Tips for Getting a Head Start on the New Longhorn Certification

The IT world has been waiting breathlessly for the newest release of the Microsoft operating system for some time. According to Microsoft, the newest client operating system, codenamed Longhorn, is expected to ship in 2006, with the server version following suit in 2007. With these ship dates getting closer and closer, it is important for IT professionals, and those who hope to become IT professionals, to start thinking seriously about the new Longhorn certification. Microsoft is expected to announce plans to discontinue older generation certification paths in anticipation of the Longhorn release, so it is important for those professionals to get ready today.

It is in June that Microsoft tends to announce any changes to their certification curriculam, and the company generally provides a one year notice of any changes that are expected to go into effect. This advance notice is intended to provide MCPs with the time they need to plan, study for and schedule the exams before they are discontinued.

For this reason and others, it is important for students to start thinking now about Longhorn certification. This advance planning is especially important for those students who do not yet hold a certification in Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 Server.

One reason for concern is that the releases of Microsoft products and exams have been falling ever closer together ever since the progression from Windows NT 4.0 through Windows 2000 through Windows 2003 Server. For this reason, students should expect to see Microsoft training and exams for Longhorn appear very close to the time of the scheduled product release.

In addition, aftermarket vendors typically need about 90 days following the launch of new products to prepare the study guides, practice tests and exam crams on which those students will rely. If it is not possible or practical to wait for those materials, now is the time to start taking some Microsoft classes, gaining hands on experience and gathering early product release documentation.

It is also vital for students to keep in mind that Microsoft typically provides about a year for holders of back certifications, like Windows 2000, to upgrade their certifications before they are discontinued. This short time frame will provide continuing pressure as Longhorn begins to ship, providing yet another strong incentive for IT professionals to upgrade their skills and training.

There are basically three possible certification scenarios for those IT professionals who are currently pursuing various MCP exams or credentials such as the MCSA, MCSE or MCDBA. Those certification scenarios include:

1. Those who currently hold no Windows credentials for Windows 2000 or newer versions, but who use Windows 2000 on the job can most likely jump into the credentials of interest quickly. Windows credentials may last as long as 20008, but the exams may be discontinued as soon as 2007 for Windows 2000 Professional and the following year for other exams within the program. Even so, it is important to allow enough time to take the Windows 2000 to Server 2003 upgrade exams, since they are likely to be discontinued at the same time.
2. Those who hold Windows 2000 credentials currently should take the time to upgrade their exams to revise them for Windows Server 2003. Those individuals with specialized credentials, such as security or messaging, will also need to take any needed specialization exams for Windows Server 2003, along with any needed upgrade exams needed to cover the core requirements of the certification path.
3. Those who hold the Windows Server 2003 credential can afford to stand pat for now, unless pursuing other credentials, or wishing to upgrade any MCSA or MCSE certifications into specialized areas such as security or messaging. No matter what the goal or current certification, however, it is important to be proactive, and to learn as much as possible about any upcoming Microsoft operating system releases.