Earning professional certification involves a lot of hard work, time and perseverance. MCSE certification is one of the most prestigious and globally recognized credentials for IT professionals. And no doubt, this Microsoft certification proves your competence in administering and configuring computer systems.
Are you looking to expand your knowledge? Advance your career? Improve your credibility? To help you with your research, we have put together this guide on everything you need to know about MCSE Certification – the requirements, how to take the exam, the cost, the topics covered and more.
What is MCSE Certification?
MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, which has been upgraded to Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert. This certification certifies your competence in administering and configuring computer systems running on Microsoft servers. However, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer Certification is still accepted as a legacy credential. This credential must be renewed once every three years by passing a recertification exam. MCSE certification offers IT professionals the opportunity of working for consulting firms, computer companies, financial organizations and other businesses.
What are the Requirements for MCSE Certification?
To obtain MCSE certification, you are required to pass five exams which comprise of approximately 50 questions each. Your answers must show your ability to design, install, administer and troubleshoot a Microsoft-server-based computer and networking systems.
How to Take the MCSE Certification Exam?
To take the MCSE certification exam, you need to visit the Microsoft for the online proctored exams. The exam formats vary. They include multiple choice, best answers, short answers, active screens, hot areas, case studies, mark reviews and others.
What is the MCSE Certification Cost?
The MCSE certification exam usually costs $150. However, you can visit the Microsoft website to get the specific exam fee, as costs vary based on location/country, tax, exam type and whether the exam is proctored.
What are the topics covered in the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Exam?
MCSE varies in certification types and all are designed to meet the needs of top Microsoft professionals in the ever-changing IT world. The MCSE certification exam requires you to pass total five courses. After successful completion of first three steps, you will get MCSA certification (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate/Windows Server 2012 certification). And, after completing next two steps, you will earn the MCSE certification.
Here are the topics you need to cover to become certified.
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2016
This is an important topic which you need to study if you wish to become certified. This topic includes everything you need to know about the process of configuration and networking with regard to the server. If you decide to join a training program or an institution, the course duration for this topic is three weeks. While studying, you need to focus on the configuration of the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Group Policy and Hyper –V Configuration.
Administering Windows Server
This is also another important topic which takes about three weeks to study. This topic addresses tasks such as User Group Management, Remote Access & Network Policies, Implementing Server Images, and Active Directory Domain Service (AD DS). This topic also explains monitoring and management updates. While studying, you should focus on the administrative tasks, which are required for the Server Infrastructure.
Configuring Advance Windows Server
This is the third topic that should be taken seriously if you wish to become certified. The topic covers configuration. It explains the configuration of necessary features and advanced services that support the maintenance of the infrastructure and other networking services. It also covers Active Directory Domain Services training, how to balance the network load, as well as disaster recovery, which should be studied in detail. The IT syllabus for MCSE comprises topics such as failover clustering and business continuity. The course duration for this topic at an institution is two weeks.
Designing and Implementing Server Infrastructure
This is the fourth topic on the list, and it is an essential part of MCSE certification. When you pass the first three topics listed above, you qualify to be certified. The fourth and fifth topics on the list gives you certification in Server Infrastructure. This topic covers the implementation and design of Server Infrastructure. It also covers planning, design skills and intelligence, which are important in the practical area of the exam. The topic teaches you additional skills about the optimization of automated remediation, and the application of integration and maintenance of network services. The course duration for this topic is about one week.
Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
This is the fifth topic on the list, and the second topic under Server Infrastructure. This is the second topic that needs to be passed after the first three topics listed above if you want to be certified as a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert. This topic covers Windows Servers, how to plan and implement them, and other important aspects that are crucial for this certification. The topic is quite open and will test your knowledge. This helps your understanding of the advanced technology. This topic takes 10 weeks to cover.
In general, all the topics and major subjects should be studied well and thoroughly, so that you can pass them all without difficulty.
Where Can I Find Free MCSE Certification Study Guides?
The best source for free exam certification study guides is right here, at Exam-labs. Exam-labs is your one-stop to get thousands of practice questions and MCSE practice exam, which will aid your preparation. Exam-labs provides you with 100% real questions to fully prepare you for the exams.
How to Prepare for the MCSE Certification Exam?
If you want to take the MCSE certification exam, you can pass the exam through self-study or seek professional training. It’s important that you consider how much quality time you can dedicate to extensive studying. Self-study is not a bad choice if you have little free time, but creating enough time during the weekend will be valuable. Passing the MCSE certification exam is as simple as ABC. Finding the right time, which works for you, is the secret to successful preparation and studying, as well as scoring well.
