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Home > Archive > Windows 2000 track general > June 2002 > do the electives choice matter?
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do the electives choice matter?
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| Bannaman 2002-06-04, 6:45 pm |
| hey people  , i would like your input on the mcse track, after the four standard ones, i am thinking of taking the designing security win2k, then exchange 2000, and finally NT migration. But i would like to aks i know no matter what electuves i pick i still get an mcse, so would i matter if i pick other electives say slightly easier ones? also do the electives you choose help you in future job propects or again is an mcse just an mcse, no qustions on electives?. Much appriciated for your input as i am still in two minds what electives to do. ALso i heard a ramour that some employers asked for your score in exmas and thus m$ started to phase out the scores? is this ture? if so why are scores still in some exams? also what exams currently still carry scores, i know 210, 215 do, 216,217 dont i think...that enoughm this is starting to sound like an essay,...cheers people.... | |
| KScheler 2002-06-04, 8:55 pm |
| You are right, 210 & 215 still have scores. 216 & 217 are PASS/FAIL. I took 219 last Friday and it has a score of 613 to pass. I recommend that you take 219 after you finish 217, which you should take before 216. 219 was quiet easy compared to 216 & 217. The other electives you mentioned are all good certs to have. As far as what employers are asking, I don't know. I am employed and hope to stay that way for a while so I haven't been looking and can't help you on that part. | |
| cross36 2002-06-04, 8:57 pm |
| Electives are electives for the exam and they count any which way. What i suggest learning for business to catch their eyes on you, is Exchange and SQL server, migrating and clustering is also helpful. But go with my first two. | |
| anthonie 2002-06-04, 11:19 pm |
| Points to consider when choosing electives:
1. Is the elective also counted as core for another certification?
Example 1: 4 MCSE cores + 1 design + 218 + 1 elective = MCSA + MCSE
Example 2: 4 MCSE cores + 1 design + 2 SQL cores (228 and 229) = MCSE + MCDBA
2. Is the elective easier than the other elective?
Take 219, 220, 221 if you want to do your MCSE the easy way. You don't really have to learn new things if you choose these electives.
3. Do you want to learn about other products besides the OS itself?
There is at least one exam for all the popular MS products such as SQL Server, SNA Server, SMS, Exchange Server, ISA Server, etc. Your MCSE will definitely be stronger than those who did it the way I describe in point 2 above.
Some employers will see if you've knowledge in products like SQL Server and Exchange Server. If you've taken those as your elective, you'd definitely have the advantage. As for score, I don't think it really matters. As long as you pass, it means that Microsoft says you're knowledgable enough to handle the stuff.
Just my opinion. Hope it helps. The final choice is still in your hand. Good luck! | |
| necrophantasm 2002-06-05, 7:16 am |
| I have to agree with Cross on this one. It is all well and good to get your MCSE, but what good will it do you if no one wants to hire you? I have found that most companies want you to have experience with Exchange, most are running NT/2K mixed environments (so migration knowledge could be a big asset to them), and either active directory based security, SQL, or IIS, could also benefit a company (depending on whether or not they are a full Microsoft shop or mixed NOS environment). So when you are thinking of electives to take, keep in mind if you are new to the IT industry that your skills are going to be your biggest asset to getting a job (since you dont have tons of experience yet) and your tests will prove your skills. Sometimes taking the easier test may seem better, but personally I think getting in the door somewhere is the most important thing. The more you can do to get in, the better. If that means studying longer and taking harder tests, it will pay off for you in the end. | |
| KScheler 2002-06-05, 5:00 pm |
| Well said necrophantasm. When I took Proxy 2.0 & Exchange 5.5 exams that is what we were using at work at the time. Although I've upgraded my MCSE from NT to W2k without upgrading to Exchange 2000 I have the training kit and plan to go thru it, since we have now upgraded our mail server. I don't feel I took the "easy" way out because all I needed was 4 core and 1 design exam. (Don't ask how exam 240 went.) | |
| Bannaman 2002-06-06, 6:55 am |
| cheers people for the input, i am toying with definaltey doing exchange 2000 and also design security, for the last its either NT migration as i have some NT experience or taking an SQL and going for the double cert mcdba, but i now know even though your mcse the electives count and the easy route is not always the best. Anyone know how hard the SQL ones for the mcdba are? and what passing scores am i looking at for exchange currently?.,...cheers people... |
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