News
MCSE Track Redefined for 2000
Microsoft revamps its MCSE track with new Windows 2000-based exams, which includes retirement of NT 4.0 exams by the end of next year.
Microsoft has announced that it is revamping the MCSE exam requirements. Simply put, it plans retire the NT 4.0 track-including NT 4.0 Server (70-067), NT Workstation 4.0 (70-068), NT 4.0 Server in the Enterprise (70-073), and Networking Essentials (70-058)-and introduce a completely new track of exams based on Windows 2000.
New MCSE candidates who've yet to take any exams are required to take and pass seven exams, as outlined here:
Candidates Who Have Not Passed Windows NT 4.0 Exams (pass four):
- 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows 2000 Professional
- 70-215: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows 2000 Server
- 70-216: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure
- 70-217: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure
All Candidates (pass one):
- 70-219: Designing a Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure
- 70-220: Designing Security for a Windows 2000 Network
- 70-221: Designing a Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure
Elective exams (pass two):
- Exams 70-219, 70-220, and 221 (as long as the chosen exam hasn't been passed for a core requirement)
- 70-222: Upgrading from Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000
- Any exam not scheduled for retirement when the Windows 2000 exams are released.
Instead of taking all four required exams (70-210, 70-215, 70-216, and 70-217), MCSEs who are qualified under the NT 4.0 track can take Exam 70-240: Windows 2000 Accelerated, which will be available until June 30, 2001, with release to be determined some time next year.
The new exams will incorporate new testing methods, such as cognitive simulations, product simulations, and item seeding, which Donna Senko, Microsoft's director of the certification and skills assessment group, outlined at MCP TechMentor in San Francisco. (To read the previous news item regarding the new question methods, and to listen to her keynote presentation, go to http://www.mcpmag.com/mcpnews_con.asp?url=990824.)
You can read more about the new track's requirements, exam details, and an FAQ by visiting Microsoft's MCP Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/mcp. For exams scheduled for retirement when Windows 2000 exams are released, go to http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/examinfo/retired.htm.