MCSA

I've done mine without any courses, no MS kits, no classes.
2-3 books per test (Coriolis / not that they are good / + sth). 2 weeks to learn + practice on sweet personal SOHO LAN.
It took ~5 month to complete, cause I'd also some job to do.
Was it worst it ?? Well, I'm not 16 yrs old and the rest, but still looking for good job.
The good point is to obtain CNA too, but it's expensive to handle 2 certifications in 2 years

You can do it yourself, ppl, good luck

Cheers
Chef

[vee_ess]

thanx for the advice. i dont have a lan to play with, but i think i can train myself anyway, especially cuz of what chef said.

do you think it is worth it to go through with it? $125 a course is rather expensive.

125$ for course is not expensive at all (good W2K MCSE course would cost you 500 - 700+, don't know about MCSA, but probably the same crap).
Exam price was ~100$ but it's already more expensive (have to check), so if you're not sure about your abilities, it's better to invest in good training material/course, then to waste it on additional attempt. I've personally failed 1 exam cause didn't have good stuff to learn.


Cheers
Chef

$125 for a course!!!

That is SOOOOO cheap it isnt funny.  Normally your looking at afew K...

Sure you arnt getting the test price confused with the course price?

[vee_ess]

yeah, that's the test price; here is the link to the actual page at MS that says it:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/m...r/mcpsteps.asp
$125 is US dollars.

So should i assume you think it is a good deal??

Hi, I am an A+ and MCSA. I was taking the MCSE track when the MCSA became available, since I only had to take the 70-218 for the title, I did. It is good for 2 reasons, the 70-218 counts towards the MCSE, and I know have a full cert title in the mean time. I will finish the MCSE, I only have 2 more exams to do, but I'm not sure if it matters since there is such a glut of certified people for many fewer jobs then in past years. While I agree you need some cert, at least an A+, Network+, and an MCSA, experience is still king when it comes to getting a job. I did take a course for the MCSE which helped, just make sure its a hands on course so you will learn something.

I hear you I'm a A+ and a CNA and I'm on track for the MCSA I'm ready but not thrilled about spending the doe for the cert I've been in this field for 5 yrs now and its what you know and what have you done for me lately that counts not a piece of paper I think investing in your home lab should be priority its really the best way to get your hands dirty but I'll get the cert I think its time I do anyway, and your right there are to many people with certs today.