The Windows 2000 MCSE Track is Microsoft's newest member of their certification family. Brought in to replace the NT4 MCSE, it is thought by many to be the new Industry Standard. The MCSE designation for network professionals, who analyze business requirements and design network solutions, is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the Industry today. This designation shows to others that you are a technical leader with strong capabilities in working with Microsoft products.

Requirements for the Windows 2000 MCSE:

All Windows 2000 MCSE candidates must pass four core examinations, one elective core examination, and two elective examinations, making a total of seven examinations in all. These exams were created with the input of Industry professionals and demonstrate how Microsoft products are used in the Industry.

The four required core examinations are:

In addition to the four core examinations, all candidates must also pass one of three elective core examinations.

The Three Choices for the Elective Core Examination Are:

Once you have passed all five core examinations, all candidates must pass two elective examinations.

The electives from the Windows 2000 track are:

You will notice that the first three elective exams in the elective exams chart are identical to the three elective core examinations. This is due to the fact that those three exams can be used as either core or elective examinations in the Windows 2000 track.

It is important to note however that you cannot use one of those examinations as both a core and an elective examination in the same track. For example if you decided that you wanted to use 70-219 as a core examination, it would not count as an elective examination, and vice versa.

You can also use non-retiring electives from the NT4 track as elective examinations toward you Windows 2000 MCSE. If you do this, it is important to note that these examinations will most likely retire before the Windows 2000 track electives retire.

The non-retiring Windows NT4 track elective examinations are:

Once you have successfully completed all seven examinations you will be Windows 2000 MCSE certified.

Upgrading From The NT4 Track

All MCSE's from the NT4 track are required to upgrade their skills before December 31, 2001, in order to remain certified. Microsoft has provided a free Upgrade examination to individuals who have passed the core examinations in the NT4 track. In addition to the Upgrade examination, you must also pass one of the elective core examinations in the Windows 2000 track. Also if the electives you used in you NT4 track MCSE are retiring, you must upgrade them as well.

The Free Upgrade Examination:

Microsoft has provided this examination to help individuals who are certified in the NT4 track, and have passed the core examinations in the NT4 track, ease into the Windows 2000 track.

This four hour examination covers all four core required examinations in the Windows 2000 track. As this examination assumes that you know the material from the NT4 track, it focuses mainly on the differences between the two tracks. This examination is available to you on a one time only basis with a voucher. If you do not pass this examination, you must write all four of the required core examinations separately.

A voucher can be obtained for this examination by all MCP's who have passed the Workstation (70-073), Server (70-067), and Server in the Enterprise (70-068) NT4 examinations by visiting Microsoft's site, going to MCP's only site, and ordering the voucher. You may also go to https://partnering.one.microsoft.com/mcp/ and entering your user name and and password for the MCP only site.

At the present time once you order the vouchers, you will receive them by e-mail within 5 business days. However, residents of India will receive a hard copy of the voucher within approximately 3 weeks of the order.

Microsoft has stated that they will make every attempt to send the vouchers by e-mail, however, if for some reason a voucher cannot be delivered electronically, they will send out a hard copy. This hard copy could take several weeks to be received.

After you have completed the 70-240 Accelerated Exam:

After passing this exam, in order to upgrade, you are also required to pass one of the elective core examinations. The elective core examinations can be seen above.

If the elective examinations you took for the NT4 track are among those that are retiring:

If the elective examinations you took for the NT4 track are among those that are retiring you will be required to replace them with two new electives that are either not retiring or from the Windows 2000 MCSE track.

A chart of the NT4 examinations that are not retiring can be seen above.

Examinations From the NT4 MCSE track that will retire on December 31, 2000 are:

Again, if any of your NT4 electives or examinations appear on the above chart of all of the examinations that are retiring on December 31, 2000, you must upgrade them before December 31, 2001 in order to remain certified.

About the Exams:

Information about the exams for the Windows 2000 MCSE track is very scarce. It appears that the exams very in length from 110 minutes to 215 minutes, with 355 minutes for the Upgrade Accelerated Exam (70-240).

As the Windows 2000 MCSE examinations are not multiple choice they are much more difficult than their predecessors to pass, and therefore more reflective of your overall knowledge of the fundamentals. These examinations have a several question format, and include case studies, simulation, select and place, and computer adaptive questions. Multiple choice questions are, however, still included on some exams.

The Cost Of Exams:

The Microsoft Windows 2000 MCSE examinations are currently $100.00US. Microsoft however warns that certification exam prices are subject to change, and that in some countries, additional taxes may apply.

Where to take the Exams:

The Windows 2000 MCSE examinations may be taken at either Sylvan Prometric or VUE testing centers.

To register at Sylvan Prometric:

You can register by calling 1-800-481-EXAM or register on line at http://www.2test.com . Outside the US and Canada visit the website for a list of International phone numbers.

To Register at a VUE Testing Center:

You can register at a VUE testing center by visiting their website at http://www.vue.com/ms/ . A list of International phone numbers is available there if you prefer to register by telephone.

When Registering For The Exams:

When you call to register or register online, be sure to have you Social Insurance Number or Social Security Number on hand, as well as a major credit card. The testing centers will be happy to accept a check, the only drawback being that you must send the check to their headquarters and it must clear the bank before you will be allowed to write your exam.

When you are on the phone with the testing center be sure to write down the confirmation number that they give you, because you may need it the day of the exam. A good piece of advice is to repeat everything back to them, and make them repeat everything back to you - this will alleviate any fears of sitting down in front of the wrong exam!!!

At the testing center, you must present two pieces of identification. One must have a picture, and both must have a signature. Someone at the testing center will escort you to your allocated seat so that you can complete the examination. When you finish the screen will indicate whether or not you passed the examination and that information will be automatically forwarded to the reception desk.

After you pass the test, be sure to keep the print out they give you in a safe place. If for some reason your certification gets lost in the mail, you may need it.

After completing you first examination in the Windows 2000 MCSE track you be recognized as a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and will receive the certificate in the mail in approximately three weeks. Once you have completed all 7 exams in the MCSE track, Microsoft will send you your certificate in the mail, and you will have achieved your ultimate goal of becoming an MCSE.

Need More Information:

For more information visit Microsoft online at http://www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices/ .

By: Tracey J. Rosenblath

MOUS, A+, MCP