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MCSA Certification

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by chanha 1 view

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Online, Classroom or Read books on my own.
I have been working in the IT for 9+ yrs and want to get certified. The courses are expensive and not sure if the job will pay.

What is your recommendation and why for taking the MCSA Certifications.

16 replies

by tom_in_nj

Depending on what you've done during your 9+ years, you should find the MCSA relatively easy. It's also a stepping stone to the MCSE, which should be your next goal. Microsoft now allows you to specialize your MCSA/MCSE in security, which is a hot topic. Or better yet, go for a CISSP after your MCSA.

As for how to study, that really depends on the individual. If you're a great book learner, break out your highlighter and go for it - it's definately the cheapest option. Online learning is OK too. Classroom learning is expensive and usually not very time-flexible, so unless money's no object and you have time off, stick with books or online learning.

Good luck.

by awfernald

as to why learning/obtaining a certifaction of any type is a waste of money? or is it just MS certs that you consider a waste?

I agree that the cisco certs would be more useful, however, not everyone who works with Microsoft Products works with Cisco equipment and vice-versa.

by jdclyde

and as for if Cisco is more usefull than the MS certs, it all depends on what he is working with.

A network guy should have the Cisco, a Sys admin would need the MS/Novell/*nix certs.

by dafe2

How:

I found the self study the most usefull (for me).
I read the books & did all the labs.
You have to love reading for this path though.
I had tried the courses, spent the cash & found them absolutely useless (In Canada at least). You'll probably leave with the same opinion with 9 years in the field.

Why:

Personal growth & satisfaction only. I usually take up a course or a cert every tear or so just to keep me on my toes........most have to do with Information Systems others don't.

Good Luck Chanha

DAFE2

by bsod_420

A MCSA certainly expands your visible skillset. Whether it is worth taking classes or relying on your own study depends on both your financial situation and your knowledge base. You may want to study a bit on our own and take some sample exams which are easily found on the web. If you do really well on sample exams you probably have a good chance of passing the real exams without suffering through the classes. Good Luck!

by biggins

Years of experience is excellent foundation but from the MS exams I have taken, the answers provided aren't allways the best or most efficient answer. People who have experience in the field tend to their own way of doing things. That's why doing test kings, and practice tests are important as then you know what type of questions and answers to expect.

by awfernald

You might actually already have the knowledge to obtain the MCSA or even the MCSE.

I would recommend getting some sample copies of the MCSA cert test trainers, and seeing how you do. If you can pass them with no problems, then you will probably pass the actual exams as well.

If you already have the hands-on knowledge, why waste the money to relearn what you already know?

by jdclyde

There is a lot of jargon, sales propaganda and filler BS that is on the test that have nothing to do with "real world" experiences.

The experience it the best thing, but get a sybex book and go over it. For $30 it should suppliment your working knowledge enough to get the CERT.

And yes, being able to say your certified does mean a lot. Would you take your car to someone who wasn't a certified mechanic? Not unless I knew them personally (and maybe not even then)

by mhasf

The problem with this is that the test writers know that this would be true with most of us with experience, but to keep this multi-million dollar business afloat, they ofter write questions that are not things we run into on a day-to-day basis. I think the best way is to get the cheapest course so you can get their point-of-view and pass the darn thing!

by cg it

MCSE and CCNP are what you really should shoot for. The MCSA is ok, but just about everyone is gonna want the MCSE and CCNP if they hire you for network admin. They'll also want MCDBA and Exchange experience along with ISA server.

by house

...and if you have the option available to you, run labs and follow the text as you are working through the book. If you are going to get into AD design and administration, there are better case studies available than the ones that are included in the Sybex books. Just do a quick search for case studies, you'll find quite a few.

by Member 19528012

Class based learning...just make sure you do not get one of those companies that want to get as many through the door as possible, you will find alot of class time is taken with the tutor going over the basics again and again and again (it was a waste of ???).

I find the self study much better in my view, the Sybex books are on the whole well written and not as hard going as the MS Press books.

As for just doing the exams...I'd still recommend getting the book and reading it, as a refresher if nothing else.

Paul

by house

Yes, there is way too much redundancy in technical certification; especially when you you are dealing with an MS route. I find that the redundancy does promote a solid learning experience though, as there are always holes in your knowledge after the module.

Yes, it is very expensive to go through a training course. I spent $12,000 on tuiton and $1,000 on books when I went through a targetted MCSE 2k program. Well worth it, but expensive as hell. :)

FYI - We used the Sybex books exclusively for our MS and Cisco modules. I've tried to read the respective "press" books from Cisco and MS, but I found that Sybex tends to publish authors who have a knack for keeping you in tune with the material. We dove into Linux distros a little; we used O'Reilley crap.

by house

These are my favourites that seem to promote self training and solid reference.

MCSA/MCSE - Sybex books
CCNA/CCNP - Sybex books
Linux - O'Reilly books (not much choice here)
Web Concepts - Sybex books
Comptia certs - Sybex books
Design and web prog - PeachPit books
Oop - Wrox and Sams books

Just my opinion... this is representative of my library at home, so there may be a bias here. :)

by jbonner

I used the following books to pass the MCSA 2000 track.

Use the Osborne books from McGraw Hill to learn content for exams and included testing software:
MCSA 2000 track:
70-270
70-215
70-218
70-216 or A+/Net+ or MCDST

I would also invest in "Exam Cram" which gives you a cliff notes version for each test + testing software.

Because of your in-depth experience, you might only need the "Exam Cram Books" plus online testing to pass a majority of the tests.

Good Luck,

IT Instructor

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