Last stage for 70-296

Finished reading 293 and 294 after 6 days of studies. Now left with GPO labs. Hope to complete everything by tomorrow and have a good revision on Thursday before my Friday paper. Preparing this paper is not as tough as compare to 292. I believe 292 has build most of my foundation for 296 paper. Wish me luck...

For those people that don't understand what is 290, 291, 292, 293, 294 and 296. Here are the explanation.

Exam 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
Exam 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network
Exam 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

These are the four core paper that you have to take to be a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). There are also one client operating systems, one design exam and one elective exam to complete the certification of MCSE 2003 (on Windows 2003 Servers).

For existing MSCE 2000 (on Windows 2000 Servers), you have a choice of upgrading your MCSE status from 2000 to 2003 by taking the four Core Exam, less the three non-core paper. Or you can opt for the following path to MCSE 2003 by passing the following two exams.

Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Microsoft Windows 2000

Exam 70-296: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Microsoft Windows 2000

For Exam 70-292 is a combination of 2 Exam, which is 70-290 and 70-291.
For Exam 70-296 is a combination of 2 Exam, which is 70-293 and 70-294.

So what is the adventage of take 2 Exams rather than 4 Exams? Cost!! Per Exam is SGD $225. So, you can choose to spend a total of SGD $225 x 4 Exam or half the price at SGD $225 x 2 Exam. The only risk factor is 292 and 296 exam is more difficult to pass. So, you may end up at the same cost if your fail twice. The other adventage is rushing for dateline as Microsoft will expire 292 and 296 by 31 March 2008. (But it seem now that the Exam has just been extended to 24 May, announced on 1 April 2008).

Why? because Windows Server 2008 is already out! So, there will be another round of upgarde certification from 2003 to 2008. Once I clear my 2003 by this week, I think I will move on to clear my two paper for 2008 out of a total of three paper in the 2003 to 2008 upgrade path.

BTW, also plan to clear my VCP (VMware) and CCA (Citrix) in the next one month. Else, I will not have the time to study like now. Need to start travelling again in two months time. Thanks to "Boss" for allowing me to clear and update my Certification during this period. Buy you dinner lor....