Born to Learn

Respondents Say…

Kerri Davis - MSL Anti-Piracy PM — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:00:00 GMT

A few months ago the IT Certifications Council, an industry group in which I participate, conducted a survey on “Attitudes Around Cheating.” This was not a Microsoft-specific survey, so the respondents were those who had taken all sorts of IT Certification exams. We got a pretty good response to our 15-question survey; the most surprising outcome was the sheer number of verbatim responses we got to some questions. Clearly our certification candidates across the board feel security is a vital part of a testing program. As a group, we will use these answers to help improve and strengthen our respective security programs.

Some of the positive outcomes that interested me most:

The majority of respondents agreed that cheating by any method is test fraud.
Most respondents are aware that the exams themselves are considered the property of the company issuing the exam—not the test provider. This means Microsoft owns all of our tests, not Prometric or Certiport.
The policies on cheating are clear to most respondents.
The majority agreed that certain methods, such as sharing answers, copying, taking notes into the exam, paying someone to take an exam, and using fake documents constitute cheating.
Most thought that cheaters should be harshly dealt with.
More than 80 percent felt that cheaters devalue one’s certification.
About two-thirds believed companies have effective programs to reduce cheating

Among the answers that surprised us:

A majority said they would report a cheater, but didn’t know how. We as a group clearly need to publicize that more effectively. (Have I mentioned mlsecure@microsoft.com?)
A vast majority did not feel discussing an exam should be in violation of an agreement. (See my earlier blog post on this subject). What I glean from this is that discussion and help amongst colleagues is a valuable part of the study experience and shouldn’t be discounted.

Let me clarify what we mean by “discussing an exam,” because I think the question, the way it had been worded, might have been confusing. I’ve said before that it’s one thing to study together before the exam; this is fine. It’s another to tell someone what’s actually on the exam. That is where candidates get into trouble. It’s the divulging of confidential exam information that is a violation, not group study. That’s one of the reasons we prohibit instructors from proctoring exams.

Last, we got more than 1000 verbatim responses to our question: “What other methods do you suggest to combat cheating?” I find that so encouraging that people have an interest in this. I will be pouring through all the responses for inspiration.

Got a tip for me? Let me know at mlsecure@microsoft.com.

TechEd North America 2013 - Rob

Pete Harris [MSL] — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:24:00 GMT

Not everyone who comes to TechEd is super-technical. Rob is a project manager for IT projects and was at TechEd to learn more about ALM and what's new and coming soon for Microsoft's application platform. He decided to take the MTA exam for Operating System fundamentals to begin using certification to establish his technical credibility even though he's not a developer. Are you a project manager who needs some credibility with your developers? Maybe MTA is for you too.

TechEd North America 2013 - Edward

Pete Harris [MSL] — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:13:36 GMT

I had a nice chat with Edward who told me about a cool project he got to work on. He got the gig because he had the certifications which showed he had the skills. Now he's working on his Windows Server MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification. What cool projects did you get to work on because of your certifications?

TechEd North America 2013 - Ron

Pete Harris [MSL] — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:51:00 GMT

We hear lots of different reasons why people pursue their certifications. In this case, Ron told us that in a consulting role, he changes industries a lot. His skills give him that flexibility, but his certifications help give clients the peace of mind that he knows his stuff and will be able to help them - even without direct industry experience. Are you looking for some consistency in your career? Maybe certification will give you something common you can share with your clients.

TechEd North America 2013 - Nate

Pete Harris [MSL] — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 23:01:00 GMT

I spoke with Nate, who is a long time certification guy, who currently has 5 MCSE certifications. But yesterday, he took his first MTA exam. If you have been thinking about certification, but aren't sure if you want to get started, or are feeling like you wish there was a way to dip your toe into the waters of certification before committing to something really hard (like getting your MCSE in one week), you should hear what Nate has to say.

TechEd North America 2013 - Clint

Pete Harris [MSL] — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:43:00 GMT

Last night I met Clint just outside the testing center here at TechEd North America. This was a great chat because although he's been in the industry for over 20 years, yesterday he took his first certification exams. Ever. More than that, he's working on going from zero to his MCSE: Messaging this week! He wanted to prove to his colleagues that he has the knowledge to get it done in five days. Seems like this is the week of taking exams with a bit of a challenge in mind. Do you have a certification challenge in mind for yourself?

TechEd North America 2013 - Heather

Pete Harris [MSL] — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:24:00 GMT

I chatted with Heather about her job working for NASCAR. Heather took her Office certifications to the next level three years ago when she decided to become an MCT. Now not only does she have the Office skills to help the NASCAR organization, but as a Microsoft Certified Trainer she helps others get the skills they need to grow their own careers. Are you the person in your office everyone comes to for help? Maybe MCT is the certification for you...

TechEd North America 2013 - Lou

Pete Harris [MSL] — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 20:56:00 GMT

I spoke with Lou on the expo floor at TechEd today. He told me that when he was ready to leave management to go back to being a technical individual contributor, he used his SQL Certification to help prove he still had his technical skills. We love hearing from customers whose certifications help them switch roles. Have you don this too?

MCT MTA Throwdown at TechEd NA 2013

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:26:00 GMT

Three experienced MCTs are now taking all twelve (12) MTA exams right here at TechEd North America 2013. Telmo Sampaio, David Elfassy, and Ken Rosen (left to right) have challenged each other right here at Certification Central, on the third floor of the convention center.

Objective: Each MCT must take all 12 MTA exams this afternoon, in numerical order by exam number. See all MTA exams here.

We're starting a pool on how well they will do. Comment below with your guesses, and we'll announce the results later today when they come out of the exam room!

Who will finish all 12 MTA exams first?
How many MTA exams will these three MCTs pass, combined?
On average, students takes 22 minutes to complete one MTA exam. What's the average time for these three MCTs?

Let's get ready to rumble!!!

Update: The results are in!

Who will finish all 12 MTA exams first?

- Telmo finished first, with a total time of 2 hours and 22 minutes!

How many MTA exams will these three MCTs pass, combined?
- 20 exams were passed among them.
On average, students takes 22 minutes to complete one MTA exam. What's the average time for these three MCTs?
- 14.39 minutes

More Certification Exam Training Tips with MCT Sasa Kranjac

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Fri, 31 May 2013 22:12:00 GMT

Last week, MCT Sasa Kranjac contributed an article packed with training and certification tips, plus a massive list of free resources. This week, Sasa returns with more great tips and resources to help you prepare for exams. Welcome back, Sasa!

In my previous article, I recommended a variety of learning styles, from self-paced study to instructor-led and online training; and provided a list of my most valuable resources. This week, I'll share study tips and provide more cool resources to help you prepare.

Study Tips: 5 Steps to Success

1. Schedule an exam early.
Book an exam early. Paying and scheduling your exam fixes "the day" and materializes it. "A day" becomes "the day" and it is no longer a fictional day. You don't want to take the exam "when you are ready". You are going to be ready at the time of the appointment, take the exam and pass. I know people getting ready and preparing for years.

The most important thing is to prepare to study. Prepare yourself mentally to learn. Be determined to achieve a result. Say it: "I'm going to be an MCSA on Windows 8 in 90 days."

Be aware that if you reschedule your exam appointment 15 days or less prior to the deadline you will be charged a reschedule fee. See www.prometric.com/microsoft for details. On the left side of the page, click Frequently Asked Questions to learn more. Hopefully this will keep you from rescheduling over and over.

2. Prepare to study, prepare to learn.
Find yourself a quiet, comfortable place where you can focus on your studies. A place where you are alone and without distractions. I know that this is not easy, especially if you are working, have a family, or have other commitments; but do whatever you can to keep the distractions to your studies to a minimum. Do not study in a living room or in a kitchen if the rooms are crowded or noisy; in these places, your family sends the message: "please, spend some time with us; put that boring geek book away".

I used to read in the bed. But not anymore. It tells me "come and take a nap; come on, it won't hurt you, close your eyes for couple of minutes". I still read in bed but I do not study in bed. Reading a novel is not the same as studying and trying to remember what you've read.

Speed reading doesn't work either.

"I took a speed reading course and read War and Peace in twenty minutes. It involves Russia."
--Woody Allen

A study room in your house or a library is a good choice. Places free of distractions are the best. An hour of uninterrupted, quality studying is far better than three hours of intermittent, constantly interrupted studying.

3. Prepare your mind. Develop your study plan.
Set a goal, define an objective, or objectives for your studies. The key is to set study goals that are "tangible". Define study goals that are:

Specific - read two chapters, or read 24 pages
Realistic - set a reasonable goal to accomplish in an hour or two of studies; do not set unrealistic goals that will demotivate you (you can read 50 pages in an hour but probably not 500 pages)
Verifiable - finish your studies so you can tell when you are done

Don’t ever do "some reading" or "some studying". Knowing ahead what you will learn and read generates a feeling of progress or "moving forward". I remember a good inspirational quote:

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."
-- Mark Twain

I like this one even better: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!"

4. Keep your goals away from trolls.
There have always been and always will be someone that will tell you that certifications are not worth pursuing and exams not worth passing. It is incredible how much energy some people put in convincing you that you threw your money away because you scheduled an exam, paid for a class, bought a book. I remember a colleague of mine telling me that certifications are worthless, that anyone could get one. Interestingly, he himself didn't have any. I am glad I didn’t care what he was saying. Now I have hundreds of (read) books on bookshelves and dozens of certifications under my belt. Recently a client picked me instead of him. I leave to someone else to figure out why.

Keep away from people telling you should abandon your goals, that your goals are not worth pursuing.

5. Which type of study is the best? How to know more?
Self-study, instructor-led, online, books, "audiobooks", podcasts, videos, e-books, blogs, articles?

The learning retention graph (well, list) looks like this:

You remember:

20% of what you READ
30% of what you HEAR
40% of what you SEE
50% of what you SAY
60% of what you DO
90% of what you READ, HEAR, SEE, SAY and DO

The more styles of learning you use, the most effective your studying will be.

More Cool Resources

I'll wrap things up with links to very interesting documents and resources that will greatly support your studying:

TCP/IP Fundamentals for Microsoft Windows. Describes the fundamentals of TCP/IP in Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows XP. Works for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, too. (PDF)
TCP/IP Fundamentals for Microsoft Windows on TechNet
Test Lab Guide: Windows Server 2012 Base Configuration. This Microsoft Test Lab Guide (TLG) provides you with step-by-step instructions to create the Windows Server 2012 Base Configuration test lab, using computers running Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.
Windows Server 2012 Test Lab Guides. The Windows Server 2012 Test Lab Guides (TLGs) are a set of documents that describe how to configure and demonstrate the new features and functionality in Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 in a simplified and standardized test lab environment. There is even a video that shows how to build out this test environment.
Windows Server 2012 Core Network Guide. The Windows Server® 2012 Core Network Guide provides instructions on how to plan and deploy the core components required for a fully functioning network and a new Active Directory® domain in a new forest.
Windows PowerShell 3.0 and Server Manager Quick Reference Guides. Quickly learn tips, shortcuts, and common operations in the new Windows PowerShell 3.0, Windows PowerShell Workflow, Windows PowerShell ISE, Windows PowerShell Web Access, Server Manager for Windows Server 2012, WinRM, WMI, and WS-Man.
Windows 8 Resource Guide for IT Professionals. One-page guide to the top technical Windows 8 resources, tools, and demos for IT professionals on TechNet.
Work Smart: Windows 8 Shortcut Keys. This guide provides a quick reference to the shortcut keys in the Windows 8 Start screen.

Good luck!

Saša Kranjac is IT Technical Trainer, Consultant and Speaker with almost two decades of experience in the IT field. He began programming in Assembler, met Windows NT 3.5 and the love exists since then. He have held various jobs and roles: Teacher, System Engineer, Systems Aministrator, IT Manager, Consultant, and IT trainer. Now he works mainly as a Consultant and IT Technical Trainer in the Security field and on Microsoft related products and technologies. He can’t forget his first love, Microsoft Office. He is also Member of the Board of Directors at IAMCT/MCT Europe and country lead for Croatia.
Read more from Saša on his blogs at sasakranjac.com and kranjac.wordpress.com.

Microsoft Introduces Progressive Case Studies: Psychomagician & Super Sigma Bring You the Latest News!

Liberty Munson (Microsoft) — Wed, 29 May 2013 23:41:00 GMT

Hey VIPs! As promised, Psychomagician and Super Sigma are committed to making sure you are the first to know about changes, innovations, and improvements that Microsoft is making to their certification program and exams. And, they have some news for you…Microsoft Learning is exploring a variation of case studies called ‘progressive case studies,’ and they need YOUR feedback!

This variation of case studies is a game changer—creating scenarios that are more real world in how you actually solve problems on the job because, just like in the real world, more information is introduced as you proceed through the case. Want to know more? Watch the video below, the demo of the new question format, and then complete a survey to have a say in how we ultimately roll this out. Because the structure of progressive case studies is so different from our other question types, we really need to know what you think! If you want to have a voice in the implementation of this question format, watch the video and respond to the survey by June 16. Psychomagician and Super Sigma look forward to seeing what you think!

...Cert Bunny is curious, too...

TechEd NA 2013: MCP Party, Certification Resources and Free Beta Exams!

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Wed, 29 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

The Microsoft Learning team is getting ready to head to New Orleans for TechEd North America 2013, and we could not be more excited to see you again. I even got a haircut for the occasion. But have we started packing? Of course not! We did, however, send Melissa to crash Rick's and Joey's TechEd Countdown Show! Watch the latest episode to find out all the cool things Melissa revealed.

Certification and Training Resources

I've been getting a lot of great questions from the community (especially members of the Krewe) about what MSL will make available onsite. For planning purposes, get all the details and links via our previous blog post titled "How to get certified @ TechEd at 50% off." If you don't remember all that or just aren't sure about taking exams yet, no problem. Come to Certification Central when you arrive at TechEd, where you'll find a full buffet of training and exam prep resources, such as:

Free practice tests
Free on-demand training, powered by MVA
Free e-learning courses
Free, live, exam prep sessions, led by Microsoft Certified Trainers
Advice and assistance from our MCT Ambassadors and Technical Learning Guides
50% off all MCP and MTA exams onsite!
New onsite testing center experience, provided and managed by Microsoft Learning

FREE Beta Exams

For the SharePoint developers among you, we are bringing two free beta exams this year. These are available to TechEd North America attendees only, and the limited seats will be filled fast. Go to http://northamerica.msteched.com/CertificationReg to pre-register for these exams using the codes provided below, and select site location MC60 or MC61.

71-488: Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Advanced Solutions: Code TE488J
71-489: Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions: Code TE489J

Certification Nation Celebration (#CertNation)

That's right. *The* party for our MCP + MCT community at TechEd NA, dubbed "Certification Nation Celebration," is coming with us to New Orleans! It will be happening at Pat O'Brien's on the River at 9pm on Tuesday night (June 4), so mark that on your calendar. We are so happy to partner with New Horizons Computer Learning Center this year, who will be treating you to a specialty cocktail. Want in? Visit our booth, find me (Veronica Sopher, aka @Shih_Wei) or one of my esteemed colleagues, show us you're an MCP, and you'll get a "backstage pass" to the party, hashtagged #CertNation. Don't forget to give a shout-out to @MSLearning and @NewHorizonsCLC if you're the tweeting sort. (Party size is capped at 300. One pass per person.)

That is it for now. Got questions? Post it in a comment below, or find me online. See you in NOLA soon!

Alison Cunard named new MSL General Manager

Eddie Yandle — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Microsoft Corp. has announced that Lutz Ziob has stepped down from his role as General Manager of Microsoft Learning (MSL) after more than a decade of leading the company’s training and certification business and has been succeeded by Alison Cunard, who has been running MSL’s Sales and Marketing organization.

Mr. Ziob said that he plans to take some personal time off before considering his next career step, but is confident that MSL is well-positioned to continue its efforts to educate, train and certify individuals on the Microsoft platform under Ms. Cunard’s direction.

“This is a time of great change and opportunity in the learning industry,” Mr. Ziob said. “Microsoft is leading the entire technology industry in these efforts and MSL is well-positioned to play a key leadership role in this transition with IT Pros, developers, students and our Learning Partner channel. We’ve seen great business models and training innovations within our existing learning partner community and I believe now more than ever our partners have even greater opportunity to take those forward to drive new skills and certification across key audiences and markets.”

During the course of his 10-plus years at MSL and its predecessor organizations, Mr. Ziob helped redefine the company’s training and certification strategy, expanding the company’s reach in multiple geographies, extending its Microsoft Press books to digital format and further solidifying the industry’s most recognized and valued technology certification program. There are now more than 10 million people certified on a Microsoft technology platform. Recently, MSL updated its entire Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) program to make it “cloud ready” to support Microsoft’s cloud strategy. The organization also has greatly increased its footprint in the academic area through its Microsoft IT Academy, which offers academic institutions and their students access to industry-leading technology skills training and certification.

Ms. Cunard is well-known in the training industry, after having led the Sales and Marketing team for more than two years, working closely with Microsoft’s training partners globally. Ms. Cunard has worked in multiple leadership roles at Microsoft. Prior to joining MSL, she was General Manager in the US Public Sector Services group, based out of Washington, DC.

Since joining MSL, Ms. Cunard has been instrumental in helping craft a longer-term strategy for the organization that takes into account the rapidly evolving training industry, while working closely with the organization’s 1,400-plus training partners.

“Changes are happening real-time in the learning industry and I’m excited to take this organization forward through this industry evolution. We appreciate and thank Lutz for the many years of tireless advocacy and leadership and I look forward continuing to drive our learning business through leadership in innovation and strong industry partnerships.”

New MOS 2013 Demo Videos

Wendy Johnson (MSL) — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:03:00 GMT

A couple months ago we announced and launched our first MOS 2013 exams in a new and improved project-based exam format. You can read all the details here. If you're an anxious test taker like myself, you may want to check out a couple new videos! These videos demonstrate how the new exam works, as well as answer questions we know are on many candidates' minds such as how long will the exam take, how will I know if I pass, what if the exam crashes, and more.

The first video, viewable via this link located on the Microsoft MOS web page, features a 6 minute news desk format Q&A discussion and demo of key changes in the exam experience. The second video, viewable via this YouTube link and the Certiport MOS video web page under Exam Preparation, features a 6 minute video that navigates you through the new MOS exam interface, highlighting key tips and tricks you'll want to know for success taking your exam.

Check out the listing of and exam objectives for all the MOS 2013 exams here, which are rolling out over the next five months. Ready to take the exam? Click here to find a test center via our MOS exam provider, Certiport.

Happy testing!

Certification Exam Training Tips with MCT Sasa Kranjac

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:15:00 GMT

Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) are the premier technical and instructional experts on Microsoft technologies, and are the only individuals authorized to deliver training with Microsoft Official Courses. MCT Sasa Kranjac—a preeminent Croatia-based IT Technical Trainer, Consultant, and Speaker—stopped by the Born to Learn blog to offer a wealth of training and certification tips, including an exhaustive list of free resources you shouldn’t miss. Take it away Sasa!

Study Tips: Blend your Learning Styles

When preparing for a certification exam, different people have different approaches. What works for one person may not work for another.

I would not recommend a single study resource or approach. Blended learning—combining different methods—seems to be the best for me. Both theory and practice are equally important, and to pass an exam you’ll need both.

It’s important to realize that you are not learning to pass an exam. You are learning to secure your future; to be successful at your job, to be knowledgeable, and to be an expert—you’ll need that knowledge throughout your career.

Think of knowledge as a pyramid. Why are pyramids so stable? It’s because of the wide base. As you go higher, the pyramid narrows. Theory is the foundation of your pyramid, and hands-on experience builds on top. You have to have solid theory knowledge on which to build your practical knowledge. You’ll probably pass an exam without reading a book or an article about underlying technology, but that won’t make you an expert and won’t benefit you in the long run.

Self-paced Study: My Preferred Learning Method

Self-paced studies are my preferred method because I can decide A) what I study and B) when I study. I read, listen and watch while going to/from work, not only when I’m studying for an exam. During these times, I focus on my weak spots to learn about the topics I don’t know so well.

Tips:

I reference the Skills Measured section of exam pages on Microsoft Learning (i.e. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-xyz where xyz is exam number) to know where to focus my studies.
One place not to miss when preparing to take an exam is Microsoft TechNet and the TechNet Library. Be sure to bookmark these sites, as you will be using these pages for a long time (well, at least you should!). If you are a developer, please see the table below to find links to resources that are useful to you. I am an IT Pro, not a Developer, but I still read articles on MSDN. If you need to dive deeper and know more about a technology, then there is no better place than MSDN.
Needless to say: buy and read some books! Choose carefully what books you buy; this should be a long-time investment. Books are now more available than ever, in print and in digital format. It only takes couple of seconds to access your favorite book on one of your electronic devices.

Instructor-led Training

This option is slightly more expensive but here is the crucial thing you need to be aware of: picking a class and a subject should be your secondary concern. Picking right instructor for a class you want to attend should be your primary concern. The instructor makes a difference and holds a lot of the value in the class you want to attend. Instructors can answer your questions and assist with his or her experience in your studies.

Online Learning

Just as with instructor-led, online classes are as good as the instructor.

My Most Valuable Resource: TechNet/MSDN Subscription

If I could pick only one resource that is MOST valuable to me, then TechNet/MSDN Subscription would be definitely the one I’d choose. With TechNet/MSDN Subscription you are in possession of almost all Microsoft products and operating systems, licensed for evaluation. That means that you get access to full-versions of software for 12 months with no feature limits. You also get other benefits, depending on the subscription level. Visit TechNet Subscriptions or MSDN Subscriptions to learn more about Subscription levels, benefits and prices.

TechNet Library and MSDN Library are competing for first place with TechNet/MSDN Subscriptions ;-)

I have already mentioned some of the important resources. There are numerous blogs, sites and places where you can read a lot about your preferred technologies, but I’ll mention some of the most popular and what’s most important, FREE, resources you shouldn’t miss. (You can also download the list at the end of the post.)

IT Pro Resources

TechNet. IT Pros’ Product and Technology Resources
TechNet Library. The TechNet Library contains technical documentation for IT professionals using Microsoft products, tools, and technologies
Test Lab Guides. Test Lab Guides (TLGs) allow you to get valuable hands-on experience with new products and technologies using a pre-defined and tested methodology that results in a working configuration. When you use a TLG to create a test lab, instructions define what servers to create, how to configure the operating systems and system services, and how to install and configure any additional products or technologies. A challenge in creating useful TLGs is to enable their reusability and extensibility.
TechNet Video. Find videos, screencasts, podcasts, and articles to help IT Professionals stay up to date on the latest Microsoft products and technologies.
TechNet Wiki. Visit a content portal to find information, resources, and help over a wide range of topics, projects, and issues.
TechNet Magazine. Monthly Magazine for IT Pros. Articles, Videos, scripts, digital magazine downloads.
TechNet Evaluation Center. FREE Microsoft products trials.
Microsoft Virtual Academy. Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) is a cloud-based learning experience focusing on Microsoft Technologies. You can access a variety of training content online to assist you in becoming one of the renowned experts in the IT Pro and developer communities around the world. MVA provides its users with a virtual university experience: the students can select a course and study the material and then complete the self-assessment
TechNet Virtual Labs. FREE hands-on! TechNet/MSDN Virtual Labs enable you to quickly evaluate and test Microsoft's newest products and technologies through a series of guided, hands-on labs that you can complete in 90 minutes or less. There is no complex setup or installation required, and you can use TechNet/MSDN Virtual Labs online immediately, free!
TechNet Events and Webcasts. Find links to upcoming events organized directly by Microsoft and by third parties, plus webcasts, podcasts, and other on-demand resources. All content is recorded and made available on demand
Ramp Up Learning Series(TechNet). Learn about Microsoft products with these "Ramp Up" learning collections. TechNet assembled these training materials for customers to learn either by reading, watching a video, or playing with the products in virtual labs.
TechNet Events Repository. Find supporting documentation, reference materials, and media from TechNet events and briefings listed by product or technology.
“How do I?” Videos. Learn more about Microsoft products with these "How Do I?" videos. TechNet has assembled these short videos for customers to learn how to accomplish specific tasks with Microsoft products: step-by-step.

Developer Resources

MSDN. Microsoft Developer Network – Developers’ Resources
MSDN Library. Essential source of information for developers using Microsoft® tools, products, technologies and services. The MSDN Library includes how-to and reference documentation, sample code, technical articles, and more
MSDN Learning Resources. All for Developers: Samples and code, library, tutorials, Videos, Virtual Labs.
MSDN Magazine. Monthly Magazine for Developers. Articles, Videos, code, digital magazine downloads.
MSDN Virtual Labs. FREE hands-on! TechNet/MSDN Virtual Labs enable you to quickly evaluate and test Microsoft's newest products and technologies through a series of guided, hands-on labs that you can complete in 90 minutes or less. There is no complex setup or installation required, and you can use TechNet/MSDN Virtual Labs online immediately, free!
MSDN Events and Webcasts. Through this event portal, you can virtually meet your local Microsoft Developer and Architect Evangelists and connect with them through their blogs; you will also be able to experience videos brought to you by your local teams covering technical topics and recordings from recent events.
Visual Studio Downloads. Install and try Visual Studio today and seize the future of development. Visual Studio Express 2012 products provide FREE development tools for creating modern applications on the latest platforms.

General Resources

Microsoft Virtual Academy. Microsoft Virtual Academy – MVA is a cloud-based learning experience focusing on Microsoft Technologies. You can access a variety of training content online to assist you in becoming one of the renowned experts in the IT Pro and developer communities around the world. MVA provides its users with a virtual university experience: the students can select a course and study the material and then complete the self-assessment
Microsoft Press FREE e-books. Free e-books
FREE E-Book Gallery for Microsoft Technologies. More FREE e-books
Microsoft Events. Recorded sessions from Microsoft events worldwide, available on demand.

Fundamental Technologies: Technical References on TechNet

The links below points\ to some of the most important fundamental topics. You should get familiar with how TechNet Library topics are organized; something that’ll happen once you start reading and exploring. The resources below are not buried very deep in the library, but often are not easy to find. Although the core topics are placed under the “old” technologies/products section, they are equally important today.

If you need to learn the basics, don’t miss these:

Networking

Group Policy Collection

Core Group Policy, Components, Administrative Tools

Storage Technologies

Windows Security Collection

Logon, Authentication, Access control, Data security, PKI, Trust

Active Directory Collection

Print and Save TechNet Library Articles

I almost forgot to tell you about one really cool feature TechNet Library has. You can print and export multiple topics in PDF and HTML! Files you export retain links to selected topics; you don’t need to scroll much – just click on a topic in the Table of Contents and jump to sections.

Follow these steps to use the Print feature:

1. Navigate to your favorite topic in TechNet Library.

2. On the top right corner, below the Search bar, right-click on a downward-pointing arrow next to the printer icon and choose Print Multiple Topics. A brief introduction page loads.

3. Click START to begin selecting topics. After that, all you have to do is visit each page or topic you want to print/export and select it by clicking on + Add This Topic on the gray bar on top of the page. Once you add the topic you want, you can remove it by clicking – Remove This Topic if you do not want to export it.

4. When you have finished selecting all the topics you want to print, click Collection (x Topic(s)) where x is number of topics you have selected. On the Manage Collection page you can choose to export your collection to PDF or HTML, rename and rearrange collections, add more chapters or choose from Advanced options to refine and tune your selection.

5. Click Generate to export/print the topics. If you aren’t already signed in, you will be asked to sign in to generate the page and print.

Taking Your Exam

I have to admit: I did not study for my first exam, only because I had a lot of hands-on experience and I passed it relatively easily. That does not mean that the exam was easy, but I had a good working knowledge of the product, and that helped me a lot.

After getting a few exams on my transcript, and passing all on the first try, I failed an exam. What a shock! I could not believe that I could’ve failed an exam, and was furious. After passing the exam on my second attempt, I realized that being overconfident and acting as if I was in some kind of race did not help at all. If I had read the questions more carefully and took all the time I had on the exam, I knew I would pass. And I did.

I would say, even if you know a product by heart, take your time to read questions carefully and be sure you understand what the question is about. If you are unsure about the answer don’t be afraid to mark the question so you can return to it later.

Take a Tour of the New Born to Learn Community!

Leann Turpin (Microsoft) — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:09:00 GMT

We’re excited to introduce to you a new look for the Born to Learn community. We’ve made big changes to the design and navigation to make it easier to not just find what you want, but also to discover new articles, discussions, news, and expert advice.

Let’s take a stroll through the some of the new features, starting with the Born to Learn home page:

Get where you’re going faster. We’ve made it easier to access your favorite places on the Born to Learn Community—blogs, forums, study groups and more are a click away from the top navigation menu.

Keep up with new and noteworthy posts. Catch up with the latest posts on Born to Learn blogs and forums.

This is a good time to remind you that you can keep up with the latest activities by subscribing to RSS feeds or daily or weekly email digests—most subscription options are located at the top-right of the blog or forum.

New blog articles. We wanted to give you a simple way to keep up with all the new posts across Born to Learn blogs. The new blog module displays a tabbed view of the latest articles from some of the popular blogs.

Easier-to-browse blogs. Leaving no stone unturned, we’ve rolled out a new design and layout for the Born to Learn blogs. The clean look is easier to get around and improves the reading experience.

What do you think of the new look? Speak your mind!

Step-By-Step: Building Your Own Lab on Windows Server 2012

Anthony Bartolo — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT

Studying for your Windows Server 2012 MCSA designation via related books should not be your only method of study. While memorizing facts and figures is a great first start, however, nothing beats practical experience. Microsoft provides a slew of resources called IT Pro Camps, or CANITPRO Camps here in Canada, allowing attendees to run through labs provided being led by an instructor. Again, another great start, but still not enough hands on to gain practical experience. There is however another option.

Building a lab at home provides the ability to learn on your own time and pace. Most aspiring IT administrators think creating a home lab would be difficult and/or expensive. This process is actually easy to do and will provide you a tool to test out many labs provided in reading material and online. To setup your Windows Server 2012 lab machine be sure to keep the following PC requirements in mind:

Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 as installed OS
64-bit capable hardware (x64)
Intel-VT or AMD-V support in firmware
Hardware-assisted memory protection in firmware (XD)
At least 4GB total RAM
At least 60GB free space on HDD
Full Administrator Rights to existing PC OS
No disk encryption or pre-boot authentication

Setting Up Your Lab

NOTE: This process installs Windows Server 2012 in a dual-boot scenario using Boot-to-VHD features in Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. While this process is not intended to disrupt your existing OS installation, these steps are for use at your own risk. No support or warranties are implied or provided.

Backup your existing PC operating system before beginning this process. While this process is not intended to disrupt the existing OS installation on your PC, performing a backup before any system upgrades or installation is recommended as a precaution.
Download the Windows Server 2012 installation bits in VHD format
Extract the downloaded VHD file by running the compressed .EXE file.
Copy the Extracted VHD file to C:\BootVHD\Server2012.vhd
Mount the copied VHD file as a virtual Drive Letter
Right-click on the "Command Prompt" shortcut and select "Run as Administrator"
Run "DISKPART.EXE" from the Command Prompt
At the "DISKPART>" prompt type the following commands, pressing Enter after each:

           SELECT VDISK FILE="C:\BootVHD\Server2012.vhd"

           ATTACH VDISK

           EXIT
Allow the VHD file to be mounted as new Drive Letter. When completed, this new drive letter will appear in both My Computer and Windows Explorer
Add a new OS Boot Menu Choice for Windows Server 2012
Right-click on the "Command Prompt" shortcut and select "Run as Administrator"
Run "BCDBOOT <mounted_drive_letter>:\WINDOWS" from the Command Prompt
Reboot and select "Windows Server 2012" for the OS Boot Menu displayed

Once completed, you now have a study tool that will allow you to conduct labs on your own time providing true hands on practical experience. Stay tuned as we will provide more Step-By-Step posts to take your learning to the next level and help you achieve your Windows Server 2012 based MCSA sooner.

Have You Met Psychomagician, Super Sigma, and Cert Bunny, Yet?

Liberty Munson (Microsoft) — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:28:00 GMT

Last week, I posted the first installment of The ACE Chronicles, introducing you to Psychomagician and Super Sigma on the ACE Team Blog. Based on the number of views, it seems most of you haven't found your way there yet... I am super excited about this series and our ability to be more engaged with our community. I want to be sure that you know about The ACE Chronicles!!!

Without further ado, meet Psychomagician and Super Sigma, superheroes tasked with investigating cases based on your questions about Microsoft certifications and exams. Not only will they answer your questions, they will also provide information on emerging issues. In other words, they will make sure you have the most up to date information about all things certification and exam, and they might even share some insights into life at Microsoft.

YOUR MISSION…if you choose to accept it:

Meet Psychomagician and Super Sigma by watching the video. Tell your friends how cool they are!
Share your answers to their questions by responding to Briana’s and my blog posts or shoot us an email.
Ask questions… Psychomagician and Super Sigma want, no… need cases to solve… without cases to investigate, their evil nemesis, Cert Bunny, wins. And, that’s just bad for everyone.
Meet Cert Bunny... Psychomagician and Super Sigma's nemesis. What's his origin story? Why does he behave badly? What will he do next?
Sign up for the ACE Team Blog RSS feed!!!! Don't miss out on future episodes of The ACE Chronicles!!!

Now, go watch that video…we’d love to hear what you think about ACE Chronicles!

My Road to Certification: Meet Fredrik Nilsson

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

MCP: 7882935
Location: Sweden
Twitter: @FredrikNilsson_
Blog: moln1

I actually started my Microsoft certification journey in October 2010 while I was employed at HP in Sweden. I was working within the Enterprise Services division with the Server Virtualization Solutions. The HP/Microsoft alliance manager asked a colleague and me if we had any interest in attending a Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Virtualization class. This class was my first real contact with Hyper-V and Microsoft Server virtualization.

A few weeks after attending the class, I decided to give the Hyper-V exam 70-659 a shot, and I passed. In the second quarter of 2011, after doing some self-study, I passed the Desktop exam 70-669; followed by the PRO exam 70-693. At that point, I added the title MCITP Virtualization Administrator to my resume.

My experience from Windows Server and Presentation Virtualization Solutions helped me out quite a bit, but my biggest help came from a site in Portuguese by Daniel Donda: MCSE Solution. I don’t speak Portuguese but, luckily, the web translation service does! After translating the site to English, I discovered some really valuable information on the exam topics and key resources for my studies.

Later that year, I attended Microsoft TechEd in Atlanta, where I met some awesome people, The Krewe, and really learned the value of the technical community. In 2012, I got involved in The Krewe community and joined the 60 Days to MCSE challenge. I was a bit too certain that I would pass the exams as easily as I did with my previous ones and, unfortunately, I failed to get my MCSE. I can tell you: it was painful to fail the exams. I had already passed exams from other vendors, and I had never failed exams before. I actually licked my wounds for six months before I got myself back on the horse.

I currently work at Lumagate in Sweden, a company focusing on System Center and I’m studying for the System Center Private Cloud exams 70-246 and 70-247. It’s been really great to build a training schedule and a lab that covers both exams.

The next step in my education plan is to study for the MCITP/MCSA upgrade exam 70-417. Since I don’t have a lot of experience with Windows Server topics, like Active Directory, I’ll be studying hard to make sure I’m prepared for the questions. The 90 Days to MCSA challenge will be a great help in preparing for that certification exam.

Fredrik’s Tips:

1) Set the date for the exam now. It’s a great strategy for getting yourself mentally prepared for the exam.

2) Create a training schedule. If you’re attending a trainer-led class, be sure to pencil in time for additional study. If you’re following a self-study plan, create a schedule that allows for a study-free day before your exam.

3) Build a lab environment and try different scenarios. You can usually employ scenarios from your day-to-day work or find some at TechNet Test Lab Guides, which is a great resource I use.

If you have any questions, please connect with me. See you around in the binary space!

My Road to Certification: Meet Marius Sandbu

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

MC ID: 6859838
Location: Norway
Twitter: @msandbu
Blog: Sandbu-Blog

I was working part-time at a helpdesk when I began my path to certification. It was 2008 and I attended a Microsoft Vista client training course in Norway. After the course, the instructor asked if I wanted to give the certification a try, and I figured “why not?”. I trained for a couple of weeks and aced the exam. As someone who doesn’t have a college degree, it felt good knowing that I had achieved these skills.

After my first exam, I investigated other Microsoft certifications. After passing two more Windows Server exams, I got a new job as a system engineer working with infrastructure management.

Currently, I have taken more than 30 certification exams with Microsoft, Citrix, Cisco, EXIN and Comptia and I know there are more to come.

I feel fortunate because certification has provided me with new opportunities. I’ve had the pleasure of working part-time at Microsoft as an infrastructure ranger. Currently, I work as a technical advisor and a Microsoft Trainer. My current work allows me to incorporate everything I’ve learned through certification, as well as my on-the-job experience. Nothing feels wasted.

Why am I am going to continue with certification? Certification allows me to keep my knowledge up-to-date and I like playing around with technology. Why not take the exam and demonstrate my expertise with the technology?

Marius’s Tips:

1) Find someone who has similar goals as you and become study partners. It’s always easier to study for an exam if you have someone to discuss ideas with.

2) If you are studying for a particular exam, use the Microsoft study guides. Don’t rely solely on hands-on experience to prepare you for your exam. Most of the Microsoft exams already have a study guide available. TrainSignal or CBT Nuggets also have good training books and videos.

3) Find a topic that interests you! If you don’t, your training will take a lot more time because you won’t be truly engaged. Microsoft has a wide range of resources to help you find the IT certification that suits your interests.

My Road to Certification: Meet Neal McFee

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

MC ID: 3724854
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Twitter: @sharepointmcts
Blog: http://www.sharepointfeed.com/

I remember my first certification exam. It was 2006 and I was just a few years into my IT career. I started with an IT Pro exam for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. I took the exam because I wanted to use Microsoft certification to validate my skills to myself as well as to my current employer.

I found the exam experience to be very rewarding and passing this exam allowed me to be promoted to a more senior position.

Since my first exam, I’ve passed 14 additional exams and achieved 5 certifications. These certifications have provided me with the opportunity to rapidly advance in my career and gain exposure to new opportunities. It’s also confirmed my belief that Microsoft certification is an ongoing measure of my experience and technical ability. In fact, certification has been so rewarding that I decided to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer to help others with their journey toward Microsoft certification.

I’m currently studying for my next certification, the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert – Private Cloud.To train, I’m using Microsoft Virtual Academy, which is a great resource and provides the most current information, directly from Microsoft, on a variety of technical subjects. This current certification relates directly to my job as I have started implementing a private cloud environment for my employer and it also allows me to continue my Microsoft certification journey.

Neal’s Tips:

1) Relax. If you haven’t taken a Microsoft certification exam yet, it may feel like a daunting experience. Remember that you have prepared yourself and this is your chance to show what you know.

2) Reference the “Exam Details” page that Microsoft Learning publishes for each exam. This page is very valuable and will help you understand what you need to study for the exam.

3) Find a buddy in the IT community to study with. I will expand your focus: you not only learn the topics you’re focusing on but gain additional knowledge from the topics your peer is focusing on, while helping each other achieve certification.

Don't Do This: Part 2

Kerri Davis - MSL Anti-Piracy PM — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Let’s continue our discussion of ways to unintentionally violate our Exam Agreement (found here). A couple of months ago I talked about discussing the exam answers. To clarify, I want to make the distinction between studying with colleagues and friends before the exam, and divulging information you learned after having taken the exam. The first is perfectly fine—assuming you’re not revealing confidential information, which is what violates our agreement. Discussing what is on the test itself once you’ve taken the test is the behavior that could get one into trouble. I think everyone understands that.

Now, for example number two of ways to unintentionally violate our NDA.

Example 2: Using unauthorized materials in an attempt to satisfy Exam requirements (this includes using brain-dump material and/or unauthorized publication of Exam questions with or without answers)

Everyone knows not to bring cheat sheets into a testing environment. (Well, they should.) This is why at the testing center, you may be asked to empty your pockets, submit to a security wanding, and asked to put all your items in a locker. It’s pretty difficult to argue having answers or notes on you during the test is okay.

But what not be as clear as a violation is what one uses to study. I’ve talked about brain dumps before and how confusing they may be as legitimate study materials. Unfortunately people do use them to study for the test, not realizing to do so is a violation of our exam policy. I know this because sometimes I get inquiries from those who failed, wondering why they didn’t pass, because they studied using “[X] brain dump site.” Again, it’s just a matter of making sure everyone understands that using such sites is an actual violation, not just a poor study practice.

The same is true for materials obtained from anyone who attempts to sell or give away answers or questions to the test, no matter how they procured them. Using those materials violates our policy.

Interestingly, I sometimes get mails from folks who recognized answers on a test and they want to let me know. They didn’t realize they were studying from a disreputable source until they sat for the test and realized the answers were the same. Recognizing that this is an issue, they’ll let me know, and sometimes have even asked to re-test so that they can legitimately pass. This speaks to the integrity of our examinees, and I appreciate such tips so I can take action against those sites.

Got a tip for me? Let me know at mlsecure@microsoft.com.

Second Shot Ends Soon – Don’t miss your chance for a free retake

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:24:00 GMT

There are many reasons to gain a Microsoft Certification - prepare for a new job, get ahead in your career, or to gain recognition by peers and managers. Whatever your reason, Microsoft’s reinvented certifications, announced in early 2012, have evolved to focus on technology solutions, and validates the breadth and depth of skills required to manage cloud, on-premise, and hybrid technology solutions.

While obtaining Microsoft certification is a measurable sign of achievement, earning your certification requires a great deal of time, energy, and commitment. You may already be taking the necessary steps to upgrade your certification to a MCSE: Server Infrastructure, MCSA: Windows Server 2012, or a MCSD: Web Applications certification or another distinguished certification. Prepare for your future by registering for your certification packs before May 31, 2013. By doing so, you will receive 15% off your certification, free exam retakes, plus you will have until December 31, 2013 to complete your initial exams and your free retakes.

Second Shot exam retakes are also available for single vouchers, if you have registered for a single exam voucher online or through a Microsoft Learning Partner, these vouchers, including free retakes, must be used by May 31, 2013. Sorry, no exceptions or extensions can be made.

Get the Second Shot Details at: http://aka.ms/SecondShot

If you are preparing to schedule your exams, keep in mind that ALL exam registrations are subject to seat availability at testing centers. Reserve your seat early if you plan to take your exam(s) (including retakes) by the deadlines:

Single exams or exam packs received from a Learning Partner – DEADLINE: May 31,2013
Exam packs for 3 or more registered online – DEADLINE: December 31, 2013
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) second shot vouchers – DEADLINE: June 30, 2013

Don’t let your vouchers go unused. Register and take advantage of great SQL Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 resources to give you the extra boost you need to pass your exams.

Microsoft Prepares Veterans for Transition to IT Job Market

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

This week, President Obama’s Administration announced the IT Training and Certification Program, a partnership which will enable thousands of service members to earn industry-recognized information technology certifications before they transition from military service.

As part of this initiative, Microsoft Corporation has partnered with Global Knowledge and Prometric to define learning paths for several IT Professional roles that map to military occupation specialties, and donate instructor-led classes and exam vouchers to the first wave of transitioning service members who are participating in the pilot phase of the program.

These training resources will help service members meet the criteria and pass the exams to achieve industry-recognized Microsoft Certificated Solutions Associate (MCSA) credentials in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012. By earning a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential, service members will attain the technical skills and credentials needed to get hired in today’s competitive IT job market, while also gaining access to the MCP member site and associated benefits.

In addition to helping land their first IT industry positions, the MCSA credential will put service members well on their way to future career advancement by earning the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) credential in cloud-related areas of Desktop/Server Infrastructure, Private Cloud, Communication, Messaging, and SharePoint.

If you are a transitioning service member and want to learn more about the IT Training and Certification Program and associated Microsoft official skills training, please contact your branch of service training officer. A downloadable fact sheet is also available below.

To review related news on this training program, please visit:

- White House announcement

- Global Knowledge announcement

- Mashable article

- Washington Post article

- Huffington Post article

A thing or two on taking your MCSA certification exams...

Michael Bender — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Greetings True Believers!

So it's been a while since I've checked in via a blog post. It's great to see many of you joining the conversation on twitter as well as on the Server Certification Group forums on Born to learn.

So what have I been up to? Well, I passed the 70-410 exam and had begun my path towards 70-411 when I got a curve ball. Between work and family, I had to reschedule my exam. Unfortunately, my options for test taking are limited, and the only available date for the exam was after my scheduled 70-412 exam. So I am in the process of re-working my plan so that I can study for both exams in tandem. I hope to have this available to share with you in the near future.

One helpful thing for my studies will be the recent release of the 70-411 and 70-412 by TrainSignal. If you haven’t signed up for the free video training from TrainSignal, check it out here. Along with the TrainSignal videos, I am using the 70-417 Exam Prep book by J.C. Mackin to prepare. While the book is designed for MCSA's upgrading from 2008 to 2012, all of the chapters map to the exam objectives for 410, 411, and 412. So I would recommend checking it out along with the wiki resources for each exam.

So the focus of today’s post will be exam taking strategies. I reached out to folks at MS Learning and TrainSignal, and they provide me with some resources to help you prepare for your exams.

Ask The Certification Experts: This is a great series of videos by the Microsoft’s certification team. While they don’t give you exam specific information, you will get some great insight into the exam framework.
Next is a great blog post by Ashraf Al-Dabbas on the different exam question types. This will provide you good insight into the type of questions you will see throughout your exams.

A little something on My Test Taking Strategy….

As a veteran of multiple certification exams and an MCT responsible for helping students with their exams skills, I want to share my test day strategy. Hopefully, you can take some tips from it to improve your test day results!

I always schedule my exams for a 12:30-1:30 start time. That is normally the time of day when I’m “on my game” mentally. Also, this leaves me the morning to do some last minute preparation and I’m not rushed.
I make sure to get a good night’s sleep. If you prepared properly, should not have to do a late night cram session for your exam.
Make sure I have two forms of ID and any other requirements per exam. As a college instructor, I can take the academic versions of the exams. These require a college ID so I make sure I have that as well.
I find a quiet coffee shop (or noise cancelling head phones), and review my materials. I like to run through the areas that are my sticking points. Also, I will run through 10-20 practice questions at the end of my review session to get me in the test-taking mode.
Have a light lunch and try to relax. Depending on your caffeine tolerance, you may or may not wish the forgo caffeine prior to the exam.
I arrive to the test location 15 minutes early so I can check in and use the bathroom (or water closet for those across the pondJ). You won’t be able to use the restroom during your exam so keep that in mind with lunch as well. The exam reminder recommends 30 minutes, but my test site is never busy so I’ve never had a problem with 15 before. When I have arrived 30 prior, I’ve always started early.
Unless I bring a coat or a bag, I leave my cell phone in the car. You won’t be able to bring it into the exam room. At my last exam, they included watches and any items in your pockets. I did sneak in a piece of gum though:)
You'll recieve a laminated writing page with a dry-erase pen. Use this to write down any important information prior to the exam and as you go through it. For example, 70-410 covers subnetting so I wrote down all the common CIDR blocks as a reference for any subnetting-related questions that might have been on the exam.
Once into the exam, I have a specific strategy for each question that I will explain below.
The length of the exam should be posted with the exam information. If so, you know how much time you have for each question. Use this time as part of your preparation. Most practice exams allow you to input the time limit and # of questions. Simulate the exam day experience during your study and it will help you be more comfortable on exam day.
1. If I have 2 minutes per question, I set a limit of 2 minutes I will take on a question before moving to the next question
Once I have completed all questions and run through my review, the moment of truth is here. You are a few clicks away from success or failure. This can be nerve-wracking the first couple of times you take an exam as you wait for the system to tell you whether you passed or failed.
Once you complete your exam, you’ll be provided a copy of your exam report with your score.

Mike’s Exam Question Strategy

Here’s my strategy for each Question

Read the entire question end to end without going down to the answers. You need to familiarize yourself with what the question is looking for.
Review the answers provided but try not to answer the question unless you are 110% positive you know the answer. At this point, many test takers get into trouble. We have been taught that we should go with our “first Impression”. While this is often a correct method, it can lead you into an incorrect answer. The reason is that exam questions are designed to be a bit tricky. You will have answers provided that may be correct for some situations, but not the one you are dealing with in the question. We want to get rid of these answers.
1. I will mark my “first impression” answer at this time just in case I hit my time limit and need to move onto the next question. An answered question has a possibility of being right but an unanswered question is always wrong.
Now run through the question again. This time you know the provided answers and can match those answers to the information provided in the question.
1. Often times, there is information in a scenario that is not necessary, so use your knowledge of the subject matter to weed out this information.
Based on the information gleaned through the second pass through of the question and using the information that is relevant, I try to weed out some of the answers.
1. For example, if the question is asking for you to export DNS zones from AD and they provide you different command line tools to do it, you should be able to get rid of utilities you know cannot perform the task.
2. The goal is to get down to 2 answers to choose from. But even if you only get rid of one answer out of four, that’s changing your odds to 1:3. I’d take those in Vegas in a heartbeat!
3. If you are unable to come up with a definitive, go with your first impression answer or your “best” answer based on the question, and move on to the next question
4. If you are not definitive on the question, mark it for review and comeback to it after going through all of the questions. In regards to marking questions for review, I mark all questions that I am not 100% on, and I want to go back to them
After running through the questions the first time, I go to the review section which allows you to go through just the questions marked for review. This is helpful since it will only give you the questions you want to go over again
1. During this pass, I repeat the same process as above. One thing I make sure to do is count up the number of reviewed questions and determines how much time I have left based on the exam countdown clock.
That’s it! By the end of step 6, I am ready click the submit button!

The key to successfully completing a certification exam is providing answers to ALL questions to the best of your ability. That’s why we use the review option to comeback to questions you are unsure of. I can guarantee there are questions you could spend 10-15 minutes on, and you would still not have an answer. In that same time period, you may be able to cover 5-7 questions you do know the answers to. You need to get to the “low hanging fruit” questions and come back to the ones requiring more time. But always…ALWAYS…enter an answer for the question before moving to the next question. This ensures you have an answer for every question should your time run out.

Until next time…Excelsior!

Mike

How to Get Certified @ TechEd at 50% Off!

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:07:00 GMT

Hey! Veronica here. I've just scheduled my pre-TechEd hair appointment, which already makes me more prepared this year than last. But let's talk about YOU.

Do you need another reason to register for and attend TechEd in New Orleans or Madrid this year? For thousands of current and prospective Microsoft Certified Professionals, TechEd is *the* opportunity to access a variety of exam prep resources and to connect with other MCPs and MCTs (trainers).

As just announced by the TechEd event team (North America | Europe), Certification Central will be back at TechEd 2013! In both New Orleans and Madrid, you will find:

Free practice tests
Free on-demand training, courtesy of MVA
Free e-learning courses
Free exam prep sessions, led by Microsoft Certified Trainers
50% MCP and MTA exams onsite!

So how do you take advantage of all this? What can you do now?

Pre-register for an exam time - Go to the page for your TechEd: North America or Europe (Note the unique test location codes and discount codes for each event!)
- Yes, you can register onsite, too, but seats are limited, so why not book it now?
Add exam prep sessions in your Schedule Builder.
- Get tips from Rick Claus and Joey Snow on using the Schedule Builder to get the most out of TechEd. Watch episode 2 of the Countdown Show.
Want to get a head start? Check out the free resources for "90 Days to MCSA" (for Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012), or in our online study groups before you go.

Consider this: a shiny new certification could help you get that next job, promotion or raise, and will certainly outlast any trinket from a vendor booth. Coworker: "How was TechEd? What did you do?" You: "Oh, it was awesome! Tons of learning, great networking, and I even got certified!"

Are you already an MCP? Talk to your colleagues and fellow attendees about the benefits of certification. Share this blog post with them now. If you use Twitter, don't forget to mention @MSLearning, plus #msTechEd (for New Orleans) or #TEE13 (for Madrid)!

You don't have to just take my word for it. Get the real story from two of your favorite Technical Evangelists, Rick and Joey, in the video below. See you at TechEd soon!

Help a Superhero Out! We Need Your Tips & Tricks for Exam Preparation

Liberty Munson (Microsoft) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:18:02 GMT

So, did the title of this post grab your attention? I hope so! Briana Roberts and I are launching ACE Chronicles soon, and we need your help! In ACE Chronicles, we reveal our superhero alter egos, but the only way we can to do this is with your help. Throughout this series, we will be investigating candidate questions about exams (from design to development to skills measured to preparation) and Microsoft's certification program and asking for your help along the way. We're hoping you'll come along for the ride and occasionally play our plucky side kick.

Our first mission--yes, we chose to accept it--is to find the best tips and tricks that candidates use to prepare for exams. Briana blogged about this on the ACE blog, but we've only gotten a few responses. Although we have some tips and suggestions that are based on the design and vision of the program (e.g., get hands on experience with the technology), we'd love to include some tried and true, practical, and specific tips beyond the 'practice, practice, practice' mantra. What else do you do to prepare for an exam? Do you watch people performing the tasks? Do you take training? Is it instructor led, online, or self-study? Do you read a book, white paper, TechNet articles? What has worked? What hasn't? I'm really curious about that one!

Imagine that you're new to the program... do you remember what it was like? Wasn't it overwhelming and a little scary? What would you tell yourself about preparing for an exam?

Please post your suggestions here or you can email to mslcd@microsoft.com. Help a superhero, and a future MCP, out! Share some of your lessons learned about exam preparation, and make the launch of ACE Chronicles amazing--because that's what I know you're waiting for... 'something amazing, I guess' [for those of you who know me...name that movie ].

Change and a New 'Born to Learn' Blogger

Thomas Dawkins - Microsoft Learning — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:07:00 GMT

For many, change is disruptive. While others look at change as an opportunity, change is either viewed as positive or negative and very seldom neutral. Over the past two years, Microsoft Learning has reached out to industry groups, trainers, partners, IT professionals and developers to get their thoughts, direction and feedback on the future of technology learning. These discussions were highly valuable helping us understand the changes that we needed to make as a company to better support the technology learning needs of our customers.

From our discussions and research completed last year, we introduced a new vision of how current or new technology professionals can gain one of the most credible certification in the industry. This vision pushed us to create a simpler certification path so those who want a credible industry certification would start with basic technology knowledge and for those who are seasoned technology professionals, they can upgrade their current Microsoft certification to our newest certifications. Microsoft Learning also put back into place several of our most valued certifications into the market, MCSE and MCSD that set the expertise bar for those technology professionals who possess the experience and knowledge to be called an expert.

Hello my name is Thomas Dawkins, I am a part of this new technical learning vision at Microsoft. I am a Sr. Certification Product Manager and have been with Microsoft for almost 15 years. I have over 30 years in the IT industry with a diverse background holding roles as a programmer, auditor and IT manager. Before coming to Microsoft, I was a MCSE and became a MCT to help others become experts in their field. Over the next several months, I will talk about the changes we've made to the Microsoft Learning certification program and how technology professionals, Microsoft Partners, recruiters and business owners are already seeing value in our certification program today. I will also be announcing new certifications, updates and retirements as a part of Microsoft's ongoing effort to keep you informed.

I look forward to sharing more with you in the future.

Global Knowledge 2013 Skills & Salary Report - the results are in!

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

The 6^th annual Global Knowledge and Windows IT Pro IT Skills & Salary Report is now available—and this year’s report is well worth your attention. More than 12,000 North American IT Pros responded—the largest survey of its kind in the industry—revealing the impact that training and certification has on one’s career path.

Here are just a few of the insightful findings in the report:

Training and certification make a difference in compensation. The survey reflects that, through skills training and certification, IT pros took on new job responsibilities, and as a result of their expanded role and duties, they also earned more.

More than 80% of the respondents claimed that training was a positive factor for their career path and, more times than not, new skills also meant more money.
Respondents who engaged in training were twice more likely than the average to see a raise of 11% or higher.
Those who had achieved a certification within the last 12 months were likely to receive even more significant raises.

Want a raise? Salary increases are more likely in such roles as front-line IT managers, analysts, systems architects, and engineers, and those in applications and development, security, servers, and storages—roles that also map to certification paths.

Project managers who gain additional training make an average of $6,300 more than those who don’t. Support technicians who achieve certification make 16% more than their counterparts who aren’t certified.

IT Pros are pursuing certification. Respondents have a tendency to make certification a practice because of its financial and career benefits.

Half of the IT respondents have earned a new certification within the past two years.
Two-thirds reporting say that they are currently pursuing certification or have plans to do so in the next 12 months.
This trend is even more pronounced for those who have already gained certification within the last two years.

Get the complete IT salary survey report now.

For those of you considering certification for the first time, the findings can provide the incentive to take the first step-- visit 90 Days to MCSA for an action plan to get trained and certified, and give your career the boost you deserve.

Security and Testing Centers

Kerri Davis - MSL Anti-Piracy PM — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:52:00 GMT

Exam security starts with preparation (i.e., ensuring that candidates are using legitimate materials and resources to prepare; training candidates to recognize those that may not be on the up and up), but this is only part of the security story. What happens at the test center matters, too. Microsoft’s exams are delivered through independent exam delivery providers worldwide. We rely on the practices of these testing centers to provide a fair and secure environment for all of our test-takers.

The testing centers are provided with security policies that must be enforced in order to acquire and maintain testing center status. Ongoing inspections ensure that each testing center maintains the security outlined by Microsoft and the exam delivery provider. In addition, proctors at testing centers are authorized to immediately take appropriate measures against candidates who violate testing rules.

You should expect that your ID will be verified, that you will sign a log-in sheet, your registration for the exam confirmed, and a locker provided for your possessions. You will not be allowed to take anything into the exam room with you except your ID and locker key. You will be asked to empty your pockets. (I was even asked to unzip my boots at one test!) Some testing centers may ask for biometric identification or pass a metal-detecting wand over your body, depending on the exam. In certain countries you may be asked to verify proof of residence, in accordance with our Out of Country Testing Policy. Mobile sites, academic sites, and event testing may have additional requirements. You should verify the testing experience with the exam delivery provider prior to your test, so that you know what to expect.

Knowing what to expect can help you identify if a testing center is not acting in accordance with these security policies. Testing center administrators act inappropriately when they fail to follow any security policies of Microsoft or the exam delivery provider. Examples could include, but are not limited to, overlooking inappropriate candidate identification; failing to ask for an ID from each candidate; failing to conduct periodic walkthroughs; failing to keep partitions between testing stations; overlooking the presence of crib sheets or electronic devices; providing answers or aid in any form with regard to any exam item; and allowing the release of Microsoft intellectual property in any form.

You have the right to a secure testing environment. If you have a concern about the security of your exam experience, please send an email message to mlsecure@microsoft.com.

If Microsoft determines that a testing center has acted improperly or fraudulently, Microsoft has the right to cease delivery of all exams at that center.

For specific information about the expectations for candidates, please contact the exam delivery provider, either Prometric or Certiport.

Got a tip for me? Let me know at mlsecure@microsoft.com.

QOTD: Can I get certified online? Do you have free training?

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:00:00 GMT

This QOTD post is in response to a few questions I see quite often on social networks:

Q: Can I become Microsoft certified online? Can I take your exams on the internet?

A: No, you cannot become Microsoft certified online, and no, the exams are not available on the internet. If you come across any company or website that offers you a way to do that, it's not legitimate.

To achieve Microsoft certifications, you have to pass the required exams, which must be taken in person at a Prometric or Certiport testing center.

For Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exams delivered through academic outlets, register at Certiport.
All other Microsoft Certification paths and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exams delivered through commercial outlets, register at Prometric.

Q: Am I required to take a training class to get certified?

A: No, you're not required to attend training classes to achieve Microsoft certifications. You can prepare for Microsoft exams in a variety of methods, depending on your personal learning style and particular situation. However, there are advantages to attending training courses led by Microsoft Certified Trainers, available through Microsoft Learning Partners. To find a Learning Partner location or class offering near you, use our class locator tool.

Q: Do you offer free training?

A: We offer many free or low-cost learning and exam prep resources, which are ideal for those who prefer self study options or need to supplement their training classes. These include our Microsoft Certification Study Groups, books from Microsoft Press, online learning and "Jump Starts" from Microsoft Virtual Academy. There is also a large library of free resources on TechNet or MSDN, such as trial downloads that you can use to build your own practice lab as part of your exam prep process. Additionally, we also hold special events and webcasts such as Certified Career Day, and focused certification challenges such as "90 Days to MCSA."

Six Reasons Why I Certify

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Guest post by MCP community member Steven R. McEvoy, Systems Analyst @ Christie Digital Systems

I was recently asked why I keep my certifications up to date. I work for a company I love; I enjoy my job and my boss and up through the chain. I get to play with all sorts of technology and since 2007 I have written 39 certification exams. The breakdown is as follows:

31 Microsoft Exams
6 CompTIA Exams
3 Apple Exams

Across those exams I now hold over 30 designations. So when a former professor and a few friends asked why I continue to update my credentials it got me thinking. Why do I write certification exams? And the more I thought about it the more I realized there is no easy answer, but there are a number of different reasons:

I love to learn.
To stay current.
Because of new responsibilities at work.
Because of new technologies I manage.
Because if I do not plan on writing the exam I won’t get around to it.
For fun.

I am going to expand upon each of those points and hope it will provide some insight into why I certify and why you should consider doing so also. I spent almost 20 years in university and college both full and part time. In fact, if I won the lottery I would go back to school full time. I love learning, reading and studying; in fact it is one of my favorite things to do.

The second reason is to stay current; I have been privileged to have been offered Beta exams from more than one organization. What I loved about those opportunities I have accepted is that you need to work hard from just the list of exam objectives and figure out the new generation of technology. Also outside of the beta exam option, the upgrade paths are always easier for me than waiting and starting over again. I know people who still proudly state that they are MCSE but what they do not say is that it was Windows NT or Windows 2000. What happens if for some reason their career path changes? Their designations are so out of date they cannot upgrade even if they want to. So it is always in your best interest to keep your credentials current.

The third and fourth reasons I pursue certification is new responsibilities at work. A good example is SQL Server, for both the 2005 and 2008 version of this technology. I wrote the first exam and then because I did not directly manage any SQL servers, never went further. It was always on my ‘to do list’ to go back and finish my SQL certification but I never got around to it. Then after a change in roles last year I was all of a sudden managing 12 SQL servers across different tiers for staging, development and production for different technologies. I really wish I had stuck with the plan and spent more time on SQL before I was primary for supporting it!

For the fifth reason: ties back to the two above. I find that if I buy the voucher and have 1 year to write the exam or exams if a pack is bought, then it forces me to spend the time. If I do not use the voucher and it expires, it is wasted money. Spending the money will kick-start the studying and push the commitment.

Finally, I find studying fun. I like being in learning mode. I like playing with new technology. This past year I have loved playing with Windows 8 and Server 2012 and learning both. On a side note, one of my professors, Jason Eckert, wrote a sheet for Certification Exam Preparation. With his permission I posted it a few years back but I still post it near my desk when in Certification mode.

Now I am also blessed in that my last few employers have compensated for exams once passed. So staying up to date does not have a big out of pocket cost to me. It was the commitment to time and effort. And for the last few years, part of my annual performance review goals has been at least 1 certification exam relevant to my role and responsibilities.

So now you know why I study and certify. And hopefully it will spur your own thinking as to why you do also, or if you do not, why not? Would love your feedback either way!

In case you’re interested, the designations I currently hold are:

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate

Windows Server 2012
Windows 8
Windows 7
Windows Server 2008

Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)

Enterprise Desktop Administrator Windows 7
Server Administrator Windows Server 2008
Enterprise Administrator Windows Server 2008
Enterprise Desktop Support Technician Windows 7
Consumer Support Technician Windows Vista
Enterprise Support Technician Windows Vista

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

Windows 7 Configuration
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 Configuration
SQL Server 2005
Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
Windows Server 2008 Application Infrastructure Configuration
Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
Business Desktop Deployment
Microsoft Windows Vista Configuration

Microsoft Office Certified Specialist

Word 2002
Excel 2002
PowerPoint 2002
Access 2002
Outlook 2002

Windows Server 2003

Microsoft Certified System Administrator: Security
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security
Microsoft Certified System Administrator: Messaging
Microsoft Certified System Engineer
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator

Microsoft Certified Professional (Legacy)

CompTIA

A+ IT Technician
A+ Depot Technical
A+ Remote Support Technician
Network+
Security+

Apple

Apple Certified Technical Coordinator 10.6
Apple Certified Support Professional 10.6
Apple Certified Associate Mac Integration 10.6

And if all goes well I will be adding 3 or 4 more before the end of the year. But you can read more about that in my last certification update - Inner Geek - Updated December 2012.

Peace and Strength!
Yours, learning to be
Steven R. McEvoy

You Have Questions...We Got Answers

Liberty Munson (Microsoft) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:50:00 GMT

Every year, I update the FAQs related to exams on the Microsoft Learning website (did you know that we had these?). With the changes to the certification program and the redesign of the website, this year's changes were more substantial than most. In addition, I am often asked these types of questions...(hmmmm....maybe that's why they are called "frequently asked questions"), so I wanted to highlight the updates and remind everyone that these are the answers that they seek and they can be found on our website.

Want to know what that survey at the beginning of exams is all about?
Want to know how questions are scored?
How to request an additional 30 minutes if the exam is not available in your native language?
How to submit feedback about an exam?
What different questions types that might be on our exams?
How we update exams to reflect service packs/revisions?

You'll find answers to these questions and more here.

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to let me know what questions you have that I haven't answered here. I'm curious about what might be missing or where you'd like more information.

As always, I'm happy to answer any and all of the questions that I can (remember--there are some questions you have that I cannot answer, but I'll let you know if that's the case). Or, even if the answer is here and you just want to say 'hi,' I love those messages, too!

MVA Office Hours Live–life on the road part 1

RicksterCDN - MSFT — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

A little over a two weeks ago I blogged about Joey and I heading out across North America – and beyond. I thought it would be fun to write up a trip report and share it with you here on what we’ve accomplished so far, where we’ve visited and thank all the folks who have helped us along the way.

Before I do: Just a quick flash back and tip of the (green)hat to the first post (read it here) so you can see if we are headed to a city / country near you. New dates / registration links are being added as we get them confirmed.

I shot this photo out of the car window as Joey and I were driving off from the airport rental car parking lot. It will be a familiar sight to us over the next while – airports, rental cars, hotels and parking facilities (with possible weekend visits home to see the family).

A lot of people think traveling as part of your job is glamorous, you get to see lots of cities and lots of places, take in the sights and the culture as you are getting your job done. Actually, it’s not. In order to make the most of it - you have to make time for the important things to stay sane: Connecting and talking with REAL PEOPLE along the way – breaking bread with them and listening to them. Luckily – we worked this into the plan from the get-go so I get to check out local cuisine on this round as we’re meeting MCTs, MVPs, training center staff, college students, partners and consultants.

The secret formula we’re using is quite simple. Partner with an AWESOME Microsoft Learning Partner who can host us in their facility for these Office Hours Live events. Cross promote to get people interested in showing up and learning about Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012 when we are in town. Finally – during the 3 hr window of time we set aside for this activity – engage in meaningful conversations – answering questions, collecting product / scenario feedback on what’s going on with these customers and what issues they are facing – oh yeah, all this while taking copious amounts of notes. I have to take a moment to give a special SHOUT OUT to 5PE / New Horizons for stepping up to kickstart this whole process – it wouldn’t have been possible without them!

But it doesn’t stop there.

I mentioned some “extra” stuff we’re doing while out on the road – to keep our sanity. Personally, nothing is more daunting then having to go out an eat by ourselves while on the road. We decided to take it up a notch: if we’re coming to a city near you, we’re putting the offer out to connect over drinks / coffee / dinner (dutch of course as we’re on a budget) and just geek out talking tech, issues, beer, philosophy – whatever. So far three cities down and counting:

We’ve had appetizers and drinks with some System Integration partners and user group leaders in Dallas (thanks Quinn and Michael!)
Connected with #TheKrewe members Claudia (Houston), Aubrey (Kansas City), Tiffany (Dallas)
Local V-Team mates in the field who work for Microsoft and also do the Technical Evangelism thing (Matt Hester and Kevin Remde)

One other fun thing we get to do while out on the road and working with learning partners is connect with Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) in different geographies. We reach out to “regional leads” in advance to see what they’d like to setup for a get together. We had one recently in Kansas City were we delivered a custom “demo skills training” session to help hone their technical presentation delivery skills. It went over quite well – I’m looking forward to the next MCT meet up opportunity.

What’s a “life on the road” report without pictures? I’ve been snapping a few choice moments along the road and sharing them on my twitter feed. I thought I’d also take advantage of SkyDrive to make a quick little album of our travels. Check it out!

MVAOfficeHoursLive

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

See you on the road – don’t forget to tweet @JoeySnow and @RicksterCDN if we’re in your local area so we can get together!

[Infographic] Visualizing the IT cloud skills gap

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:00:00 GMT

When we asked global market intelligence firm IDC to investigate the state of IT jobs in cloud computing, even those of us close to industry trends were surprised by the findings. 1.7 million unfilled cloud-related jobs in 2012. 7 million open cloud positions within the next three years. A near-crisis in IT hiring circles to find qualified candidates with essential experience, training and certification.

As illustrated in the infographic below, it all adds up to a world of opportunity. For companies struggling to fill cloud-related jobs, the next few years will be challenging; however for future and current IT professionals, career prospects couldn't be brighter.

That's why we produced this month's live event, Microsoft Certified Career Day 2013, where IT and cloud professionals gathered to discuss how the cloud is redefining IT jobs; and launched 90 Days to MCSA, a free program with the roadmap, tools and community support to get you cloud-certified in just three months. It all adds up to a clear view of your future: now's the right time to close the "IT Cloud skills gap" and get trained, get certified, and get hired.

Click the image below for a full-sized version or download the PDF.
Want to embed this infographic on your website? Grab the embed code below!

<img src= http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-components-userfiles/00-00-04-08-84-Attached%20Files/6761.microsoft_2D00_idc_2D00_infographic_5F00_vf.png width=300 height=300 /> <br> View full image <a http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-components-userfiles/00-00-04-08-84-Attached%20Files/6761.microsoft_2D00_idc_2D00_infographic_5F00_vf.png title="IT Cloud Skills Gap Infographic" style='color:#0000FF;text-align:left'> Microsoft Learning</a>

Answering Questions Related to Beta Exam Score Reporting

Liberty Munson (Microsoft) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:39:00 GMT

One of the key steps when developing a psychometrically sound, valid, and reliable exam is the beta process. We rely on candidates who have skills and experience that map to the target audience to sit the first version of the exam. As these candidates take the exam, they leave a footprint that I'm able follow to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of each item. Is the item too easy? Too hard? Or, as Goldilocks would say "just right?" Does the item differentiate between high and low performers? Is it technically accurate? Is it keyed correctly? These are but a few of the questions I'm able to answer based on the data we obtain through the beta process. Because this data drives the final decisions about which items meet Microsoft's psychometric criteria, candidates who take the exam during this phase do not receive a score immediately; they must wait until the data have been analyzed and evaluated, the item pool finalized, and exams are rescored (only the items that are retained in the final item pool are scored).

However, there has been a lot of confusion about how and when candidates will receive their scores. Over the past few months, we've worked with Prometric to clarify the beta exam communications you receive at the end of the exam and better set expectations related to how quickly Prometric can apply the rescore process, upload your results into their and Microsoft's transcript, and mail printed score reports. The communications that you receive at the end of a beta exam have been updated to reflect these clarifications.

When can you expect your beta results?

Results for beta exams should be visible on your Microsoft transcript (if you've received a passing score) and on the Prometric site within two weeks after the exam's live publication date. You should receive your printed score report by mail within eight weeks after the exam's live publication date. This date can be found on the Exam Details page for that exam on www.microsoft.com/learning.

Whom do you contact if you have questions concerning beta exam results?

If you do not receive your printed score report within eight weeks of the exam's live publication date, contact Prometric (https://www.prometric.com/en-us/contact-us/Pages/default.aspx) for more information on when your results will be processed. If you have questions about your transcript, contact your Microsoft Regional Service Center (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/help.aspx).

We also have an "Ask a Certification Expert" video on this topic. Check it out here!

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Catch Highlights from Certified Career Day 2013

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Missed the live broadcast of Microsoft Certified Career Day 2013? Want to revisit the sessions? You're in luck! You can now watch the following recorded webcasts on your own time at aka.ms/mccd2013:

IT Industry Panel Discussion. A must-see interactive panel discussion with IT industry experts on how the Cloud is redefining IT recruitment.
Exclusive Interview with Microsoft Technical Fellow Mark Russinovich, by Wes Miller, discussing key capabilities organizations will need when migrating workloads to the cloud.
Windows Server 2012 Product Session. Senior Technical Evangelists Rick Claus and Joey Snow discuss how to get th training you need to transform your IT operations and deliver a whole new level of business value with Windows Server 2012.
SQL Server 2012 Product Session. Senior Product Managers Dandy Weyn and Jennifer Moser discuss the Business Intelligence scenarios that SQL Server 102 delivers to organizations, and what training you need now to help enable this capability.
Certification and Career Success Story. Hear about the role certification has played in Cynthia Wang's IT career success.
Plus, go behind the scenes at Certified Career Day 2013!

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Take the next step: join the 90-day to MCSA challenge

Microsoft Certified Career Day 2013 spotlighted the opportunities for advancing your IT career through skills development, training and certification.To help you take the next step, we created a free program to get you get cloud-certified in just three months. 90 Days to MCSA gives you a clear roadmap, tools and community support to help you earn MCSA certification for Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012. Visit www.90daystoMCSA.com and sign up for bi-weekly emails that walk you through the program--you'll be entered to win an Acer tablet just for signing up!

QOTD: "Where do I find C# certification information?"

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:51:00 GMT

I get questions about certification and training from IT pros and developers everyday, via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc., and I answer (nearly) all of them. (Here's how to find me.) If one IT pro or developer is asking, I figure the answer is probably worth sharing with more of you, so here's one I got on LinkedIn today:

Question:

On 03/17/13, D wrote:
--------------------
Hej Veronica
Right now in my career I want to get back to work in microsoft enivorments so i started learning C# developing. Just finished the mircosoft course "Course 20483B: Programming in C#" in Sweden where i live but I find it hard to find certification information for this specifik course. If i got it right Programming in C# Specialist is the right certification to take after this course ?
Where can i find examples of this certitication and how it cold look like? simply examples and more info about the certification?
I tried with https://www.prometric.com/en-us/Pages/home.aspx but found nothing
Thanks in advance
/D

Answer:

Hi D,

By taking exam 70-483, you can earn "Programming in C# Specialist" certification. See http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/visual-studio-certification.aspx . You can then go on to take exams 70-484 and 70-485 to earn your MCSD. See http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcsd-windows-store-apps-certification.aspx .

We are also rolling out the developer certification study group online. You're welcome to ask questions in the forums. http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/certification/developer/default.aspx#fbid=-NEqNLeSQAK .

Hope this helps!

Veronica

MVA Office Hours LIVE with Joey and Rick - Coming to a City Near You!

RicksterCDN - MSFT — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:32:00 GMT

We’re headin’ out to select cities and venues across North America and quite possibly some of Europe too. Yup – we had such a great time during our online event we’ve decided to take it out on the road over the next couple of months.

Why? It’s two fold.

First: we’re out to dispel a lot of myths and misconceptions about Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 by having frank conversations and answering your questions. Yes – listening and answering what you want to know about Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.

What problems do they solve for you
Why you should implement them
How to integrate into your environments.

Secondly: we’re very interested in gathering your feedback about how we’re doing, what you like and don’t like about Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 and what you’d like to tell the product teams to help improve these products. We’ll be taking notes and documenting them along the way in order to share them with the product teams and program teams back at HQ.

So what are the details? We’re partnering up with various training organizations and Microsoft Learning Partners in order to be on hand to lead a discussion targeted at experienced IT Pros who want to ask technical questions regarding Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. This exclusive session features Joey Snow and me (Rick Claus) engaging in dialog, debate and demos shaped by a global audience of esteemed IT Pros. These are FREE events but capacity is limited and registration is required.

Are we hitting a city / location near you? Register to reserve your spot. Links will become active as dates and locations are confirmed. As our seats are filled – we’ll close off the links and update the list.

Dallas – March 14th, 9AM-12PM
Kansas City – March 19th, 9AM-12PM
San Antonio – April 23rd, 9AM-12PM
Austin – April 25th, 1PM-4PM
Denver -- April 30th 9AM-12PM
Fort Worth, TX - May 2nd, 9AM-12PM
Chicago – May 7th 9AM-12PM AND 1:30PM-4:30PM
Madison, Wisconsin – May 9th (CONFIRMED)
Chicago - May 9th, 1PM-4PM
Boise – May 21st, 5PM-8PM (CONFIRMED)
UK / Europe – Week of June 17th (TBD)

Don’t see your city listed? These ones were selected in partnership with Microsoft Certified Trainer community and Learning Partners we had pre-existing relationships with. We hope to extend the tour to more cities near you based on the interest generated in this round. Tell your fellow IT Pros about what we’re up to and encourage them to sign up!

Remember: We’re only a group of TWO taking this on in partnership with Microsoft Learning and we can only hit so many cities unless we get approved for the “space-time-continuum-manipulation” device we asked for.

Microsoft Certification Study Groups debut on Born to Learn

Leann Turpin (Microsoft) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:00:00 GMT

What’s your learning style?

Are you a meticulous note taker (lots of scribbles in the margin)? Do you like to load up on caffeine and pull an all-night study or lab session? Do you need to interact with peers to keep you motivated and help with retention? Regardless of your personal learning style, we hope you’ll find (and contribute) great resources in the new Microsoft Certification Study Groups on Born to Learn.

What’s your certification path?

The study groups are arranged by technology pillar (Client, Database, Developer, and Server), so you’ll easily locate content specific to your certification path by technology. For example, if you are interested in Windows Server certifications you can visit the Server Certification Study Group and select the resources for the exams that are relevant to you based on where you are on your path.

What’s in it for you?

As you can see, there are discussion forums and exam prep wikis for each exam. You can ask questions in the forums and get answers from your peers or the moderators (Microsoft Certified Trainers or subject matter experts selected from the community).

The exam prep wikis will provide you with a list of general prep materials, as well as specific resources mapped to the exam objectives that other MCP community members have found relevant and helpful. New content is being added on an ongoing basis, so you may want to subscribe to these pages for updates.

What do you do next?

This exciting new space has been built for you and your success. You can help us and the MCP community make it even better! How?

Participate in the forums.
Ask lots of questions, and answer questions from others, too.
Note: We do have some moderator positions still open, so if you have any interest in becoming a moderator for a specific exam or series of exams, click on the ‘Moderator Position Open’ links within the forums and wikis.

Add helpful resources to the wiki pages.
While we are constantly updating and adding new content that we think may be helpful for you, if you have resources that you found particularly awesome and useful, don’t be shy - share them with your peers.
Tell your friends.
If you have friends and colleagues who are working on obtaining a certification from Microsoft, or if you think they should be, let them know about these study groups and maybe even challenge each other with the 90 Days to MCSA Challenge.
Send us your feedback.
This space is for you and the MCP community, and we all strive to make it great. If you have suggestions, requests, comments, or kudos, send them our way.

Check out the new study groups today!

Contributed by: Leann Turpin - Site Manager for the Microsoft Training and Certification community site, Born to Learn. Stay tuned for more exciting content and updates from your Born to Learn team!

A Look Ahead: What Has Microsoft's Exam Development Team Done for You Lately?

Liberty Munson (Microsoft) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:39:00 GMT

Have you been paying attention to Born to Learn lately? If you have, you may have noticed that we just launched a few very cool additions to the blog related to exam development. First, we now have an ACE Team Blog (for those of you knew to Microsoft Certifications, 'ACE' is Microsoft Learning's exam development team...ACE--one the many acronyms at Microsoft--stands for 'Assessments and Certification Exams'), that you can find here

Second, most of you know me as the face of ACE--occasionally, you see other people from my team posting to Born to Learn, but mostly it's me. I love connecting with you, hearing what's on your mind, etc. As Microsoft's Psychometrician, I'm the expert on all things exam at Microsoft, so if you have questions, I've got answers--I can't always tell you those answers, but I'll always do what I can. Now, I want to introduce you to someone who will be actively joining me in the blogosphere--Briana Roberts. If you go to the ACE Team blog, you will see two posts from her that I want to highlight just in case you're not hooked into the aggregate RSS feed from Born to Learn (I have to admit that I wasn't and totally missed these posts!), which brings me to another addition to Born to Learn--the First Look Forum. Rather than repeat all the details in this post, I'll let Briana do the talking. We kicked the forum off with a bang--we have posted examples of several new question types that we are planning to pilot over the next few months. Let us know what you think! We'd love to hear your feedback.

Finally, a look ahead... Briana also posted about a project that we're working on together: ACE Chronicles. You want to pay attention to this one. We are having a blast planning this twist on the Ask a Certification Expert (ACE) Video Series that was so popular last year. This is another great opportunity to get answers to your questions, so let us know what you wondering about... Take a minute to 'meet' Briana, and stay tuned for the first edition of ACE Chronicles. I can hardly wait... will it whet your appetite to know that superheroes might be involved!?!

In case you can't access the embedded links in this post, here they are:

ACE Team Blog: http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/certification/b/ace_team_blog/default.aspx#fbid=ktLv8AXKdkS
First Look Forum: http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/certification/f/544.aspx#fbid=ktLv8AXKdkS
Briana's post on the forum: http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/certification/b/ace_team_blog/archive/2013/02/28/coming-soon-new-question-flavors-on-certification-exams.aspx#fbid=ktLv8AXKdkS
Meet Briana and ACE Chronicles: http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/certification/b/ace_team_blog/archive/2013/02/12/introducing-the-ace-chronicles.aspx#fbid=ktLv8AXKdkS

Don't Do This! Part 1

Kerri Davis - MSL Anti-Piracy PM — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:00:00 GMT

In my last post, I talked about how the ITCC and I explored the nature of cheating, and why people cheat on IT certification exams. One of the reasons may be that some people don’t realize that what they do constitutes “cheating”—or to put it more accurately, is a violation of the exam agreement (also known as the “Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)”) that candidates consent to before they can take an exam. Seemly innocuous activities may be just that though: violations, which is why you should always know a test sponsor’s do’s and don’ts before you test. (Read our exam policy here.)

Over the next few blogs, let’s discuss some of the ways one can unintentionally violate Microsoft’s Non-Disclosure Agreement, both inside a testing environment and out. Here are some examples.

Example #1: Discussing Exam Answers

One of the ways that candidates violate our exam agreement without intending to is to discuss the contents of an exam with others. It’s easy to do; you just came from a grueling 2-hour (or more) test, and you’re either excited or apprehensive about your performance. It’s completely natural to want to talk about the questions with your fellow colleagues—after all, you’ve just been through the shared experience of learning, preparing, and studying for the exam. You’re dying to know what everyone else got on question #10, as are they dying to know about your answers.

But when sharing your exam experiences crosses that line into revealing what is on the exam, you have violated Microsoft’s Non-Disclosure Agreement. While it’s tempting to talk about your exam answers, doing so is actually a disservice to yourself (you’ve potentially made it easier for your friend to pass) and your fellow test-takers (they didn’t have to learn the skills to pass the exam). Knowing what is on the test before they take it devalues the experience for everyone.

I know all too well how easy this is to do. Last summer, I took two, two-hour exams for my own personal professional certificate (no, they weren’t Microsoft exams). In between exams, I found myself in the lobby with my fellow classmates, and we eagerly started chatted amongst ourselves about the questions (they were HARD). I found myself opening my mouth to answer when I caught myself. I was about to do exactly what we don’t want our test takers to do with our Microsoft exams! It was so easy to forget the rules when caught up in the excitement of the testing experience.

Another point about that: by design, the questions that you see are unlikely to be the same ones that your buddy saw, so talking about the specific content of the questions is an even greater disservice to your buddy.

Best Practice: Don’t discuss the exam particulars, even with fellow classmates/study groups/ co-workers/friends/family/people on the street. Remember that all Microsoft Certification exams, including the content and wording of exam questions, constitute confidential Microsoft information this is copyrighted, meaning that it is protected by intellectual property laws.

Next month: Test center do’s and don’ts.

90 Days to MCSA: Windows Server 2012 Edition

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:06:00 GMT

90 Days to MCSA: Windows Server 2012 Edition

Following the launch of Windows Server 2012 and the announcement of updated Microsoft certifications, a large number of IT pros around the world have set new goals for earning or upgrading their certifications in 2013. During our team's conversations with MCPs online and in person, we heard the community’s desire for more on-demand exam prep resources and a place to find peer support. After consulting with several Microsoft Certified Trainers, we have created a new package of resources just for you. Modeled after the success of last year’s “60 Days to MCSE for Private Cloud,” we’re thrilled to introduce “90 Days to MCSA: Windows Server 2012 Edition.”

All the information and links can be found at 90daystoMCSA.com. Here’s a brief walk-through of what you’ll find on the page after clicking through:

Sign up for “90 Days to MCSA” emails:

This is your first step toward making that commitment to yourself to earn MCSA: Windows Server 2012. By signing up, you’ll receive bi-weekly emails from March to June 2013. These emails will contain new tools, resources, advice from Microsoft Certified Trainers, special offers on books, and much more. You’ll also be eligible to win prizes and be featured as a certification success story on our website.

Exam Prep Videos:

If you’ve attended a technical conference where Microsoft exams are offered onsite (such as TechEd), you know what these exam prep sessions are: 60- to 75-minute reviews of exam objectives and tips, led by a Microsoft Certified Trainer, meant for brushing-up just before you take exams. Now we’re bringing these exam prep sessions to you online so you can watch them as often as you need, when it’s convenient for you. (Please note: these videos are not a substitute for training, studying or hands-on experience.)

Study Group:

There are two main components to each Microsoft Certified Study Group (MCSG): discussion forums and resource wikis. Each of these are exam focused, meaning there is a forum and a wiki for each Windows Server 2012 exam, conveniently labeled with exam numbers. The forums are led and moderated by Microsoft Certified Trainers. The wikis are populated and moderated by Microsoft Learning and MCP community members.

MCSA Exam Bundle Offers:

One tip for certification success that we’ve learned from many MCPs and MCTs: set a deadline for yourself by scheduling your exam while studying. To help you commit to achieving your MCSA goal, we’re offering a 15% discount on the MCSA Windows Server 2012 exam bundle (exams 410, 411 and 412), plus a free Second Shot. (Must purchase by May 31, 2013 to get the free Second Shot. See this page for more details.)

Bonus just for the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 track:

MCT and MVP Michael Bender is issuing a #90days2MCSA challenge. He will be blogging bi-weekly about the study plan and progress report, beginning on March 5, 2013. Want to take him up on it? Watch for his posts on the front page of Born to Learn.

Meet the Trainers:

This “90 Days to MCSA” plan has been built for you and your success. We could not have brought this to you without the valuable time, advice and contribution of these Microsoft Certified Trainers. Please join us in thanking them.

MCTs featured in exam prep videos:

Cynthia Wang – Blog | Twitter @CyntheSys
Ed Liberman – Blog | Twitter @TrainSignal_Ed

MCTs featured in study group blog and forums:

Michael Bender – Blog | Twitter @MichaelBender
Enrique Lima – Blog | Twitter @enriquelima

*MCP moderator for the wiki: Guido van Brakel – Blog | Twitter @guidovbrakel

This is for everyone! Spread the word!

If you’re new to this certification path or are upgrading, welcome, and let us know in a comment below that you’re participating. If you are already certified in Windows Server 2012, please share this with your peers and encourage them to do the same. Your input is also welcome in the study group. Now let’s get started!

Want to tweet about this or find others who are participating? Use hashtags #90days2MCSA and #WinServ.

Office 2013 Certification - A Fresh Take on Performance-Based Testing

Wendy Johnson (MSL) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:20:33 GMT

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification exams have used performance-based testing technology for years. With well over a million exams taken every year, MOS has led the IT industry in performance-based testing. And I’m happy to announce the new MOS 2013 exams have stepped it up another notch! Beginning this week, individuals around the world can take the new Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 exams for Word and Excel. Our new 2013 exams improve the testing experience by enabling even more real-world functionality and project-based outcome testing.

So what does this mean exactly for the test experience? In previous exams individuals would be presented with a series of specific tasks they would be asked to perform in the application. These tasks have been randomly generated mapped to the exam objectives, and unrelated to each other. With the new MOS 2013 exams, individuals are presented with a project to build. It might be a Word report, an Excel spreadsheet, or a PowerPoint presentation. Having taken one of the initial exams, I can attest it is both challenging and a better gauge of a candidate’s skills in using Microsoft Office applications. That isn’t all that is changing. Did I mention that along with a fresh testing experience, MOS 2013 is adopting a new logo? The new logo is now better aligned with the overall Microsoft branding style.

Check out the listing of and exam objectives for all the coming MOS 2013 exams here, which will roll out over the next six months. Ready to take the exam? Click here to find a test center via our MOS exam provider, Certiport.

Happy testing!

90 Days to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Edition

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:34:00 GMT

90 Days to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Edition

At the start of 2013, many database pros in the global Microsoft Certified Professional community reviewed 2012 accomplishments and set new goals for earning or upgrading certifications in the new year. In my conversations with MCPs on various forums and social networks, I heard many questions about exam prep resources and saw several requests for support from peers. Our team then took these points and discussed with several Microsoft Certified Trainers, and together, we have assembled a new package of resources just for you. Modeled after the success of last year’s “60 Days to MCSE for Private Cloud,” please meet “90 Days to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 Edition.”

All the information and links can be found at 90daystoMCSA.com. Here’s a brief walk-through of what you’ll find on the page after clicking through:

Sign up for “90 Days to MCSA” emails:

This is your first step toward making that commitment to yourself to earn MCSA: SQL Server 2012. By signing up, you’ll receive bi-weekly emails from March to June 2013. These emails will contain new tools, resources, advice from Microsoft Certified Trainers, special offers on books, and much more. You’ll also be eligible to win prizes and get featured as a certification success story on our website.

Watch exam prep videos:

If you’ve attended a technical conference where Microsoft exams are offered onsite, you know what these exam prep sessions are: 60- to 75-minute reviews of exam objectives and tips, led by a Microsoft Certified Trainer, meant for brushing-up just before you take exams. Now we’re bringing these exam prep sessions to you online so you can watch them as often as you need, when it’s convenient for you. (Please note that these videos are not a substitute for training, studying or hands-on experience.)

Join the study group:

There are two main components to each Microsoft Certified Study Group (MCSG): discussion forums and resource wikis. Each of these are exam focused, meaning there is a forum and a wiki for each SQL Server 2012 exam, conveniently labeled with exam numbers. The forums are led and moderated by Microsoft Certified Trainers. The wikis are populated and moderated by Microsoft Learning and MCP community members.

Take the MCSA exam bundle offer:

One tip for certification success that we’ve learned from many MCPs and MCTs: set a deadline for yourself by scheduling your exam while studying. To help you commit to achieving your MCSA goal, we’re offering a 15% discount on the MCSA SQL Server 2012 exam bundle (exams 461, 462 and 463), plus a free Second Shot. (Must purchase by May 31, 2013 to get the free Second Shot. See this page for more details.)

Meet the Trainers:

MCTs featured in exam prep videos:

Susan Ibach – Blog | Twitter @HockeyGeekGirl
Christopher Harrison – Blog | Twitter @GeekTrainer

MCTs featured in study group forums:

Jeff Wharton – Blog | Twitter @Mr_Wharty
Mike Corkery – Blog | Twitter @mjcorkery

This is for everyone! Spread the word!

If you’re new to this certification path or are upgrading, welcome, and let us know in a comment below that you’re participating. If you are already certified in SQL Server 2012, please share this with your peers and encourage them to do the same. Your input is also welcome in the study group. Now let’s get started!

Want to tweet about this or find others who are participating? Use hashtags #90days2MCSA and #SQLServer.

Get in the Cloud at Certified Career Day, March 12. Register Now!

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Join Microsoft for a free live, interactive webcast on the growing need and opportunities for cloud-trained IT professionals—March 12, 2013 starting at 8:30am PST

Where do you want your career to go? It's a question that many of us ask ourselves as we chart our career path, whether we're just starting out or years on the job. One response to that question: Go where the jobs are.

A new study by market intelligence firm IDC reveals global businesses are adopting cloud computing at an escalating rate, with fewer “cloud ready” IT professionals available to administer cloud computing services. One in four IT positions worldwide is currently unfilled and 28% of those are cloud computing related--that's more than 1.7 million open positions. In 2015, an estimated 7 million job computing jobs will be vacant.

Why vacant? Hiring managers can't find "cloud-skilled" IT candidates, citing a lack of training, certification and experience as the top reasons cloud computing positions are not filled. To bridge this IT cloud skills gap, employers need professionals—just like you—with the right set of skills that will help business move forward.

It feels like an opportunity, doesn't it?

Take the first steps to transform your career: Join us for Certified Career Day--March 12, 2013

Certified Career Day is an interactive, LIVE panel discussion with IT industry experts who will be your Cloud career counselors for the day, providing you with guidance to help advance your career to the Cloud. We've scheduled a full day of events featuring leading experts in the IT and cloud computing industry (all times are Pacific Standard Time):

8:30am Virtual Doors Open. Get behind-the-scenes commentary.
9:00-10:15 Live Industry Panel Broadcast. An live panel discussion with IT industry experts who will be your Cloud career counselors for the day, providing you with guidance to help advance your career to the Cloud.
10:15-10:30 Special Guest Interview with Mark Russinovich, Microsoft Technical Fellow. In this exclusive interview with Microsoft Technical Fellow Mark Russinovich, Wes Miller, VP of Research at Directions on Microsoft, will bring this discussion to the technology level as they explore the challenges organizations will encounter when migrating workloads to the cloud and the key capabilities IT professionals and organizations will need as they make this transition.
10:30-11:30 Windows Server Live Product Session. Join Microsoft Product Specialists Rick Claus and Joey Snow for a special session to help you better understand how to the get the training you need to transform your IT operations and deliver a whole new level of business value.
11:35–12:35 SQL Server 2012 Live Product Session. Join Microsoft Product Specialists Dandy Weyn and Jennifer Moser for a deep dive into this data platform and explore mission critical evidence, breakthrough insights and cloud on your terms. You will gain an understanding of the Business Intelligence scenarios SQL Server 2012 delivers to organizations and what training you need now, to help enable this capability.

Check out the full agenda at certifiedcareerday.com --space is limited, so register today!

[Infographic] A Visual Guide to SQL Server Training & Certification

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 02:27:00 GMT

Interested in a career in data platform administration or business intelligence, but not sure of your next steps? Check out our visual guide to SQL Server training and certification, the second in our series of infographics designed to help plan your career path.

Like the visual guide to Windows Server, the image below links to a full-size image with clickable links that point you to additional resources. We encourage you to save or bookmark the guide to help you chart each milestone along the way, and feel free to share the visual on your blog or favorite social network.

Click the image below to get started!

<img src= http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-components-userfiles/00-00-02-91-93-Attached%20Files/1565.msl_5F00_sql_5F00_certificationpaths_5F00_final.jpg width=300 height=300 /> <br> View full image <a href= http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-components-userfiles/00-00-02-91-93-Attached%20Files/1565.msl_5F00_sql_5F00_certificationpaths_5F00_final.jpg title="SQL Server Certification and Career Paths Infographic" style='color:#0000FF;text-align:left'> Microsoft Learning</a>

Update on Visual Studio 2010 Exam Retirement Dates

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:32:00 GMT

With the announcement of new Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) credentials, many developers are working on getting current or upgrading their certifications. We admire your enthusiasm around developer certifications and want to help you succeed.

One of the most important questions from you is about the retirement dates for Visual Studio 2010 exams. We have heard you and re-evaluated the schedule. The following Visual Studio 2010 exams that were previously slated to retire on July 31, 2013 will now remain available for all candidates until further notice. No new retirement date has been set. We will announce it when there is an update so you have plenty of time to complete your current VS2010 certification path.

70-511: TS: Windows Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4
70-513: TS: Windows Communication Foundation Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4
70-515: TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4
70-516: TS: Accessing Data with Microsoft .NET Framework 4
70-518: Pro: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 4
70-519: Pro: Designing and Developing Web Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 4

We are in the process of updating these exam detail pages on our website, but wanted to post this clarification here now so you can confidently schedule and prepare for your next VS2010 exam.

Ready to move forward to Visual Studio 2012 certifications? See the MCSD page on our website for more information.

Questions? Please let us know in a comment below. Thanks!

TechEd 2013 in NA and Europe - Registration Open on Feb 12!

Veronica Sopher (Microsoft Learning) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:26:00 GMT

TechEd, Microsoft's premier event for IT professionals and enterprise developers, will take place in New Orleans and Madrid in June 2013. Registration is set to open on February 12. Registration is now open for both events! See links below. See the event website for updates. http://www.msteched.com/

The Microsoft Learning team looks forward to seeing our Microsoft Certified Professionals (#MCP) and Trainers (#MCT) at both events. If you're going, let us know on Twitter @MSLearning.

TechEd North America

Dates: June 3-6
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Register: http://aka.ms/TENARegistration
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teched
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechEd_NA Official hashtag #msTechEd

TechEd Europe

Dates: June 25-28
Location: Madrid, Spain
Register: http://aka.ms/TEERegistration
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TechEdEurope
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teched_europe Official hashtag #TEE13

Why Candidates Cheat

Kerri Davis - MSL Anti-Piracy PM — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Last month I talked about the use of brain dumps and why they are a bad idea—and got a lot of great responses. I’m glad to see the enthusiasm for that topic, even from those who disagreed with me about the nature of brain dumps as legitimate study materials. I will acknowledge what some of you pointed out: that addressing this subject on a Born to Learn blog is like preaching to the choir. Still, if anyone reading had any doubts or confusion about brain dumps, and I helped clarify, I achieved my aim.

To that point, why do people choose to use the materials (legitimate or otherwise) that they do? There are many reasons, of course, and getting to the heart of those reasons is one facet of managing an anti-piracy program. To combat cheating I need to understand the motivations behind cheating.

Understanding our test-takers is one step. Last year, I collaborated on a white paper with the IT Certifications Council (ITCC) on “Securing Certifications” (full paper here.) Below is an excerpt on the types of test-takers we identified (referred to as “candidates,” because they are candidates for a certification).

Candidates and Test Takers

Before issues surrounding test security can be resolved, it is important to understand how the ITCC categorizes candidates and others who take tests. The ITCC has identified three main groups of test takers:

IT Professionals

This group represents the majority of certification candidates who are honest and have done the requisite learning and studying for their exams. They are proud to earn a certification and highly value those efforts.
IT Professionals are most affected by cheaters and test abusers because the integrity of their hard-earned certifications is compromised. These candidates must feel that their hard work is valued; to do so, the certification industry must demonstrate a commitment to combating cheating and recognizing the value of a truly-earned certification.
Honest candidates will support anti-piracy actions designed to combat software and content theft because they want to preserve the integrity of certifications.

Misinformed Individuals

These candidates may cheat because they are misinformed. Most may not understand that the materials and methods they used had violated an exam agreement. They also may not understand the consequences of their actions.
Brain dump sites in particular can be very misleading for these individuals, because the sites disguise themselves as official materials. Proxy-testing offers can be very tempting as well, especially for those candidates who did not pass an exam the first time or who find it difficult to make it to a test center.
Misinformed Individuals are either tempted to find shortcuts in test preparation and test taking because it is easy to do so, or they otherwise become victims of nefarious business practices.

Cheaters

This is the smallest group, and is comprised of candidates who intend to cheat the system and who have no regard for the consequences. They actively seek exam answers or brain dump material; they participate or pay for proxy testing; or they find other ways to cheat during the exam.
A lack of education is not a culprit in this category; rather, these candidates will find the means to obtain a certification or steal exam answers despite the ramifications.

This does not fully address all the reasons for test-taking behavior, both good and bad, of course—this is just one element. My goal is to make sure the first category remains the largest group, that the second group is transformed into the first, and that the third group—the cheaters—are removed. I want candidates to feel good about the certifications they work hard to earn; and making sure they are not compromised by a select few is one way to make sure that happens.

Got a tip for me? Let me know at mlsecure@microsoft.com.

Kerri Davis