Will old generation MCSA and MCSE's on 2000 or 2003 expire? No. Absolutely not. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! Not retiring or expiring. No.

Should I work on 2003 or 2008? Totally depends on what technology you use/are going to be using. If your organization (or where you want to work) is using 2003, then start that track! People will be looking for these skills for a long time to come; just because 2008 is new, it is not right for everyone.

Are these certifications replacing the MCSA and MCSE credentials? Not replacing –but yes, they are the certifications for WS2008—there is no change to 2000 or 2003 MCSA / MCSE tracks or certs.

I just received my MCSA on Windows Server 2003, should I continue to go for the MCSE on Windows Server 2003? Yes, if you are working with 2003 then that is a good goal. We would only suggest stopping your current 2000 or 2003 track and waiting for 2008 is if you know you will be an early (or immediate) adopter of 2008 and do not have a need to show skills on 2003 or 2000.

I am an MCSE. Should I take both upgrade exams? No. Just the one for MCSE, 70-649. You won’t get anything additional by taking the MCSA upgrade exam, also.

What is the difference between the new pro-series certs, Server Administrator and Enterprise Administrator? Is there overlap? EA does not encompass SA. In the past, MCSA was a subset of MCSE—but based on feedback we received they have two different focus areas: EA is focused on design and SA is focused on operations. If you earn the EA, you do NOT automatically earn your SA. You need to complete the requirements for both, if you want to earn both.

What will the cost be for the new exams? Same as current price; $125 is cost in US.

Will there be any Cougar (small business server) Specific training/Exams? The current release schedule has this product releasing roughly 6 months after WS 2008. We will have a TS cert on this product and a new job role cert as well. Look for these in July/Aug of 2008.

Will there be an early adopter "credential" for the IT Pro credentials as there was with the 2003 MCSE? Yes, first 500 customers who achieve their upgrade (70648 and 70-649) will get a charter certification.

I take it that a person can be both a server administrator and an enterprise administrator, assuming all the necessary exams are passed? Yes. If both of those job roles are relevant to you.

Will all recertifications be exam based, or are there plans for some type of continuing education that can be applied to re-cert? Easier for other orgs to do it because they don't have the volume that we do. We’re checking on options but for now our plans for now are just to use exams.

Why can't a 2003 MCSA take 649 instead of 648 & 643 separately? recognizing MCSE certified... upgrade exams are only applicable to the target audience (MCSA = 648; MCSE = 649...) MCSA will have a harder time with the upgrade exam because there are already a lot of new skills being tested as is.

Are there simulations on the upgrade exams? No.

Will the upgrade voucher be valid either for SA upgrade or SE upgrade? Good on either rexam

How much longer are you going to be offering the 2000 exams? http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/examstoretire.mspx

Are the amount of questions going to be the same on the upgrade exams? No, there are more... but not tremendously more than the direct path. Will be a different experience then very difficult paths we’ve had in the past.

Will MCSA 648 easier to pass than the MCSE 649? Not necessarily easier, no. Broader amount is covered in 649 – but for an MCSE the upgrade should be about as “easy” as for an MCSA to take 648.

Check the next post for Part II of this FAQ.