Microsoft is one of the leading IT giants in the entire world. It is an established name and offers countless benefits to anyone associated with it (especially if you’re hunting for a job in the IT industry itself). Putting it simply, getting certified by Microsoft can turn your tables and bring a new lot of opportunities to you. But there are many certifications available under Microsoft, and if you’re planning to sharpen your skills and get your skills validated, then the MCSE certification could be perfect for you.

What is an MCSE Certification?

MCSE, which stands for Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, is an expert-level validation of a professional’s knowledge, skills and expertise on particular products or services that are offered by Microsoft. MCSE certifications bear testimony to the holder’s credibility in the respective domain and makes them an exceptionally reliable asset.

How to Get MCSE Certified?

The MCSE certification path includes the following steps:

1. Identifying the domain you want to get certified in

The first step to getting MCSE certified is understanding all the options available under it and recognising your field of interest.

As of 2020, Microsoft offers MCSE in the following five categories:

• Business Applications
• Cloud Platform and Infrastructure
• Data Management and Analytics
• Mobility
• Productivity Solutions Expert

After knowing the objectives of all these categories, only then you must set your goals.

1. Knowing various examination options available

The next step is to learn about the different examination options on offer for the Microsoft MCSE certification. Each category has a plethora of exams available.

1. Knowing the prerequisites of the examination

Once you’ve narrowed down your goals by selecting the appropriate category of examination that you want to take, it is now time to read about the eligibility criteria for the exam. Whilst the prerequisites for different niches will differ, the basic ones that are imperative to fulfil before applying for any MCSE certification are as follows:

• Candidate must hold the MCSA certification
• Candidate must have the fundamental knowledge of:

1. Computers and servers
2. Relational databases
3. Networking concepts
4. A+ and N+
5. Protocols
6. SharePoint
7. DHCP
8. Active Directory
9. DNS

• Three or more years of experience with Microsoft products

1. Applying for an online course or training

After fulfilling all the requirements needed for your particular certification and having registered for the exam, you must get yourself enrolled for either an online MCSE course or even an offline training program. Usually, the former approach is preferable since it’s easier to manage your daily routine without visiting the training centre. For more details, check out Koenig’s MCSE course structure.

1. Preparing and sitting for the exam

After getting registered for the exam, one can access the course material online and even get exam assistance besides the training programme. It is crucial to dedicate a minimum of three to four hours per day for the preparation to get excellent outcomes.

IT training establishments such as Koenig Solutions have included exam modules & tests in their training courses so that you can prepare for the certification exam with ease.

Cost for Getting MCSE Certified

Generally, the MCSE certification cost ranges between INR 12,000 to INR 15,000. In the case of various discounts and offers, the prices might be relaxed.

With the help of the “Exam Replay” option, you will be able to retake the exam in case you weren’t able to pass in the first place. But this option may not always be available. With such an alternative, you won’t have to pay double the registration fees (although it will be slightly higher than the normal one).

There’s a training fee involved as well apart from the exam fee. This training fee varies according to the institution and the level of training services that they offer.

Conclusion

The MCSE certificate’s validity lasts until the technology receives a significant update or ceases to exist. Hence, it would help if you remembered to renew your certificates by taking recertification exams. These exams require you to understand the latest technology updates so that you can deliver new & improved cloud solutions.

With an MCSE badge in your profile, the scope of your future in the IT industry broadens significantly. Such a certification with prior experience and appropriate skills can propel you to posts such as IT Directors, IT Managers, System Administrators, etc.!