1st Anniversary

Well today is 1^st anniversary of me taking steps to upgrade my certifications to Windows 2003 / Windows 2008. As many of you know I have blog about my experiences with all the exams. So this blog post is designed to talk about a few things.

• Which exam I write and pass?
• Which certifications did I achieve?
• What exam tips can I give you?

Which exams did I write.

With the exception of one exam, I have passed all the exams below. The only one I have not passed yet is the 70-403 exam which is still in Beta and the results have not been released yet. (crossing finger)

• 70-647 MCITP: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator 07-Nov-08
• 70-403 MCTS: MS System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuring 21-Oct-08
• 70-646 MCITP: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator 10-Oct-08
• 70-652 MCTS: Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring 24-Sep-08
• 70-649 MCTS: Upgrading MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 24-Sep-08
• 70-640 MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
• 70-642 MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• 70-643 TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
• 70-298 Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network 01-Aug-08
• 70-624 MCTS: Deploying & Maintaining Vista & Client Office System 07 Desktop 06-Jun-08
• 70-294 Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure 30-May-08
• 70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure 30-May-08
• 70-291 Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure 04-Apr-08
• 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment 08-Feb-08
• 70-431 SQL Server 2005 Implementation & Maintenance 22-Jan-08
• 70-622 Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Enterprise Support Technicians 03-Jan-08
• 70-620 Configuring Windows Vista Client 17-Dec-07
• 70-401 Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring 11-Dec-07

Yes that is 14 exams and one upgrade exam which counts are 3 exams. (17 exams)

Which certifications did I achieve?

1. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator Microsoft Windows Server 2003
2. Microsoft Certified IT Professional Enterprise Administrator
3. Microsoft Certified IT Server Administrator
4. Microsoft Certified IT Enterprise Support Technician
5. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Windows Server Virtualization, Configuration
6. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Windows Server 2008 Active Directory: Configuration
7. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure: Configuration
8. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure: Configuration
9. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Business Desktop Deployment
10. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist SQL Server 2005
11. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Microsoft Windows Vista: Configuration
12. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, Configuration
13. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer Microsoft Windows Server 2003
14. Microsoft Certified Trainer

Yes that is 14 different certifications!

What exam tips can I give you?

• Find a local User Group
• Find a Study Group or create one
• Buy your books online vs at a book store
• Book the exam in advance, this is a great motivator!
• There are NO trick questions on the exams! I could write entire blog post on this subject!
• Write a review of the exam. Like I did for 70-298
• Be proud of the exams you passed!
• Don’t use brain dumps, this only hurt you!

The last question that might be asked is what is next for me.

Well, I still plan to finish the exams outlined in my blog posts System Center Configuration Manager Enterprise Administrator and System Center Operation Manager Enterprise Administrator. Which are 70-400, 70-122 and a packaging exam. I’m starting to regret adding that one to the list, mostly because it is hard to find CBTs for that one. On top of those, I might pick up 70-432 (SQL 2008) and 70-635 (MDT). Yes, it is a never ending battle.

Why did I do this? The biggest reason was to put my money where my mouth was! I was preaching to other User Group members about you should get certified but I was not doing it myself! Plus I always feel that I learn something new while studying for each exam!

So what are you doing about becoming certified?