RE: Just Starting out

Answers below:
--
Larry J. West, MCSD, MCPD, MCTS:SQL Server 2005, MOUS, FLMI, ACS


"Zyrus" wrote:

Hi Gents,

Well, I wouldn't call them all that. :-) [There are a few women here.]

I've just started a career in IT and would like to get some industry certs
under my belt. I've been searching around and it seems like an mcse would be
a good place to start. I've checked a few sites which detail £1000 per exam,
but these come with training. I'm quite happy to buy a book and praccy at
work though. So where do I start exactly?

Getting the input from others is a great place to start, but first, I would
go to the source -- www.microsoft.com - especially the preparation guide for
the exams you want to take. Take each item in the "skills being measured"
section and learn it!
Only then will you be ready to take the exams.
Rather than spending the £1000 on training, I would spend it upgrading my
home machine and try to do some of the "skills" in the "skills being
measured." You learn more by doing than by just being taught. If you get
stuck, review MSDN and/or TechNet online.

Do I get the books from amazon and book the exams at prometric.com?

You don't have to get the books at Amazon - you can get them almost anywhere
books are sold or loaned out. If you live in an area with a public library, I
would recommend asking the librarian to get the books for you. If you have
the money, join ACM (Association for Computing Machinery). That will earn you
the opportunity to download some of the certification books as well.
If you have no money at all, go to a bookstore and read the books there,
being careful to not to damage them. [Most bookstores have porcelain chairs
where you can read the books undisturbed :-) .] Write down the ISBN numbers
for the books you like most, then do a search using your favorite search
engine to get more detailed information about the book. There are several
different series of certification books, and by reading them at the bookstore
or library you can find which series you like best before buying them online.

In addition to prometric, try www.pearsonvue.com. Each of these have
different exam centers, and you can switch between Prometric and PearsonVue
to take your exams if you want to, although most people stick with one or the
other. Some exams, for example the 72-xxx series for students, and some beta
exams, are offered by one and not the other.

Do I need to sign up with microsoft somewhere??

No, unlike some certifications, you do not need to sign up with Microsoft in
advance.

Are my details held somewhere on a central database which confirm
my mcse qualifications?

Yes, once you pass your first exam, you will receive an email telling you
where to go to get your status [transcript], as well as instructions on how
to show it to others.
You must specifically request a "welcome kit" that comes by mail. You'll get
instructions on that after you pass the exam as well.

Any advice would be much appreciated! I don't know where to start....

Thanks.

Hope this provides you enough information to get started.
The rest is up to you.
Good luck in your certification studies.
.

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