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Core Exams: (2 Exams Required) |
Courses |
Exam 70–271: |
Course 2261: |
Exam 70–272: |
Course 2262: |
Acquired Skills
The MCDST certification covers the skills of help desk technician, customer support representative, PC support specialist, technical support representative, and technical support specialists
Requirements
MCDST candidates are required to pass two core exams. These two exams are:
- 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System
- 70-272 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System
Elective exams are not required.
For more information on the MCDST credential go to www.microsoft.com/mcdst
Choose MCDST if you:
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Choose MCSA if you:
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Choose MCSE if you:
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Want to pursue an IT career and need to enhance baseline support skills on the Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating System.
OR
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Implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium-sized to large companies.
OR
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Design, plan, and implement Microsoft Windows Server solutions and architectures in medium-sized to large companies.
OR
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MCDST Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I'm an MCSA or MCSE on Windows 2000. Will I automatically become certified as an MCDST?
A: No, the core exams for MCDST do not count as core exams for MCSA or MCSE; however, the MCDST credential does count as an elective toward your MCSA or MCSE credential.
A: No, the core exams for MCDST do not count as core exams for MCSA or MCSE; however, the MCDST credential does count as an elective toward your MCSA or MCSE credential.
Q: I am pursuing my MCDST certification today, and I am also interested in pursuing MCSE certification in the future. Will Microsoft recognize the MCDST credential as alternatives to the MCSE elective?
A: MCDST is accepted as an alternative to the elective exams for the MCSA and MCSE credential.
A: MCDST is accepted as an alternative to the elective exams for the MCSA and MCSE credential.
Q: How is the MCDST certification different from the MCSA certification?
A: The MCDST credential is for professionals who use excellent customer service skills to educate users, as well as solve hardware or software operation and application problems on the desktop or client side based on the Microsoft Windows desktop operating system. The MCSA credential is for professionals who implement, manage, and troubleshoot existing network and system environments based on the Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating systems. These individuals typically do not directly support end users or troubleshoot desktop or client-side issues as part of their job function. Unlike MCSAs, MCDSTs are not expected to have network administration skills.
A: The MCDST credential is for professionals who use excellent customer service skills to educate users, as well as solve hardware or software operation and application problems on the desktop or client side based on the Microsoft Windows desktop operating system. The MCSA credential is for professionals who implement, manage, and troubleshoot existing network and system environments based on the Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating systems. These individuals typically do not directly support end users or troubleshoot desktop or client-side issues as part of their job function. Unlike MCSAs, MCDSTs are not expected to have network administration skills.
Q: How can I determine whether I am an appropriate candidate to earn the MCDST certification?
A: The MCDST certification covers the skills of help desk technician, customer support representative, PC support specialist, technical support representative, and technical support specialists as defined by the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies Skill Standards for Information Technology and other research worldwide.
A: The MCDST certification covers the skills of help desk technician, customer support representative, PC support specialist, technical support representative, and technical support specialists as defined by the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies Skill Standards for Information Technology and other research worldwide.
The MCDST credential is for IT professionals working in the typically complex computing environment of small, medium, or large organizations. An MCDST candidate should have 6 – 12 months of experience supporting end users of a desktop operating system.
Q: I am already an MCSA or MCSE. Should I consider pursuing the MCDST credential?
A: You may want to consider pursuing the MCDST certification if the credential represents your current responsibilities in technical support. If part of your current job is to perform troubleshooting, provide facilitation and customer service, perform hardware and software installation, perform configuration and upgrades for Windows XP desktop operating system and the Microsoft office system to support end users on the desktop, you will find value in this credential.
A: You may want to consider pursuing the MCDST certification if the credential represents your current responsibilities in technical support. If part of your current job is to perform troubleshooting, provide facilitation and customer service, perform hardware and software installation, perform configuration and upgrades for Windows XP desktop operating system and the Microsoft office system to support end users on the desktop, you will find value in this credential.
Q: As a hiring manager, why would I hire an MCDST over an MCSA or MCSE? Will MCDSTs have difficulty finding jobs in competition with MCSAs or MCSEs?
A: MCDST and MCSA job roles are distinct. The two certifications — one for desktop support technicians and one for systems administrators — provide hiring managers with an accurate means to identify qualified individuals for specific job roles within an organization's IT structure.
A: MCDST and MCSA job roles are distinct. The two certifications — one for desktop support technicians and one for systems administrators — provide hiring managers with an accurate means to identify qualified individuals for specific job roles within an organization's IT structure.
Recent research indicates that a demand gap exists in organizations between the number of support technicians this is needed on Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating systems and the number of skilled individuals available to do the job. The MCDST credential will help employers readily identify qualified individuals to close this gap.
Q: How is the MCDST credential different from the Office Specialist exams?
A: Microsoft Office Specialist (Office Specialist) certification is a globally recognized standard for demonstrating desktop usage skills. The Office Specialist credential measures competence and productivity using Microsoft Office programs. The MCDST credential is focused on the troubleshooting and maintenance of applications — not the usage of features.
A: Microsoft Office Specialist (Office Specialist) certification is a globally recognized standard for demonstrating desktop usage skills. The Office Specialist credential measures competence and productivity using Microsoft Office programs. The MCDST credential is focused on the troubleshooting and maintenance of applications — not the usage of features.
Q: I have my CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certifications now. Will I receive credit for these credentials toward the MCDST certification?
A: While providing a solid base of skills and knowledge the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certifications do not count towards the MCDST credential. We would recommend you look at these credentials as part of the overall skills path for the role of desktop support technician.
A: While providing a solid base of skills and knowledge the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certifications do not count towards the MCDST credential. We would recommend you look at these credentials as part of the overall skills path for the role of desktop support technician.
Q: How does the MCDST credential differ from the CompTia exams?
A: The A+ Core Hardware and the A+ Operating Systems Technologies exams measure essential competencies for a desktop computer hardware service technician. These exams provide excellent hardware and foundational knowledge of a PC. The MCDST credential is focused specifically on the desktop support technician working in a service desk environment. The MCDST exams go beyond the basics and focus on diagnosis and assessment of end-user incident requests on the Microsoft Windows operating system and the applications that run on it. The MCDST exams include troubleshooting procedures consistent with the Microsoft Operations Framework.
A: The A+ Core Hardware and the A+ Operating Systems Technologies exams measure essential competencies for a desktop computer hardware service technician. These exams provide excellent hardware and foundational knowledge of a PC. The MCDST credential is focused specifically on the desktop support technician working in a service desk environment. The MCDST exams go beyond the basics and focus on diagnosis and assessment of end-user incident requests on the Microsoft Windows operating system and the applications that run on it. The MCDST exams include troubleshooting procedures consistent with the Microsoft Operations Framework.
Q: When will the MCDST exams be available?
A: The MCDST exams will be released in the second half of 2003.
A: The MCDST exams will be released in the second half of 2003.
Q: What will be the price of the exams?
A: Each upgrade exam will cost the same as all other MCP exams. For example, each upgrade exam will cost $125 US.
A: Each upgrade exam will cost the same as all other MCP exams. For example, each upgrade exam will cost $125 US.
Q: Are labs or a practicum part of the MCDST exams?
A: The MCDST exams will not include labs or a practicum. However, the exams may include various innovative testing technologies to present a more realistic visual representation of the products and skills on which you are being tested so that your exam experience more consistently reflects the types of tasks you might perform on the job.
A: The MCDST exams will not include labs or a practicum. However, the exams may include various innovative testing technologies to present a more realistic visual representation of the products and skills on which you are being tested so that your exam experience more consistently reflects the types of tasks you might perform on the job.
Q: Is a Microsoft Official Course available that covers the skill set tested by Exam 70-271?
A: Course 2261: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment will be available in January 2004 and covers the skill set tested by Exam 70-271.
A: Course 2261: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment will be available in January 2004 and covers the skill set tested by Exam 70-271.
Q: Is a Microsoft Official Course available that covers the skill set tested by Exam 70-272?
A: Course 2262: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment will be available in January, 2004 and covers the skill set tested by Exam 70-272.
A: Course 2262: Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment will be available in January, 2004 and covers the skill set tested by Exam 70-272.
Q: What other courses are available that will help me prepare for the MCDST certification?
A: Official Microsoft Learning Products offer a complete curriculum and training solution to help candidates prepare for the MCDST credential. This comprehensive courseware solution enables candidates from any background to receive the training they need. MCDST candidates may select from a wide range of courses that will help in preparation for the core exams.
A: Official Microsoft Learning Products offer a complete curriculum and training solution to help candidates prepare for the MCDST credential. This comprehensive courseware solution enables candidates from any background to receive the training they need. MCDST candidates may select from a wide range of courses that will help in preparation for the core exams.
The Official Microsoft Learning Products courses that address the MCDST core exams include five days of training.
Q: Desktop skills are covered in Exam 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, and Exam 270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Why isn't Exam 70-210 or Exam 70-270 an acceptable alternative to a core exam in the MCDST certification?
A: Exams 70-210 and 70-270 are designed for the system administrator or system engineer currently certified by the MCSA and MCSE certifications. The content in those exams is focused on the server environment and includes networking and administration skills, which are outside the scope of the MCDST credential. The core exams for the MCDST credential are designed for the support technician and include content specifically focused on troubleshooting common end-user questions about the desktop environment.
A: Exams 70-210 and 70-270 are designed for the system administrator or system engineer currently certified by the MCSA and MCSE certifications. The content in those exams is focused on the server environment and includes networking and administration skills, which are outside the scope of the MCDST credential. The core exams for the MCDST credential are designed for the support technician and include content specifically focused on troubleshooting common end-user questions about the desktop environment.
Q: Will an MCDST certification be developed for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0?
A: No, the MCDST certification is being supported for current platforms (Windows 2000 and Windows XP) and future platforms only.
A: No, the MCDST certification is being supported for current platforms (Windows 2000 and Windows XP) and future platforms only.
Q: What are the benefits of earning the MCDST credential?
A: Earning a Microsoft certification acknowledges your expertise in working with Microsoft products and technologies. The IT industry, your employer, clients, and peers will recognize your MCDST credential as a symbol of the skills and knowledge you have gained. Microsoft certification demonstrates that you have the ability to successfully support Microsoft business solutions for your organization or client.
A: Earning a Microsoft certification acknowledges your expertise in working with Microsoft products and technologies. The IT industry, your employer, clients, and peers will recognize your MCDST credential as a symbol of the skills and knowledge you have gained. Microsoft certification demonstrates that you have the ability to successfully support Microsoft business solutions for your organization or client.
Candidates who earn the MCDST certification receive a Welcome Kit containing a wallet card, certificate, and MCDST logo that enable you to identify your MCDST status to colleagues or clients. In addition, MCDSTs receive:
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Access through the MCP Member Site to technical and product information directly from Microsoft.
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Access through the MCP Member Site to exclusive discounts on products and services from selected companies.
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Invitations to Microsoft conferences, technical training sessions, and special events.
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Access to new security-enhanced content on Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine Online .
Q: Are the MCDST exams just as rigorous as other Microsoft certification exams, or are they easier to pass?
A: Microsoft is developing the MCDST exams with the same rigor as all other Microsoft certification exams. Find out more about how MCP exams are developed .
A: Microsoft is developing the MCDST exams with the same rigor as all other Microsoft certification exams. Find out more about how MCP exams are developed .
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