Updates to the MCSA Tracks for Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012

Effective from Monday the 15th of September, Microsoft have updated their MCSA tracks for the MCSA SQL Server and the MCSA Server 2012. This makes the MCSA similar to the MCSA for Server 2003 and MCDBA in that you now have options and electives to gain the certification where up to now for Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012 you had to go to do additional exams to diversify your credentials and skillsets. This change now give you the option to have an elective as part of your 3 exam track to MCSA. 





MCSA Windows Server 2012
For the MCSA Windows Server 2012 this will give the option to diversify your credential with a choice of Office 365, Hyper-V or Administration of a SQL Server 2012 skillsets.

• Exam 70-346/ Course 20346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements 
• Exam 74-409/ Course 20409: Server Virtualization with Windows Server Hyper-V and System Center
• Exam 70-412/ Course 20412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services
• Exam 70-462/ Course 10775: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases

The Exam 74-409: Server Visualization with Windows Server Hyper-V and System Center will also give you a specialist designation so if that one is part of your track you will be both MCSA Windows Server 2012 and Microsoft Specialist certification in Server Visualization.

MCSA SQL Server 2012

For the MCSA SQL Server 2012 this will allow you to enhance your skillets with Windows Server 2012 or C# Programming skills.

• Exam 70-411/ Course 20411: Administering Windows Server 2012
• Exam 70-412/ Course 20412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services
• Exam 70-463/ Course 10777: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
• Exam 70-483/ Course 20483: Programming in C#

The Exam 70-483: Programming in C#,  will also give you a specialist designation so if that one is part of your track you will be both MCSA SQL Server 2012 and Microsoft Specialist certification in Visual Studio.

This change to the certification paths is a positive step allowing you to adapt to some extent your path to match your goals and have a well rounded skillset after completing the MCSA without having to sit additional courses and exams.