MCSA: Windows Server 2016 - Your Roadmap to Success

With the launch of Windows Server 2016, Microsoft introduced a variety of new skills, technologies, and advances, giving IT pros the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge, abilities, and skills as they work to learn the new product. The MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification prepares learners for roles including network or systems administrator, computer network specialists, and more.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: Windows Server 2016 (MCSA: Windows Server 2016)

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2016 certification is designed to prove mastery of the skills required to administer Windows Server 2016, including installation and implementation of storage solutions, Hyper-V, and Windows containers; networking with DNS, DHCP, IP address management, and advanced infrastructure; and administration of Active Directory Domain Services, group policy, Nano Server, and more.

Interestingly, Windows Server 2016 includes containers, which was once almost exclusively the purview of Linux/UNIX. The certification represents a new attitude of openness between Microsoft and the Linux Foundation and embodies Microsoft’s embrace of open source.

The MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification is made up of three exams.

·         70-740: Installation, Storage, and Computer with Windows Server 2016

·         70-741: Networking with Windows Server 2016

·         70-742: Identity with Windows Server 2016

Typically, learners pursuing this certification path should have some familiarity (1-3 years) with Windows Server and experience working in an enterprise environment. The MCSA is considered an intermediate-level certification but has no prerequisite training or certifications.

Exam Details

The following exam details are applicable for each exam that makes up the Microsoft MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification.

Microsoft Exams 70-740, 70-741, and 70-742

Time allotted for exam: 120 minutes (per exam)Number of questions: 40-60* (per exam)Passing score: 700** (per exam)Question types: Active screen; Build list; Case study; Drag and drop; Hot area; Multiple choice/Best answer; Multiple choice/Single answer; Multiple choice/Multiple answer; Short answer
Learn more about Microsoft exam formats and question types.Exam registration: Microsoft Learning or Pearson VueExam cost: $165 (USD) per examSkills Measured: Each exam registration page on the Microsoft website provides a list of Skills Measured (which is a free resource) to guide your study and preparation.

·         70-740

·         70-741

·         70-742

Microsoft does not publish the exact number of questions associated with its exams. Therefore, the number of questions a learner will see varies.Because the number of questions varies, it is not necessarily true that learners must earn a simple 70% to pass the exam.

Microsoft exams have a reputation for being challenging. Many learners find they have to take an exam more than once to achieve a successful outcome. Fortunately, Microsoft is aware of the level of challenge associated with their exams, and often provides an Exam Replay, allowing learners to retake exams at a fraction of the cost. Please note that the Exam Replay may not always be available. As of this post’s publication date, each of the exams associated with the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification offers the option to include Exam Replay, but that may change. Learners should research Exam Replay availability to avoid missing out on the opportunity.

Recertification

The MCSA is not subject to recertification. Microsoft’s MCSA certifications do not expire, meaning no recertification or continuing education is necessary to keep your MCSA certification valid. MCSA certifications are, effectively, lifetime certifications that are valid as long as the technology exists. However, it’s important to note that under Microsoft’s new certification structure, earning an expert-level certification (MCSE) can be accomplished by taking just one additional exam, of your choosing, from a pool of exam options. 

The Next Step

The MCSA is a building block that allows learners to earn a variety of other certifications from Microsoft. After earning the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification, most learners choose to take the next step by earning an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) certification.

Under Microsoft’s new certification structure, the next step following the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 is to earn the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure. The certification requires that learners pass just one additional exam from a pool of exam options.

Course options: 

1. 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions, 

2. 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, 

3. 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions, 

4. 70-413: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure, 

5. 70-414: Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure, 

6. 70-246: Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud, and 

7. 70-247: Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud.

Another option is to pursue additional MCSA-level certifications. Certifications that supplement Windows Server 2016 well include:

·         MCSA: Cloud Platform (made up of two exams of your choice: 70-532, 70-533, 70-534, 70-473, or 70-475)

·         MCSA: Linux on Azure (made up of two exams: 70-533, and LFCS {offered in partnership with the Linux Foundation})

·         MCSA: Windows 10 (made up of two exams: 70-698 and 70-697)

·         MCSA: Office 365 (made up of two exams: 70-346 and 70-347)

Some learners may choose to diversify their certification resumes by pursuing certifications outside the Microsoft universe, but that serve as a complement to their Microsoft skills and certs. Those who choose this path often consider the following certifications:

·         CCNA Routing and Switching (made up of two exams: ICND1 100-105 and ICND2 200-105)

·         VMware VCP6-DCV (made up of one exam: VMware vSphere 6 VCP6-DCV) 

·         AWS CSA – Associate (made up of one exam: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate)

Career Considerations

Payscale.com provides a helpful salary guide to help learners determine appropriate pay scales for job opportunities associated with the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification. Depending on professional experience, Payscale.com reports a range of salaries for employees holding any MCSA certification between $42,793 and $136,630. Roles that are common for those holding an MCSA certification include systems administrator, systems engineer, network administrator, Windows system administrator, IT manager, IT director, and more.

Microsoft Certifications

Microsoft certifications are laid out as a pyramid, with each level of certification leading learners to higher, more specialized, complex certifications. At the base of the Microsoft pyramid, IT professionals develop the foundation of knowledge with the MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate). The next level is the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) and MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer), which include many of the most popular certifications among IT professionals that are offered by Microsoft, including Server 2012, Office 365, and Azure. Finally, the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solution Expert) represents the highest level of certification offered by Microsoft and provides learners the opportunity to develop specializations related to MCSA-level content.

As Microsoft describes it, the new MCSE and MCSD certifications (MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, MCSE: Mobility, MCSE: Data Management and Analytics, MCSE: Productivity, and MCSD: AppBuilder) are aligned to Centers of Excellence, used by the Microsoft Partner Network to identify technical competencies that are widely recognizable by both Microsoft partners and customers. These credentials do not have a recertification requirement. Instead, the achievement date signifies how you keep up with changes to the technology.

Each year, you have the opportunity to renew the certification by passing an exam from the list of electives, demonstrating your investment in broadening or deepening your skills in a given Center of Excellence. Each time you earn the certification, a new certification entry is added to your transcript. This process replaces the existing recertification requirement of taking a specific recertification exam every two years (MCSD) or every three years (MCSE) to prevent your certification from going inactive. 

Concluding Thoughts

With the launch of Windows Server 2016, Microsoft has stopped supporting Server 2008, making this the perfect opportunity to upgrade and expand your Windows Server skills and knowledge, particularly as we enter a new era of Microsoft openness with containerization, Linux, and Nano Server, just to mention a few of the exciting new elements. Take advantage of this chance to expand your skills and your career opportunities with Server 2016!

Watch. Learn. Conquer the MCSA: Windows Server 2016!

www.NetProtocolXpert.com