MCSE/MCSA

My first question is:

What's the difference between these two qualifications? Is one more
difficult than the other? Does one bring a higher salary than the other?

Next: Does anyone have a recommendation for books to read, to learn for the
exams?

Andy

I would post these questions on one of the microsoft.public.cert.* groups.

AFAIK-> As the name implies MCSE is covers more ground (7 exams) than MCSA
(4 exams). I think there is even an overlap of the two (since I believe the
core exams for MCSA are on MSCE). It looks to me that MCSE is more popular
:-)

--
Javier [SBS MVP]

<< SBS ROCKS!!! >>

"Andy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newstH%c.114$(E-Mail Removed)...
> My first question is:
>
> What's the difference between these two qualifications? Is one more
> difficult than the other? Does one bring a higher salary than the other?
>
> Next: Does anyone have a recommendation for books to read, to learn for
> the
> exams?
>
> Andy
>
>

Hi Andy,

You can find out about these certifications by looking at
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.asp.

Usually, you would pass 7 MCP exams to achieve your MCSE but you can also
achieve your MCSA on the way if you pick the right exams. It can be very
expensive and you are not guaranteed a higher wage just for having the
credentials. You also have to take further exams to remain current every
time Microsoft releases a new Server platform.

I have found that buying the MS Press Training Kit for the exam you want and
working through it is the cheapest way. Exam Cram books are good for
consolidating what you have learned before you take the exam but nothing
beats plenty of hands-on experience. Each MS Training kit comes with demo
software so you can practice any many times as you need to before you take
the exam. Reading through the relevant MS newsgroups is also very useful
for expanding your knowledge of the software you are using and the problems
you are likely to face.

Kind regards,

Wes

"Andy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newstH%c.114$(E-Mail Removed)...
> My first question is:
>
> What's the difference between these two qualifications? Is one more
> difficult than the other? Does one bring a higher salary than the other?
>
> Next: Does anyone have a recommendation for books to read, to learn for
> the
> exams?
>
> Andy
>
>

The key difference is this

MCSE is targeted towards those that design and plan (decide what to do)
MCSA is targeted towards those who implement and administer (know HOW to do
it)

"Andy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newstH%c.114$(E-Mail Removed)...
> My first question is:
>
> What's the difference between these two qualifications? Is one more
> difficult than the other? Does one bring a higher salary than the other?
>
> Next: Does anyone have a recommendation for books to read, to learn for
> the
> exams?
>
> Andy
>
>

Thanks everyone for your contributions. Very helpful.
Andy


"Corey Hynes" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> The key difference is this
>
> MCSE is targeted towards those that design and plan (decide what to do)
> MCSA is targeted towards those who implement and administer (know HOW to
do
> it)
>
> "Andy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> newstH%c.114$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > My first question is:
> >
> > What's the difference between these two qualifications? Is one more
> > difficult than the other? Does one bring a higher salary than the
other?
> >
> > Next: Does anyone have a recommendation for books to read, to learn for
> > the
> > exams?
> >
> > Andy
> >
> >
>
>