Archives
Microsoft, Piracy And Serious Changes To The Microsoft Certification Exams
Microsoft started implementing changes to the official Microsoft certification exams as promised in the most recent MCT Summit. The most significant changes come in the form of addressing piracy of the exams. Microsoft has a dedicated Psychometrician named Liberty Munson who focuses on data forensics (aka exam results) and looks for “patterns of anomalous behavior” (aka cheating). Ms. Munson and her team also look over other statics related to satisfaction surveys and some item challenges.
You don’t need a PHd to figure out the changes (Although it is Dr. Liberty Munson). Basically, you take a question and write it several different ways using the same group of answers. The correct answer can be different based on a change to a single word or phrase in the question. The challenge for the Microsoft test development team is to balance the idea of countering piracy and providing an exam which is a fair assessment of a candidates knowledge.
Microsoft claims the goal is to keep the exam focus on real-world, relevant information. However, if you’ve ever taken a Microsoft Certification Exam – you know it’s more like a deep dive into a TechNet article with a “once in a lifetime” scenario and misguided, complicated one-off challenge.
The goal behind the changes is commendable and exciting, especially for CertificationCamps, who breaks the mold of traditional “Microsoft bootcamps” whose focus is exclusively on prepping for different Microsoft exams. At Certification Camps, understanding is the foundation of the training – not memorization. CertificationCamps has always focused on providing the best quality training with demonstrations and labs so that students can actually learn how to use the technology. Once students start looking at practice questions, they have a better understanding of why the answer is correct and not just memorizing the correct answer.
Another change we’ve noticed is Microsoft’s focus on aligning the Microsoft Official Course (MOC) with specific Microsoft Certification exams. This is great news for CertificationCamps, because we use these official materials as a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with Learning competency.
If you’re looking for an instructor led classroom training environment where you can learn and certify – CertificationCamps is the most successful training provider with the highest percentage of students passing the exams.
Chester Flake
CEO, CertificationCamps
Microsoft Certifications The Next Step In Your It Career
Microsoft certifications are an important career tool for anyone, but especially those in the IT field. There are many important aspects to the certifications including the benefits, change, salary, advancement, diversity, exams, and studying.
One of the biggest benefits of the certifications is that an IT professional will be given the knowledge of the latest platforms for Microsoft. Many computers use Microsoft programs, so it is important that anyone in the IT profession has a strong understanding of all the latest programs and platforms.
It is very simple for a professional to get the certifications, whether it is online or in a traditional classroom. It is most common to study for the exams by yourself. This will require discipline and hard work. There are many study tools that can be found, simply by doing an internet search. Many students put themselves on a deadline, so that they will push themselves to finish. This is similar to a classroom set up. If you remember when you were in school, exams were on a specific day and the teacher had to work and keep pushing the students. Students would have been exposed to all the information they needed for the exam (whether or not they reviewed, read the textbook, and studied was up to the student personally). Anyone can get certified in the very latest platforms and programs. Change occurs all the time in technology and it is important for everyone to keep up with it.
Today, there are several online classrooms or Microsoft certification boot camps that help career minded professionals better their standing. These classrooms have professional instructors trained in Microsoft Certification preparation with very high certification pass percentages.
A very large draw to the IT field is the salary. These certifications bring better positions with higher pay. As seen in many fields with more education, comes a larger salary. Jobs in the field may be plentiful, but it is also important that every IT professional be experienced in the latest technologies because you are only useful if you have something to offer the employer that other people can’t.
Once you finish the base course you can also take further courses. This is a great way to be get a new and better job. Many employers encourage education, especially if it is going to benefit them. Microsoft Certifications are certainly seen as a benefit.
When seeking certification it is important to know what kind of certification you need. Microsoft offers an abundance of different certifications including SQL server certifications, Sharepoint Server Certification, Windows Server training and more, which allows a student to focus on one area in particular. This is useful for many people who need knowledge of one specific aspect.
This is also a great way to transition into a new career. These certifications allow anyone to have an office job in the technology field. There are also many different avenues within the certifications that anyone peruse. Even if you are currently in the technology field, but want a job that will enable you to use different skills or will give you a greater challenge getting a certification will help you achieve your goal and give you a more satisfying career.
Like every other type of certification, you are required to take an exam. Depending on which certification you choose, you may be required to take anywhere from one to five exams. It will also be required that you pass each of the exams, if you are required to take more than one. You are also required to pay for the exams, as well as the study materials as well. Although the initial cost may be a deterrent, the end result will be worth it, especially if there is a promotion or a better job in it for you.
There are man different ways to study and it is important to know how you best respond to information. Most of the study aids will gear the work towards the exam, so you do not need to worry that you will be learning something that you won’t have to know. Although this makes studying very direct it also means that you have to pay attention to what you’re reading. Many people do not learn well from abstract theories, they need to do hands-on activities, so that they can learn it for themselves. The activities are for your practice and the answers can also be found, so you will know whether or not you did them correctly. Many times there is also an attached CD or course instructor to help you.