REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 20, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 certification track for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSEs). The premier credential includes the core skill set necessary to design, develop and manage medium-sized to very large computing environments using the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system and the BackOffice family of integrated server products. The new track is the latest move by Microsoft to continue raising the standards of certification by including performance-based exams, adaptive testing techniques and emphasizing troubleshooting. The Windows 2000 track also requires design skills for security, network infrastructure or directory infrastructure. Candidates with at least one year of experience implementing and administering a network operating system will likely be most successful in passing the exams.
“The Windows 2000 track for MCSEs is a premier certification intended for IT professionals who work in a typically complex computing environment and possess a high level of real-world experience,”
said Donna Senko, director of certification and skills assessment at Microsoft.
“In the past year, Microsoft has raised its certification standards by pioneering new testing innovations that add greater value to Microsoft certification. These efforts include product simulations, ongoing exam updates, adaptive testing, increased security at testing centers and a revised retake policy. Microsoft is leading in this initiative with the Windows 2000 certification track and remains committed to keeping the Microsoft certification the most sought-after and respected in the industry.”
MCSE Windows 2000 Certification
To obtain the new MCSE certification, candidates will be required to pass five core exams and two electives. Exams reflect the skills required to analyze, design, implement, administer and trouble-shoot the network interconnection of devices, systems and communication services. The core skill set includes design, TCP/IP and scripting and emphasizes trouble-shooting. Beta exams are scheduled to be available in spring 2000 for candidates of the MCSE credential. An accelerated exam will be available to those who have passed all three exams for the Windows NT® 4.0 operating system. The accelerated exam enables those who meet the prerequisites to replace four of the five core exams with the accelerated exam. More details about the Windows 2000 certification courses can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/certstep/mcse.htm .
“The new Microsoft Windows 2000 certification track will prove to be beneficial to my career and the industry as a whole,”
said Travis Davis, infrastructure specialist at Electronic Data Systems Corp. (EDS).
“Microsoft is taking steps toward increasing the value of my certification by raising expectations for MCSEs with the new track.”
Job-Task Analysis
Enhancements to the Microsoft certification program were based on a recent job-task analysis conducted by Southern Illinois University, with participation from more than 2,800 information technology professionals in more than 85 countries. Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) tracks are based on a description of the job tasks necessary for positions that MCSEs fill. The analysis found trouble-shooting, design and analysis to be the most important job tasks for IT professionals. Most frequently encountered were the tasks of trouble-shooting, management, monitoring and optimization. The exams offered with the MCSE Windows 2000 certification map directly to those core competencies.
“Reliable studies that survey the current needs of the industry are an essential means of developing content for a valid certification program,”
said Jack McKillip, professor of psychology at Southern Illinois University.
More details on this job-task analysis are available from the Microsoft Training and Certification Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/download/downld.htm .
Preparing for Windows 2000 Certification Now
As part of its ongoing commitment to channel- and customer-readiness, Microsoft has invested $40 million to train more than 150,000 developers, channel and IT professionals worldwide on the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system. Through this initiative, customers will receive the training necessary to help them gain expertise to plan deployment and development on Microsoft Windows 2000. Currently, MCSEs can take advantage of a 50 percent discount on a five-day accelerated Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) Windows 2000-focused training course. Students can choose between instructor-led and online training options. MOC is official courseware designed by Microsoft’s product groups to help people develop the skill set necessary to deploy, administer and support Microsoft products. Those interested in details and registration for special offers regarding this initiative should visit http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/win2000/fiveday/ . Those wanting to learn more about MOC courses currently available should visit http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/moc/ .
To prepare for certification exams, candidates can choose from a variety of training, including online, instructor-led and self-study options available through Microsoft Certified Technical Education Centers (Microsoft CTECs), Authorized Academic Training Provider programs (AATP) and independent courseware vendors. Other self-paced training options include Microsoft Press materials, which can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/ . In addition, Microsoft has created the Microsoft Certified Professional Practice Test Provider program to encourage the development of the highest-quality practice materials for candidates seeking MCP status. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/examinfo/practice.htm .
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