MCSE, costs as in $$$ to spend...

[Mday]

around how much do you think it would cost to get the certification, courses included as well as exam fees?

i am referring to the core 4 and those other tests for W2k...

 

[err]

It depends on where you take the courses of course...
I think it's better if you study your own and use the money for the course to buy 2-3 computers

Exam is $100 a piece

If you go the cheap way .. you can get the cert for $600 + books (maybe less if you can find some coupons) ;P

eRr

 

[jmcoreymv]

Yup, I payed 600 bucks and I just borrowed the books from my friends and online site information is usually good.

 

[Shuxclams]

Ditto, I did the same thing, lots of computers to start with and "some" background, get the books and read, I still buy books all the time, most recent read is Veritas 8, and Exchange 5.5 before that, and of course the complete UNIX.


SHUX

 

[RSI]

Hmm cool.. I'm planning on doing something like that in the future, I'm 16 going into grade 11 in high school.. Doesn't sound too expensive to get that certification - a week and a half work maybe..

-RSI

 

[certifyexpress]

MCSE 2K would cost you probably more expensive than current MCSE4, the last time I have checked out it around $8K.

 

[kyoshozx]

Lets see 100 buck for each test, one book for each exam around 50, so for 6 exams it will be around 900 bucks. You shouldn't have to take any courses, just read a good book for each test, then go to a good braindump site, study the questions, take some practice tests and you should be ready.

 

[Mday]

how did you space your exams?

and what books did you get? author preference?, publisher preference?...

I plan on getting mcse before i graduate (from college with a BE, 4 years left... of a 5 year program), so i may as well start with the w2k tests... the books on that are not "quite" out yet.

 

[kyoshozx]

I only have my MCSE for nt4 as the win2k test I believe are just now available. Win2k should be a bit harder as there is much more to learn than nt4. It really depends on how familiar you are with the operating system. The thing about MS publications, well at least it was true with NT4 was they gave out evaulation copies of the software you needed. Also they gave great exercises which gave you alot of on hand training. I would pace myself a test every 2 weeks, or whenever you're confident you will pass the exam. Just make sure you take alot of practice exams, you'll know when you feel you're ready to take the exam. A great tip is make a cheat sheet, with everything you have trouble remembering. Study that sheet the morning before the exam and once you enter the room, before you take the exam write down as much as you can remember on that cheat sheet onto the scrap paper they provide for you. Also READ the questions carefully, can't stress how important that is because they really try to TRICK you.

Good luck

 

[Spearfodder]

My nt4 mcse cost $600. Borrowed books, hit the braindumps, but mostly just had worked with it for years. Now got to recert, yay.

 

[Lohan]

uh...i'm an idiot...but what's a braindump?

 

[BoberFett]

Spearfodder, how often do you need to recert?

 

[kyoshozx]

Recertify for every new NT release =P

Braindumps are sites that have a huge list of questions that were on the Actually MCSE test. It's basically people that took the test wrote down the questions and submitted to some web site.

 

[SufferinSuccotash]

I purchased the books published by Sybex. They were pretty good reading, plus they came with a CD with flashcards and plenty of practice exams. I am preparing for Exchange right now, so far I've passed the core four using only these books and braindumps. The best braindump site, IMHO, is http://www.mcsebraindumps.com, although I'm not sure how they named their site. I was able to get four certs in less than a month, so I should fully MCSE before the end of July. I want to get rid of the books, and I'm looking to sell them at about a third of what I paid for them. If you're interested, let me know.

 

[prontospyder]

Will the $5000 courses better prepare us for the workplace? Or will self-study be enough? thx.

 

[Train]

self study is better, maybe a practice exam here and there on a CD, but even those you can get online for free at some sites, dont waste money on those courses.

 

[BoberFett]

prontospyder

No class I have ever taken, computer related or otherwise, has done much to prepare me for the workplace. For me, the classroom is too much about theory and ideal situations. I've found no substitute for hands on experience, I'd prefer to spend the money on a bunch of hardware, software and books to bang around on at home, rather than pay for a course.

But that's me.

 

[DarkRipper]

I did the braindumps, the books, etc, but what really helped me was the Transcender tests! Man were they a breath of fresh air.

Anyway, good luck, and see ya at the recerts.

DR

 

[Erasmus-X]

<< self study is better, maybe a practice exam here and there on a CD, but even those you can get online for free at some sites, dont waste money on those courses. >>



Not always true. Many community colleges offer MCSE certification programs for much cheaper than those multi thousand dollar courses you pay private companies for. It's a good thing to look into, because you get hands-on experience on a reasonable network setup with 20+ machines. Most people (but not all) who do the self-study thing get almost no hands-on. They just download the Transcender practice exams (which are very much like the actual Microsoft tests) and take them over and over again until they get upper 90% scores consistently. POOF! Now, they're a &quot;paper&quot; MCSE. Big deal. Employers won't hire you without reasonable experience.

 

[mikepeck]

I work for a Tech firm that will pay for certification. Now that is the way to go!!

 

[certifyexpress]

I would suggest not to rely too much on braindumps as it would effect your ability as a MCSE holder, you know what I mean. Get real and do your own research that way you do bettter and perform better in hands-on.

 

[sd]

How many systems are needed for the hands-on at home practice? Will 3 be enough?

 

[certifyexpress]

Yes that should do..

I started out with 3 when I studied for my MCSE. Don't have to buy new PC.. To cut down cost I purchase second hand PC.