Find answers to frequently asked questions about exam development, beta exams, the exam release schedule, and exam retirement and suspension.
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Q. How are Microsoft Certification exams developed?
A.
At the heart of the Microsoft Certified Professional program are carefully developed, computer-administered exams that measure your ability to perform a specific job function or set of tasks in the real world.
Q. How is the validity of Microsoft Certification exams maintained?
We ensure exam validity by linking exam questions to the critical skills, known as "objectives," identified by experts during the job task analysis conducted at the beginning of exam development. As item writers create questions, they provide rationales that describe how each question aligns to the intended objective. This information is verified by a different set of subject matter experts during the technical review that occurs before the exam is published and as needed throughout the exam’s lifecycle.
In addition, we evaluate each exam's psychometric performance at least annually, customer satisfaction results quarterly, and other information that we obtain about the exam on an ongoing basis to ensure that each exam continues to be a valid measure of its skills or content domain. We remove poorly performing items and create new items as needed.
Q. What is a beta exam?
Microsoft Learning invites select candidates to review questions before the exam becomes available to the public. During the beta process, candidates respond to the questions in an exam-like environment. Microsoft uses the information obtained during this process to evaluate the quality of the items before publication and remove those that are flawed in some way.
Q. How can I register for a beta exam?
Early notification of beta exams is sent by email to qualified candidates who are members of the Microsoft Learning SME Profile database. If seats are still available after this notification process, notification about the beta exam will be announced in Microsoft certification-related blogs and newsgroups. The notification includes a registration code that enables you to register for the specific beta exam. Only candidates who have work experience in the technology are sent notifications. No priority is given to SMEs who have more years of experience than other candidates. This process ensures that beta candidates with a range of skill levels are able to participate in the beta exam.
Note: Receiving an invitation does not guarantee your participation in the beta exam. Because participation in beta exams is popular, we recommend that you register with your local Prometric testing center as soon as the beta registration period begins.
Public announcement. Microsoft sometimes announces opportunities to participate in beta exams through Microsoft newsgroups and certification-related blogs. We recommend that you join communities applicable to your areas of interest and expertise to stay current on upcoming beta exams.
All invitations include a registration code. You must use this code when you register.
Q. How do I provide feedback during a beta exam?
To identify an item for review while taking the test, select the check box in the upper left corner of the screen. After you complete all sections of the exam, you will see a Review Screen that lists the item numbers; the items you have identified will be highlighted. In the comment period at the end of the exam, these items remain highlighted. By clicking on any item, highlighted or not, you can review it and provide comments. You will not be able to change your answer while viewing that item during the comment period.
Q. Why am I unable to take a beta exam in my country or region?
Beta exams are restricted in some countries and regions in an effort to reduce piracy and maintain the integrity of your certifications. The final version of the exam will be available in all countries and regions, even if the beta exam was restricted.
Q. Why am I unable to find the beta exam listed on the Prometric website?
Beta exam have a "71" prefix rather than "70", which is the prefix for released exams. For example, a beta exam would be listed as 71-333, whereas the final version would be 70-333. If you cannot find the exam, the beta period may have ended, or you may be in a country or region that has restrictions.
Q. How do I take the beta exam?
The invitation to take a beta exam includes a registration code. You must use this code to register in order to take the beta exam at your local Prometric center.
Q. Are study materials available for a beta exam?
In most cases, you will have access to a preparation guide. Although we try to make preparation guides and learning material available as early as possible, there may not be material ready in time to support a beta exam. Generally, people who are interested in beta exams are self-motivated and experienced with the technology or work with the beta product. We recommend that you consult your peers, community resources for the product group, and early-adopter articles to learn more.
Q. Do I have to take the exam again when the final version is released?
If you pass the beta exam, you earn credit for that exam and any resulting certification; you do not need to retake the exam in its final version.
Q. May I retake the beta exam?
No, you cannot retake a beta exam. There are a limited number of seats available, and it is important that a variety of candidates participate. Beta exams should not be used as practice tests.
Q. If I do not pass the beta exam, can I retake the final version of the exam?
Yes. You can take the exam in its final version at the specified cost.
Q. When will I receive the results for a beta exam?
Generally, you receive your exam score when the final version of the exam becomes publically available—this may take up to 16 weeks depending on when you take the beta exam. The longer timeframe is due to the comprehensive process that we need to evaluate the beta exam results. If you believe your score should be available and it is not, first check whether Prometric has posted your score. If not, contact Prometric. (Note that it can take up to two weeks after the final version of the exam is publically available for your beta score to be visible through Prometric’s website.) If Prometric has posted a score but you do not see the score on your Microsoft transcript, contact your Microsoft Regional Service Center.
Visit the Prometric site (Prometric.com)
Contact global customer service (Prometric.com)
Q. How can I find out which exams have been recently released?
The Microsoft Learning website lists the exams that were released in the last three months.
Q. How can I find out when new exams will be released?
To receive news about exams as they become available, subscribe to the MCP Flash newsletter.
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Q. What is the difference between exam retirement and a certification becoming inactive or legacy?
Exam retirement: Typically, an exam is retired when one or more of the following scenarios occur:
Two newer versions of the Microsoft technology are available (for example, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 are newer versions of Microsoft Windows 2000 Server technology).
Markets around the world are no longer using the product version on which the exam is based.
The ongoing exam maintenance can no longer be supported.
Too few people are taking an exam.
Legacy certification: A certification may be designated as a legacy certification when one or more of the following scenarios occur:
The certification has been discontinued due to the evolution of the certification program.
Inactive certification: A certification may become inactive when the following occurs:
A candidate has not met the recertification requirements. For more details on recertification requirements, view the “What is the recertification policy for Microsoft Certifications?” question in the ‘Legacy and Inactive certifications and recertification’ FAQ section on this page
Not all certifications require recertification, and recertification dates may vary by certification
Q. What does it mean when an exam is suspended?
An exam is suspended when there is a business need to remove the exam from the market. In most cases, exams that contain the same or similar content are available. The difference between a retired exam and one that is suspended is that suspended exams may be reintroduced into the market as business needs change.
Q. Will exams continue to appear on my transcript after they are retired or suspended?
Yes. Your transcript continues to represent your total exam history even if an exam is retired or suspended.
Q. Where can I find my exam and certification history?
You can find your exam and certification history on your official Microsoft transcript.
Q. After these exams are retired or suspended, can I complete the related certification?
You can complete a certification as long as the exams necessary to fulfill the certification requirements are still available, and you pass them.
Q. Will the associated certifications become legacy or inactive when these exams are retired or suspended?
Today, the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft IT Professional (MCITP), Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), Microsoft Certified Master (MCM), and Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certifications will become legacy either when two newer versions of the technology are available or due to changes in the certification program. The certification will still appear on your transcript but will be listed in the active section of your transcript with the word ‘Legacy’ in the certification description.
The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Database Administrator (MCDBA) and Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) certifications will be designated legacy certifications when the primary technology for the certification is two versions old. Some certifications are no longer awarded, but remain active because all exams have retired. The following are certifications that will no longer be awarded as of June 30, 2011:
MCDST — because the associated exams retired on June 30, 2011.
MCSA and MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server certifications—Microsoft Windows 2000 Server technology is superseded by Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, making it two version old.
To maintain the relevance and value of your certification and to ensure that candidates possess up-to-date skills on technologies that are constantly changing, we review and may update our policies as necessary.
Q. I started a certification track but did not finish it, and the exams will be retired soon. What should I do?
We recommend that you pursue certification related to the technology you work with today or will work with in the near future. If you work with an earlier version of the Microsoft technology and are able to complete the related certification requirements before the core exams are retired, you might consider doing so. Note that you will not receive partial credit on your transcript for a certification that you did not complete.
Q. How will I know when exams are being retired?
To stay informed about which exams are scheduled for retirement, subscribe to the MCP Flash newsletter or view our exam retirement list.
Q. What determines when a Microsoft Certification becomes legacy?
A certification is deemed legacy when:
Changes in the certification program have occurred and Microsoft has determined that the certification is no longer relevant in the marketplace.
We evaluate each certification quarterly according to these criteria, and identify the most likely date that a certification will become legacy. However, if the date is based on the release date of a new product, the dates may change as Microsoft changes these dates.
Q. What determines when a Microsoft Certification becomes inactive?
A certification is deemed inactive when:
A candidate has not met the recertification requirements.
Not all certifications require recertification, and recertification dates may vary by certification.
Q. Why is there a legacy policy for Microsoft Certifications?
The primary reason for a legacy policy is to ensure that Microsoft Certifications are focused on the latest releases of Microsoft technologies. Hiring managers can more easily identify the most current certifications and have confidence that someone who holds a Microsoft Certification possesses up-to-date skills on the latest Microsoft technologies.
Q. Why is there an inactive policy for Microsoft Certifications?
The primary reason for an inactive policy is to ensure that Microsoft Certification is an indicator of up-to-date, relevant skills on current Microsoft technologies. Hiring managers must have confidence that someone who holds a Microsoft Certification possesses up-to-date and relevant skills on the latest Microsoft technologies.
Q. What is the recertification policy for Microsoft Certifications?
Most of our certifications do not require recertification, although they may become inactive or legacy certifications. For those Microsoft Certifications that require recertification, you will be required to pass a recertification exam in the specified timeframe. If you do not meet the recertification requirements, the certification will continue to appear on your transcript but will be listed in an inactive section that includes the date that the certification became inactive.
Note: Microsoft reserves the right to change its recertification policy at any time and for any certification.
Q. Will certifications continue to appear on my transcript after they have become inactive?
Yes. Your transcript continues to represent your total certification history even if your certification has become inactive or designated as a legacy certification.
Q. Is there a time limit for notifying Microsoft of exams that do not appear on my transcript?
Yes. You must wait at least 7 days before notifying Microsoft is an exam is missing from your transcript. Please contact your Regional Service Center to report missing exams.
In addition, you must notify Microsoft within 5 years of taking the exam if it is missing from your transcript and/or you would like a reprinted score report. Note that Prometric is unable to re-process exam results or provide copies of score reports for exams that were taken more than five years ago. Therefore, you should retain copies of your score reports and actively ensure that your transcript accurately reflects the exams you have passed.
