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IT Certification
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ShotgunEd
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Apr 7, 2006, 01:27 PM
 
My work is a Prometric certified test centre, furthermore, I can claim expenses for any tests I do while employed in my current job. I don't have any certs yet so I'm looking for advice and people's experiences when preparing for and sitting certification exams.

I'm going to sit 70-270 - Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional since I do this day to day in work (yes I know its Windows but I gotta make a living).

I also want to sit 9L0-401 - OS X Support Essentials v10.4 since I reckon I'll be able to walk in and do this using prior knowledge.

Can anyone recommend any other exams I should take? I'm unsure of what I want to do, I don't want to go too in-depth down any one path (be it MCSA or MCSE) but I don't want my certs to be too shallow either.

Also I'm not an advocate of certs for certs sake. A lot of the guys I work with are certified up the wazoo but haven't a clue. They've studied braindumps and testking guides but would be stuck if you asked them to apply their so called knowledge.

So...experiences and advice please people...if you have time
     
jasonsRX7
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Apr 7, 2006, 01:39 PM
 
Might as well at least get your MCSA, you only need to pass four tests. I'm doing 70-290 now, then I'll do 70-291, then 70-270 and then probably 70-284... Then I'll break for a month or two and finish the last three tests for MCSE.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/
     
ShotgunEd  (op)
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Apr 7, 2006, 01:59 PM
 
70-290 is a real toughie. My colleague who is a real windows buff has failed it twice. The only people I know who have passed it have done the 5-day course.
     
mindwaves
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Apr 7, 2006, 02:07 PM
 
I plan on taking the California PE exam this October. Last October had a 65% fail rate. I just bought some review books on Amazon to help me review.

I would advise to look on some message boards and see what other people had to say about the exam.
     
jasonsRX7
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Apr 7, 2006, 02:15 PM
 
I'm also thinking about getting a VCP (VMware Certified Professional) in between the MCSA and MCSE tests, just to break them up a little. I figure since I also administer a VMware ESX infrastructure I might as well be certified on it, plus my company will pay for it, so I ought to take advantage of that.
     
macroy
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Apr 7, 2006, 08:35 PM
 
Is your job focused on the desktops? OR do you also do some network stuff? Getting a CCNA may be a good idea. Its a Cisco cert - but the bulk of the test is basic networking (OSI Model, IP addressig, routing and switching etc.). Yea, you'll need to know some basic Cisco commands... but I think its a great cert to have. Network + is more of a "vendor neutral".. but I think the NA has more "Prestige".

I'd also say look into Security certs... but most of the "better" known ones don't use Prometric. I guess you can always look into a Security +... not sure how that is though.

But in all... I think network and security is a good way to round out your MC** cert.
.
     
ShotgunEd  (op)
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Apr 8, 2006, 05:30 AM
 
Originally Posted by macroy
Is your job focused on the desktops? OR do you also do some network stuff? Getting a CCNA may be a good idea. Its a Cisco cert - but the bulk of the test is basic networking (OSI Model, IP addressig, routing and switching etc.). Yea, you'll need to know some basic Cisco commands... but I think its a great cert to have. Network + is more of a "vendor neutral".. but I think the NA has more "Prestige".

I'd also say look into Security certs... but most of the "better" known ones don't use Prometric. I guess you can always look into a Security +... not sure how that is though.

But in all... I think network and security is a good way to round out your MC** cert.
My job is desktop focused, but the company is booming and is always looking for specialists. Certs and dedication almost guarantee promotion. Network + is another I was considering, all I really need to study is the cisco router commands ( i have a simulator that I can work with) as I did a pretty decent networking module in my Comp Sci degree. The networking stuff we deal with is 90% cisco so CCNAs will be appreciated but I think Network + would be a good stepping stone along the way.
     
macroy
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Apr 8, 2006, 10:51 PM
 
I think you would be appreciated it you're a Cisco shop. From looking at the Network + domains, I guess its up to you to see if its needed or not. It does fill a gap that Cisco's CCNA doesn't really cover (i.e. network topology, TCP/IP utility commands etc...) - However, some of that stuff seems a bit "academic" to make someone remember. But if you get to test for free.. I guess it won't hurt.

Best of luck.
.
     
   
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