MCSE Certification - A+ Certification

Alot of questions here..

Q:What are the necessary steps in obtaining MCSE and A+ certifications?
A:MCSE requires 7 Tests ( 4 core, 1 req elective and one choosen elective); A+ is one test. Each Test Cost $100 pass or fail.

Q:What is the CHEAPEST way to achieve that goal?
A: Self Study using TRANSCENDER prep tests and a Lab where you can experiment with the software/hardware ( 2-3 PC's ).

Q:who administers the exams, how, and where?
A: Most testing facalities use ProMetrics to perform the test. Each testing requirement is differnet depending on the Cert. Check with a local community college or a local technical training facility for more detalied info.

Q:How long could it take? What's the shortest time it could take?
A: This depends on your motivation and free time. The Test themselves are timed, most are 90 minutes long. Again each test is different depening on the Cert.

Q:What about updating one's certifications for software update?
A: This is also vendor specific. Most Certs are good for 1-2 years. After that you only need to study up on the changes in the software and re-test on the new Cert track.

Q:How will a Win2000 Certification apply to Windows XP?
A: WinXP will require a new set off test to be taken in order to be an XP Certified MCSE. There are alot of classes that are designed to help you move from your Win2K track to the WinXP track, once the software has been released and a certification track has been designed and released by MS.

My 2 Cents:

The BEST teacher is experience. Do as much "hands on" work as you can. Using the Trancender self study software and alot of "lab" time of can get certifided w/o having to take out a 2nd on your home. =)

Hope this helps.

Best of Luck to you in your quest.

The A+ costs $250, and consists of two parts, the core section and windows section. The core section tests knowledge of hardware specifics - parts of a computer, motherboard, and how to identify/set up things related to that (including BIOS). The windows section tests basic windows set ups relating to the hardware, for instance, installing a modem and making sure there are no hardware conflicts, so this meant dealing with drivers, DMAs, IRQs, etc. This was the older A+ using Windows 3.1 and 95. Each part can be taken separately (must be within 30 days of each other) but most take them both together. Multiple choice. More info at www.comptia.com. Mike Myers seems to be the preeminent and most popular author for this material.

The MCSE 2000 is like the user above says. Seven exams, of which four are required. The other three are MS electives that you can choose from a range (depending on your needs/desires). Each exam is $100. I believe they are also moving towards adaptive tests, with scenarios and simulations, as well as multiple choice. There's lots of study materials out there, but I prefer the Exam Prep (as opposed to Exam Cram) and Osborne books. More info at www.microsoft.com/education/training/cert/default.asp. Microsoft allows for the tests to be taken in any order, and even all on one day if you are that optimistic.

Sounds to me like you will have a good handle on A+ info, I would suggest reviewing Mr. Myers' book to touch up on any areas you feelless comfortable with. The Win2000 stuff I would suggest setting up a lab with at least 3 machines running 2000 server and professional. MAKE SURE you know active directory inside and out.

Pre-tests are OK, but they lose their effectiveness after a couple of tries since you then get to know the pool of questions rather than the material. Transcender, LearnKey make material like this.