Ask an MCT

1.     When did you first become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)? How many IT certifications (Microsoft and others) do you hold?

I first got my first MCP in 2005 when I wrote Windows Server Professional 70-210. I have so far completed over 20 certifications, I have written and successfully passed 20 exams.

 

2.     What is one thing about taking a Microsoft exam that a first-time candidate might find surprising?

The surprise I got on my first exam and up to now when I write Microsoft exams is how much they are dependent on practical knowledge of the product. There is no substitute for experience and as a first time exam taker try to create a test lab and utilize it in conjunction with your reading.

3.     What’s a common mistake that first-time candidates make when preparing for Microsoft exams?

One mistake most candidates make is assuming that they can read a book and sit for the exam, as I have stated there is no substitute for experience. Join a study group and create a lab where you can attempt the exam objectives as set out in the exam details on MS Learning site.

Another common mistake that exam takers make is not understanding question requirements, Microsoft does not have trick questions or answers. When in the exam look for the best solution to the question and remember you have 90mins take your time and read the question and answers

4.     What’s your advice for IT professionals who are interested in pursuing Microsoft Certifications but don’t feel that they have the time?

As an IT professional you learn a lot from the whole process preparing and taking an exam, with the great resource that Microsoft offers. Investing a few hours of your time could be the difference that separates from other IT Pros.  

How to prepare for a Microsoft Exam

Now that I have your attention lets think of the process of preparing and writing exams. Some people asks what is the best way to get ready for an exam and I have found the simplest would be go to www.microsoft.com/learning  and certifications and exams.

This enables you to view the exam objectives and topic marks weight in the overall exam. Once you have this information you are on the way to have a plan of attack for the exam.
In terms of resources for study Microsoft provides a lot of those and you can go to born to learn look at the study groups and find your exam section. There you will meet a community of people who are also studying towards attaining a similar certification.
technet wiki is another place where you can get great articles. Technet learn provides you opportunity to use virtual labs for practice purpose.
 Virtual Academy is available to use for most part free of charge and you get CBT with industry experts and Trainers

How to prepare for a Microsoft Exam

Which course should I do if I want to get a job

There is one difficult question and strangely easy to answer. People usually ask which course can I do so that I get a good job?
My answer is always the same what do you consider a good job?

So let me try to answer the question fully so that you understand.
- Firstly stop looking for a good job and look for something that meets your qualifications and your passion.
- Secondly a good job is not necessarily one that pays the highest
- Thirdly and most important no one but you can decide what career you want to follow.

Now that we have that out of the way, lets talk about careers.

Most schools, colleges and universities offer very good career advise, they bring in industry experts who will help you choose the right path.
If you have not gotten such a service then research online would save you a lot of heart ache in future. Do not miss opportunity to network either in person or on social media there are a lot of helpful recruiters and mentors.

Courses and training

Do your research on the industry you are interested in, once you have done that research plan how you get to the first step towards your career choice.

My story to certification lows and highs

In 2001 I was looking for a job that would pay me a lot (remember jokingly saying I want a job that provides me with a car, house and family as a package deal). I got a training gig and it was then I started to understand the value behind a certificate.

As a trainer your duties are to keep up to date with the market, you need to know the trends, what's new and what has changed. And in 2004 I took a year off from working and went back to school did a course called Certified Database Operator(CDO) and it opened up my eyes to a lot knew things.

My first professional certification was CompTia A+ Software and hardware in those days, then I followed that up with Windows 2000 professional 70-210.

Path to MCSE Windows Server 2003

- Attended classes read a few forums that were out there at the time and had an amazing teacher/friend who guided me through practical works.
- Researched on exam objectives and read to pass the exam and finally booked and wrote the exam managed to pass just.
- Decided to take SQL Server 2000 exams, Implementation and Design needless to say the Implementation paper was a smooth pass, challenging exam since I had no working experience with SQL at the time.
- Then came the design paper I had been warned and somehow I decided not to take the warning seriously, I mean how hard can it be. I am young and I can stay up studying for two weeks and write this paper. Well lets say I got a reality check on the day of the exam.
- Instead of folding arms and mourning I decided this is a challenge that I want to take on. So over the coming weeks I setup a small test lab and using the transcript I practice my weak points and retook that exam and passed.
- I then wrote the Windows Server 2003 papers 70-290 70-291 and 70-294 and received my MCSA and MCDBA 2000.
- Then I final got the MCSE Windows Server 2003, now I was marketable and employable, the college I was in decided to hire as a trainer specializing in Microsoft technologies (Windows and SQL server).

Path to MCT, MCITP 2008 and MCSE 2012

In 2007 I was unemployed again and I went to visit my cousin across the border when I got an email from Judy Smit the then owner of ITIQ Botswana offering a job in support and also training. Through email correspondence I expressed my interest in this latest challenge. And without having met me she paid for me to attend a Train the Trainer seminar in Johannesburg, and to report back to Gaborone after class. So after attending the training and doing a short video presentation which was to be sent to Microsoft for evaluation and consideration for MCT program, I got back to Botswana and Judy put me through a vigorous change from teacher to trainer, then I wrote the CTT+ exam started training and the student evaluations were sent to Microsoft through MTM program and I got accepted into MCT program and I have maintained the relationship since.
In the early months of 2008 I started down the path of Windows 2008 certification, lucky for me I was now also doing some support for the company that gave me the necessary experience to be able understand and pass the certification.
In 2012 I got certified in Windows Server 2012, I remember attending training and hearing terms like IaaS, PaaS and SaaS and thinking wow what have I got myself into now. Unfortunately for me cloud computing in Botswana has not really taken off. So my specialization remains on-premise servers.