Is your New Years’ resolution to finally sit down and take some Microsoft exams? I’m planning to work a bit harder toward my Exchange 2007 MCITP certification in the first half of 2010. Just because Exchange 2010 is released doesn’t mean that taking the time to learn an “older” technology isn’t useful. Especially if that is what you are faced with administering on a day to day basis.

If you haven’t visited the Microsoft Learning website recently, it’s worth a look. Microsoft has updated several of their charts and learning paths to make the changes between the MCSE program and the MCTS and MCITP programs a lot clearer. I’m a fan of the the “Certification by Technology” chart that lists out each major product line and the certification paths available.

There are also some downloadable charts detailing the upgrade paths from older certifications, complete with recommendations for online or live training and reading materials. Finally, the Learning Catalog has several free “clinics” covering topics such as “Exchange 2010 in the Enterprise” and “Exploring Microsoft Virtualization”. They are easy place to get started.

Here’s to a productive 2010!

There has been some recent chatter on the web about the 83-640 exam, which is the “virtual lab” version of the 70-640 exam, TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring. Both of these exams are available by Prometric (at least in CA), but 83-640 is not currently listed as an official exam option for the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator or for the MCITP: Server Administrator if you refer to the MCITP certification list. However, the exam details for 83-640 note that it DOES count toward them. It’s hard to say if or when this new version will officially replace the traditional exam.

I did have the chance to sit for the pilot of this test held in late 2008, when it was numbered as 70-113. While the test did have a multiple-choice section, the sections that were done in the virtual lab were actually fun. Yes, I thought the test was fun.

It really gives someone who works a lot with Windows a chance to showcase their skills without having to memorize the exact name of the tab or screen where a setting is located, as is often the case with the regular exam format. Instead, you worked on a fully functional server, making about 10 configuration changes in each test segment. I had access to everything I would have on a “real” server – I could click around to review all the tabs, settings and tools and even had access to the help files. Once all the tasks were completed, you close out that segment and move onto the next.

The experience was as close to a true work environment as you could possibly get for a test. We all know that on any given day, we may not know exactly where to go for what needs to be done, but we certainly know it when we see it. And browsing a few tabs or pressing F1 is part of the process to jog our memories and get us back on track.

If I was given the choice to take 70-640 or 83-640 to meet my certification requirements, I’d look to take the “virtual lab” version, hands down. I hope Microsoft looks to this new format for future exams.

Last night, I presented a brief overview of current Microsoft certifications at the PacITPros meeting. One of the questions that came up was how to determine the ROI of getting certified. Right now, I’m in the early stages of updating my messaging certification from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007. My office pays for exam fees, so I like to take advantage of that when I can. But why certify at all?

For me, it’s not a “bottom line” calculation. I do it as a motivator to keep learning. The nature of the business where I work means we tend to deal with a lot of dated software and don’t always have a need to upgrade to the latest or greatest of anything. We usually run about 3 years behind, particularly with Microsoft software, though that has been changing. If I wasn’t personally interested in staying current, I could easily let my skills lag behind.

Getting a certification in a specific technology gives me something tangible to work towards. By using some extra lab equipment at the office and making time to read, I can have a little fun and stay up to date on technology that will eventually get deployed in production.

Certification isn’t a perfect science. I know that the exams aren’t always in line with real production situations, but they have been improving over the years. And I know there are people on the ends of the spectrum -those that have great skills or experience with no certifications and others with limited experience and a series of letters after their name. I aim for balance. I stick with the topics and products that are in line with what I work with regularly so I can be confident that taking the time to study is going to provide value.

Right now, getting a certification doesn’t end in extra bonuses or a higher salary grade. But maybe one day it will be the item that stands out on my resume when compared to others with similar experience. Or show that I have the ability to set a goal and follow through. Or perhaps I’ll just enjoy challenging myself – certainly no harm in that!