MCSA courses

[boobesque]

m,y boyfriend is a computer whizz and wants to become a network administrator. To do this he would need to do an MCSA course, but we have a couple of questions

1) what is the best one to do? There is a few to choose from

2) Is there one he can do from home? As we cannot afford for him to give up work

3) would it be ok to buy the book, work from that then do the exam?

4) anywhere we can get it that doesnt cost �2,000 or more!!!

please can someone help, he hates his current job!

thanks in advance. x

[Tritan]

Hi there... you most certainly can. I have followed the same path. Firstly, I would recommend that your b/friend take the MCSE course as opposed to the MCSA course. The two are similar but the MCSE will open more doors to him career and salary wise.

Q1: please read this link from the Microsoft website to determine which modules most interest your boyfriend.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/requirements.asp

Overall, he will have to do 7 modules. The 5 core modules (compulsory - you dont get to choose which ones they are) and 2 elective exams (ones that he chooses to do because they interest him). Dont worry too much if there are many more that interest him. After he has done the 7, he can continue on to do as many more as he wishes.

Q2+3: There are many courses that offer you the chance to go into classes. These are very good but very expensive! there are then the other courses that offer you the same material but you are not required to go into the classes (I chose this route) - but it will still cost you a lot! There are some other courses that promise you to pass in 2 weeks and blah blah blah... stay away!

But i know of many people that have just bought the books that they need and studied them hard and passed first time. The official books (although costly - but not as much as a course) are very good indeed. Amazon have the books you would need. See this link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735619530/qid=1125391897/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/202-5532545-3051018

This will cover all your CORE modules. You will need to buy the Elective module material separately.

[Tritan]

Q4: I am sure there are many places that will charge you less then �2k for the MCSE course, but I must advice you to choose very carefully. Alot of these places are 'mickey-mouse' you'll pay �1800 and they will not be able to pass you, or you will be disappointed etc.

My honest recommendation would be to either save up and go on a course that will give you all the materials you need without having to go into classes - mine cost �3000 - but was very good! But if this is not am option I really do recommend buying the official microsoft material and reading it through.

(PS: Sorry, i had to split the answer into 2...)

[boobesque]

thank you tritan, very thorough, i will show my bf when he gets home.

the �3,000 you paid, if you dont mind me asking, what did that pay for, how many modules?

[OBonio]

Firstly, there is a difference between network and system admin (though it's usually the same people doing both jobs....). System Admin are responsbile for the whole system pretty much (uptime of servers etc). Net Admin are responsible for the performance of the network, winkling out bottlenecks and the like. I think the MCSE covers both of these.

If Network Admin is definitely what he wants to do then CCNA is worth looking into aswell.

Have a gander here for home learning :

https://www.microsoftelearning.com/

[Tritan]

Boobesque: The �3k covered the 5 core modules and the 2 elective ones of my choice. It also gave me access to their special online 'school' website which i could access at any time of day as many times as i wanted to for the duration of my course. On the site i had access to recorded lectures (where a teacher spoke and demostrated various skills and situations etc), usefull literature and mock exams. It is very usefull, but I also bought the books. They are also very good. I �3k also bought me some one-on-one teaching support if i needed it. I was able to email a teacher or lecuturer with any question i had, and they would respond within 24hrs.

Obonio: Yes, there is a difference between the two, and the course costs will vary, but for the extra money, you may as well do the MCSE as it covers everything the MCSA does and more. An MCSE can do the job of an MCSA, but not vice versa. So I though it would be more beneficial to boobesque's boyfriend if he does the MSCE rather then the MCSA... just my opinion.

[OBonio]

Tritan : I agree. The MCSE is the way to go.

Get your bf to do the little quiz here to get a sampler :

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.asp

[boobesque]

oh thank you so much guys, hopefully we can get him a job he enjoys and uses his incredible computer skills!

many thanks again x

[boobesque]

mr boobesque says: do you happen to have a website address of the company which you used tritan? sounds ideal for me.

[Tritan]

I do indeed. It was with Netg who are a part of the Thomson organisation. These guys are globally known for their testing and certification for a whole number of industries - not just IT. So they do know their stuff.

Here is a link for you:

http://www.netg.com/Catalog/uk/course.asp?p=6&c=07&s=543&t=2732&l=E

But you really should call the Free Phone number on the left side of the screen and speak to someone in person. Also, ask for a free demonstration. They can show you on a "test" site what you will have access to and how it all works. Good luck Mr Boobesque :-)

[boobesque]

thanks tritan, you have been an excellent help!