It has always been difficult to understand the rules of the Microsoft Exam game. I would put forward three reasons for this:
Lots of acronyms, MCSE, MSCA, MCP, MCT and therefore lots of individual parts.
No one-to-one relationship between the training courses and the exams.
Microsoft were prone to changing the rules, especially with NT 4.0. Also the exam format varies from regular fixed questions, to adaptive with 25 questions which change depending on you answer to the first question. (I hear they are about to return to giving pass marks – hooray!)
Here is my understanding of the the present situation, however do check with Microsoft. You probably know that MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified System Engineer.
MCSE on Windows 2000 (Seven exams)
Five Core (compulsory)
One Client – XP (70-270) or Windows 2000 (70-210)
Three Networking – Windows 2000 Server (70-215) Networking (70-216), Active Directory (20-217)
One Design – Directory Services (70-219) or Security (70-220) or Networking (70-221)
Two Electives (any two from about 12 exams)
SQL (Choice of at 3), Exchange (Choice of two), ISA and various others no-one bothers with.
Take Two Design leaving only one elective.
The key exams are: 216 Networking and 217 Active Directory these are very hard
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin
Train Signal have an excellent Windows Server 2008 course. You get over 70 hrs instruction with Ed Liberman and Ben "Coach" Culbertson. Try their step-by-step videos and master Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin.
The package includes the Transcender exams, which are the key to gaining the coverted Microsoft Certified IT Professional certification. However, the course also builds practical experience so that you can manage your network effectively once you complete the course.
Managing, Maintaining Server (70-290), Implementing, Managing, Maintaining Server Network (70-291), Planning and Maintaining Network (70-293) , Active Directory (70-294)
One Design – (70-297) or (70-298) – similar to MCSE 2000.
One Client – XP (70-270) or Windows 2000 (70-210)
One Electives
SQL (Choice of at ), Exchange (Choice of two), ISA, MCSE 2000 Electives.
Pass the four core exams on Server / Network, then count the design and elective exams from your Windows 2000 MCSE .
Other qualifications similar to MCSE
MCP
Simply passing any exam makes you a Microsoft Certified Professional. Most people then get the bug and go on to pass more exams and become MCSE or MCSA
MCSA – Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
MCSDBA – Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
MCSD – Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer
MCSD – Microsoft Certified Applications Developer
MCT – Microsoft Certified Trainer (Have to be MCSE first)
MCSE NT – Certified on NT 4.0 exams
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin
Train Signal have an excellent Windows Server 2008 course. You get over 70 hrs instruction with Ed Liberman and Ben "Coach" Culbertson. Try their step-by-step videos and master Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin.
The package includes the Transcender exams, which are the key to gaining the coverted Microsoft Certified IT Professional certification. However, the course also builds practical experience so that you can manage your network effectively once you complete the course.
Take Two Design leaving only one elective.
