How to earn your MCSE on Windows Server 2003
To earn your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification, you must pass seven exams:
• Four core exams on networking systems
• One core exam on client operating systems
• One core design exam
• One elective exam
The MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification will not retire.
If you have an MCSE credential on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, you can transition your skills to Windows Server 2003 by taking two exams.
Transition path for an MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server to an MCSE on Windows Server 2003
Core exams on networking systems (all are required) Exam 70-290
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
Exam 70-291
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-293
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-294
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
Core exams on client operating systems (choose one) Exam 70-6206
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-620: TS: Windows Vista, Configuring
Exam 70-270
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional
Exam 70-2101,2
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Core design exams (choose one) Exam 70-2973
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-2983
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-298: Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network
Elective exams (choose one)⁴ Exam 70-0861
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-086: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
Exam 70-0895
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-089: Planning, Deploying, and Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003
Exam 70-2271, 5
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition
Exam 70-2285, 7
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-228: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
Exam 70-2297
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-229: Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
Exam 70-235
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-235: TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server
Exam 70-236
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-236: TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuring
Exam 70-262
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-262: TS: Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 – Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting
Exam 70-281
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-281: Planning, Deploying, and Managing an Enterprise Project Management Solution
Exam 70-282
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-282: Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business
Exam 70-2845
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Exam 70-285
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-285: Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organization
Exam 70-2973
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-2983
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-298: Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network
Exam 70-299
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-299: Implementing and Administering Security in a Windows Server 2003 Network
Exam 70-3017
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-301: Managing, Organizing, and Delivering IT Projects by Using Microsoft Solutions Framework 3.0
Exam 70-3505
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-350: Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004
Exam 70-351
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-351: TS: Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, Configuring
Exam 70-400
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-400: TS: Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007, Configuring
Exam 70-401
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-401: TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring
Exam 70-431
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance
Exam 70-445
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-445: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence – Implementation and Maintenance
Exam 70-500
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-500: TS: Microsoft Windows Mobile Designing, Implementing, and Managing
Exam 70-557
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-557: TS: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuration
Exam 70-6206
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-620: TS: Windows Vista, Configuring
Exam 70-624
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops
Exam 70-630
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-630: TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring
Exam 70-631
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-631: TS: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring
Exam 70-638
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-638: TS: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Configuring
You can substitute one of the following Microsoft or third-party certifications for an MCSE elective exam.
Certification MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Review the requirements for MCSA
MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Review the requirements for MCSE
MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
Specific third-party certifications
Find out if your third-party credential applies to this Microsoft Certification
Transition path for an MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server to an MCSE on Windows Server 2003
The transition exams for an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification retire in March 2008.
If you hold an MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, you can earn the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification by passing two transition exams.
If you have an MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server credential, note the following about your exam requirements:
• Networking: You have the option of taking only Exams 70-292 and 70-296 instead of all four core networking exams.
• Client: Since you have already passed Exam 70-210 or 70-270, the client requirement for an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification has been met—you do not have to take a client exam.
• Design: The design skills required of an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 do not differ significantly from those required of an MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. Thus, you do not have to take a design exam.
• Elective: Your current MCSE credential satisfies the elective requirement for Windows Server 2003 because it proves your ability to support another version of the platform. You do not have to take an elective exam.
If you have an MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 credential, note the following about your exam requirements:
• Networking: The core networking skills required for Windows Server 2003 are significantly different from those required for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. Therefore, you must take all four core network exams.
• Client: If you have already taken either Exam 70-210 or 70-270, you do not have to take a client exam.
• Design: The MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 certification did not require design exams, so you must pass a design exam for either Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003. If you have already taken a design exam on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, you do not have to take another design exam.
• Elective: Your current MCSE credential satisfies the elective requirement for Windows Server 2003 because it proves your ability to support another version of the platform. You do not have to take an elective exam.
If you have an MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server credential, note the following about your exam requirements:
• Networking: You have the option of taking Exam 70-292 instead of Exams 70-290 and 70-291. However, you must also take Exams 70-293 and 70-294.
• Client: Since you have already passed Exam 70-210 or 70-270, the client requirement for an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification has been met—you do not have to take a client exam.
• Design: When you earned your MCSA certification, a design exam was not required. To attain the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification, you must pass a design exam listed in the certification requirements described earlier.
• Elective: Your MCSA credential itself satisfies the elective requirement for an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 certification because it proves your ability to administer another version of the platform. Thus, you do not have to take an elective exam.
Transition exams for an MCSE Exam 70-2921
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Microsoft Windows 2000
Exam 70-2961
Review the preparation guide for Exam 70-296: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Microsoft Windows 2000
1This exam retired in March 2008.
2Candidates who passed Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Exams 70-067, 70-068, and 70-073 had the option of taking the comprehensive Exam 70-240: Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. By passing this exam, candidates met the following exam requirements: Exam 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, and 70-217. Exam 70-240 is no longer available.
3Exam 70-297 and Exam 70-298 can each count one time toward a core design exam or an elective exam, but not both.
4Exams on Windows Server 2008 cannot be used as credit toward the MCSE certification.
• Learn more about Windows Server 2008 certification
5Exams 70-089, 70-227, 70-228, 70-284, and 70-350 can count toward both the MCSA and MCSE elective exam requirements.
6Exam 70-620 can count one time toward a core client exam or an elective exam, but not both.
7This exam will retire in March 2009.
