This is a guest post by Andy Syrewicze, a seasoned IT Pro of 10+ Years. Andy focuses on Virtualization, Managed Services, and the Microsoft Server Platform. You can find him on Twitter as @asyrewicze.
Hello, Born to Learn Readers,
Technical Evangelist Keith Mayer and I are doing a series on TechNet Radio titled "Hyper-V from a VMware Admin’s Perspective." In this latest episode, we're walking you through the finer points of virtual machine mobility with Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2.
For those Administrators that work with virtual infrastructure on a daily basis, the live movement of virtual machines is often one of the more overlooked functions of a hypervisor, yet it serves such an important purpose in IT today. VM mobility is what allows us to get our work done behind the scenes when making dramatic changes to physical infrastructure. It’s a key piece needed to balance workloads dynamically across several hosts in a cluster, and it provides IT pros the ability to move virtual machines from dev/test to production with the click of a button. I would argue that this feature alone has prevented countless hours of planned production downtime due to needed hardware maintenance or patching. The IT pro of today can simply Live Migrate the production workload to different hardware while the aforementioned maintenance is completed. Seems like magic really. If I could go back and tell my “Windows 98/95 desktop administrating former self” about what was to come, I’d be met with blank stares and disbelief. Even with that said, Microsoft has now stepped things up a notch.
VMware admins are all very familiar with vMotion and storage vMotion. In this Podcast we’ll see how Microsoft has not only met VMware on equal footing, but has provided additional functionality. We’ll be covering all the various movement scenarios such as movement between clusters and shared-nothing live migrations. Also, it’s not enough to just move a VM. The quicker we can do it, the quicker we can complete the task at hand, and move onto more pressing matters. Compressed Live Migrations and Live Migration over SMB-Direct (RDMA) is enabling lightning fast VM movement from host to host. The idea of live migrating entire farms in a matter of seconds is starting to become a reality.
Also, we’ll be covering the use of multiple NICs and the built in Windows Server 2012 R2 NIC teaming features and how they apply to Live Migrations. Hope you enjoy this show. Feel free to contact me or Keith should you have any questions.
And if this episode alone is not enough to satiate your need for more Hyper-V, Microsoft Learning is putting on a two-day Jump Start on Windows Server virtualization, centered around Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager. Microsoft will even provide attendees with a FREE exam voucher (while supplies last) for exam 70-409, to earn your Microsoft Certified Virtualization Specialist title. There is no better time to get trained and prove your expertise in virtualization!
Keep on learning and thanks for watching.
Welcome to November already. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, the days are getting colder and darker and you may be hunkering down to study for more Microsoft certifications.
Since we just finished Halloween in the U.S., I was reminded of the old verse from Sir Walter Scott:
Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive…
(Or is that Shakespeare? Feel free to discuss.)
That verse particularly applies to brain dumps as they deceive the public. I know I’ve talked about brain dumps before. But another aspect of their insidious nature is that some of them not only provide exam content, but they actively mislead someone into thinking they are getting our exam content when it’s not our content at all. Often the “exam material” they sell isn’t remotely related to the exam. They feed the unsuspecting purchaser a bunch of garbage.
We see many comments from examinees who failed our exams and want to know why, because they purchased “exam prep” material from braindumpX. When we investigate that site or source, we find out that their content is not ours or is completely wrong. A customer of the site wouldn’t know that, of course. (Yet another good reason not to use a brain dump.) They think they just paid for a Microsoft exam and got burned.
While that’s a good lesson for the purchaser in not skirting around legitimate study sources and gaining the skills in the first place, I still don’t like how these sites affect people. Even though they are using brain dumps, which violates our exam agreement, it’s unfortunate because they erroneously think Microsoft’s exam content is available. I often tell people not to assume that brain dump sites have our content; a lot of the time, they don’t. Some of them take your money first and never even provide any exam material, real or not. These are scam enterprises. They base their business on that deception.
And it’s also unfortunate because the perception is that Microsoft’s exam content is “all over the place” when really, it is not. But there’s no way to determine that unless a purchase leaves you empty-handed. Of course, the free marketplace may dictate that the more people who get burned by these sites, the faster they will go out of business. However, that's not a strategy for braindump management I want to rely on.
That’s why we still work hard to take these sites down; why we have updated our exams to thwart piracy by continuing to innovate around the design and delivery of our exam content and questions. Trust us—we’re doing everything we can to stop pirates, but much of it is invisible to candidates.
Got a tip for me? Let me know at [email protected].
As we get closer to the updates on the Windows Store Apps exams to address features in Visual Studio 2013 and Windows 8.1, we wanted to make you aware of two details:
1. There has been an modification in the exam release schedule:
2. Individuals focusing on Windows Store App Development using C# now have the opportunity to register for refresh Jump Start events (or review the recordings made available 2-3 weeks after the live sessions):
Details on all exam updates are now available for review in the Skills Measured section of each Exam Detail web page:
Updated Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC) will be available in January 2014.
Whether you have started on the path to earning your certification or are just about to begin, we recommend that you continue moving forward. For developer certifications on Windows 8 application development with Visual Studio 2012, the exams you take now will still count towards your certification.
To learn about new product features covered in the revised HTML5 exams, we recommend that students review the Windows Store Apps with HTML5 Refresh Jump Start.
In February 2014, recertification options will be made available for:
Read the FAQ on the Visual Studio Certification page to find out more.
Hi! I’m Victoria. Some of you may know me as the marketing manager for the Microsoft Technology Associate certifications. Along with helping people earn their first technical certification, I wanted to tell you about some of the other things I work on. My passion and job is to help people explore options or enhance their careers using technology. Happily, the Microsoft resources and opportunities at our disposal just keep getting better. Whether I’m talking to a student or a mid-career professional looking to branch out into a field with more potential and job security, I can provide them with information, show them free and fee training resources, and point them to a learning roadmap to help them get started. As a starting point, check out our new Aspiring Technologist page for those interested in exploring a change or starting a new career in technology.
And there’s one more thing I want to share with you: I want to remind everyone how critical it is to be aware of data security across the IT industry. And, along with that awareness, is the need for more skilled security professionals. Information Security is much more than a buzz phrase. For businesses to stay compliant and competitive, data security has got to be “top of mind” for everyone from the CXO and Data Analysts to Finance and Marketing. Is our workforce prepared for the security challenges in front of us?
My goal is to make sure that those just entering the technology workforce understand the importance and fundamentals of data security and that those of us who may have been in the industry for a while don’t forget how important it is. I found this article to be an eye-opener to the challenges and skills gap when it comes to data security.
“Constantly evolving cyber threats require the engagement of all of us – from government and law enforcement, to the private sector and the public. It makes sense when you realize that cyber crime now totals $100 billion – a number expected to increase in the years ahead.”
Contact me if I can be of help to you. Check out our new Aspiring Technologist page, and don’t forget to think about data security!
Happy Halloween! The ACE Chronicles takes you behind the scenes to see what life is like on Halloween in the hallowed halls of Microsoft Learning Experiences. Find out what Super Sigma and Psychomagician learned about how Microsoft goes a little nuts on Halloween!
Enjoy!
Melissa Bathum and I just spent most of the day at the production studio where we will be bringing Microsoft Insights to you LIVE on October 29, 2013. We're very excited to see all the pieces of the event plan come together, so I wanted to sit down and write a quick note to tell you more. For those blog readers who don't know her yet, Melissa is our Events Manager. Many of you have met her at Certification Central during events such as TechEd. Although our team cannot be at every conference to meet everyone, we want to hear from you and help answer your questions about training, certifications jobs and career development more often. That's why online events such as Insights are becoming more important for you and for us.
During our last online event "Certified Career Day" in March, we discussed the opportunities cloud technologies are creating, and the gaps employers are seeing in training and experience. This time, during Insights 2013, we are zooming in tighter on these topics. We are extending that conversation into specific technology and career paths, the earning and growth potentials for each path, and how the picture differs from one region of the world to another. To put it more frankly: why are so many tech jobs left unfilled? How much do they pay? What does someone, whether experienced or new to technology, need to do to acquire the most in-demand knowledge and skills? What about the age-old debate over college degrees vs. technical training?
Microsoft Insights will not be one of those webcasts that you just log in and sort of watch on your second (or third) monitor while working away. We have assembled a team to answer your questions in real time. Melissa and I will personally be watching your comments and getting them to the panelists for response and discussions. You can either interact with other attendees or our team within the virtual event platform, or talk to us via Twitter (follow @MSLearning). We will use the hashtag #MSInsights13.
Here's the day at a glance (all times PDT, GMT-7) so you can plan to tune in:
9:00am-10:00am PDTOur panel of experts (check them out) will reveal research data and share their perspectives on technology employment and earning trends.
10:10am-12:00pm PDTGet the story directly from those who have been working, learning and finding success. If you're a developer or need to hire one, you won't want to miss the interview with Jeremy Foster (Technical Evangelist | @codefoster) and Chris Gardner (Senior Software Engineer | @freestylecoder)!
Bonus: If you join us LIVE on the 29th, you'll be entered to win a certification exam pack, valued at US$450. There's still time so register now! See you on the 29th!
(Microsoft Insights event sweepstakes rules)
To help students stay current with upcoming releases of Visual Studio 2013 and Windows 8.1, several Windows Store Apps exams will be updated on November 18, 2013.
Details on the exam updates are now available for review in the Skills Measured section of each Exam Detail web page:
To learn about new product features covered in the revised HTML5 exams, we recommend that students review the Windows Store Apps with HTML5 Refresh Jump Start. Individuals focusing on Windows Store app development using C# will still find the introduction module of this Jump Start relevant, while a C#-specific refresh Jump Start is planned by the end of the calendar year.
Some of you may remember that in February I asked you to complete a survey to provide feedback on some ideas that I had for improving the score reports. Some of you may also be wondering whatever happened with your feedback... well, much of your feedback was mixed with no particular idea standing out as the "right" direction to head with the score reports. As a result, I went back to the drawing board, did more benchmarking with how other certification programs were reporting results, worked closely with our tools team to determine what was possible in our channel, refined my ideas, held more focus groups, and finally landed on what I think will best address much of what you'd like to see in score reports based on comments that you provided when completing that survey in February.
After all this time, I'm super excited to announce that I have a prototype of the new and improved score reports ready to go, and they are currently being pilot tested on exams 410, 411, and 412 with 480 soon to follow!! If you want to see it, go take one of those exams! (I know... shameless plug!). Here are the key improvements/changes:
As you can see, the fail score report was changed more substantially than the passing score report because candidates want more feedback on their performance so that they can better prepare to retake the exam. My impression from the survey results and focus groups is that most candidates who pass rarely look at the score report (they may read it the first time they pass) and don't use it for skill growth. Failing candidates do, though.
These score reports are currently being pilot tested on exams 410, 411, and 412 with 480 soon to follow. If you take one of these exams in the next few months, please let me know what you think of the new score reports (email: [email protected] or respond to this blog). If all goes well, we will start rolling out the new reports in January as we publish new exams.
For your viewing pleasure, an example of a failing score report:
And, an example of the passing score report:
Chances are you’ve heard about Microsoft Insights—our free online event taking place October 29th (9 A.M. Pacific Time). You won’t want to miss this awesome opportunity to hone your professional goals! Whether you’re seeking to advance your skills or launching a career in technology, insider tips on emerging opportunities in technology fields and available training and resources will leave you better prepared to succeed. Our panel of industry experts will help you answer these questions:
Another GREAT reason to attend—By signing up and attending, you’ll be automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win a Certification exam pack for your choice of MCSA: Windows Server 2012; MCSA: SQL Server 2012; MCSA: Windows 8; or any MCSD Certification. Check out the rules for more details.
What are you waiting for? Sign up for Microsoft Insights 2013 today!
Heads up, IT Pros! If you are still kicking around the idea of upgrading your certification to Windows Server 2012, it's time to get it done. Why now? Because you can "buy 2, get 1 free" on exams, and get free retakes just in case! Here are the details:
Who qualifies for this offer?If you currently hold one of these certifications, you can take advantage of this upgrade offer:
What can I upgrade to?There are the three upgrade paths eligible for this offer. Pick one! (No substitution on exams.)
What exactly do I get in this upgrade offer?
You get three exams for the price of two, and you get one free retake on each exam in the pack if you fail.
How soon do I have to commit to this?
You have to buy this upgrade offer by May 31, 2014. You also need to finish using all the vouchers and free retakes by December 31, 2014.
What if I already took some of the exams in these discount packs?
You can still take advantage of our Second Shot offer on single exams.
What if I need help preparing for these exams?
Check out the online study group for Windows Server. There are Microsoft Certified Trainers and your fellow IT Pros there to help and provide support.
Go ahead. Buy the upgrade pack now. There won't be a better offer any time soon.
A couple of weeks ago, I posted to the blog to ask for design feedback on the review screen of the exams. I received some helpful gems in the comments and I thank those of you who took the time to review the screenshots and offer suggestions and observations!
Today, I am posting a link to a survey to collect feedback on the look and feel of the exam questions, including the mark for review and comment features. The survey should take about ten minutes to complete. If you are interested in the future design of the exam questions, please complete the survey by following this link:
http://microsoftlearning.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1XR9ugPuQE4oGFf
Thanks, as always, for your interest!
Are you attending PASS Summit this year? We are bringing Certification Central to you in Charlotte, North Carolina!
You already know that Microsoft training and certification help keep your skills relevant, applicable and competitive. With Certification Central onsite at PASS Summit 2013, you'll have the chance to learn, practice, and talk one-on-one with technical training experts on a variety of technologies. Ready to get certified? All MCP (070) exams will be offered to summit attendees at 50% off!
Take advantage of this great opportunity to fulfill your certification requirements, at just US$75 per exam! The exam discount offer is only available to registered PASS Summit 2013 attendees. Seats are limited, so reserve your spot by registering via PASS Summit website soon!
If you have been reading my blogs you know that at the end of each one I give an alias through which people can contact us with questions, tips, and concerns regarding security. (Hint: it’s [email protected].) Since I can’t be at every testing center or at every training session, I do appreciate when people alert us to security concerns, brain dumps, proxy testing, fraud, and the like. This alias is monitored by me and my colleagues; rest assured your emails do not end up in a black hole. We then work with our various associates—test centers, legal team, exam development team, and customer service—to investigate the allegation further.
Please know that we take all suspected piracy leads seriously and initiate actions as appropriate. All allegations are thoroughly investigated before we take any action necessary to put a stop to any fraudulent practices. These investigative efforts can be complex and take time, so even though we work to get these matters resolved as quickly as possible, rarely is there the instant satisfaction of seeing results immediately.
If you’ve sent in a tip, and you never hear back about what happened next, it may seem like you’re being ignored. As a policy, Microsoft does not comment on the details of our investigations. Not only would it be hard for us to follow up with everyone who gives us a tip, there are many legal and practical reasons why we don’t elaborate.
It’s always a double-edged sword when it comes to commenting on investigations; on one hand, it would be nice to let everyone know about progress we made. On the other, to do so might undermine what we do and how we do it. So even though there are times when I personally would love to write about a victory, or to respond to an impassioned tipster, I have to maintain silence so that I don’t thwart any investigation or action in progress.
Please join me on October 29, 2013 for Microsoft Insights—the first in a series of live online events designed to help inspire and guide your technology skills advancement, whether you're just starting out or striving for new opportunities. Learn about emerging opportunities in technology fields, get insights on the wealth of training and resources available to help you get ahead of the pack, and get help deciding if certification is right for you.
Our panel of experts will share their views on technology training and careers, covering:
Our esteemed panelists include:
Who should attend:
Get more details and sign up today!
On Twitter? Tell your friends about this by clicking http://clicktotweet.com/L7RVN . See you online soon!
A few weeks ago, we asked what questions you had about the upcoming changes to Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, and System Center 2012 R2. Psychomagician and Super Sigma thought that the best way to share the answers would be to ask the person who “owns” these decisions within Microsoft Learning Experiences. Let’s meet Erika Cravens as she shares the answers to your burning questions:
You had a lot of questions, so this video is crammed with lots of information, tips, and things to think about as you prepare to earn these certifications or take the next step in the path toward certification.
Want answers? Watch the video today!
Did we miss something that you want to know? There’s still time to get your questions answered!
Do you remember when I asked you what questions you have about how the upcoming changes related to Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 releases will impact exams, associated courseware, and books? We got a great list of questions, and Super Sigma and Psychomagician are actively investigating them (stay tuned!). During this investigation, Psychomagician reached out to MS Press to find out the plan for updating books. During that investigation, Anne Hamilton, who leads this team, asked that I post the following blog on her behalf. Here's the answer to "When and how will books be updated to reflect the changes that are coming?"...
Hi folks,
I’m Anne Hamilton, the publisher for Microsoft Press. I wanted to share our certification title plans to help you prepare for your exams.
First off, in the Windows Server 2012 R2 MCSA track, we are planning to have the following titles available within 30 days of the exam. Highlighted titles are currently available for Windows Server 2012, and will be updated for R2. The remaining titles will be new for R2.
This slightly longer Exam Ref will be available about a month later.
For the Windows 8.1 MCSA track, we are planning to have the following titles available within 30 days of the exam. Highlighted titles are currently available for Windows 8, and will be updated for Windows 8.1. The remaining titles will be new for Windows 8.1.
For the Windows Server 2012 R2 MCSE track, we are planning to have the following titles available within 60 days of the exam:
Several of these titles are yet to be announced, but will show up here shortly. Check back every few weeks as the titles are added, and once there, you can pre-order them. Stay tuned for more info!
If you’ve used a Training Guide or an Exam Ref to study for an exam, we’d love to hear your thoughts about the series. Let us know what you think.
I am very EXCITED to announce that we will beginning this month, subject matter experts (SMEs) who act as lead item writer or participate in alpha review or item selection/standard setting meetings will receive credit for the exam, meaning they will no longer be required to take the exam!! Can I hear a "WOOT!" from everyone!!!
Some important notes on eligibility for this awesome benefit:
Here's what I think are likely to be the most frequently asked questions... Let me know what other questions you have. In the meantime, add yourself to the SME database to increase the probability that you will be asked to participate in one of these exam development sessions!
Q: Who is eligible for exam credit through this process?
A: Currently, only the lead item writer, alpha SMEs, and item selection/standard setting SMEs are eligible. We are exploring other opportunities that might qualify, but only those SMEs who have seen all or most of the items on the exam are eligible because they have distinct advantage over other candidates.
Q: Does this apply all Microsoft certification programs?
A: Yes. SMEs who act as the lead item writer and/or participate in alpha or item selection/standard setting process for MTA, MBS, MOS, and MCSA/E/D exams are eligible.
Q: What must I do to earn this credit?
A: You must have a MCID and participate as the lead item writer and/or participate in alpha or item selection/standard setting process for new exam content development, what Microsoft considers v100. This benefit does not apply to the development of recertification or upgrade exams. If you are removed from an eligible exam development activity or leave prior to completing it, you will not be eligible for this benefit.
Q: Does this apply to new content that is developed to sustain an exam?
A: No. This only applies to the development of new exams because we expect that our content development vendors will hire certified SMEs to assist with the development of content associated with the sustainment of an exam.
Q: How will this be reflected on my transcript?
A: Exactly as all other exams that you have taken and passed appear on your transcript. Note that exams earned in this way will ONLY appear on your Microsoft transcript. They will NOT appear on the exam delivery provider’s transcript.
Q: When will this appear on my transcript?
A: Microsoft certification management database will be updated monthly to reflect this credit. The request will be submitted on the first business day of the month and will appear within 5 business days on your transcript.
Q: What should I do if I believe I should have received credit for an exam, but it doesn’t appear on my transcript?
A: Contact your regional service center.
Q: What date will be associated with this exam on my transcript?
A: The date that the credit is awarded. For some exams, this may be the date that drives your recertification requirement, so pay particular attention to this date if you want to maintain any associated certifications.
Q: Will I earn the associated certification if this is the last exam that I must pass to meet the certification requirements?
A: Yes as long as you have met all the certification requirements, the credit earned through this process applies as if you actually took and passed the exam.
Microsoft Learning Experiences is in the process of updating the MCSD: Windows Store Apps exams to reflect the upcoming release of Windows 8.1. We are also creating the recertification exams for these two credentials:
Would you like to have a voice in what we assess on these updated exams as well as the recertification exam? How many questions should we include on these exams to measure each of these skills? Recertification is a big deal, and if you are on the path to earning one of these certifications or have earned one and need recertify, here's your chance to be sure we are measuring the right skills in the right ways to ensure continued competency! We also need your help ensuring that we are assessing the skills initially in the right proportions, too. You can help us by completing any one or more of the online surveys by Thursday, September 19th.
If you develop using HTML5 and JavaScript, please complete these surveys:
481 and 482: http://microsoftlearning.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bJEWbxflXNL29ZX
490: http://microsoftlearning.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1WVpsheUBQTldGZ
If you develop using C#, please complete these surveys:
484: http://microsoftlearning.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_2mGk7jQvolzOEBf
485: http://microsoftlearning.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_094wKGxWhiFfHdX
491: http://microsoftlearning.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_79yu8c9mpqPA501
Your voice matters! Complete one or more of these surveys today to ensure the ongoing validity of your certification!
Note: If you are viewing the survey in Internet Explorer 9, you’ll need to switch to Compatibility Mode for the survey to function properly.
In light of the upcoming releases of Visual Studio 2013 and Windows 8.1, you may be wondering how the updates will affect the corresponding MCSD: Windows Store Apps certifications.
Here are a few things you can count on:
Whether you have started on the path to earning your MCSD certification or are just about to begin, we recommend that you continue moving forward. For developer certifications on Windows 8 application development with Visual Studio 2012, the exams you take now will still count towards your certification.
As the new technology updates become available, you will see a variety of training made available through Microsoft Learning Partner offerings, searchable here. These resources may include First Look clinics, hands-on labs, and courses using Microsoft Official Course content. In addition, many training resources will be available to you directly through Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA). The following MVA courses geared towards exam preparation are available now:
For the latest information on upcoming changes to the certifications and related exams, please review our Visual Studio FAQ.
Imagine the energy of 100 students from around the globe waiting on the edge of their seats to find out if they’ve won a fiercely competitive MOS World Champion title! These motivated students competed against over 344,000 of their peers from 90 countries to make it to the 13th annual championship event in Washington DC this summer. The top six student competitors were recognized at the awards ceremony and presented with a $5,000 scholarship, a gold medal, and a trophy. Here are the exciting results!
(from left to right)
For those of us from Microsoft that attended, it was an amazing opportunity to mingle with and congratulate each of the student competitors. Microsoft made presentations including an in-depth Office 2013 demo by Julia White (Office GM) and Ari Schorr (PM), and the Microsoft education keynote by Lauren Woodman (Partners in Learning GM). The conference also allowed for quality time spent presenting to and meeting with each of the MOS and MTA distributors.
The MOS 2013 Championship event page has highlights of all the results. Check out the photo gallery, too.
Want to be a part of something like this? Do you know some students who should be here? Let’s start thinking now about the 2014 MOS Championship which kicks off October 1! Students interested in participating should check out details in this video:
To read more about the recent event in Washington, D.C., here is a sampling of the videos and articles and press releases you can check out:
First of all, a HUGE thank you to everyone who shared their "test day tips" either by responding to the post: ‘Tried and True Exam Prep – Part 2: Countdown to Test Day’ or allowing us to interview them while they were in Redmond. (If you ever find yourself in Redmond, let us know!!! We'd love to meet you!!!) Psychomagician and Super Sigma could not have cracked the case without your help. Ultimately, your insights about what to do on the day of the test help other exam takers, especially newbies to the world of Microsoft certification.
So, what did we learn? You’re not getting off that easy! You have to do a little investigating on your own by watching the video to find out.
Did you know that Microsoft has a tool to help you know what requirements are necessary to achieve your next certification? This tool is called the Certification Planner and it is found in the MCP Member site.
We recently made some significant improvements to the look and feel of the tool as well as the functionality (example screen shot below). We want to get some feedback on how we did and some thoughts on how we can further improve the tool. We would love for you to try the new Certification Planner and take the survey below (only 8 quick questions - should take about 5-10 minutes maximum). The only requirement we have for you to do this is to have access to the MCP member site, which means that you would have to have taken and passed at least one exam. The survey is open now and will close on October 3rd, so let us know what you think!
MCP Member site: https://mcp.microsoft.com
Survey Link: http://microsoftlearning.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cYdOQBy51fqUFbn
Thanks and have a great day!
Second in line to brain dumps as one of the most irritating threats to a secure testing environment are the proxy testers. A proxy tester will try to take the test for someone else, usually by passing fake credentials in order to get into the exam, or somehow procuring a passing result in the name of someone else. Sometimes they simply just sell fake score reports or certificates in one’s name. In fact, proxy testing is almost more egregious than using brain dumps, because the violator isn’t even memorizing answers or looking at the test. Someone who uses a proxy tester can’t even pretend to know the material.
You can imagine how disruptive proxy testing is to the integrity of a certification program. Employers and colleagues need to know that those who hold a Microsoft certification possess the requisite skills. We spend a good deal of time ferreting out and taking action against these organizations that provide proxy testing promises.
This is one reason why our ID policies at exam centers exist, as well as biometrics in some places. The first step to stopping the practice is to cripple the criminal enterprises that provide the services. The next step is to stop it at the test center level. ID checking and biometrics help us identify those who try to take the same test multiple times under several personas.
Unfortunately, some of these proxy testing companies are as sneaky as brain dump providers when it comes to “looking legit” to the casual browser wishing to find study material. The primary warning sign of a proxy testing website or organization is any guarantee that you will pass the exam without having to take it. Look for promises like “Guaranteed pass!” and “Pass without exam.” Proxy testing sites indicate that they will provide a full credential if you send them your credit card information. A candidate should be very wary of such promises.
Engaging in proxy testing as either the test taker or the person who hired the test taker is a form of misconduct and fraud. If a candidate engages in proxy testing, that candidate will be permanently banned or prohibited from taking any future Microsoft Certification exams and may be decertified from the Microsoft Certification Program. Additionally, test scores and certifications, if applicable, may be revoked. These actions may be taken even if the candidate did not intend to defraud the Microsoft Certification Program.
If you believe that a website or company provides proxy test-taking services, please inform Microsoft immediately by sending an email message to [email protected].
Thinking about starting or upgrading your Microsoft certification? Still undecided about scheduling that exam? It’s no secret that it takes time, preparation, and commitment to pass all the required exams to achieve a certification milestone, and we want to help you. That's why we're so excited to bring back Second Shot!
For those who are newer to our community: the return of Second Shot is great news for MCPs (and aspiring ones) because it means being able to retake an exam for free. Just knowing there's a chance to do-over at no cost can make a big difference on exam day.
This round of Second Shot applies to individual technical (070 and 071 beta) and commercial MTA (098) exams. Here are two ways to get your Second Shot voucher:
Both the initial exam and the retake have to be done no later than May 31, 2014, so find your certification path and get started soon!