too would tend to hire the one with the Cert .. so I don't expect an employer to give me a job without my cert. Stop ur whinging and change ur attitude.

Wed, Jun 4, 2003 Frank Atlanta, GA

I have taken and passed the 76-210 and 76-215 refresher exams. Both exams are longer, but are not impossible to pass. I wonder if Microsoft will be offering the refreshers for the other core?

Wed, May 28, 2003 rick edmonton

revamp 216 and 217 please I have no money to write and I don't mind beta's

Wed, May 28, 2003 rick edmonton

I wrote 215 server today and was done in 1 hour and passed. somewhat disappointed i thought the exam was simple.

Thu, May 22, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Yeah and then after 5 years you will be ready to take the exam.

Thu, May 22, 2003 Experienced Los Angeles

I agree that in comparing 2 people with experience, the one with the motivation to pass exams is more desirable, especially if they continue to pass them over the years. This field is always changing: are you? Lots of folks are sitting there on NT4 networks and STUDYING for the exams is a good way to prepare for the next step. You learn about areas you might never come across otherwise which might be useful. I bet if I studied for an "Excel" exam I would probably learn stuff I could use.

Wed, May 21, 2003 Pywiak Fort Collins, Colorado

I got an invite to take both refreshed exams for free last week and did so, even though I'd already passed them in their original form. Other than some new drag and drop style questions, the only noteworthy new wrinkle was the addition of multiple choice (select all that apply) questions that had only a single correct answer in the list. There were problems with some of the questions (spelling, grammar, and duplicate answers), but the ability to comment on specific questions at the end of the exam had been removed. Both exams will feel easy to someone who knows the material thoroughly. Reading comprehension, clear thinking, and product experience will take you a lot further with these exams than memorizing brain dump answers.

Tue, May 20, 2003 Idiots Anonymous

Remember when everyone first panicked about .net coming out and the 2k track being retired. Nobody was taking these BS tests. SO MS came out and said If you do the 2k track you could mix and match and would not have to upgrade. Thats pretty much as flat out a lie as I ever heard. Dont give me that they can change the track or how good it is the they refresh. MS Knowing the MCSE is dead is targeting the kid out of school who doesnt know any better. The more braindumps for them, the better. Thats $125 a pop right in their pocket.

Mon, May 19, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Hey your guys...simulations will never do the trick. Check out the following sites: www.fieldcertification.org; www.itsg-saratoga.com. The last site has some really neat jobs! JOBS!

Mon, May 19, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Even if you don't get a job with the MCSE, Jesus still loves you. Besides, how can you get laid if you are studying this crap all the time? And if you aren't getting it every night (or going to be getting it anytime soon), then what is the point?

Mon, May 19, 2003 Steven Texas

It all looks good on an Email signature… but I have not given Microsoft or Cisco a dime.
I work for a fortune 100 company w/ multiple defense contracts, I have received many awards (monetary and ataboys)….so the reference to toilet paper is accurate to the certs holders. Sooner or later you are going to be put to the test and your passing or failing will not be determined by all the acronyms you have collected, “be the best at what you do”…be a Wolf not the Sheep.

Sun, May 18, 2003 Fast Learner USA

After watching so much hype over the MCSE, I discontinued my quest and returned to school to gain an Associates degree with Unix Specialization and a bachelors in MIS. My largest issue with the MS certs is the transparent expiration date, i.e. W2K MCSE in 2005. Why does that exist? In every other company you're either certified or not. I believe in the certification process, just not MS's methodology. While you do gain familiarity with MS's technologies, they still have an underlying agenda and that is to generate huge amounts of revenue. All of this retesting and re-certifying is obsurd and MS can keep it. I believe certification tracks such as HP-UX and Red Hat have a sincere interest in building SOLID professionals instead of mass seatings. I commend MS for the power that it has brought to desktop computing through K.I.S.S. interfaces and quick set-up networking. However, my career goals will focus on *nix and Oracle solutions. First off, if you do the research you will find that the really big companies don't bet on MS products. IMHO, the desktop which is MS's stronghold is merely a client and bears no weight in the overall scheme of IT. That's the equivalent to saying the key to being a good MD begins with triag. I hope we keep MS around, we need someone to misdirect the uninitiated, for if you can't look down a path and determine that it's constant twists and turns will get you nowhere fast, then you deserve to be lost in the woods. Just a little IT wisdom.

Sun, May 18, 2003 A solution to the problem Anonymous

Paper MCSE's, not very surprising though - What about cheat-test.com, hotcerts.com, certsheets.com, ace-it-certifications.com, pass-guaranteed.com, testking.com, 21certify.com, certifysky.com, cheatyourexams.com, exam-king.com, eecert.com, real-exams.com, and lets not forget the biggest encourager of the non-disclosure agreement our most known braindump site of all mcsebraindumps.com So how did I find these all of these sites, simple I just looked for 'MCP' on a search engine. Are they legal? most likely they are in their country of origin. I wish someone say for sure because they are certainly trading as legal sites thats for sure. How are people supposed to know what they can buy and can't buy? Plus many people don't even have to buy study guides because most people simply download them from Kaazar or edonkey for nothing. The obvious best way to ensure exam content is secure is to make a lot of exam questions simulated labs and change\cycle large question pools regularly. Otherwise make the exams open book tests like they do now in a lot of colleges. Maybe Vendors and Tertiary learning institutions can learn from each others successes and failures before the 2003 exams go live.

Sat, May 17, 2003 Bill Anonymous

Far as Im concerned Microsoft Certifications are useless just look at how many of us guys are trying to get IT jobs and new certification only puts money into Bills hands... WASTE OF MONEY... Gimme a break whats it gonna get ya a stable IT job cmon how much more money do we have to spend... Its all same ol same ol stuff... Forget about it!!!

Sat, May 17, 2003 Cesar San Diego

Finally going to start my MCSE 2000 it's finally getting used alot more but I will say that I find these tests lame. I am going to try the new tests though they are very hard but very unrealistic. I have been administrating MS products for over 9 years and this is just a necessary evil.

Sat, May 17, 2003 Stop crying Anonymous

Stop crying and lying, you all used braindumps the lot of you. Everywhere you look on the net they are there for the taking. You are all a bunch of lying MCSE whingers. I think I'll check mcsebraindumps.com for those new Beta questions right now. But later I'll state that I never used them of course.

Fri, May 16, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Its about time - Unfortunatly I am not one of the people that can benefit from brain dumps and boot camps - either I learn it or I don't - I know people that can cram - but if you ask them only a day or two later they don't remember. Down with "Paper" Certs - I think that a minimum industry experice requirement needs to be added like the iccp

Fri, May 16, 2003 Spock Anonymous

I have every MCSE exam, CompTia exams, Cisco exams, CIW exams and Oracle exams. I spent so much time studying that my wife left me and took the kids, my boss and co-workers hate me because they think I'm a know it all and now I'm getting the sack from my job because I'm not considered a team player. I'll be losing my job, my house, and my income too, but thank God I'll still retain my certification. Certs are now my life, Certs are all I need in life, but even so I think I might have spent too much time studying and playing with my testlab servers. I just hope my wifes new boyfriend has a computer that she can use because I need to keep mine to run Transcenders and to get some dumps. Live long and Prosper.

Fri, May 16, 2003 Peter Seattle

While the value of the MCSE may be diminished over the last few years, show me a job that DOESNT require it anymore? For me it's just a part of staying current in my field. Something to take care of every year. A degree, experience and certification will help keep you employed in this economy. Certs show dedication and when I hire admins, I don't even consider those without or those who DO NOT update them routinely.

With that, bring on the 2003 track...

Fri, May 16, 2003 Problem solved Anonymous

Problem solved once and for all. Make question pools over a thosand. Make all exams adaptive and simulated. Cycle question pools every 2 weeks - no more braindumps. Duh, its too easy Microsoft!!!!

Fri, May 16, 2003 I can't believe it Anonymous

Speaking of exam questions - Its still there, www.mcsebraindumps.com is actually still up and running with tons of real exam questions. How can it be that it is allowed to still be up and running with all of the actual exam questions so easily obtainable? I guess that Microsoft must realize that most people are only using it as part of a total study resource plan. Actually I'm glad its there for free and for all of us to use because it encourages discussion and interest in certification and also because people won't bother to purchase exams from websites like Testking.com, etc... when they can get exam info from mcsebraindumps.com for free. I'll bet that Microsoft probably understand this too. I don't think most people would only rely on braindumps to pass exams, that would be a bit silly. They will probably have those new Beta questions mentioned in the above article on the site soon too, if not already.

Fri, May 16, 2003 Microsoft money potential Anonymous

With a combined population of 4 billion people, if 50 million people in India and China take just 1 MCP exam then that should make Microsoft an approx. $750,000,000 in exam fees alone. We should therefore actually see Microsoft shares and profits rise in the long term once MCP exams become common place in India (it on the rapid increase) and don't forget about the massive potential in the rest of the asian certification market. I can see that Microsoft are on a winner here with the asian market and they will have a lot of those naughty braindump websites to thank for it too. I think I might buy some Microsoft stocks as the future looks very promising indeed. Well done. Now thats the best and smart way to make money out of the IT industry.

Thu, May 15, 2003 Chupecabra somewhere in the states

Darby, impressive credentials, but you must've spent a fortune trying to realize those certs...especially the MSCE tracts...nothing but toilet wipe...and to anonymous: you can come over to my crib anytime for your daily dose of crack...mine is the best in da hood...

Thu, May 15, 2003 Darby Weaver Orlando

Refreshing exams is very healthy.

I enjoy the enitlements and seniority impressed upon me for my well-earned MCSE plus I and my current MCSEMCSA 2000 certs.

I think we need a hands-on component even if it is only for those who wish to earn an Enterprise-Level Certification

I manage over 100 web-sites and 57 MS-SQL Databases, 22 remaining Novell Servers, a sprinkling of Solaris and Red Hat Servers, and alot of Macintosh clients that add their flavor to the mix.

Experience is firm. So having a higher level of qualification is now sought.

Did I mention that Security is also a specialty - Cisco, Checkpoint, WatchGuard, Tripwire, Netscreen, Packateer, Sonicwall, Symantec and more...

Gotta love the life.

The Microsoft Systems and Operations Frameworks are excellent starting points for a solid Network and Systems Management Methodology overall. I am pleased to see Microsoft fostering these programs.

ISO 9000 and ITIL Standards are excellent.

Time for a Revolution in network management.

Think Globally - Act Locally.

Use your certifications, qualifications and experiences to help raise the bar on our chosen profession.

Remember certification is but a benchmark to the profession and not merely a goal unto itself.

And for the record I am in favor of the exams. I have found many of the scenarios in the wild and am happy to have aquired training that was relevant to my live environments.


Darby Weaver - MCSE plus I, MCSE and MCSA 2000 CCNP CCDP CCEA CCA 1.8 and XP A Plus Net Plus I-Net Plus

Thu, May 15, 2003 Celestine Oamen Nigeria -West Africa

This is a welcome Development. I only hope that the new questions are those that will really test the candidates' practical competency.

Wed, May 14, 2003 Joe Las vegas

getting an MCSE does mean something. These tests are not easy.

The market will bear what the market will bear. Don't want to make $10.00 per hour as a respected MCSE?
Then make $10.00 per hour as a lowly front desk clerk in some hotel. Just do whatever you think you can.
Want to make $15.00 per customer poking them in the ribs and asking them to breath deeply? Go to medical School.

Save us all some time, go work at McDonalds. I go by 3 times a week for a #2 with Orange Juice. I don't hear THEM complaining about Certs.....

Joe

Wed, May 14, 2003 MCT in MS MS

Just finished the 76-215, new look same concepts. If anyone who wrights the test engine for Microsoft reads this, there were enough bugs in the server version to make me nervous about passing. I recieved numerous questions which needed exhibits to answer and there was NO button to display said exhibits!!!!!! I know this is a BETA, but come on folks. As for the people who endlessly downtalk Microsoft certification, "If you don't like it, leave it". Go get yourself a job managing a Netware environment with Groupwise, you'll come crawling back.

Wed, May 14, 2003 Curtis M. Kularski Gastonia, NC

I am a student and recently became certified with exams 70-215, 70-270 and 70-080. I am taking the refresh exams to get experience with them, and maybe prolong the life of my certification. I have been administering my personal network for about 4 years now. I consider myself experienced, and I see my certifications as just a paper backing for my expierience since my personal network administration can not be documented easily. I am currently an MCP, but look forward to becomeing an MCSE or MCSA in the near future. Microsoft's lengthening of the exam is very positive for the exam intergrity, it lessens the chance on someone being able to successfully reproduce a significant amount of the exam. I work hard at building my credentials, and am happy that Microsoft is taking steps to keep them as respected as they have been in the past.

Wed, May 14, 2003 Jay Sarasota, FL

I'm glad they're refreshing this. Then all those slackers who memorized a brain dump will get dis-couraged. Braindumps and Bootcamps are ridiculous. I agree w/ the above, nothing can beat pure experience.

To you newcomers: Get experience first. Otherwise, you're going to cheat yourself and make yourself look silly at the same time.

Wed, May 14, 2003 REW as above

The only WHINE I have is I had just finished my class for windows 2000, and 2000 server last month. Now Ihave to fight to learn another.

Wed, May 14, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

chupecabra, why don't you go back to your old job as a crack pusher.

Wed, May 14, 2003 Alan UK

Good idea at last. If you know you stuff (as MCSE's should), then you should have nothing to worry about.

Tue, May 13, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

For the dumbass who says MS is generating revenue from this: d'oh! The beta exam is free. After you wipe off all the diarrhea from the corners of your mouth, tighten your sphincter and think about whether what you're sh***ing makes sense.

Tue, May 13, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

bunch of jerkoffs.. Why don't u just do advertisment for braindumps as often as u all mention them. Shut up about them and maybe fewer peeps will even know about them. Also, just like College and High School graduates some worked harder than others for their diploma and degree's. You all know people who cheated in High School and College to pass why would u think a certification would be any different. So quit bitchen!
Work hard for things in life and quit focusing so much on other people and what they are doing. Unless u are members of the certification police. Always crying that all I read from some of you punks.

Tue, May 13, 2003 Larry Idaho

I was interested in going further than the networking that I had previously learned. I started with a LARGE training outfit and found that learning that way ie sitting in front of a soundless screen, did not work. So I chose all my MCSE materials directly from Microsoft ,now I work at my leisure in my home. In short ,I learned far more in the field than I ever could with materials. A few more questions will do no harm for those of us that are willing to go the extra mile!

Tue, May 13, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

mcse = several sheets of toilet paper that say you "passed".

Tue, May 13, 2003 Old hat Anonymous

Yep, gotta agree, 2000 certs old hat and now a waste of money, save your dollars $$$ for the new 2003 exams.

Tue, May 13, 2003 Give us 2003 now Australia

Who cares about 2000 certs now anyway, those certs are 3 years old, lets get 2003 going now. Only the losers will want to do the 2000 certs. In fact CCNA and Cisco new wireless etc... certs are more valued now anyway by employers.

Mon, May 12, 2003 MCT form MS MS

I just got through with the Beta 76-210. Not much difference. Fresher look, same concepts, hum.... Isn't that what you should be learning anyway? Easy test if you know your stuff. I do agree with MOC being less than sufficient for learning, and this is why my training center is now using MS Press books and doing a weeks worth of labs building (and breaking/fixing) a network from the ground up. Students appreciate the fresh approach.

Mon, May 12, 2003 Idiots Anonymous

Perhaps anon is correct, also the other poster about mcp mag and its crap. Reading this board sometimes is like watching lemmings walk off a cliff. Have we all been fooled? Maybe mcpmag is nothing but a devils advocate to MS and its cash cow machine. They sure generate revenue through test preps the same way MS does. In fact the only time MS has a problem with it is when people get their info for free. MCPmag was probably one of the biggest factors in flooding the market with MCSE's with their salary surveys which were always crap. I think its all a big scam.

Mon, May 12, 2003 anon london

To anonymous from London
I am totally open minded having got my MCSE without ever attending a class, (passing 70-240) but the followng applies.
As an MCT I am bound if I teach in a CTEC to use MOC as you well know. I am surprised that you accuse me of cheating anyone and I think this is possibly a reflection of your real world knowledge
Who is the target audience at CTECs do you think?

If anyone does not have a network at home or work to practice an install on then learning to install is useless anyway, and they are therefore on the first stage of becoming a paper MCSE

I did not know that the FCSE exam was free if you passed perfectly so I bough to your superior knowledge on this one
However I cannot find any details so perhaps you can enlighten me,
HoweverI still think that to offer concessions based on length of time since you did an exam and not skill is really stupid.
As Joel says "You cannot cheat" so if this is true I still do not understand the relevance of the three years.
WTF would anyone in their right minds want to pay 995 dollers instead of 495 cause they did not spend three years on their butts?
Their website is a joke having links which do not work (Fast track page to passing a condensed exam) This indicates a lack of credibility

Mon, May 12, 2003 techgrrl Anonymous

Well, there is a new use for certs that my company has found. I work at an old line company where the good old boys rule (and not too well). I am close to filing a discrimination lawsuit after being here many years and watching them hire young white males they give good projects to while letting me clean up their messes. They could not get any users to back their contention that these guys were better at their job, so the latest thing is, I must have an MCSE by next year. The latest child got his title kept the same as mine, but they pay him the same amount that his promotion would have paid that the thought of EEOC scared them out of. Still gets invited to meetings, treated like the real big boys,and the best projects for his resume. This kid can't fix printers (basic A + stuff remember) or diagnose hardware reliably. Us senior staffers still clean up the messes he makes, but at least he has his NT 4 MCSE. Can ya hear me laughing? So certs DO have their uses. Keep the old EEOC away when it is convenient. Why doesn't this kid have A? Who knows...

Mon, May 12, 2003 cj st. louis

Woohoo!!! Free test! I've been studying for 70-215 for a long time, and now I don't have to worry about putting another $125 on my credit card... what luck! And for those of you complaining that MS just wants to make money by encouraging all the dumpers to rush out and register for the old exam, you should be more concerned about your poor reading skills than about the paper MCSE's. The new questions are just there for sample testing. Only the old questions are currently still scored... dumbasses...

Mon, May 12, 2003 Whatever NC

Until they change the questions to meet real world, it really doesn't matter if you're "paper" MCSE or "real" MCSE. I've got almost 3 years experience with Win2K as a sys admin with over 100 servers at 40 locations. I can tell you, the test aren't preparing you for anything that's going on in the real world. I say go ahead and memorize braindumps. The questions are ridiculous anyway. If you were to setup your real life network the way the scenarios in the test are setup, you would be doomed for security holes and failure. The only reason I even got my MCSE is to meet the minimum qualifications for the want ads. They will not even talk to you without it. And yes, I did get a good job.

Mon, May 12, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

So many braindumps going round its making the exam's worthless Hopefully this will improve the quality of it.

Sun, May 11, 2003 Greg Stamper Ohio

Hey, Anonymous, how did you know the test was already refreshed?

Did you see questions you weren't expecting?

"Whoa, this question wasn't on my braindump!"

Sun, May 11, 2003 Greg Stamper Ohio

If this does ANYTHING to strengthen the depcrated, brain-dump spoiled MCSE title, then I support it.

I'm tired of seeing a string of computer newbies enter a training track (which they have done very little research on) and dropping thousands, only to braindump their way through the exam and then expect a well paying job.

The MCSE was meant to separate those with superior Windows skills from those without. It isn't meant to validate entry level skills (and newbies, there's a LOT more to being a successful admin than just knowing M$ products).

It's a shame that this MCP Ragazine, with its misleading salary surveys, spurred the training glit of the late 90s. That period is over, and the fallout is a lot of disillusioned people who were ripped off by training centers and the near complete decimation of the value of the MCSE certification.

I'm glad to see these tests. I'm going to take them and screw up the curve :D

Sat, May 10, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

I took the 70-215 last Friday, May 09. The test I had was already refreshed. I thought they were not starting until May 12th. I wish Microsoft would get the dates straight.

Sat, May 10, 2003 Anonymous london

Anon,

As an MCT, I suppose you use the crappy MOC material to teach your students. What a waste of time and money. Question: do you also use the automation lab setups as well? You know Anon in doing this you cheat the students by not letting them set up the environment for themselves. I hope this is not how you run your training center.

In addition, if you are so good why don’t you take the FCSE exam. If you get a perfect score, the test will cost you nothing but I’ll bet you would not pass because having an attitude like yours blocks open mindedness.

Sat, May 10, 2003 Akber Tanzania

Man i just got my MCP n passed my 70-210 n planing to do ma 70-228, this means i will need to do those again fine bring them on! Peace !!!

Sat, May 10, 2003 anon from london Anonymous

FCPA has no idea about the real world. It says you can do a fast track if you have MCSE and three years experience since qualifying. What a joke! This means that Me who is an MCT who runs his own business installing networks for a London council but has only passed the MCSE 12 months ago is somehow less skilled than a chimp who braindumped and then spent three years creating user accounts
This is utter stupidity as a braindumper could never survive as an MCT. The fact that the jokers who run this unrecognised outfit think like this tells me that they are not very savvy about the real world.

Question If your test is so good at checking peoples skills what has the fact of how long they have actually been an MCSE compared to their abilities got to do with anything????
If this factor does make a difference then your test is basically worth Jack Shit

Fri, May 9, 2003 idiots Anonymous

Maybe its time you realize that your just taking a cert that nobody cares about. I have news for you, the MS "way" of the future is software based subscription. When al your servers are running outsourced server software guess what that means? You can have all the MCSE's you want you'll be on the street.

Fri, May 9, 2003 kling Ohio

Bring it on! Its the way of the future and oh... looks like we have some bad attitudes out there that are unemployed and lack personality. Maybe its time to get counseling for your anger problems and get excited about the our future in the tech world.

Fri, May 9, 2003 RG Texas

I'm about sick of hearing from the whiner's about MCSE's being trash. I'd say anyone who has put out the effort and time to study is better than those who have not with the same job experience. If I were to interview 2 people with 2-3 years experience, one with, one without, It would be a no brainer to hire the MCSE if everything else was the same.

Hey "read this" maybe your briandump technique of getting your MCSE became OBVIOUS when you interviewed and THATS why you still don't have a job. Just because you have the initials doesn't mean you get handed a job. Still takes knowing what you are doing and an attitude like yours is, hum how whould you say? ... Bullshit.

Fri, May 9, 2003 Wayne UK

Who cares about the exam content - Bring it on.
I am fed up with the groans about paper MCSEs. It's about time some people realise that an MCSE qualification is like a driving licence. You do the basics, pass the tests, then you learn to drive. I would rather hire an MCSE with 1 or 2 years experience than someone who has worked in IT for many years but been too lazy to sit any exams. (they may have been changing passwords for 10 years). Anyway, with things changing all of the time, years of experience in IT is not always valid or relevant. If an experienced person is any good they will have sat some exams to prove it. Would you hire an unqualified Accountant? Would you allow yourself to be operated on by an unqualified Surgeon? No! You will always find good & bad MCSEs, just like any other profession. How good do you think anyone is at their job immediately after they qualify? Give them a chance.
All of this moaning is talking down our Profession. I don't hear many Doctors criticising each other when they screw up.
Look for the good MCSEs & stop Whinging.

Fri, May 9, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Well, Just trash that paper Master's also.

Fri, May 9, 2003 Know it all Anonymous

put your mcse in the garbage and please fill BGs pockets a little more. Those that continue to pursue paper certs are mindless drones.

Fri, May 9, 2003 Idiots Anonymous

I guess nobodys taking these tests anymore so MS is appealing to the braindumpers to bail them out. Everyone studying is going to rush out to take the old exam. This is just generating revenue kids. Nobody even asks If you have an MCSE anymore. They need to just start over with a new cert and a new title. The headhunters and IT people know how soiled it is. Changing the test at this time is pointless, it will not redeem the cert. Take the 2003 track and make something new with it.

Fri, May 9, 2003 Beoweolf SJ, Ca.

One of the current problems with low quality MCSE's, if that is in fact true...is low wages.When companies werehireing basedon quality interviews, they were getting quality candidates. Most positions are currently "pre-screening" for for failure, by advertising pitifully low wages or asking for salary expectations; then screening out those who "ask for too much"! If you are paying wages similar to retail workers, food service workers, you should not be surprised when the candidates you get are still "green". Want quality, pay for. Want creative, aggresive, bright candidates..then interview based on skill, not lowest wage they will accept.

Fri, May 9, 2003 Ew Los Angeles

talking about experience, sure it matters BUT isn't it time for vibrant young problemsolvers to carry on the enriched tradition of win n.o.s.'s troubleshooting ?? Try us - we'll make you proud. Better the exams, more filtered freshness one gets ! Good to go !!

Fri, May 9, 2003 Read This Earth

MCSE is Bullshit!!!

I become MCSE 4 years back but no one cares in the job market!!! Spend Thousands of dollars, time and my hard work, but end nowhere still unemployed.

Don’t get cheated by these big companies!!! On their big names “They are promoting there stuff for free and same time earning the money!!! And we are fools to fall in their trap”.
Can I ask these companies that how may MCSEs they have hired for themselves or help their MCSEs to be hired by others? They just use their certification to earn money and throw you in rubbish.

Their way of testing is ever more bullshit!!! All theories and MCQs, can be done by hit and trials or can be just memorized from braindumps.


Fri, May 9, 2003 Not according to VUE Anonymous

This article states:

Microsoft next week plans to "refresh" its 70-210: Windows 2000 Professional and 70-215: Windows 2000 Server exams with new questions and testing techniques that are being developed for the upcoming Windows Server 2003 exams.

VUE says: That both exams will be offered. The 70-210 / 70-215 and the 76-210 / 76-215. But, there is no mention of the 70-210 or the 70-215 beign seeded with the new questions.

The notice from VUE states that "the content and time of the 70-210 and 70-215 will not change." But, that testers can choose between one set or the other.

Doesn't Microsoft have to go through a beta test period first before they start replacing the old content? If VUE is correct then this article is misleading.

This article makes it sound like the content of 70-210 and 70-215 is changing on May 12th. VUE states that content and time is not changing in 70-210 and 70-215, but testers can choose to take the new 76-210 and 76-215 four hour exams for free. They will get a score report and count towards certification.

76-210 is free and four hours and available from May 12th to May 18th and 76-215 is also free and four hours and is available from May 12th to June 2nd.

Testing centers are to make testers aware of both options so they choose between the two options.

That is not to say that Microsoft is not seeding 70-210 and 70-215 with new questons, they could be. But, that is not the way it comes across from VUE.

VUE makes it sound like they are beta testing the new content, and once that beta period is over we will start to see new content show up in 70-210 and 70-215 at some point. Most likely sometime soon after June 2, not "May 12" as this article states.

I believe this information is correct, if I am incorrect please reply.

If Michael Domingo could verify this information, that would be great!

Fri, May 9, 2003 Read This Earth

MCSE is Bullshit!!!

I become MCSE 4 years back but no one cares in the job market!!! Spend Thousands of dollars, time and my hard work, but end nowhere still unemployed.

Don’t get cheated by these big companies!!! On their big names “They are promoting there stuff for free and same time earning the money!!! And we are fools to fall in their trap”.
Can I ask these companies that how may MCSEs they have hired for themselves or help their MCSEs to be hired by others? They just use their certification to earn money and throw you in rubbish.

Their way of testing is ever more bullshit!!! All theories and MCQs, can be done by hit and trials or can be just memorized from braindumps.


Fri, May 9, 2003 Me Here

Longer exam? No thanks!

Fri, May 9, 2003 Mike Washington, D.C.

There is no replacement for experience, I would rather hire a Network Administrator with a few years of good, hard experience than and "paper" MCSE. If that experience is also backed by a few certifications, all the better. Changing a few questions on a test is not going to bother those who know the material, only the ones that don’t.

Fri, May 9, 2003 LookUp UK

BrainDumpers and Bootcampers are not the same thing....

Thu, May 8, 2003 PV-MCT India

Most of the questions in the exam are from the braindumps and most of the students are more interested in just going thru them and taking the exam which is not a healthy scenario.Its better the testing methodology is changed so that the exams have their real value.

Thu, May 8, 2003 Les Texas

My current Windows 2000 Professional students see this as a free opportunity to get their feet wet in certification testing. I encouraged them all to take the tests ready or not.

Thu, May 8, 2003 rick navada

I have done almost all of my MCSE training at home or on line. If I can save the price of an exam then i'll go. It took me 3 years to get my first MCSE but it's well worth it.

Thu, May 8, 2003 MCT in MS MS

Absolutely, and it’s about time. Most of the students I teach are only interested in taking the courses that have available “Brain dumps”. The scary thing is, we started notifying our students that these test were free and would count towards there certification tracks if they passed. Most if not ALL have turned them down in favor of the “old” more “public” exams. HERE HERE

Thu, May 8, 2003 Bob Denver

Based on the skills of some of the so-called "MCSEs" I've interviewed lately, I wish they'd "Refreshs" the MCSE by adding a practical lab based scenario exam. They need to weed out the unqualified brain dumpers and boot campers. This would be far better than changing test questions ever will be.

Thu, May 8, 2003 EdMen Miami FL

About Time ;)

Thu, May 8, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

I say bring them on :)

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