Let us help you get started on the path to professional certification. Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions concerning reasons to get certified, how to get started, exam prerequisites, and the lifespan of Microsoft Certifications. You'll also find information on job roles and how earning a Microsoft Certification helps show potential employers your commitment to continued learning and career growth.
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Q. Why should I get certified?
A.
According to a recent study, there is a 40 percent gap between demand and supply of IT professionals with the right technical skills. As technology evolves, organizations are looking for employees with the most up-to-date certifications on the most current technologies. If you want to attain a competitive edge and help improve employability and earning potential, Microsoft Certification can help position you. In a recent poll, 63 percent of IT hiring managers reported that certified employees are generally more productive than those without certifications.
Q. Will getting certified help me get a job?
Earning a Microsoft Certification can help you stand out from other job candidates by helping validate that you have the skills required to perform the job. Certification also helps show potential employers your commitment to continued learning and career growth.
Q. Do hiring managers really value certification?
During a recent poll of IT hiring managers, 55 percent said that they consider employee certification as a criterion for hiring, and 63 percent said that they believe certified employees are more productive than noncertified employees.
Q. I'm a student. Can I get a discount on exams?
Students, faculty, IT support staff of academic institutions, and Microsoft IT Academies are eligible to receive academic pricing on select Microsoft Certifications. In some geographic regions, the academic pricing can be up to 55 percent off the retail price.
Q. How do I choose a certification path?
Choosing a certification path is all about defining your career goals. Are you more interested in developing software or in deploying it? If you are more interested in developing software, would you rather develop applications for the Web or for Windows? Visit the following pages to learn about your options.
Q. Which exam is a good starting point?
Where you start depends on where you want to go. If you want to pursue a career as an IT professional, you might want to consider getting certified on the Windows 7 client operating system.
If you are interested in software development, a good place to start is to get certified on the Microsoft .NET Framework.
If you already have some experience in IT, choose the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) exam that best matches your experience.
Q. Are there any training prerequisites?
With the exception of the Microsoft Certified Master program, no Microsoft Certifications require training prior to taking an exam. However, hands-on experience working with the product is highly recommended. You should be able to demonstrate all the skills described in the exam preparation guide before you take an exam.
Q. How will I know what subjects will be covered on the exam?
The preparation guide for each exam describes all the skills that will be tested on that exam. You can use the Training Catalog to find the preparation guide for your exam.
Q. Do I really need to have the experience described in the preparation guide?
Microsoft Certifications are designed to measure your ability to perform skills related to a specific Microsoft technology. Without hands-on experience with the product, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to earn the certification.
Q. How can I get hands-on experience with the product if I'm not working in the IT industry yet?
Visit the Microsoft home page and download trial versions of products: Click the Downloads & Trials tab at the top of the page, and then select Download Center. Or click the All Products tab, also at the top of the page, and look for trials and downloads on the Web pages about products.
If you are a student, you might qualify for free access to certain software through Microsoft DreamSpark. You can download online labs from the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) or Microsoft TechNet for many technologies, which allows you to work with the technology without loading it onto your computer. Microsoft Learning training, such as Microsoft Press training kits, e-learning, and instructor-led training, also provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience with the technology.
Q. What's the most cost-effective way to prepare?
Hands-on experience focusing on the skills listed in the exam preparation guide is the most cost-effective way to prepare for a certification exam. Blogs and online articles are available on many of the skills. Many public libraries carry Microsoft Press training kits. Microsoft Learning and MSDN sponsor Live Meetings, webcasts, podcasts, and videos that may be relevant to your certification path. Microsoft Learning also offers short, interactive presentations called Silverlight Learning Snacks, which provide overviews on popular topics. A practice test is a great tool for identifying your current level of mastery and gaining insight into the level of training that you need for success on that technology.
Q. How will I know when I'm ready to take the exam?
The exam preparation guide is a great tool to help you determine whether you are ready to take the exam. Read the preparation guide and ask yourself whether you can perform the skills described. For a more exam-like assessment of your skills, you can get a practice test from one of our practice test providers. Practice questions are also available in some of our Microsoft Learning training products, such as the Microsoft Press training kits.
Q. How long will it take me to earn a certification?
The exam preparation guide includes the recommended amount of hands-on experience that candidates should have prior to taking each exam. Beyond that, it depends on how much time you spend studying. If you already have experience, you may only need a few weeks of studying to prepare for each exam. If you do not have hands-on experience or have very little time to study, you may need a few months of preparation before you are ready.
Q. How long will the certification be valid?
For certifications such as Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), the certification retires along with the product support for the technology being tested. The certification will still appear on your transcript but will be listed as retired. In most cases, an upgrade path (usually one exam) will be available for individuals who have that certification so that they can demonstrate their skills on the newest version of the technology without completing all exams associated with the new certification.
The legacy Microsoft certifications, such as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), do not expire, but as Microsoft releases new versions of the associated technology, these certifications are likely to be valued less by the industry.
