IT professionals looking to beef up their knowledge and resumes through Microsoft certifications now have another choice. Microsoft’s Learning Group is offering a new exam for its new Small Business Server 2008. This choice is particularly good for the entry-level pro without a bunch of initials after his/her name.
The exam is named Exam 70-653 TS and it is still in beta, reports Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine. (If you have never taken a beta exam or don’t know the benefits, check out the All About Microsoft Certifications blog by Global Knowledge trainer Randy Muller.)
The beta test will be offered by Prometric testing centers through Sept. 12, 2008, according to the MCPM article. The official release date of the test will be November, 2008, Microsoft says. The test is geared toward entry-level IT professionals who have at least one year of experience deploying and managing small networks with up to 75 devices, Internet connectivity and support remote workers.
The test will measure the following skills, Microsoft says:
- Deploying Hardware and Software for SBS Servers. (10%);
- Migrating to SBS 2008. (16%); Deploying Hardware and Software for Computers on the Network. (9%);
- Maintaining Systems and Services Availability. (16%);
- Maintaining Remote Access. (10%);
- Maintaining Collaboration. (11%);
- Maintaining Users and Computers. (11%);
- Maintaining Messaging. (17%).
There are no books or e-learning guides yet available for this new cert, however, Microsoft says that MeasureUp.com offers legitimate and safe practice tests for those wanting to take the beta. (A passing grade on a beta is just as good as a passing grade on a formal Microsoft certification test.)
