Frequently Asked Questions About MCSA

The Windows Server 2003 family takes the best of Windows 2000 Server technology and makes it easier to deploy, manage, and use. For more information, see the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web site.

Yes. See the MCSE on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certification Requirements page for a complete list of exam requirements.

Microsoft has developed independent certification requirements for Windows Server 2003. The certification requirements for MCSA on Windows Server 2003 differ from those for MCSA on Windows 2000. Therefore, you must either complete the whole Windows 2000 track or the entire Windows Server 2003 track to become certified as an MCSA. However, if you complete your MCSA certification in Windows 2000, you can take advantage of an upgrade path that will enable you to update your certification to Windows Server 2003 in a time-effective and cost-effective manner. See MCSA on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certification Requirements for exam details.

No. You can start your training and experience with Windows Server 2003. However, any skills you acquire with Windows 2000—either through hands-on experience or training—will be highly relevant to and provide a solid foundation for an upgrade to Windows Server 2003. See MCSA on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certification Requirements for training details.

Yes. Although your Windows 2000 skills are highly relevant and provide a solid foundation for an upgrade to Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 has significant new or changed technologies. The skills that you acquire when you work with Windows 2000 will be highly relevant. They provide a solid foundation for a migration to Windows Server 2003. Additional study may be necessary to be fully prepared.

The Windows Server 2003 core and upgrade exams are now available. View the New and Upcoming Exams page for more information about elective and specialization exam availability.

Yes. Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000 is part of the upgrade path for an MCSE on Windows 2000. It includes objectives that validate the skills set of an MCSA on Windows Server 2003.

Each upgrade exam will cost the same as all other MCP exams. For example, each upgrade exam will cost US$125.

CompTIA A+/Network+ and A+/Server+ are not accepted as alternatives to the elective exams for the MCSE credential. See MCSE on Windows Server 2003 Certification Requirements for updates on additional elective alternatives.

See the CompTIA credentials page for details on how to receive credit for CompTIA credentials and verify certification.

Acceptable third-party certifications must demonstrate expertise in managing hardware, such as network servers and desktop computers, in addition to fulfilling other criteria. Cisco certification is not acceptable in fulfilling the MCSA elective exam requirement because it demonstrates expertise in network hardware only.

The Windows Server 2003 exams will not include labs or a practicum. However, the exams may include various innovative testing technologies to present a more realistic visual representation of the products and skills that you are being tested on so that your exam experience more consistently reflects the types of tasks you might perform on the job.

Microsoft has developed independent certification requirements for Windows Server 2003. The certification requirements for MCSA on Windows Server 2003 differ from those for MCSA on Windows 2000. Therefore, you must either complete the whole Windows 2000 track or the entire Windows Server 2003 track to become certified as an MCSA. However, if you complete your MCSA certification in Windows 2000, you can take advantage of an upgrade path that will enable you to update your certification to Windows Server 2003 in a time-effective and cost-effective manner. See MCSA on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certification Requirements for exam details.

The MCSA credential is for professionals who implement, manage, and troubleshoot existing network and system environments that are based on the Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating systems. These individuals typically do not deploy new networks and systems as part of their job function as is expected of individuals holding the MCSE credential. Unlike MCSEs, MCSAs are not expected to have design skills.

The MCSA certification covers the skills of network administrators, network engineers, systems administrators, IT engineers, information systems administrators, network technicians, and technical support specialists as defined by the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies Skill Standards for Information Technology and other research worldwide.

The MCSA credential is for IT professionals who work in the typically complex computing environment of medium-to-large organizations. An MCSA candidate should have 6–12 months of experience implementing and administering a desktop operating system, implementing and administering a server operating system, and managing client and network operating systems in environments with the following characteristics:

You might want to consider pursuing the MCSA on Windows 2000 certification if the credential represents your current responsibilities in systems implementation and management. Depending on the elective exams that you have passed, you may have to pass only Exam 70-218: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment to earn the MCSA certification. See MCSA Requirements and Training Resources for details.

MCSE and MCSA job roles are distinct. The two certifications—one for systems engineers and one for systems administrators—provide hiring managers with an accurate means to identify qualified individuals for specific job roles in an organization's IT structure. Recent research indicates that a demand gap exists in organizations between the number of Microsoft Windows 2000 systems administrators and skilled individuals needed and available to do the job. The MCSA credential will help employers easily identify qualified individuals to close the gap.

The MCSA credential is designed as an independent credential that represents the job functions of a network administrator. If you plan to pursue the MCSE certification, the MCSA certification gives you a credential that represents a subset of skills that are required by the MCSE credential. After earning the MCSA credential, you must pass these exams to earn the MCSE on Windows 2000 certification:

See MCSA Requirements and Training Resources for details.

Exam 70-218: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment tests a candidate's skills in administering and supporting an existing Windows 2000 network. These skills include the ongoing tasks that are involved in managing network resources, the network infrastructure, server and client computers, disaster prevention and security, Active Directory services and Group Policy, and remote client access.

Combined with a desktop requirement exam (70-210) and a server operating system requirement exam (70-215), Exam 70-218 validates the core skills that are performed by an MCSA. See the Preparation Guide for Exam 70-218 for more information.

Course 2126: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment covers the skill set tested by Exam 70-218.

Microsoft offers a complete curriculum and training solution to help candidates prepare for the MCSA credential. This comprehensive courseware solution enables candidates from any background to receive the training that they need. MCSA candidates may select from a variety of courses that will help in preparation for both the core and elective exams.

The courses that address the MCSA core exams include 13 days of training. Additional training may be required to prepare for the MCSA elective exams. For more information, see MCSA Requirements and Training Resources.

Exam 70-240 encompassed the same objectives as Exams 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, and 70-217. Exam 70-240 included more items than a traditional exam, but fewer than the combined total for those four core exams. Fewer items were required because Exam 70-240 made use of very important items, took advantage of the overlap in objectives for the four core exams, and was designed with the knowledge that candidates who have passed the three Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 exams (70-067, 70-068, and 70-073) have demonstrated some of the skills that were tested by the core Windows 2000 exams.

Exam 70-240 was as challenging as the four core exams it replaced. We expect candidates who took the accelerated exam to know the material covered by the three Windows NT 4.0 exams (70-067, 70-068, and 70-073) in addition to the material covered by four of the core Windows 2000 exams (70-210, 70-215, 70-216, and 70-217).

The last date to take Exam 70-240: Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 was December 31, 2001. Only MCSA on Windows 2000 candidates who passed Exam 70-240 by December 31, 2001, can apply this exam to their MCSA on Windows 2000 certification. See MCSA Requirements and Training Resources for alternative exams.

If you have passed Exam 70-240, you must also pass Exam 70-218: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment to earn the MCSA credential. See MCSA Requirements and Training Resources for details.

Elective exams in the MCSA certification represent tasks that are performed by using core technologies of Microsoft systems and tasks that are also in the job role of a typical systems administrator. Exam 70-217 measures a candidate's ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot the Windows 2000 Active Directory components, DNS for Active Directory, and Active Directory security solutions. Additionally, this test measures the skills that are required to manage, monitor, and optimize the desktop environment by using Group Policy. These job roles are typically outside the scope of a systems administrator.

The CompTIA A+ certification demonstrates expertise in managing desktop computers only. To cover the scope of a typical systems administrator's job role, an MCSA candidate must also have earned the CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Server+ credential, which both demonstrate expertise in network or server management.

See the CompTIA credentials page for details about how to receive credit for CompTIA credentials and verify certification starting in February 2002.

Acceptable third-party certifications must be vendor-independent and demonstrate expertise in managing hardware, such as network servers and desktop computers, in addition to fulfilling other criteria. Cisco certification is unacceptable in fulfilling the MCSA elective exam requirement because it is not vendor-independent and it demonstrates expertise in network hardware only.

Elective exams in the MCSA certification represent tasks that are performed by using core technologies of Microsoft systems in the job role of a typical systems administrator. Exam 70-244 represents expertise in legacy Microsoft systems in the appropriate scope of a systems administrator's job role.

No. However, Exam 70-218: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment, which is required for the MCSA certification, tests TCP/IP and other skills that are required by a systems administrator's job role.

Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 now includes Service Pack 2, which enables the product to run on Windows 2000.

Microsoft selected CompTIA certifications as an alternative to passing an elective exam for the MCSA credential because of their relevance and global industry recognition. Additionally, CompTIA certifications are developed and maintained for the industry by the industry through a robust and tested process. The recognition by Microsoft of CompTIA certifications reflects the Microsoft interest in supporting vendor-independent, industry-neutral certification programs that guide potential candidates to the MCSA and other certifications. Exam 70-058 covers networking skills only, whereas the acceptable combinations of CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Server+ adequately cover the scope of a typical systems administrator's job role.

No. The MCSA certification is being supported for current operating systems (Windows 2000 and Windows XP and Windows Server 2003) and future operating systems only.

Earning a Microsoft certification acknowledges your expertise in working with Microsoft products and technologies. The IT industry, your employer, clients, and peers will recognize your MCSA credential as a symbol of the skills and knowledge that you've gained. Microsoft certification demonstrates that you can successfully implement Microsoft business solutions for your organization or client.

Candidates who earn the MCSA certification receive a Welcome Kit that contains a wallet card, certificate, and MCSA logo that enable you to identify your MCSA status to colleagues or clients. Additionally, MCSAs receive:

Microsoft is developing the MCSA exams with the same rigor as with all other Microsoft certification exams. Learn more about how MCP exams are developed.

Microsoft is introducing specializations because individuals are asking for a way to identify their focus in a particular technical field, and IT managers are asking for a way to identify those individuals. With increasing numbers of individuals pursuing certification, and with expertise being sought after in many specific areas, customers want a way to distinguish proficiency in a given field.

A certification validates and identifies competency in a specific job role. A specialization validates and identifies job role competency applied to a specific technical field. Specializations allow individuals who currently have or who are seeking certifications to highlight their focus in a specific field.

No. A certification specialization proves and identifies a focus on a specific technical field. However, the job role proficiency that is validated by the certification is the same for an MCSA with or without a specialization.

Messaging and Security specializations are available on Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003. Candidates can achieve MCSA: Messaging or MCSA: Security on Windows 2000 today and can start taking exams for MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003. The final exams that are required for MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003 will be available later this year.

Yes. If you have already taken a specialization requirement to satisfy your MCSA elective requirement, you are one step closer to achieving your specialization.

Upgrade requirements for specializations will vary. You may have to meet additional requirements beyond those necessary to upgrade your MCSE certification. See each specific certification specialization page for full details on upgrade requirements.

The MCSA credential requires individuals to demonstrate a breadth and depth of skills that are related to managing and maintaining a Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 infrastructure. Microsoft also offers elective exams that allow MCSAs to validate specific messaging skills on these platforms.

Microsoft is introducing a new certification specialization, MCSA: Messaging, which allows systems administrators to demonstrate deep, role-based skills around implementing, managing, and maintaining a Microsoft Exchange messaging infrastructure on the Microsoft Windows operating system.

The MCSA: Messaging certification will allow IT professionals to demonstrate messaging-specific skills that are appropriate to the systems administrator job role, which includes implementing, managing, and maintaining a Microsoft Exchange organization.

The MCSA: Messaging on Windows 2000 specialization became available on of September 8, 2003.

The MCSA: Messaging specialization will not be made available for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0.

The MCSA: Messaging certification is for IT professionals in a systems administrator job role who specialize in implementing, managing, and maintaining a Microsoft Exchange infrastructure on the Windows platform.

An MCSA: Messaging candidate should have at least 12 months of experience implementing and administering desktop and network operating systems, and managing the network infrastructure in the typically complex computing environment of medium-to-large organizations. The candidate should also have 12 months of experience administering Exchange Server environments involving multiple physical locations, mixed connection protocols, and Internet messaging.

No. To obtain MCSA: Messaging on Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003, individuals must pass three core exams and one prescribed messaging specialization exam.

If you have passed the required exams, you will automatically receive the MCSA: Messaging on Windows 2000 certification. Your transcript will show "MCSA: Messaging on Microsoft Windows 2000" in the Microsoft Certification Status section.

To receive your MCSA: Messaging for Windows 2000 Welcome Kit, you must first visit the MCP Member Web site to verify your address. As soon as you are at the site, follow these steps:

You will receive your Welcome Kit within 4–6 weeks of verifying and submitting your correct shipping address. Welcome Kits will not be shipped without a confirmed address.

Yes. Individuals who achieve MCSA: Messaging on Windows 2000 can upgrade their certification to MCSA: Messaging on Windows Server 2003 by passing these exams:

Both Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003 run on the Windows 2000 operating system, so both Exam 70-224: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange 2000 and Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 are valid specialization options for MCSA: Messaging on Windows 2000. However, Exchange 2000 Server is not supported on the Windows Server 2003 operating system. Therefore, Exam 70-224 is not a valid specialization option for MCSA: Messaging on Windows Server 2003.

The primary benefit of achieving this certification is that you can demonstrate your skills as a systems administrator with a specific focus on implementing a Microsoft Exchange infrastructure. Individuals who achieve the MCSA: Messaging certification will receive a certificate and wallet card to mark their achievement. Your MCP transcript will show "MCSA: Messaging" in the Microsoft Certification Status section with the appropriate operating system version.

The MCSA credential already requires individuals to demonstrate a breadth and depth of skills that are related to Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 security. Microsoft also offers elective exams that allow MCSAs to validate specific security skills on these platforms.

Microsoft is introducing a new certification specialization, MCSA: Security, which will allow systems administrators to demonstrate deep, role-based skills around implementing, managing, and maintaining security on the Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 operating systems to help create a secure computing environment.

Security is the primary pillar of the Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Initiative, and security implementation skills are increasingly in demand across the computer industry. In particular, individuals with these skills seek to gain recognition for their expertise and knowledge, and employers that need these skills are keen to identify individuals who have them. By introducing this certification, Microsoft is supporting the “Secure in Deployment” tenet of the Trustworthy Computing security framework and addressing the security certification needs of individuals and employers.

The MCSA: Security certification will allow IT professionals to demonstrate security-specific skills that are appropriate to the systems administrator job role, which includes implementing, managing, and maintaining security on Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003. Additionally, this certification will allow individuals to show proficiency with Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition, or demonstrate security skills beyond the Microsoft platform by achieving CompTIA Security+ certification.

The MCSA: Security on Windows 2000 specialization first became available June 3, 2003. Candidates may start taking exams for MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003 today, although some MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003 requirements will not be available until later this year.

An MCSA: Security specialization will not be made available for Windows NT 4.0.

The MCSA: Security certification is for IT professionals in a systems administrator job role who specialize in implementing, managing, and maintaining security on the Microsoft platform and as part of a secure computing environment.

An MCSA: Security candidate should have at least 12 months of experience implementing and administering desktop and network operating systems, and managing the network infrastructure in the typically complex computing environment of medium-to-large organizations. The candidate should also have experience in implementing and administering security in a network infrastructure. Additionally, the candidate should have a broad foundational knowledge of general security concepts, including communications security, infrastructure security, cryptography, and operational and organizational security—or else they should have specific skills that are related to the implementation of Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000 in an enterprise environment.

No. To obtain MCSA: Security on Windows 2000 or MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003, individuals must pass three core exams and two prescribed security specialization exams. However, candidates can choose either Exam 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000, Enterprise Edition, or CompTIA Security+ certification to satisfy one of the specialization options.

CompTIA Security+ certification is an accepted worldwide standard of competency for foundation-level security practitioners. By obtaining this credential, an individual demonstrates a broad knowledge of security concepts that applies both to Microsoft platforms and to other vendor technologies. This knowledge has particular value to intermediate-level IT professionals when combined with core systems administrator skills and platform-specific security implementation skills.

CompTIA certifications such as Security+ are developed by leading experts from all sectors of the IT industry—including Microsoft—and meet the highest standards of certification testing. The objectives are generated by an extensive job task analysis conducted with IT professionals who perform specific job roles. All questions undergo a multilevel review process making sure that they are accurate and psychometrically sound. Test responses are also validated through rigorous statistical analysis.

No. Although individuals can satisfy the elective requirement for MCSA on Windows 2000 or MCSA on Windows Server 2003, by using CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications, or CompTIA A+ and Server+ certifications, electives are not required for the MCSA: Security certification. Therefore, these exams will not count.

Yes. CompTIA Security+ may be counted toward the elective requirement for MCSA on Windows 2000 and MCSA on Windows Server 2003. Security+ targets IT professionals with at least two years of networking experience and those who have a thorough knowledge of networking protocols. Security+ spans a comprehensive range of security knowledge areas. It was developed with input from industry, government, and academia in addition to front-line practitioners. By obtaining this credential, an individual demonstrates a broad knowledge of security concepts that applies both to Microsoft platforms and to other vendor technologies. Microsoft recognizes that these skills are appropriate to all IT professionals, not just to those who specialize in security.

See the CompTIA credentials page for details about how to receive credit for CompTIA certifications.

If you have passed the required exams and if you are using CompTIA Security+ to satisfy one of the security specialization requirements, you must indicate on the CompTIA credentials page that you want to receive credit toward the MCSA: Security on Windows 2000 certification.

If you have already done this, or if you are using Exam 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft ISA Server 2000, Enterprise Edition as one of your security specialization requirements, you will automatically earn the MCSA: Security on Microsoft Windows 2000 certification. Your transcript will show "MCSA: Security on Microsoft Windows 2000" in the Microsoft Certification Status section, and you will receive an MCSA: Security on Microsoft Windows 2000 Welcome Kit within 6–8 weeks.

To receive your MCSA: Security Welcome Kit, you must first visit the MCP Member Site to verify your address. As soon as you are at the site, follow these steps:

You will receive your Welcome Kit within 4–6 weeks of verifying and submitting your correct shipping address. Welcome Kits will not be shipped without a confirmed address.

Yes. Individuals who achieve MCSA: Security on Windows 2000 can upgrade their certification to MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003 by passing these exams:

The primary benefit of achieving this certification is that you can demonstrate your skills as a systems administrator with a specific focus on implementing a secure Windows network infrastructure. Additionally, you can demonstrate skills that are appropriate to creating a secure computing environment. Individuals who achieve the MCSA: Security will receive a certificate and wallet card to mark their achievement. Your MCP transcript will show "MCSA: Security" in the Microsoft Certification Status section with the appropriate platform version.

Microsoft created the MCSA: Security certification for systems administrators who specialize in security within their job role and to enable employers to more easily recognize these individuals. Although Exam 70-214 is a valid measure of Windows 2000 security implementation skills for systems administrators, customer feedback has indicated that the MCSA: Security certification should identify individuals who demonstrate additional security specialization requirements beyond the core platform.

Currently, the only way that individuals can demonstrate security specialization requirements for MCSA: Security is by passing the specialization exams that are listed on the Requirements page. Microsoft is continually assessing various third-party security certifications to determine whether these credentials could be incorporated into existing or future Microsoft certification requirements.