Do you want to create a mark in your IT career? Look no further as we give you some of the most admirable certifications in the market. Offered by one of the industry’s leading IT vendors – Microsoft – choosing from the list below is surely a step closer to your IT goals.

However, you need to act fast because most of these certifications are now limited due to the introduction of role-based Microsoft validations. These new credentials are created to keep abreast with the modifications in the industry.

So, what is an MCSA certification?

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate or actualtests MCSA is the Microsoft credential of the associate level, issued to certify your product knowledge and practical skills in a specific area. These certifications are essential for those who want to strengthen their technical ability, hence making them valuable among recruiters. To gain it, you need to pass two and more MCSA exams. Such tests have vague exam outline, which means that you won’t know the exact format and number of questions of the exam you are taking.

How to efficiently and effectively prepare for your MCSA certification?

The best way to study for your upcoming MCSA certification exam is to utilize the best resources. First on the list is Microsoft, which is the official provider of the MCSA credentials. Through the Microsoft website, you will acquire knowledge of the exam topics as well as other materials you can maximize such as online courses, instructor-guide training, and practice tests.

On top of the Microsoft materials, make sure to spend time on other beneficial exam resources. One noteworthy reference is PrepAway. This exam dump website gathers excellent practice tests along with some reliable training lectures and study guides. To use their exam dumps, you just have to download the VCE simulator and open the files in no time.

What are the most in-demand MCSA certifications at present?

·       MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014

One of the top-paying MCSA certifications is the MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014, which establishes your skills in essential SQL Server database functions. These include administrating, querying, and implementing databases to maintain business stability.

But before anything else, you’ve got to complete your MTA certification. This will give you a profound background of Microsoft SQL server database. After, you can now prepare for the three-part exam. Exam 70-461 (Querying Database) is designed for database developers, administrators, and system engineers with at least 2 years’ experience in writing queries. The next requirement is exam 70-462 (Administering Database) is meant for database professionals who have know-how in tasks like installing, maintaining, and configuring data. The last exam is 70-463, which is designed for data warehouse and ETL developers who want to further learn about Business Intelligence solutions, warehouse implementation, and other related subjects.

·       MCSA: Windows Server 2016

Next on the list of popular MCSA credentials is Windows Server 2016 certification. This is the perfect assessment of your expertise in Windows Server 2016, which is needed by businesses to reduce IT expenses and deliver more value to the organization. Since this is a valuable validation, there’s a need to equip yourself with foundational IT skills through an MTA certification.

If you’ve completed the initial step, then you can move to the corresponding MCSA: Windows Server 2016 tests. The first is exam 70-740, which caters on your proficiency in installing, storing, and computing features in Server 2016 as well as some topics like Nano Server, High Availability, and Data Deduplication. The second is exam 70-741 that covers networking subjects and functions like DNS, IPAM, VPN, Hyper-V, and such. The third and the last is exam 70-742, which is the test that measures your mastery in identity functionality, along with issues like AD DS, AD CS, AD FS, Group Policy, and Web Application implementations.

·       MCSA: Windows Server 2012

Also part of the best MCSA certifications is MCSA: Windows Server 2012 – the kind of validation needed by most computer network administrators and specialists. The credential unknots your technical skills in Windows Server 2012. To qualify for this certification, acquisition of an MTA credential is necessary. The next step is the completion of three exams.

Exam 70-410 is the assessment of your abilities in installing, configuring, and implementing core Server 2012 services and infrastructures. This also covers topics such as Active Directory, Group Policy, and Hyper-V. The second part of the three-series exam is 70-411, which elaborates your administrative proficiency such as maintaining servers, configuring network services, and managing both Active Directory and Group Policy. The last exam is 70-412, which tackles on advanced configuring responsibilities as well as topics like identity federation, fault tolerance, discovery recovery, and DNS solutions.

·       MCSA: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations

For those who want to undertake Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations, then there’s something specially made for you. This MCSA certification does not have any prerequisite, though it’s highly intended to IT programmers and technical consultants. If you are one of the listed two professions, then you can pursue this track with ease. However, you should know ahead that this MCSA credential will be retired this coming December 31, 2019. So, if you want to venture this certification, you need to pass two out of its three exams as early as now.

First on the list is 70-764, which is meant to enhance your administrative skills such as installing, upholding, and securing database systems. Instead of 70-764 test, you can apply for 70-765 exam, which is all about working with cloud service models and architectures along with data synchronization and data storage options. The next exam with is a must on the way of getting the MCSA Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations is MB6-894, which is a role-based exam that defines your expertise in technical and development function for Microsoft Dynamics 365, particularly in Finance and Operations

Conclusion

MCSA certifications are simply your stepping stones to more advanced Microsoft features and functions. And earning at least one MCSA credential awards you with more benefits you could ever imagine―from career advancement to salary increment and more! So, if you want something beneficial to your profession, an MCSA certification is definitely the answer.