Two specialist subjects also exist in the MCSE track; they are Messaging & Security. Dependent on exactly which initial seven MCPs are picked out, this may call for a further 1 or 2 additional 'MCP' exams. This implies you should look at which seven you decide on with care if you're probably going to specialise in Security or Messaging - the right selections will mean eight rather than nine exams. Up-grade exams have also been brought in by MS, (exam 70-648 for the MCSA & exam 70-649 for the 'MCSE') for Server-2008 MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). It's sensible to look at including one of these (or perhaps an equivalent) as soon as possible. If you do, you'll increase your eligibility for more work, and be future proofed to a greater degree.

Windows 'NT' Operating systems are now very few and far between, but quite a lot of 'Windows' 2000 can still be found. By far the most commonplace is server '2003', with server '2008' still in it's early-days. As this is actually the situation in the commercial world, the bulk of Microsoft's accreditations are still based on the 2003 Operating-system. The 'Microsoft' MCSE and 'MCSA' training programs have changed over the years consistent with the Servers. Presently, both MCSE 2003 and 'MCSA' 2003 are MS's main Network accreditations. Since upgrade coaching for Server 08 is actually available though, it really is a good idea to bolt this on also.

To be able to attain your complete 'MCSA' you have got to sit 4 individual MCP exams ('MCP' is short for Microsoft Certified Professional). There are three required 'core' exams, & a 4th 'elective' exam. An alternative elective within the group is the CompTIA 'Security+' , which is actually now selected by a lot of trainees instead of a 4th 'MCP'. The 'MCSE' involves 7 MCP exams, that reflect the higher importance placed on organisational Security, systems-planning & network-design.

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