Letter to Microsoft Certified Professionals and Candidates
We know that maintaining the value of the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential is as important to you as it is to us. A while back, we let you know the steps we have been taking to protect the investment you are making through Microsoft certification. These steps include deployment of progressive testing technologies that discourage rote memorization of exam items, regular exam item replacement, tighter security at testing centers, and the revised exam retake policy. (For more information, please see Frequently Asked Questions About Exam Security.) As part of our ongoing effort to keep Microsoft certification strong, credible, and valued, we'd like to update you now on actions we've taken since our last letter to you.
| • | More severe penalty for cheating. In the past, a candidate caught cheating on an exam was prohibited from taking MCP certification exams for six months, and the candidate lost any current certifications. According to the current policy, which became effective in June 2000, a candidate caught cheating immediately loses any current certifications the candidate holds and is permanently ineligible for any MCP certification. Since November 1999, 57 candidates have been caught cheating while taking Microsoft certification exams. Those caught cheating since June 2000 have been decertified or will be decertified. All are prohibited from further testing. Since November 1999, Microsoft has closed 24 testing centers worldwide because of compromising testing practices. |
| • | Enforcement of non-disclosure agreement. Since February 1998, Microsoft has required all certification candidates to accept the terms of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before taking certification exams. One way we enforce the NDA is to closely monitor Web sites suspected of publishing exam material and regularly perform searches for MCP exam content. We also follow up on leads provided by MCPs and candidates. As a result of these investigations, owners of seven Web sites were found to be in violation of the non-disclosure agreement by publishing questions from certification exams. The site owners—all certified individuals in Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Texas—were immediately decertified and are now permanently ineligible for any Microsoft certification. In addition, as of September 2000, Microsoft has decertified a dozen individuals who had posted information in violation of the NDA on various Web sites. Microsoft can take whatever legal action is justified by the facts of a case and reserves the right to revoke any certifications at its sole discretion. |
| • | MCP Practice Test Provider Program. Candidates may want to assess their skills before taking an MCP exam. We recommend that candidates use practice test products developed only by MCP Practice Test Providers. These products cover the complete set of exam objectives, meet a number of other criteria established by Microsoft, and indicate that they are approved by Microsoft by displaying the MCP Practice Test Provider logo. Practice tests can supplement, but should not be a substitute for, the training and required hands-on work experience in the skills covered by the exam objectives. |
Keeping exams as security-enhanced as possible helps maintain the value of Microsoft certification and ensures that only qualified information technology professionals are identified as MCPs. You can help us protect your certification investment by discouraging fellow MCPs who may be sharing exam questions or answers. If you know of Web sites or individuals who may be disclosing Microsoft certification exam information, send e-mail to tctips@microsoft.com or telephone (800) 636-7544. Provide as much detail as possible so that we will be able to take appropriate action. We will investigate all credible leads.
We commend your accomplishments as an MCP and appreciate your continued support.
Very truly yours,
The Microsoft Certified Professional Program Team
