Microsoft Certification Exams

When you prepare to take a Microsoft Certification exam, you take the first step towards achieving expertise with a Microsoft technology and earning a Microsoft Certification. Certification validates your expertise with Microsoft products and platforms, reveals your job-related experience, and establishes your technical problem-solving skills.

The exam registration process involves the following steps:

Choose a certification

Microsoft offers professional certifications to suit a variety of roles and experience levels. Any prerequisites are listed on the certification pages.

Select your first exam

Once you have selected a certification, search for an exam to start you on the path to achieving it. You can find required exams listed on the individual certification pages, or use the Learning Catalog to search for exams by technology, exam number, or title.

Note Once you have selected an exam, note the exam number for the registration process. Also, review the prerequisites. You are expected to have a certain level of knowledge or experience with the product or technology of focus. Any prerequisites are listed in the exam overview in the Learning Catalog or on the individual certification pages.

Register for the exam

All Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exams are administered by Prometric, an independent testing organization with more than 3,000 locations worldwide. The price is typically US$125 per exam. Exam prices are subject to change. In some countries and regions, additional taxes may apply. For more details about exam prices in your country or region, contact your local training or testing center.

You can register online or by phone.

Microsoft Business Certification exams are administered by Certiport. The Microsoft Business Certification program is the only worldwide, performance-based certification program that validates the skills needed to get the most out of Microsoft Office and Windows Vista.

Note If you register by phone, please have the following information ready.

Before you take a Microsoft Certification exam, you need to prepare. Microsoft Learning offers a variety of preparation materials to help you. It is also recommended that you have hands-on experience with the product covered in the exam. After you select an exam in the Learning Catalog, you will find a list of relevant training resources in the Preparation Materials section. These resources vary, depending on the exam, the certification, and the technology.

Explore the various training options:

Instructor-led training

Instructor-led training is classroom and online training delivered by expert Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) through Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions (Learning Solutions partners) located throughout the world. MCTs provide a superior learning experience by drawing on their in-depth knowledge of the course material and by using Official Microsoft Learning Products. These products are developed by Microsoft experts and provide an effective, engaging, and integrated online and offline learning experience to help you prepare for certification.

Self-paced training

Ideal for candidates who already use Microsoft technologies in the workplace and want to enhance their skills, this method of training requires self-discipline, the ability to grasp complex concepts without visual representation, and a background in the technology that is featured. Microsoft E-Learning self-paced training offers you the flexibility to learn at a time and place that is convenient for you.

Microsoft Official Distance Learning

Microsoft Official Distance Learning (MODL) blends online training, live discussion, real-world–based scenarios, and self-directed study into one rich and easy-to-use educational experience—delivered right to your desktop. MODL courses use a proven instructional methodology that attracts professionals who want the interactivity of the classroom and the flexibility of an online course, thus combining the benefits of instructor-led training and self-paced training. MODL courses are currently offered by authorized Learning Solutions partners, so you can be confident that you receive support from a qualified organization that meets Microsoft standards to provide a valuable distance learning experience.

Microsoft Press books

Written by industry and Microsoft technology experts, Microsoft Press books provide accurate and up-to-date information to help you prepare for your exam. Although many books about Microsoft software are available for purchase, we recommend that you use books from Microsoft Press to assure that you receive a consistent level of quality and reliability.

Self-paced training kits

Microsoft self-paced training kits are developed by authors who are experts in the subject matter to support the full range of Microsoft Certification exams for IT professionals, developers, and trainers. Each training kit features hands-on lab exercises that are based on real-world scenarios. Each kit includes lessons, exercises, and a simulated practice test, along with an e-book of the kit, exam voucher, and in most cases an evaluation version of the technology that is covered by the book. Microsoft rigorously reviews the training kits for technical accuracy and adherence to certification objectives, to ensure that they offer superior value in helping you prepare.

Training kits include:

Microsoft online resources

Practice tests

Once you believe you are sufficiently prepared for the exam, take a practice test to determine if you need additional training. Many companies sell practice tests, but Microsoft Certified Practice Test Providers (PTPs) offer the highest quality of products and services. Microsoft performs quality reviews on all PTP practice tests, and only approved PTPs bear the Microsoft Certified Practice Test Provider logo. PTP services include exam results reported by objective, feedback on each question, and study suggestions. Test items are presented in a wide variety of question and answer formats.

Practice tests do not predict your future Microsoft Certification exam score, but the feedback you receive can help you identify areas where you may need additional study, training, or hands-on work experience. Microsoft Certified Practice Test Providers offer free demo versions of their MCP practice tests. Visit MeasureUp or Self Test Software to download a sample practice test and learn more about the full range of products and services offered.

After you register for an exam, you receive a confirmation e-mail message. Be sure to review this message carefully for the latest exam policies and procedures.

What to expect

Microsoft Certification testing labs typically have as many as 16 computer workstations, which may or may not be occupied by other candidates. Test center administrators strive to provide a quiet and comfortable environment for all test takers. For candidates who require a particularly quiet environment during testing, noise reducing headsets are available—not to be confused with audio headsets, which are provided for use during exams that contain audio sections. Noise and other special concerns can be discussed further with your test center administrator.

Plan to arrive early

It is recommended that you arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes before the test is scheduled to begin.

Bring your identification

To take your exam, you must bring the identification (ID) that was specified when you registered for the exam. If you are unclear about which forms of ID are required, contact the exam sponsor identified in your registration information. Although requirements vary, IT exam candidates typically must show two valid forms of ID, one with a photo, both with your signature.

Acceptable forms of photo identification include:

Acceptable forms of non-photo identification include:

Leave personal items at home

The only item allowed into the testing area is your identification, so leave any backpacks, laptops, briefcases, and other personal items at home. If you have items that cannot be left behind (such as purses), the testing center may have small lockers available for use.

Other helpful information

At the testing center, Microsoft requires that you accept the terms of a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) and complete a brief demographic survey before taking your certification exam.

Although food and drinks are not permitted in the testing rooms, many of the centers allow a break. If your testing center does not offer break time, you are allowed to leave the testing area as needed to get a drink of water, take medication, or use the restroom.
Note The test-taking clock does not stop when you leave your computer for an unscheduled break.

In most cases, candidates of the IT Professional Series receive their score reports immediately after completing the test. Score reporting timeframes vary for all other candidates. Check with your exam sponsor for complete information.

Microsoft generally does not identify the format of any given exam at the time of registration because candidates are expected to understand the exam content, regardless of how it is presented. This practice helps protect exam security and the value of Microsoft Certification.

Microsoft Certification exams are presented in a wide variety of question and answer formats to evaluate the candidate's knowledge and skills accurately. Such formats may include:

Some skills are assessed through hands-on, lab-based testing.

Microsoft lab-based testing—then and now

A few years ago, Microsoft introduced its first performance-based (or hands on) testing items in its technical and business certification exams. These testing items were built on simulation technology. Exams featured a combination of traditional testing items and simulated work environments in which candidates could demonstrate their skills by performing critical IT tasks. As a result of the positive feedback from candidates and hiring managers, Microsoft has continued to develop performance-based testing to simulate real-world IT environments.

Today, Microsoft offers new performance-based testing built on emulation technologies. This format allows the candidate to use any path or tool within a virtual computing environment, whereas simulation technology restricts the candidate to a small number of expected paths. Regardless of the performance-based item type, the candidate is evaluated on the accuracy of the end result, not the path that they took to complete the task.

Benefits of performance-based testing

In 2009, Microsoft will deploy the lab-based emulation technology in Exam 70-640: MCTS: Windows Server 2008, Active Directory Configuration. The updated exam will be released in various countries in English only, replacing existing versions in those countries.