Has anyone out there taken any Microsoft Certifications?

Thank you for the encouragement brother.
I, seriously, have not been this scared in years.

They are paying for the books. I don't think they will let me take the class training though. i'm not sure that it would help someone like me anyway...I learn by doing, not by hearing.

I will find out who gets to keep the paper when I get to work tomorrow.
If "They" get to keep it...I'll take the first 2 tests and call it a wrap after that.
If "I" keep it....I will keep on trying and retaking tests if I have to...until they yank my company card.

They told me something about "I have to finish by the end of the year" or else they lose accreditation or something...

Dm

+1 to what Zurf says.

I took the entire MCSE track about 8 years ago. I was already in the IT business and gainfully employed at the time. Personally, I felt it was a big waste of time and money. MS's certification says 1 thing...you learned how to take a test. Real world applications were never even considered; the instructors had less experience than the pupils. I can't say enough negative things about the whole program. The tests are worded to be intentionally confusing sometimes with multiple right answers. In my experience, there are so many better ways to train someone. Nothing matches real world experience.In my professional career I have never seen the networks depicted in the training manuals. It was pure fantasy

I'm not sure how the tests are now. When I did mine it was Win2K server and 2000 and XP on the client side. You pass your first test you are an MCP then I had to take 6 more to get the MCSE title. There are others as well MCDA, etc. depending on your focus.

I've met alot of certified folks and some of them have no clue what they are doing. This being said, companies place way too much weight on these certs so in the open market it gets you noticed and puts your resume on the top of the pile. There used to be a company that made study programs called Transcender. There 500.00 training program was WAY more helpful than the 8000.00 class.....

Just my 2 cents....sorry for the rant. It's been years and I'm still getting over it

Good luck man. It's all about being good at taking tests

You should feel good that they chose you to carry on.  They think you have what it takes.  They are not setting you up for failure, but you may be setting yourself up.  I have had to remain certified in Governmnet jobs my whole career and it may not be easy and you may be scared, but do as the others said and study hard.  Learn it to the best of your ability and the outcome when you pass these tests will make you feel great.  I am sure you can do it.  Good luck.

Detman,

I was in a similar circumstance about a year ago. The construction industry is all of a sudden majorly into "green buildings". My company came out with a requirement that all Project Managers become LEED certified. It's a heel of a tough test - 35% initial passing rate. It covers all aspects of construction - site selection, recyclable materials, rain water preservation, efficient plumbing fixtures - I'm an electrician! what do I know or care to know about these items!

Anyway -I gathered some study materials and read for an hour 2 most nights - took a couple of sample tests with good success. The time came to take the test, and I fluncked by ONE point (got a 74, needed 75). The test results showed where my weaknesses were, so I concentrated on those and re-tested a month later. Passed with an 86.

I was in a remote site and had to study by myself. Others in the office formed a study group and spent many lunches together and time after work to study and quiz themselves. That proved very helpful for those folks - I suggest you try the same thing if you can.

Regardless, I am sure you can do it and after all is said and done, the effort will be worth it. Good Luck!

DM - I didn't ever take any kind of training like that.  I've done a lot of other weird training over the years however for jobs.  I don't dream much when I sleep, but anytime I was doing extensive training and memorizing stuff that doesn't make much sense in the real world I would start dreaming about it.  I guess it's a way the brain helps to sort it all out, although it's frustrating to know something is consuming you so much that your brain's working on it even when you're asleep.  Study hard and do what you can to get it done.  I agree with Zurf - if YOU aren't the one that gets the certification to carry with you then you have the option to question if it's worth it to YOU to stress so much or not.  On another token, even if YOU don't get the certification, the fact that you took and passed a bunch of these tests CAN still go on your resume.

It sounds to me that taking these tests is similar to taking Calculus ... it "could" have real world application but mostly it's just another notch for your resume in the end (and some flashy notch on the belt for the company you work for).  Good to have if you ever need it, and clearly of value to your company for you to have it.  Maybe there's a raise coming your way if you pass enough of these tests too! 

Good luck... and remember to take a break for at least 15 minutes here and there to play your guitar and unwind just a little! 

This, a thousand times over.   There are a lot of places that offer up courses geared towards these certifications.  Find one. Price it up.  Take it to your employer and tell them to cut you an invoice.  If they aren't willing to do that, then they aren't serious about ensuring you actually have the skills that the certification implies.

"Go read a book" is a terrible training program.   Would you fly on a plane if thats how they trained pilots?