The Technology Series (MCTS)

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification is designed to validate your ability to implement, build, troubleshoot, and debug a particular Microsoft technology, such as Windows Server, Microsoft .NET Framework, or Microsoft SQL Server.

Choose from more than thirty certifications, with more being added as new technologies are introduced:

MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications=> you must have demonstrated breadth and depth of skills and knowledge of Web application technology and data access in Web applications in order to earn this certification and must pass two exams: one that focuses on .NET Framework foundational skills exam 70-536 and one that focuses on Web-based client development exam 70-528.

The MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications certification counts as credit toward the following Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certifications:
•MCPD: Web Developer
•MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer

MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications=> you must have demonstrated proper skills and knowledge of Windows Forms technology, in addition to expertise in data access in Microsoft Windows applications and also pass two exams: one that focuses on .NET Framework foundational skills exam 70-536 (you don't need to retake that if you already passed it in the previous certification) and one that focuses on Windows-based client development exam 70-526.

MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications=> examines your knowledge of Web services, .NET Framework remoting, Enterprise Services, and Message Queuing technology and must pass two exams: the common exam in the previous two certifications and one that focuses on developing distributed applications exam 70-529.

You must earn this certification in order to earn MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer.

MCTS: Microsoft Visual Studio 2008=> The Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 certification tracks are based on six Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications that demonstrate your understanding of application development. Each certification focuses on the features and functionality of key technology areas in the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and requires Exam 70-536 in addition to one specialized exam as shown below:

	MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Presentation Foundation Applications exam 70-502
	MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Communication Foundation Applications exam 70-503
	MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Foundation Applications exam 70-504
	MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Applications exam 70-505
	MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Applications exam 70-562
	MCTS: .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Applications exam 70-561

Microsoft Business Certification (MSBC)

This program validates the skills needed to get the most out of Microsoft Office and Windows Vista and as I stated earlier there are two credentials within this program, so we begin with:

• Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) is primarily for office workers who use Microsoft Office programs as a vital part of their job functions. These certifications cover the entire Microsoft Office 2007 Suite including: Word 2007, PowerPoint 2007, Excel 2007, Outlook 2007 and Access 2007, as well as Windows Vista. And here are the different exam modules you need to pass in order to get the certificate for that specific module:

1. Exam 77-600:Windows Vista for the Business Worker
2. Exam 77-601:Using Microsoft Office Word 2007
3. Exam 77-602:Using Microsoft Office Excel 2007
4. Exam 77-603:Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
5. Exam 77-604:Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
6. Exam 77-605:Using Microsoft Office Access 2007

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) being the successor to MCAS, it offers certification tracks for a number of Microsoft Office editions—Office 2003, Office XP, and Office 2000—and offers four levels of certification: Specialist, Expert, Master, and Master Instructor. It evaluates the overall comprehension of Microsoft Office or Office Project programs, the ability to use advanced features, and the ability to integrate the Office programs with other software programs.

Exams for Microsoft Office 2003

1. Word 2003 and Word 2003 Expert
2. Excel 2003 and Excel 2003 Expert
3. Powepoint 2003
4. Access 2003
5. Excel 2003

Exams for Microsoft Office XP

1. Word 2002 and Word 2002 Expert
2. Excel 2002 and Excel 2002 Expert
3. Powepoint 2002
4. Access 2002
5. Excel 2002

Exams for Microsoft Office 2000

1. Word 2000 and Word 2000 Expert
2. Excel 2000 and Excel 2000 Expert
3. Powepoint 2000
4. Access 2000
5. Excel 2000

MCDST to MCITP

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Consumer Support Technician (MCITP: Consumer Support Technician) credential highlights and validates your expertise and skill set in a job role supporting a broad range of consumer desktop operating systems, desktop applications, mobile devices, networking, and hardware support issues related to the Windows Vista operating system.

MCTS stands for Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist and is designed to ensure that you got the necessary knowledge and skills to understand and troubleshoot the functions and features of Windows vista.

Now the MCDST credential will continue to be acknowledged by Microsoft and valued by folks using Microsoft Windows XP. To earn your MCDST, you must pass two core exams: 70-271 and 70-272. However you only need to take one exam (70-621) to upgrade your MCDST credential and earn the MCTS and MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician certifications for Windows Vista.