If you’ve had a whole elephant to eat, how would you do it? Let’s try to recall the old African proverb. Well, the best method is to take one bite at a time. Now a similar scenario is possible with the IT credentials. But what should be your starting point?
The IT industry is led by a few huge companies, and Microsoft is without a doubt the most famous. Apart from its well-known software, the company also offers a wide credential program for aspiring IT specialists. Today, we will talk about some of the most popular Microsoft certifications and their exams. In the second part of this text, we will discuss one of these certifications and measures you need to take to get certified.
So, here is a brief description of the certifications that are popular among IT specialists all over the world link here.
MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification
This associate-level certification will qualify you for the job positions such as computer network specialist or/and computer systems administrator. The credential covers essential Windows Server 2016 skillsthat will help you to become a specialist who can deliver more sufficient business value and decrease IT costs. To get MCSA: Windows Server 2016, you are required to pass three exams:
Microsoft 70-740 exam
This test is called Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016. The exam covers the installation of Windows Servers in compute and host environments, implementation of storage solutions, Windows containers, Hyper-V, and more.
If you want to learn more about Microsoft 70-740 exam, you can visitMicrosoft website.
Microsoft 70-741 exam
70-741 exam, Networking with Windows Server 2016, covers the implementation of DNS (Domain Name System), remote access solutions, distributed network solutions, advanced network infrastructure, IPAM, DHCP, and more.
The details about Microsoft 70-741 exam can be found on Microsoft website.
Microsoft 70-742 exam
This test is called Identity with Windows Server 2016. It focuses on AD DS (Active Directory Domain Services), group policy, AD CS (Implement Active Directory Certificate Services), Identity Federation, and more.
Microsoft 70-743 exam
The exam described below is an upgrade that you can opt for if you already possess the previous version of MCSA certification related to Windows Server: MCSA: Windows Server 2012 R2 certification or MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification.
70-743 exam, Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA: Windows Server 2016, covers the implementation of servers, Hyper-V, storage solutions, DNS, High Availability, Windows containers, and more.
If you want to find more information about Microsoft 70-743 exam, visit Microsoft website.
MCSA: Web Applications certification
Next certification on our list is also an associate-level credential that is dedicated to web applications. This certification is intended for specialists who want to validate their ability and expertise in the implementation of modern apps. To get certified, the candidate must pass either 70-480 exam or 70-483 exam along with 70-486 test.
Microsoft 70-480 exam
This exam is called Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3. It covers the implementation of objects,document structures,andprogram flow, as well as theuseof CSS3 in applications, and more.
Read more about Microsoft 70-480 exam on Microsoft website.
Microsoft 70-483 exam
70-483 exam,Programming in C#, is intended to confirm whether you can handle the program flowmanagement, createtypes, debug applications, and more.
If you want to learn more about Microsoft 70-483 exam, you can go to Microsoft website.
Microsoft 70-486 exam
The test that is called Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications is designed to validate your ability to design the application architecture,deployment architecture,UI (User Experience) and more.
To learn more about Microsoft 70-486 exam, visit Microsoft website.
MCSA: Office 365 certification
This credential is an ideal choice for the people who want to prove that they are able to administerbusiness applications hosted on the cloud. This credential qualifies an individual as cloud applications administrator or SaaS administrator.To get MCSA: Office 365, one need to pass 2 exams: 70-346 and 70-347. Note that this certification retires on March 31, 2019.
Microsoft 70-346 exam
The exam Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements covers the implementation and management of federated identities, security in Office 365,cloud identities, Azure AD Connect, and more. Note that this exam retires on March 31, 2019.
To get more details about Microsoft 70-346 exam, visit Microsoft website.
Microsoft 70-347 exam
This test is called Enabling Office 365 Services. It focuses on the management of the end-user devices and clients, site collections of SharePoint Online, the configuration of Exchange Online and Skype for Business, and more. This exam also retires on March 31, 2019.
More information about Microsoft 70-347 exam can be found Microsoft website.
MCSD: App Builder certification
Next certification in our listis MCSD: App Builder. You can obtain it if you already possess MCSA: Web Applications(which we discussed earlier)orMCSA: Universal Windows Platform certification. MCSD here stands for Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer, and this credential is designed to confirm the candidate’s skills in building modern mobile/web services and apps. To earn this certification, the individual needs to pass one of the 8 offered exams. Let’s take a look at one of them:
Microsoft 70-487 exam
This exam is titled Developing Microsoft Azure and Web Services. It covers data manipulation with the help of Entity Framework, data access, Web services based onAPI, Web Applications deployment and more.
More information about Microsoft 70-487 exam can be found on Microsoft website.
Now, let’s move to the particular credential. We will take MCSA: Windows Server 2012 as an example to give you a clear idea of the certification process and preparation measures.
If you want to become a Certified Network Specialist, you need to start from the exam 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012. This is the first of three exams that must be passed in order to receive MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification.
Basics of MCSA Windows Server 2012 certification
Earning MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification proves that you have the abilities necessary to work as a network of computer systems administrator or a computer network specialist.
MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification is the ideal base to push your career forward and attain the popular Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification. But what exactly does it take to become certified? Well, there are three compulsory exams to be passed before you can attain this credential: 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412. Below we will discuss the basics of Microsoft 70-410 exam to help you in your journey to attaining an MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification.
Microsoft 70-410 exam: importance and details
70-410 exam tests your skills in installing and configuring Windows Server 2012. The test also covers numerous features of Windows Server such as Core Network Services, Hyper-V, Group Policy, and Active Directory. Passing 70-410 exam confirms that you have the knowledge and expertise necessary to work with Windows Server 2012 in an enterprise environment.
To find more information aboutMicrosoft 70-410exam, visit Microsoft website.
What does Microsoft 70-410 exam entail?
Microsoft 70-410 exam consists of 40-60 questions, but the number of questions can vary as it is with most of the tests offered by Microsoft.
Microsoft is known for constant developing of the innovative testing technologies and question types, and the testing formats are not revealed to the candidates prior to the exam. Well, this is the company’s policy regarding exams, and you need to be prepared for whatever comes your way. Some of the question types you can expect in the exam include active screen, build list, drag-and-drop, case studies, hot area, multiple choice, repeated answer choice, mark review, review screen, and short answer.
The duration of the test is 120 minutes but a seat time of 150 minutes is required to have enough time for other important activities such as reading the instructions. Just like other MCSA certification exams, 70-410 costs $165, but additional taxes may apply in certain countries and regions.
If you do not have any testing center in your current location, don’t worry. Microsoft has a partnership with Pearson VUE for proctored exam delivery, so you will be able to take the test from any location across the globe while being monitored via the webcam.
What is the passing score for this exam? There are only two possible results: “Pass” or “Fail”. Any score above 700 is a pass while scoring below 700 will earn you a “fail” status. You will receive a notification of your results within a few minutes after completing your test. You will also receive a printable report with a feedback on your performance.
How to prepare for 70-410 exam
One of the most important resources for you to prepare for 70-410 exam is the Microsoft Virtual Academy. Have you heard of it before? Well, this is a first-hand learning resource from Microsoft that is designed to provide free online training and gauge your understanding of the Microsoft technologies.
Visit the Microsoft Virtual Academy website, and you will find plenty of videos, presentations, and other information about various Microsoft technologies. The basic course available in the Virtual Academy for 70-410 exam is called “Windows Server 2012 Essentials”.
Another valuable resource for your preparation is the official revision guides. One of them is “Exam Ref 70-410 Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 R2 (MCSA)”, a book published in 2014 to suit all your preparation needs regarding 70-410 exam.
The training guide not only prepares you for the exam but also helps you to show your mastery of the implementation and configuration of core services in Windows Server 2012 R2. The book focuses on the two skills – critical thinking and decision-making, both of which are vital for success at the MCSA level. The book is an ideal tutorial for the IT professionals willing to advance their status.
Another book that you might need is the “Training Guide: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 R2”, published in 2014. This book is fully updated for Windows Server 2012 R2 and designed to make you acquainted with the job-related skills. This tutorial is based on the deployment and management of core infrastructure services in Windows Server 2012 R2.
It would be unfair to end this list without stating how useful practice test can be for your exam preparation. You can either use the Microsoft Official Practice Test or some other tests that are available online. The advantage of this method is that it provides you with the information about the areas you need to concentrate to pass the actual exam.
Does passing the practice test guarantee success in the exam? Absolutely no way. Passing the test demands more than that, but with the help of the practice questions, you will understand the exam pattern.
Some certification providers acknowledge the importance of braindumps for your exam preparation. But you need to be very careful when you are preparing with the exam dumps: ensure that all the materials that you use for your preparation are up to date. Otherwise, you are in danger of failing the exam.
Conclusion
So, you can see that the idea of taking one bite at a time is quite reasonable. It is essential to know your starting point once you have your certification goal in mind. Now, when you have the goal and you get an opportunity to enroll for your preferred Microsoft credential, don’t think twice. Microsoft certifications can give you many advantages both in personal and professional terms.