Road to MCSE Messaging complete…

Back in August 2013 I set myself a goal to complete my MCSE Messaging exams, this meant I needed to pass three exams… but in reality it was really six in my opinion.

My exam path was 70-417 (Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012), I was able to sit the upgrade as I already had MCITP: Messaging 2010, this is also the reason I believe it was six exams, because 70-417 is three exams in one covering content from 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412. I passed this in April 2014. Passing this exam gave me a MCSA: Server 2012

Next up was 70-341 (Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013), annoyingly it took two attempts, I think I took the first attempt to early and it knocked me for six, and wasn’t looking forward to retaking. However I took again and passed in December 2014.

Last up 70-342 (Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013), which I passed yesterday!!! and now have my MCSE: Messaging.

Back in August I said to myself I want to complete this in a year… well six months late, but I still got there, in that time I did have a skiing accident which didn’t help, so was more focused on me than my study, so I going to say I still meet my target ;-)

Here is some of the tools I used during my study

Books:
Server 2012

Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 – Link (Now updated for R2)
Inside Out Windows Server 2012 – Link (Now updated for R2)
Exam Ref 70-417 Upgrading from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2012 R2 (MCSA) - Link

Exchange 2013
Inside Out Microsoft Exchange Server 2013: Mailbox and High Availability – Link
Inside Out Microsoft Exchange Server 2013: Connectivity, Clients, and UM – Link
Exam Ref 70-342 Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 (MCSE) – Link
Mastering Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 - Link
Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 High Availability - Link

Videos:
Microsoft Virtual Academy – Link
Channel 9 - Link

Finally a big thanks to friends and colleagues (You know who you are…) that have put up with all my stupid questions during various stages of my study and exams.

I know I’ve just finished but next goal is MCSA: Office 365… where to start…

Exam 70-341 - Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013

I passed exam 70-341 today, second time of trying so glad to get this out of the way.

Next up is 70-342 Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 for my MCSE Messaging...

MCSA - Windows Server 2012

I passed my 70-417 Exam Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012, yesterday. This was a tough exam for me covering 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412 in a single exam.

  

This was the first step for me to complete to get to my MCSE: Messaging, just two exams left to go…

Road to MCSE Messaging…

To gain a MCSE Messaging, I will first need a MCSA. Which at first glance meant three server exams (410,411 and 412) not having done any server exams was not looking forward to doing these.

Then I noticed on the Microsoft webpage that I’m able to upgrade my MCTIP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator 2010 to MCSA: Windows Server 2012 with a single upgrade exam 70-417.

The content of 70-417 covers the other three exams (410,411 and 412) but doing a single exam rather than three is better, having worked with Windows Server and AD since 2003, just not done the exams.

So first step to MCSE Messaging will be Exam 70-417, just need to find time get my head into a book for some study…