Questions & Answers
Preparing for Microsoft Certification Exams with Learning Tree Courses This document supplements information found in other Learning Tree Q&As and course descriptions and provides answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What are the requirements for Microsoft certifications and how does Learning Tree help me become certified? To earn a Microsoft certification, you must pass a series of exams that are specific to the products and job functions of the certification. The requirements differ for each certification. Potential certification holders are not required to take courses; although, most people find it very difficult to pass the Microsoft exams without the benefit of specific training. Learning Tree courses provide a well-rounded and comprehensive education for IT professionals working with systems, networks and applications involving Microsoft products. While these courses are not designed to prepare you for specific Microsoft exams, they do provide the technical training you need for the foundation of your exam preparation. They also provide an objective view of how to use Microsoft products effectively in a multi-vendor environment. Your real-world experience working with Microsoft products and technologies is also important in preparing for the exams. What types of questions are on the Microsoft certification exams? To pass the Microsoft exams, you must be prepared to answer detailed questions in very broad subject areas. The computerized exams consist of multiple-choice, drag-anddrop, solution-building and performance-based questions. Each exam is closed-book and is graded as either a pass or fail. The time limit for each exam varies.
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How do I register for the exams and where do I take them? Microsoft certification exams are offered at Prometric testing centers worldwide. To register, or for more information about an exam, go to http://www.register.prometric.com or call: US/Canada: UK/Sweden: France:
800-755-3926 31-320-23-9895 31-320-23-9899
When should I take the Microsoft exams? The best time to take an exam varies from person to person depending on the individual’s level of experience. Many Learning Tree attendees take the exam within two weeks of taking a preparatory course and studies approximately eight or more hours before taking an exam. Does Learning Tree offer any professional certifications? Yes, in addition to offering preparatory courses for Microsoft certifications, Learning Tree also offers many Professional Certification Programs. For more information on acquiring a Learning Tree Professional Certification, please request the Learning Tree Professional Certification Programs Q&A from your sales representative, or visit the Professional Certification page on the Learning Tree website. If I receive training and obtain a certification that is scheduled to retire, will my certification become obsolete? Microsoft has changed their certification structure to conform to the broader skillsets that are needed as technologies and industries evolve. Regardless of the certification retirements, your certifications will remain valuable as long as companies are using the technologies on which it certifies.
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Enroll Now! 1-800-THE-TREE or 1-800-843-8733 www.learningtree.com
Questions & Answers Preparing for Microsoft Certification Exams Are there courses that will prepare me for certifications that apply to Microsoft Office 2013, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012? Absolutely! Learning Tree offers courses that will help you prepare for the MCSA, MCSD, MCSE and the MOS certifications. Please refer to the chart on the next page for information detailing which Learning Tree courses may best assist you in preparing for these certifications. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) A MCSA certification proves your core technical skills and shows that you have the primary set of Windows Server skills that are relevant across multiple solution areas. The MCSA certification is available for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2012. Each certification requires the completion of three exams associated with the specific technology.
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) A MOS certification demonstrates that you have the skills needed to get the most out of Microsoft Office by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist certification in a specific Office program. Each certification requires the completion of one exam. I’ve heard that several Microsoft certifications are being discontinued. May I still receive training? Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification exams retired in January 2014. The Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certification exams retired in July 2013. The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification exams will be retired as of July 2014. Learning Tree still offers training; however, we do not help to prepare for these exams once the exams and certifications are retired.
The MCSA certifications replace the retired MCTS certification group. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) A MCSD certification validates your ability to design and build solutions that extend beyond traditional platform boundaries. It is available for Windows Store Apps, Web Applications and Application Lifecycle Management. Each certification requires the completion of three exams associated with a specific technology. The MCSD certifications replace the retired MCPD certification group. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) The MCSE certifications are replacing the older MCITP certifications and demonstrate the holders’ ability to build innovative solutions across multiple technologies, both on-premises and in the cloud. The MCSE certification is available for Server Infrastructure, Desktop Infrastructure, Private Cloud, Messaging, Communication and SharePoint. Each certification requires the completion of five exams associated with the specific technology.
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Enroll Now! 1-800-THE-TREE or 1-800-843-8733 www.learningtree.com
Questions & Answers Preparing for Microsoft Certification Exams This chart outlines the Learning Tree courses that help prepare for Microsoft certification programs:
Certification Program
Microsoft Exam
Learning Tree Course(s)
70-410
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
Course 2410, Windows Server 2012 Introduction
70-411
Administering Windows Server 2012
Course 2411, Windows Server 2012 Administration
70-461
Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
Course 532, SQL Server Transact-SQL Programming
70-462
Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
Course 2108, SQL Server Database Administration Course 141, SQL Server High Availability
MCSA
Course 535, Developing High-Performance SQL Server Databases 70-680
Windows 7, Configuring
Course 2400, Windows 7 Introduction
70-685
Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Course 2400, Windows 7 Introduction Course 2401, Deploying and Managing Windows
70-687
Configuring Windows 8
Course 2404, Windows 8 Introduction
70-688
Managing and Maintaining Windows 8
Course 2401, Deploying and Managing Windows
70-246
Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
Course 2414, Microsoft System Center 2012 Technologies
MCSE
Course 1215, Implementing a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
Note: You must have passed appropriate MCSA exams and received
70-247
your MCSA certification prior to
Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
Course 2414, Microsoft System Center 2012 Technologies Course 1215, Windows Server 2012 Active Directory Domain Services
taking MCSE exams
70-341
Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
Course 2502, Installing and Managing Exchange Server 2013
70-342
Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
Course 2502, Installing and Managing Exchange Server 2013
70-464
Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
Course 2107, SQL Server 2012 Introduction Course 2108, SQL Server 2012 Database Administration
70-465 Certification_Microsoft_US_1411
Designing Database Solutions for SQL Server 2012
Course 2107, SQL Server 2012 Introduction
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Enroll Now! 1-800-THE-TREE or 1-800-843-8733 www.learningtree.com
Questions & Answers Preparing for Microsoft Certification Exams Course 2108, SQL Server 2012 Database Administration MCSE
70-466
Note: You must have passed appropriate MCSA
70-467
exams and received your MCSA
Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
Course 139, SQL Server Analysis Services Course 140, SQL Server Reporting Services Course 134, SQL Server Integration Services Course 139, SQL Server Analysis Services Course 140, SQL Server Reporting Services
certification prior to taking MCSE exams
Course 146, SharePoint 2010 Business Intelligence 70-480
Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3
Course 470, Developing a Website Course 2320, HTML5 Web Development
MCSD
70-483
Programming in C#
Course 419, C# Programming
70-486
Developing ASP.NET MVC 4 Web Applications
Course 977, Building Web Applications with ASP.NET MVC
77-420
MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2013
Course 195, Power Excel: Analyzing Data to Make Business Decisions
77-424
MOS: Microsoft Office Access 2013
77-882
MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2010
MOS
Course 1361, Microsoft Excel Introduction Course 970, Microsoft Access Introduction Course 195, Power Excel: Analyzing Data to Make Business Decisions Course 1361, Microsoft Excel Introduction
77-885
MOS: Microsoft Access 2010
Course 970, Microsoft Access Introduction
Learning Tree courses were not designed to map specifically to the Microsoft certification exams although they prepare you for much of what is covered in the exams. Taking all of the courses listed for an exam provides the most complete coverage of the topics included in that exam. Certification_Microsoft_US_1411
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Enroll Now! 1-800-THE-TREE or 1-800-843-8733 www.learningtree.com