Passed 70-217! What now?

[nato76]

I just passed 70-217. I still need to pass 70-216, 70-219, and one elective probably taking 70-220. Should I take 70-219 next?

[em_ar_ducks]

you need to master the content of 216 prior to taking the 219.

216 covers a lot of basic knowledge while 219 is design specifically Active Directory. Depending on how well you relate to Microsoft's way of doing things, either of these exams is a challenge.

216 follows the same basic type of questions that you have already seen on other exams.

219 is also a different type of test in that it is composed of "case studies" with questions covering a range of topics related to each case. So you have to prep yourself a bit different.

216 is pretty tough because its all based on DNS, RRAS, & other infrastructure topics that can take a lot of time to answer.

[nato76]

Thanks. I just also passed 70-224. Now I only need 70-216 and a design test and Im done.

[em_ar_ducks]

If you pass the exchange design test you will be MCSE Messaging, which might be a good idea, it should tie in well with the 224 test you have already passed.

[nato76]

I got an email 2 weeks after taking my test from Microsoft saying I was already MCSA messaging. I already had my MCSA cert. by the way and I did not take the design test for it. Im waiting on my package now for messaging.

[em_ar_ducks]

That's why I suggested you take the design exam for exchange, you kind of get two shots for the price of one, MCSE with messaging may carry a bit more weight than the plain vanilla MCSE. You only need one design exam to get there after the 216.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/messaging/windows2000.asp

[nato76]

Will do.