It’s nice when a NDA is lifted, you feel that you can talk freely about something that you have worked on. If you don’t know already, a new MTA is coming to an authorised Certiport MTA campus /IT Academy near you. This one is one that is close to my heart: Windows Operating System Fundamentals.

Just check out the Objective Domains (taken from http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=98-349&Locale=en-us#tab2).

Understanding Operating System Configurations

• Configure Control Panel options.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring administrative tools, configuring accessibility options
• Configure desktop settings.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring gadgets, profiles, display settings, shortcuts, and Aero configurations and capabilities
• Understand native applications and tools.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Windows Internet Explorer, the snipping tool, Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, and MSCONFIG
• Understand mobility.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Sync Center, Windows Mobility Center, and Remote Desktop
• Understand remote management and assistance.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding MMC, and Windows PowerShell

Installing and Upgrading Client Systems

• Identify Windows operating system editions.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: identifying system requirements, using PC Upgrade Advisor
• Identify upgrade paths.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: identifying upgrade paths from Windows XP, Windows Vista, and other operating systems; identifying application compatibility
• Understand installation types.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding removable media installations (DVD, ZTI, LTI, and USB), cloud and network installations, and product identification keys
• Understand virtualized clients.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Windows XP Mode, Remote Desktop, and Remote Desktop Services

Managing Applications

• Understand application installations .
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding local vs. network applications, Group Policy, and application removal
• Understand user account control (UAC).
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding standard user vs. administrative user, understanding types of UAC prompts and levels
• Remove malicious software.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Windows Defender, Action Center, the Malicious Software Removal tool, Windows Registry, and Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection
• Understand services.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding service start-up types, service accounts, and service dependencies
• Understand application virtualization.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Med-V and VDI

Managing Files and Folders

• Understand file systems.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding FAT, FAT32, NTFS, and 32 bit vs. 64 bit
• Understand file and print sharing.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding NTFS and share permissions, HomeGroup, print drivers, and effective permissions; creating public, basic, and advanced shares; mapping drives
• Understand encryption.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding BitLocker, encrypting file systems (EFS), and compression
• Understand libraries.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding offline files, adding multiple local locations to a library, adding networked locations

Managing Devices

• Connect devices.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: connecting plug-and-play devices, connecting and disconnecting printers, installing third-party software for devices
• Understand storage.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding disk types (NTFS, FAT, etc.), security (encryption), storage device types (eSATA, USB, USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, iSCSI), storage drive types (basic, primary, extended, logical, dynamic disk, VHDs), and cloud storage (Windows Live SkyDrive, OneNote to SkyDrive, Live mesh)
• Understand printing devices.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding local printers, network printers, print queues, print-to-file, and Internet printing
• Understand system devices.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding video, audio, and infrared input devices, understanding Device Manager

Understanding Operating System Maintenance

• Understand backup and recovery methods.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding local, online, and automated backup methods; understanding backup options; understanding System Restore, recovery boot options such as Last Known Good, and various Safe Mode options
• Understand maintenance tools.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup, Task Scheduler, Action Center, and System Information
• Understand updates.
  • This objective may include but is not limited to: understanding Windows updates, Microsoft updates, and hotfixes

Although the exam is at the Associate level, the content as you can see is quite exciting. It fits exactly into the pathway towards MCTS 70-680 (Windows 7, configuring):

Some of the cool things about this (including the items that I have formatted as bold) is that it covers Desktop Virtualization, the client in the cloud, and from what I have seen from upcoming content for this exam that it will definitely be future proof.

The ERK (Exam Review Kit), SSG (Student Study Guide) and exam is set to release this summer. Looking forward to taking it!

It had to happen sooner or later, Microsoft is going to raise the retail price of certain Microsoft IT Certification from 1 July 2011 (if you’re India, the rise will happen 1 August 2011). Microsoft IT Academies will continue to enjoy discounted exam prices.

Given that the price of Microsoft exams were last raised in 2001, this announcement some would argue is well overdue. However, turning back the clock to 2005 (when I took my first MS exam) the benefits were a lot more tangible: a physical welcome pack with a lovely certificate, wallet card and lapel badge. At £88 (15,000 YEN as it was for me) this was an absolute bargain! But then the benefits were reduced. The first benefit to go was the lapel badges. Apparently the argument was that quite a few broke in transit and it was costing more to send replacement. Then they took away the wallet cards – here it was a case of “no one uses them”. I don’t know about you, but I always have to reach out to my wallet card whenever I have to access the MCT Readiness Site (amongst other things). The final benefit to go was the free shipping of physical certificates.

So with the current pricing of MS Certification this is what you get:

MCP Virtual Business Cards

A Transcript which will eventually “expire” your certifications aligned to current MS technology (MCTS/MCITP)

The ability to pay for the delivery of physical certificates - $15 for the first and $1 for each subsequent certificate to a maximum of 6 certificates ($20)

It may seem like with the increased prices and a lot less benefits, the MCP programme will falter. Actually, the value of certification should go beyond a lot more than some trinkets and validate a candidate’s proficiency in technology or job role. Hence the programme will continue to grow strong – it’s the power of certification. It just doesn’t half hurt looking at veteran MCPs lapel badges and thinking if only I started a couple of years earlier!

For more information about the increase, visit the Microsoft FAQ:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-pricing-FAQ.aspx

If you’re part of a school or college’s Senior Management Team and looking for ways of adding value or for additional programmes that would be aimed at the Gifted and Talented, then the MTA may just be what you are looking for.

If you’re a university or college then the MTA can be embedded into your current courses and be used as an additional benefit for someone attending your institution.

The purpose of the MTA is not to replace your current learning programmes but supplement your existing ones and help candidates understand what would be required if they want to continue on their journey of certified IT professionals.

Step 1: Become an Authorised MTA centre

You can sign up to become an authorised MTA centre via the Certiport website:

http://www.certiport.com/portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?page=common/pagelibrary/MTA_home.html

If you are based in the UK or Ireland, it is best to approach Prodigy Learning:

http://www.prodigyuk.co.uk/

Currently, you can get a 45 day evaluation which will allow you to deliver 50 exams (for free!) This sign up process means that you obtain a “Campus Licence” which allows you to deliver the MTA exam from ANY internet-enabled workstation on your site.

Step 2: Review the courseware (ERK)

Once you have signed up as an official MTA centre, you will gain access to the Exam Review Kits for each of the 7 MTA certifications!

An Exam Review Kit is the authorised Microsoft courseware that is to supplement your existing courses. They cannot completely replace the need for a comprehensive course and are supposed to be used as either a review prior to an exam or could act as a revision session after delivering the topic area.

Each Exam Review Kit consists of 20 lessons of 50 minutes in length. Each lesson typically includes a slide deck, lesson plan and a student activity. The lesson is typically used to review information; however, it is possible to introduce some new concepts that may not have been delivered previously. It is recommended that the ERKs are used as they definitely do help students to pass the exams.

Between October – December 2010, Wiley (publishers of the MOAC books) are going to be releasing courseware for the MTA exams. It is promised to be a more in-depth look at the material covered by the ERK.

Step 3: Build your MTA programme

Option 1: Create a bespoke course and run it alongside the ERK

If you wish to deliver the MTA as a new course and do not wish to wait for courseware, it is possible to use the objective domains and run the ERK alongside to supplement what you deliver. This would be particularly suited for schools who might want to create an after-school club for students who would be interesting in becoming Microsoft Certified.

Option 2: Run an existing course and then use the ERK

If you are already delivering a course – either created in house or by another vendor (such as CompTIA’s A+) then it is possible to add additional value to your programme by delivering the Exam Review Kit just prior to your students taking the exam.

Option 3: Use an existing course and use the ERK for review

You might already have a course, but your endpoint is solely the MTA exam. You could then deliver topics that are related to the MTA and use the ERK for regular review.

Need Help?

When you sign up for the MTA you can choose to be contacted by an “Unpacker” who can help you to integrate it into your organisation.

Next time…preparing for the Networking Fundamentals MTA exam