News

Sim Versions of 70-293, 70-294 Exams Make Beta

With exam rollout problems apparently worked out, Microsoft has begun beta testing exams 70-293 and 70-294.

• By Michael Domingo
• 09/22/2005

With exam rollout problems apparently worked out, Microsoft has begun beta testing the next set of simulation exams: 70-293, Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, and 70-294, Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure. As of Wednesday, both exams were available in beta form through the online Pearson Vue and Thomson Prometric registration sites in selected areas worldwide, and will be available until the end of next week. Microsoft does not comment on exams that are being beta tested.

The exams are core requirements for the MCSE on Windows 2003.

Although beta delivery of the first set of simulation exams for 70-290, Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment and 70-291, Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure exams, went smoothly, live delivery seemed beset with one small problem -- worldwide rollout happening in fits and starts for a few weeks. Microsoft put the onus on the testing providers. Pearson Vue at the time said it had worldwide rollout, except in Japan, but had no explanation for the delay in delivery there. Thomson Prometric was able to deliver those same exams in Japan, but had delays in delivery elsewhere. Both providers were delivering the exams worldwide by the end of July.

At the time, Microsoft's chief certification strategist Keith Loeber attributed the delay to rollout problems for international language versions and hinted at a possible delay for the next set of exams: "We're working with our test providers to ensure a smoother rollout [in August]."

To read more about performance-based exams, see "New Twist to Exams: Just Do It" at http://www.mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=767. On the original delay, see "70-293, 70-294 Simulation Exams Delayed to August" at http://mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=813.