MCSE 2003 should I wait???

[JayR]

Hello,

I am currnetly looking into trying to bribe my boss into funding an MCSE training package.It costs 1000 big ones and I was wondering if CDROM learning the microsoft way was worth it or as good as some good ol hands on learning (which we all prefer really.)

I was also wondering with VISTA looming over our heads whether it would be worth taking the XP unit even though it's bound to be used by us schools for ages yet to come because our computers aren't spec enough for VISTA's needs.

But as i'm looking to shift into industry to get some proper pay, (instead of being paid as much as admin) I dont no if VISTA will be a valuable thing to have in it's early stages.

Any thought's anyone?

 

JayR

[E1uSiV3]

Personally, i would do the 2003 track, then do the upgrade exams.

[Simcfc73]

I'd personally go for the 2003 and then upgrade when you've got used to Vista.

 

I got my MCSE 2000 several years ago and haven't had chance to upgrade yet but its only 2 exams to upgrade (well it was the last time I looked). I imagine they will do a similar thing when Vista certs come out.

[bossman]

Simcfc73 did my MCSE full last summer over 6 weeks at a residentail training facility and was amazed at how intense it was. Every so often a MCSE 2000 qualified person would call in to take his upgrade exams and virtually everyone while i was there failed the upgrade as the 2003 exams were so much more intense. Hopefully this will not apply to yourself but if anyone is contemplating doing the course be up for it cos it really is extreme. Also the cost for this course was £3.5k

[john]

Good Question JayR, thats what I am contenplating myself. I think I will go 2003 and XP and upgrade as needed etc

[_Bob_]

Yes the upgrade definately looks sensible. Vista is still a while off and it will be ages before it builds decent market share, the hardware requirements alone ensure that. Plus, if it follows the usual MS story, it will be pants before at least the first service pack.

 

[apeo]

Im looking into this also and going with what everyone has said i think upgrade is the best idea. I also think it will be a while before vista would be implemented as a standard.

[Dos_Box]

The new exams make my NT 4.0 ones look like a doddle now.

[Simcfc73]

Have you thought of the MCSA? Its still got the MCS in the title and sounds almost as good.

 

Then maybe go for the MCDST and you get more letters but its a support one so it sounds better.

 

Also you could go for the CCNA after the MCSA which is a nice one to get. I think mines run out now but I remember the exam being pretty difficult.

[GrumbleDook]

I'm on the lookout for suitable resources I can buy the team for self study ... I can't afford to get them all on training courses but I can give them time to study and assistance where I can.

 

We already have the usual Minasi books (for what happens in the real world) but what other ones have people used other than MS Press?

[Simcfc73]

I've always used sybex and examprep.

[kingswood]

I'm on the lookout for suitable resources I can buy the team for self study ... I can't afford to get them all on training courses but I can give them time to study and assistance where I can.

 

We already have the usual Minasi books (for what happens in the real world) but what other ones have people used other than MS Press?

 

Not reading (although there is a manual with each) but Trainsignal do some excellent MCSA/MCSE study DVDs. The advantage is that it isn't dry facts you are picking up but also getting to *do* what is being taught. And I know you said not the MS Press stuff- but the MCSA training kit is actually pretty good stuff.

 

Enjoy.

[kingswood]

The new exams make my NT 4.0 ones look like a doddle now.

 

Oh yes. I was speaking to someone with an MCSE in NT4 yesterday, and he has failed all of his MCSA 2003 exams so far and is having to take six months out to re-study for the tests. He got hit hard on terminal services and security in the first test, and clustering in the second.

 

In a mock test I got 897 (using Transcender) but haven't bothered with the actual exam yet. Scares the life out of me 8O

 

Paul

[fooby]

What prices have people got for these sorts of courses? I was looking at the MCSE 2003 and so far have found classroom led courses for £4000. Haven't looked at online courses so far though.

 

fooby

[towen]

Hi all,

 

Our LEA have been running there own MCSA training provided by Remarc which I have attended, which has been really useful.

 

I am already MCSA 2000 and MCDST XP and currently in the process of trying to upgrade to MCSA 2003, but I haven't had much luck on the exams!

 

Sat 70-292 MCSA Upgrade and Failed... It was a tough one!

 

Also sat 70-290 and only just failed, looking at re-taking soon...

 

Training for MS Exams can be expensive, but I think it's worth it longterm!

[john]

Sounds really bad (but its not that I am rubbish at my job, its actually good for some things), but I do find the Dummies book for Server 2003 quite useful at times for some things, but I do like the MS Press one as well as Sams books, my ISA 2000 Sams book was very very good.

 

I also have a few books on CD which I sourced off the internet for various MSFT things and they are useful, cannot remember the names of the books, but they are really good as well, and the fact they are PDF means you can quickly search for key words etc and try and find what you are looking for quickly.

[john]

Have you thought of the MCSA? Its still got the MCS in the title and sounds almost as good.

 

Then maybe go for the MCDST and you get more letters but its a support one so it sounds better.

 

Also you could go for the CCNA after the MCSA which is a nice one to get. I think mines run out now but I remember the exam being pretty difficult.

 

I thought MCDST was sort of a bottom of the ladder type thing then MCSA then MCSE as they sort of built upon the skills learnt in previous ones?

[PiqueABoo]

I am currnetly looking into trying to bribe my boss into funding an MCSE training package.It costs 1000 big ones

 

I've always trained myself so I'm not up on the rates, but that doesn't sound like a lot for professional training on seven exams (a couple of which are a teensy bit hard).

 

I'd look closely at whether it amounts to much more than being given a pile of Sybex books and someone standing at the front reading through bits of them very quickly.

[Dos_Box]

I am currnetly looking into trying to bribe my boss into funding an MCSE training package.It costs 1000 big ones

 

I've always trained myself so I'm not up on the rates, but that doesn't sound like a lot for professional training on seven exams (a couple of which are a teensy bit hard).

 

I'd look closely at whether it amounts to much more than being given a pile of Sybex books and someone standing at the front reading through bits of them very quickly.

 

Agreed. Most of the tim ethe software changes too fast to make any kind of permance in exams and learning by rote a process which you will never use is a waste of my time. I'll always get the big books for any new operating system though.

[fooby]

What does anyone think about the CompTIA Network+ course? Is this comparable to MCSE's? Is this a well recognised course?

 

fooby