The primary Microsoft certification tracks were brought up to date a short while ago, as they transferred from the old MCAD/MCSD (Microsoft Certified Application/Solutions Developer) to the more modern 'MCTS' ('Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist') and MCPD ('Microsoft Certified Professional Developer') examinations. Typically, there are two 'MCTS' pre-requisite exams prior to moving on to the entire 'MCPD' exam. If programming is going to be new to you, it seems sensible to begin with an introductory programming course first - despite the fact that Microsoft brand their 1st module a 'foundation unit'. We'd equally recommend going for a 'support' qualification before this, so as to obtain a suitable understanding of software-environments and support. This will likely also assist in obtaining your very first job in the I.T. market. Typical training periods tend to be around 600 to 700 hrs to do a complete career track, and so you would normally program for 12 - 18m of part time training.

Your training program should always include the latest Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation and simulation materials. As most IT examining boards are American, you must be prepared for the way exams are phrased. It isn't good enough simply answering any old technical questions - it's essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format. For many reasons, it's essential to be confident that you're completely ready for the real exam before taking it. Going over 'mock' tests will help to boost your attitude and will avoid you getting frustrated with thwarted exam entries.

A number of people are under the impression that the state educational system is the way they should go. Why then is commercial certification becoming more popular with employers? As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, the IT sector has moved to the specialised training that the vendors themselves supply - in other words companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time. Vendor training works through concentrating on the skill-sets required (alongside a relevant amount of associated knowledge,) rather than covering masses of the background detail and 'fluff' that academic courses often do - to fill a three or four year course.

It's rather like the advert: 'It does what it says on the tin'. Employers simply need to know what they need doing, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. Then they're assured that a potential employee can do exactly what's required.

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