Microsoft plays a huge role in simplifying our business operations and other responsibilities. In order to ensure quality services and stability of their products, Microsoft launched a certification platform for IT professionals with different levels of experience. Until recently, the certification system included only four levels:
- MTA or Microsoft Technology Associate (fundamentals)
- MCSA or Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (entry)
- MCSE or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
- MCSD or Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer
Microsoft decided to reorganize their certifications in order to ensure that IT professionals gain the skills and knowledge that are relevant to their specific job roles. So, MCSE and MCSD certification have been significantly changed. Also, new role-based Microsoft certifications have been launched. The changes affected both the certifications and their associated exams as Microsoft wants to move away from the acronyms and adopt a role-based approach to certifications. Download from Exam Labs Click Here.
Below we will discuss the changes in MCSE and MCSD credentials and also give you some tips on how to prepare for new exams.
Microsoft Reorganization
So, Microsoft reorganizes its certification program to meet the current industry demands and equip IT professionals with updated skills. Therefore, some expert-level certifications have retired to pave way for the new ones. The list of the retired MCSE credential includes the MCSE: Mobility and MCSE: Cloud Platform and infrastructure.
Some of the obsolete exams have been retired too. However, it doesn’t mean that you cannot obtain an older credential; it only means that you might need to pass some different tests in order to obtain them. The full list of retired exams is available on the official Microsoft website, so stay tuned! The certification you are preparing for may be undergoing some serious changes right now.
However, there are a number of active MCSE certifications that you can focus on to boost your career. Here is the list of relevant expert-level credentials:
1. MCSE Productivity: professionals with this credential are proficient in the administration and management of Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, and Skype for Business.
2. MCSE Data Management and Analytics: this credential verifies the skills related to business intelligence, enterprise data solutions, and SQL administration – both in local and cloud environments.
3. MCSE Core infrastructure: this certification validates your skills in systems management, identity management, storage, virtualization, networking, and data center implementation.
4. MCSE Business Application: this credential equips you with profound knowledge in the management of Microsoft Dynamics 365 technologies.
New Microsoft Role-based Certifications
As part of the reorganization, Microsoft rolled out role-based certificationswhich are considered the best way to prepare IT professionals for careers in certain roles. Some of the new role-based certifications that have already gone live include the following:
1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate – in order to attain this credential, you must pass either exam AZ-103 or transition exam AZ-102 (retires June 30, 2019). The second option applies only in case if you already passed retired exam 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, which was earlier included in the MCSE certification.
2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate – to get this certification, you need to pass just one exam – AZ-203. After you get certified, you can move to the advanced Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert credential.
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert – this new credential obtained in two ways: you can pass AZ-300 and AZ-301 exams or pass AZ-302 transition exam (retires June 30, 2019). The second option applies only if you already cleared retired exam70-535: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions.
There are also a lot of new role-based certifications dedicated to Dynamics 365, enterprise administration, security administration, and more.
Changes in MCSD Certification Track
Due to MCSD and MCSE reorganization, some of the exams to achieve the MCSD App Builder credential have been canceled or replaced. What are the new requirements for this developer’s credential? The current MCSD App Builder certification offers only three exams:
Microsoft plays a huge role in simplifying our business operations and other responsibilities. In order to ensure quality services and stability of their products, Microsoft launched a certification platform for IT professionals with different levels of experience. Until recently, the certification system included only four levels:
- MTA or Microsoft Technology Associate (fundamentals)
- MCSA or Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (entry)
- MCSE or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
- MCSD or Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer
Exam Labs , Microsoft decided to reorganize their certifications in order to ensure that IT professionals gain the skills and knowledge that are relevant to their specific job roles. So, MCSE and MCSD certification have been significantly changed. Also, new role-based Microsoft certifications have been launched. The changes affected both the certifications and their associated exams as Microsoft wants to move away from the acronyms and adopt a role-based approach to certifications.
Below we will discuss the changes in MCSE and MCSD credentials and also give you some tips on how to prepare for new exams.
Microsoft Reorganization
So, Microsoft reorganizes its certification program to meet the current industry demands and equip IT professionals with updated skills. Therefore, some expert-level certifications have retired to pave way for the new ones. The list of the retired MCSE credential includes the MCSE: Mobility and MCSE: Cloud Platform and infrastructure.
Some of the obsolete exams have been retired too. However, it doesn’t mean that you cannot obtain an older credential; it only means that you might need to pass some different tests in order to obtain them. The full list of retired exams is available on the official Microsoft website, so stay tuned! The certification you are preparing for may be undergoing some serious changes right now.
However, there are a number of active MCSE certifications that you can focus on to boost your career. Here is the list of relevant expert-level credentials:
1. MCSE Productivity: professionals with this credential are proficient in the administration and management of Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, and Skype for Business.
2. MCSE Data Management and Analytics: this credential verifies the skills related to business intelligence, enterprise data solutions, and SQL administration – both in local and cloud environments.
3. MCSE Core infrastructure: this certification validates your skills in systems management, identity management, storage, virtualization, networking, and data center implementation.
4. MCSE Business Application: this credential equips you with profound knowledge in the management of Microsoft Dynamics 365 technologies.
New Microsoft Role-based Certifications
As part of the reorganization, Microsoft rolled out role-based certificationswhich are considered the best way to prepare IT professionals for careers in certain roles. Some of the new role-based certifications that have already gone live include the following:
1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate – in order to attain this credential, you must pass either exam AZ-103 or transition exam AZ-102 (retires June 30, 2019). The second option applies only in case if you already passed retired exam 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, which was earlier included in the MCSE certification.
2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate – to get this certification, you need to pass just one exam – AZ-203. After you get certified, you can move to the advanced Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert credential.
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert – this new credential obtained in two ways: you can pass AZ-300 and AZ-301 exams or pass AZ-302 transition exam (retires June 30, 2019). The second option applies only if you already cleared retired exam70-535: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions.
There are also a lot of new role-based certifications dedicated to Dynamics 365, enterprise administration, security administration, and more.
Changes in MCSD Certification Track
Due to MCSD and MCSE reorganization, some of the exams to achieve the MCSD App Builder credential have been canceled or replaced. What are the new requirements for this developer’s credential? The current MCSD App Builder certification offers only three exams:
70-357 – Developing Mobile Apps
70-486 – Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications
70-487 – Developing Microsoft Azure and Web Services
You can still get the MCSD certification by passing one of these exams (assuming you already possess either the MCSA: Web Applications or MCSA: Universal Windows Platform). However, keep in mind that Microsoft will continue reorganizing their old certifications. Again, when you are preparing to get certified, you need to carefully study the information on the topic.
Reasons for MCSE and MCSD Reorganization
Microsoft certifications focus on hands-on skills and experience necessary to keep up with modern technologies and market requirements. Some of the reasons that necessitate the massive reorganization of MCSD and MCSE certifications are as follows:
Updated knowledge
New advancements require IT professionals to gain progressive knowledge and skills. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that every IT professional acquires the skills to implement and manage the latest technologies.
Broader skills
As new ideas emerge, the old ones become obsolete. This gives rise to numerous problems and significant skill gap that IT professionals need to fill. Considering the ever-changing nature of technology, it is important to think outside the box. Microsoft upgrade has got you covered! It incorporates key details and a broad spectrum of information that increases your efficiency in the IT industry. You get to learn and explore new ideas to put them into practice.
Ability to learn new things (and benefit from it)
With the new hands-on skills that you gain, you stop being a keyboard warrior and get the chance to be an all-rounded individual. In recent years, the use of cloud computing has increased, and therefore more highly qualified specialists are required. Having profound skills in technology puts you in a position to maximize your earning potential. You also get numerous job opportunities.
Preparation with Exam-Labs
It is very important to prepare well for any certification. Every year, thousands of IT professionals retake Microsoft certification exams after failing. Exam-Labs is a reliable online platform which offers preparation materials for Microsoft tests. People trust Exam-Labs because here you can find authentic, accurate, and updated materials. With affordable and verified practice tests and practical-oriented instructor-led video tutorials, you will be able to ace any Microsoft exam on the first try!
Conclusion
For an IT professional, updating your skills is definitely the best way to go. The current Microsoft reorganization is definitely worth it. It is time for you to upgrade and become more relevant to the IT industry. All you need to do is to prepare well for the Microsoft certification exams. Among many preparation platforms, Exam-Labs is the best choice. Good luck!and become more relevant to the IT industry. All you need to do is to prepare well for the Microsoft certification exams. Among many preparation platforms, Exam-Labs is the best choice. Good luck!
