Charging for exam fees up-front then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is common for a good many training companies. However, let's consider what's really going on:

You'll pay for it by some means. One thing's for sure - it isn't free - they've simply charged more for the whole training package. We all want to pass first time. Progressively working through your exams in order and funding them one at a time makes it far more likely you'll pass first time - you put the effort in and are mindful of the investment you've made.

Find the best exam deal or offer available at the appropriate time, and save having to find the money early. You'll then be able to select where you do the examinations - so you can find somewhere local. Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for exams when there's absolutely nothing that says you have to? Big margins are netted by organisations charging all their exam fees up-front - and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. The majority of companies will insist on pre-tests and hold you back from re-takes until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

With the average price of Pro-metric and VUE exams costing in the region of 112 pounds in this country, by far the best option is to pay for them as you take them. There's no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. Consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

Whether you're looking to achieve an entry level knowledge of these systems & packages, or a more complete professional level comprehension so you can support other people, there are several certifications that could help. The 'MOS' ('Microsoft Office Specialist') and MCAS (Microsoft Certified Application Specialist) packages cover the 'Office' Suite in-depth. For a certification to support others, look into the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, or 'MCDST' for short.

You might equally be considering a more technical role in the I.T. field, which would mean rather more in-depth and specialised Microsoft accreditation training. The assessment structure at MS has fairly recently gone through an important overhaul. A lot of career routes still lead to 'MCP' certifications, but the direction is gradually going towards MCITP & 'MCTS' programs ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional' & Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist respectively). MCTS learning packages are typically achieved as building blocks to the 'MCITP'.

Corporate communications globally are dominated by MS Networking and Server Operating Systems. It is currently predicted that a minimum of 80 - 90 percent of business networking systems use 'Windows' Server as their standard platform. Clearly several up-grades have taken place - the original NT Server turned into '2000', then '2003' & today 2008. Commercially, Server 2003 continues to be the more established, & its most likely that lots of businesses utilising this platform won't update to Server 2008. Generally, it's those previous installations that will upgrade ('NT' Server or '2000') - essentially skipping a generation. You will locate further information on Microsoft Network and Server Operating-Systems in the MCSE/MCSA pages, as well as info about the Server 2003 versus 'Server 2008' question.

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