New Path to Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

The Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification on Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 helps provide the most experienced and talented IT professionals with worldwide validation and recognition of their in-depth technical expertise in using Exchange Server 2010. IT professionals certified as masters in using Exchange Server 2010 design and build customized messaging solutions. These MCMs have detailed knowledge and skills to successfully operate and manage an enterprise-class Exchange Server infrastructure.

In response to the growing worldwide demand to participate in the MCM program on Exchange Server, Microsoft has provided even more options for Exchange Server experts who seek an MCM certification.

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1. Recommended minimum skills and experience

The recommended candidate for an MCM: Exchange Server 2010 typically has five or more years of hands-on experience in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 or later—with a thorough understanding of its design and architecture. Competencies include designing and implementing high-performance, scalable, secure enterprise environments and troubleshooting the most challenging Exchange Server issues.

The recommended candidate should have a thorough understanding of Active Directory services, Domain Name System (DNS), and other core network services related to Exchange Server 2010.

2. Prerequisite certifications

Candidates must hold the following prerequisites:

3. Requirements for achieving an MCM certification

To obtain an MCM: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 certification, a candidate must pass the following two MCM exams:

The Knowledge Exam has a multiple-choice format. The Lab Exam is a hands-on lab. A candidate must pass the Knowledge Exam before the Lab Exam.

The Knowledge Exam will be available through Prometric starting in October 2011, and the MCM Lab Exam is available through remote proctoring directly from Microsoft. Microsoft will provide Lab Exam registration instructions upon successful completion of the Knowledge Exam.

4. Exam security: Biometric-enabled check-in

As of July 1, 2011, Prometric has implemented biometric-enabled check-in. This applies to Prometric testing centers offering MCM exams, in those countries in which biometric-enabled check-in is permitted. This simple and quick procedure captures a fingertip pattern template from exam candidates and is designed to protect the security and integrity of the exam testing process, and the privacy of the exam candidate.

5. Exam topics

For candidates to prepare for the Knowledge Exam and Lab Exam, it is recommended that they have hands-on experience and knowledge in the skill areas detailed in this section. Some skills will be tested in the Knowledge Exam and others in the Lab Exam.

Note Microsoft reserves the right to determine which objectives are tested in which exam. Microsoft also reserves the right to periodically modify the requirements and content of the Knowledge Exam and Lab Exam in order to preserve the integrity of the certification program.

Plan and design for Exchange Server fundamentals
The candidate should have a thorough knowledge of Exchange Server fundamentals, including the impact of various Exchange Server scenarios on the infrastructure it is based on, such as Active Directory services; local and wide area networks; and server hardware. The candidate should also be able to design Exchange Server solutions to meet business requirements, such as service availability, MOF/ITIL compliance, and data protection levels.

Legal, archiving, and compliance policies
The candidate should have experience with design, deployment, and enforcement of policies and configurations based on application and business requirements. The candidate should also have experience in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting archiving and compliance features.

Security
The candidate should be able to derive security requirements based on organizational compliance needs and requirements. The candidate should also be able to articulate and apply Exchange Server security best practices, configure role-based access, configure auditing, identify vulnerability scenarios, and remediate security issues.

Client access server
The candidate should be able to design, configure, and troubleshoot the client access server role, including namespaces; certificates; site resiliency; load balancing; proxy and redirection; mobile device support; coexistence with legacy versions of Exchange Server; auto discover; and authentication. The candidate should also be able to design, configure, and troubleshoot various client connectivity scenarios.

Transport and hygiene
The candidate should be able to design, configure, and troubleshoot the HUB Transport and EDGE Transport roles, including mail flow; journaling; and message hygiene agents. The candidate should have a thorough understanding of the message categorization and routing processes internal and external to Exchange Server. The candidate should also be able to design and configure the Transport roles for site resiliency and high availability.

Mailbox and public folders
The candidate should be capable of recommending appropriate DAG designs, performing site failover procedures, and troubleshooting all aspects of the Mailbox role, including ESE database; performance; storage; and public folders.

Storage and virtualization
The candidate should be able to design and validate an appropriate storage or virtualization solution for Exchange Server, troubleshoot performance issues, and determine the impact of various scenarios on storage and virtualization hardware.

Unified messaging/voice
The candidate should be able to plan, deploy, and validate the unified messaging role, given various scenarios. The candidate should also be able to integrate an Exchange Server solution with Microsoft Lync Server 2010 voice and instant messaging.

Coexistence, hybrid solutions, migration, and federation
The candidate should be able to design and configure coexistence between on-premises Exchange Server organizations and Microsoft Office 365, and plan for data migrations and upgrades across Exchange Server versions. The candidate should also be able to design and configure connections to the Microsoft Federation Gateway.

6. Language availability

At this time, Knowledge Exams and Lab Exams are only available in English.

7. Knowledge Exam and Lab Exam scheduling

The MCM Knowledge Exam will be available through Prometric starting in October 2011, and the MCM Lab Exam is available through remote proctoring directly from Microsoft. Microsoft will provide Lab Exam registration instructions upon successful completion of the Knowledge Exam.

8. Score waiting period

To ensure exam integrity and security, Microsoft will not immediately reveal MCM Knowledge Exam and MCM Lab Exam scores.

8.1 Waiting period for Knowledge Exam results
The waiting period to receive the MCM Knowledge Exam score (pass or fail) from the test provider is up to 30 business days (approximately six weeks). Candidates who pass the Knowledge Exam must wait 14 days after receiving the passing score before scheduling the MCM Lab Exam.

8.2 Waiting period for Lab Exam results
The waiting period to receive the MCM Lab Exam score (pass or fail) from the test provider is up to 30 business days (approximately six weeks).

9. Retake attempts

There is no limit on the number of exam retakes that candidates can attempt if they do not pass an exam. However, they must pay the associated exam fee for each retake exam.

10. Retake waiting period

Candidates must wait a minimum of 90 days before retaking an exam that they did not pass.

11. Exam attempts for already passed exams

Candidates cannot retake any exam that they already passed.

12. Exam agreements and policies

Candidates are solely responsible for understanding and complying with the Non-Disclosure Agreement and General Terms of Use for Microsoft Certification exams (Exam Agreement), Microsoft exam policies and procedures, and the test provider’s exam policies and procedures.

Prior to taking an exam, candidates are required to accept the Exam Agreement.

Microsoft Certification exams (including questions, answers, and diagrams) are confidential and proprietary to Microsoft and are protected by intellectual property laws.

Any candidate who violates the Exam Agreement or engages in any misconduct will be prohibited from taking any Microsoft Certification exams, and Microsoft may revoke their existing Microsoft Certifications.

13. Upgrade process for an existing MCM on Exchange Server

A candidate who has an existing MCM certification on Exchange Server 2003 or 2007 must pass both the MCM Knowledge Exam and MCM Lab Exam if he or she wants to earn an MCM: Exchange Server 2010 certification.

14. Pricing

Pricing for the MCM: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 exams is as follows:

15. Test locations

Knowledge Exam
The Knowledge Exam will only be available at select, highly secure global Prometric test centers, starting in October 2011. Test centers and the exams they deliver are subject to change. Candidates are responsible for confirming via the Prometric website as to whether their regional test center currently delivers a specific exam.

Lab Exam
The MCM Lab Exam is available via remote proctoring by Microsoft. Microsoft will provide Lab Exam registration instructions upon successful completion of the Knowledge Exam.

Note MCM: Exchange Server 2010 exams are only available in English, regardless of where the exam is taken.

16. Benefits

Achieving an MCM: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 certification provides the following benefits:

Microsoft may, at its sole discretion, revoke a candidate’s MCM certification or suspend access to certain benefits if the candidate becomes employed by a company that makes competing software for which the candidate receives confidential information under the MCM program. Microsoft reserves the right to modify program requirements and benefits at any time.

17. MCM: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 readiness and exam preparation

Along with real-world, hands-on experience, there are training resources that can help prepare a candidate for the MCM Knowledge Exam and MCM Lab Exam. This section details some readiness resources.

Note This is not an all-inclusive list, but instead represents coverage of the overall certification topic scope.

Note Some of the following links go to third-party sites. Such sites are not under the control of Microsoft, and Microsoft is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. Microsoft is not responsible for webcasting or any other form of transmission received from any linked site. Microsoft is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of Microsoft of the site or the products contained therein.

17.1 Instructor-led training courses
Microsoft Learning will conduct the three-week training courses in Redmond, WA.

17.2 Books

17.3 White papers and online references
The following are recommended Microsoft white papers and online references that you can use to help prepare for the MCM: Exchange Server certification.

17.4 Blogs
There are Microsoft Exchange Server team blogs as well as third-party blogs that will provide you with real-life experiences and industry perspectives.

Changes to MCM: Exchange Server 2010

New required exams

Optional instructor-led training at Microsoft