MCSE on Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Certification Requirements

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) candidates on the Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 track are required to satisfy the following requirements:  7 Exams required

Core Exams (6 Exams Required)

§                       Four networking system exams

§                       One client operating system exam

§                       One design exam

Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)

Together with the core exams, the elective exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise in solution design and implementation. MCSE candidates should also have at least one year of experience implementing and administering network operating systems and desktop operating systems.

Upgrade Exams (2 Exams Required)

Microsoft has designed an upgrade path that will enable a current MCSE to earn the Windows Server 2003 credential in a time- and cost-effective manner.

For more information about the Windows Server 2003 exams, see the Frequently Asked Questions.

The following tables list Official Microsoft Learning Products and Microsoft Press books designed to help MCSE candidates prepare for the required exams. See individual Exam Preparation Guides for exam availability.

Core Exams (6 Exams Required)

Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)

As an alternative to the electives listed above, these Microsoft certifications may be substituted for an MCSE elective:

As an alternative to the electives listed above, these third-party certifications may be substituted for an MCSE elective:

Upgrade Exams

Microsoft has designed an upgrade path that will enable a current MCSE to earn the Windows Server 2003 credential in a time- and cost-effective manner.

For the MCSE on Windows 2000 credential:

·         Networking: An MCSE on Windows 2000 has the option to take only Exams 70-292 and 70-296, instead of all four core network exams; however, an MCSE on Windows 2000 can elect to take all four core network exams.

·         Client: An MCSE on Windows 2000 has already passed Exam 70-210 or 70-270, which also satisfies the client requirement for MCSE on Windows Server 2003; therefore, no action is required.

·         Design: The design skills required of an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 do not differ significantly from those required of an MCSE on Windows 2000; therefore, no action is required.

·         Elective: Elective exams are required so that candidates prove technical breadth, interoperability skills, or additional technical depth. For MCSEs on Windows 2000, the current MCSE credential satisfies the elective requirement for Windows Server 2003 because it proves the ability to support another version of the platform; therefore, no further action is required.

For the MCSE on Windows NT 4.0 credential:

·         Networking: The core networking skills required for Windows Server 2003 are significantly different than those required for Windows NT 4.0; therefore, an MCSE on Windows NT 4.0 must prove their skills on all four core network exams.

·         Client: If the candidate has already taken either Exam 70-210 or 70-270, no further action is required.

·         Design: An MCSE on Windows NT 4.0 was not required to prove design skills, so they must prove their skills by passing either a Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 design exam. If the candidate has already taken a Windows 2000 design exam, no further action is required.

·         Elective: Elective exams are required so that candidates prove technical breadth, interoperability skills, or additional technical depth. For an MCSE on Windows NT 4.0, the MCSE credential itself satisfies the elective requirement for Windows Server 2003 because it proves the ability to support another version of the platform; therefore, no further action is required.

For the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows 2000 credential:

·         Networking: An MCSA on Windows 2000 has the option to take Exam 70-292 instead of Exams 70-290 and 70-291. However, Exams 70-293 and 70-294 are still required.

·         Client: An MCSA on Windows 2000 has already passed Exam 70-210 or 70-270, which also satisfies the client requirement for MCSE on Windows Server 2003; therefore, no action is required.

·         Design: The MCSA certification does not require candidates to prove design skills. To attain the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification, you must pass a design exam listed in the certification requirements above.

·         Elective: Elective exams are required so that candidates prove technical breadth, interoperability skills, or additional technical depth. For an MCSA on Windows 2000, the MCSA credential itself satisfies the elective requirement for MCSE on Windows Server 2003 because it proves the ability to administer another version of the platform; therefore, no further action is required.

Note: No additional core or elective exams are required for an MCSE on Windows 2000 who passes Exams 70-292 and 70-296.

¹ Candidates who passed Windows NT 4.0 Exams 70-067, 70-068, and 70-073 had the option to take the comprehensive Exam 70-240: Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. By passing this exam, candidates met the MCSE exam requirement for 70-210. Exam 70-240 is no longer available.

² Candidates may also take Exams 70-219, 70-220, 70-221, or 70-226 to satisfy the Core Design exam requirement.

³ Exams 70-297 and 70-298 may each count once as either one core design exam or one elective exam.

⁴ Exams 70-086, 70-227, and 70-228 may each count toward both the MCSA and MCSE elective exam requirements.

⁵ Although exams are no longer available for the MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 certification, individuals who earned this credential remain certified.

⁶ CompTIA Security+ certification satisfies both the MCSE elective requirement and an MCSE: Security specialization requirement.