rightontimecomputers
New Member
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Washington, DC
I been thinking about taking the mcdst but it retires this June for windows xp. will it be a good move to take?
Should I Take The MCDST
- Thread starter rightontimecomputers
- Start date
basic
Member
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Virginia, USA
Are you looking to get a job at a company in a help desk-type role or you just want it to use for your business?
If it's the former, then I say you should since it will probably help you attain a position. Otherwise, it's not really necessary and if you are doing it to learn...you can learn on your own.
Edit: Oh, it's for XP. I say no.
If it's the former, then I say you should since it will probably help you attain a position. Otherwise, it's not really necessary and if you are doing it to learn...you can learn on your own.
Edit: Oh, it's for XP. I say no.
I would say not too, as the Exam are due to be retired June 30th 2011.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/exam-dev.aspx#tab4
Exam 70-271
Exam 70-272
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/exam-dev.aspx#tab4
Exam 70-271
Exam 70-272
Techlogon
Member
- Reaction score
- 9
I Think Basic put it well. I got MCDST years back but I wasn't paying.
It may come in useful if you want a help desk/call center type job (60% of computers still use XP) as it covers customer service skills (basic level) as well as XP so could look good on a CV - but a W7 qualification as well would be useful in my opinion as it shows you're up to date.
If it's for your own business, don't bother as you have to pay for 2 exams to get MCDST - learn/revise all the material certainly but if you just want a MCP logo to put on your website/biz card then study for a single exam (in the op system you feel least confident on so you gain a real benefit) - and perhaps take A+ as well for the hardware side of things.
It may come in useful if you want a help desk/call center type job (60% of computers still use XP) as it covers customer service skills (basic level) as well as XP so could look good on a CV - but a W7 qualification as well would be useful in my opinion as it shows you're up to date.
If it's for your own business, don't bother as you have to pay for 2 exams to get MCDST - learn/revise all the material certainly but if you just want a MCP logo to put on your website/biz card then study for a single exam (in the op system you feel least confident on so you gain a real benefit) - and perhaps take A+ as well for the hardware side of things.
- Reaction score
- 84
- Location
- East Coast, NC (USA)
Another thing to think about. I looked at it some years back when MS threw out some free study materials and a cert discount voucher... I decided that test was the devil.
Sample question was something like: "What is the fastest way to talk a client into opening the device manager?" Now 3 of the 4 answers as I recall were all a correct way to do it, which might confuse the average person - however the keyword "faster" in the question would really throw you off, because regardless of the wording of the question, MS wants you to answer the most asinine way to do anything. The right answer was some convoluted mess about going to start > help and support > search for this, click on that, click this on the left, click that, count to 99 backwards, and click here. 29 steps later you just talked a client into opening the device manager!
Honestly I just cannot wrap my head around the way MS wants you to do something vs. the sensible way. So I know I would fail the test LOL.
The other thing to think about is, just how many job recruiters have heard of the MCDST anyway? Sure it wouldn't look bad on your resume, but do you think it would look good?
Now if its for your own business, something you want to advertise, then you might as well get some related Microsoft cert because whether it's grandma calling you or some law firm down the street, they are more likely to have heard of Microsoft than Comptia (A+/Network+/etc.).... and this is about as easy as they come from MS I think...
Just my 2c.
joydivision
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 58
- Location
- Manchester, UK
The course is being discontinued this month anyway, do the Windows 7 one, I can't remember the title of it.
@FoolishTech
I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head regarding Microsoft certs. Although I've never gone for any of them I have glanced at a few of the books and the MCSE ones I looked were full of managerial nonsense: design this networks taking into account the hierarchy of this unit etc.
Now designing a network does obviously need to take some account of an organization's structure but this seemed to be more along the lines of making sure that the network should make sure that all the various department (and especially the lower ranking ones) of Acme Inc. constantly remember their place...
I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head regarding Microsoft certs. Although I've never gone for any of them I have glanced at a few of the books and the MCSE ones I looked were full of managerial nonsense: design this networks taking into account the hierarchy of this unit etc.
Now designing a network does obviously need to take some account of an organization's structure but this seemed to be more along the lines of making sure that the network should make sure that all the various department (and especially the lower ranking ones) of Acme Inc. constantly remember their place...
AdamsAPlus
Member
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Portland TN
I have my MCDST and I will say this about that cert.
Take it. It is an easy cert to get. And there are upgrades to the Vista and Win 7 Certs. To get Vista or Win 7 Cert I would say it's easier to get the MCDST then do the upgrade. I can't say for sure if this is easier because I didn't try to get Vista by it's self. I did the upgrade. Now I'm looking at getting the Win 7 upgrade.
If you do the upgrade and you have never received any Microsoft certs then you do 3 tests and get 4 certs. 2 tests for the MCDST (and you get your MCP and your MCDST). Then 1 upgrade test and get 2 Vista Certs. (Not sure if Win 7 is the same)
Take it. It is an easy cert to get. And there are upgrades to the Vista and Win 7 Certs. To get Vista or Win 7 Cert I would say it's easier to get the MCDST then do the upgrade. I can't say for sure if this is easier because I didn't try to get Vista by it's self. I did the upgrade. Now I'm looking at getting the Win 7 upgrade.
If you do the upgrade and you have never received any Microsoft certs then you do 3 tests and get 4 certs. 2 tests for the MCDST (and you get your MCP and your MCDST). Then 1 upgrade test and get 2 Vista Certs. (Not sure if Win 7 is the same)
Similar threads
