MCSA Certification

Free MCSA study resources

Microsoft's official MCSA web page

Microsoft's MCSA certification (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) was launched in 2002 and has gone on to become one of the company's most recognised, and most sought-after, credentials.

The MCSA is a mid-level certification geared toward those who have about 12 months of work experience with exposure to desktop operating systems and network operating systems, as well as the inherent network infrastructure that supports them.

The MCSA certification is suited to those who wish to maintain and administer an existing network, as opposed to the MCSE which is geared toward the skills required to design implement new networks.




In recent times the MCSA has become a somewhat dated certification track, due mostly to the introduction of 'Microsoft's new generation certifications', but Microsoft have stated that, because of the continued demand for Windows 2003 Server skills, the MCSA will not be retired in the immediate future and that the new generation of certifications are not intended to replace the MCSA (as they focus on different technologies). There are still, therefore, two different versions of the MCSA that a candidate can opt for:

• MCSA on Windows 2000 Server, and


• MCSA on Windows 2003 Server

The reality, however, is that many of the exams for the 2000 Server track have now been retired making it impossible for anyone just starting out to complete that particular track (if you have already passed all of the retired required exams however, you can still use those credits and complete the MCSA 2000 Server credential). This means that for those just starting out, the MCSA on Windows 2003 Server is the only viable option available.

Each MCSA track has two specialization routes which provide candidates with the opportunity to tailor their MCSA toward a specific career path:

• MCSA Messaging on Windows 2000/2003 Server, or


• MCSA Security on Windows 2000/2003 Server

Most of the MCSA tracks require the candidate to pass a total of four exams, although the MCSA Security specialization requires five exams. These are a mix of 'required' (compulsory) exams, and elective exams. In some cases, candidates can use third-party credentials, such as those from CompTIA, or Microsoft's own MCDST as credits toward an elective exam.

The exams can be taken in any order but the candidate only earns the MCSA credential when all of the required and elective exams have been successfully completed.

Once earned, the candidate is MCSA for life (meaning no compulsory upgrades), although the credential is tied to the platform on which the candidate was tested.

To pass the MCSA, candidates must achieve a scaled minimum score of 700 on each of the exams. Because of the way Microsoft scale and grade their exams however, this doesn't equate to a 70% passing score. Each exam might be scaled differently making the actual percentage pass mark slightly different for each exam.

Candidates who fail an MCSA exam on their first attempt may retake the exam (after paying the appropriate fee again) anytime after a 24-hour stand down period. Further fails require the candidate to wait 14 days between attempts (with a maximum of 5 attempts in any calendar year).

The exams typically cost US$125 each, although there may be local currency variations depending on the candidate's location, and can be taken at any Pearson VUE or Thompson Prometric testing center. Check with your local testing center for up-to-date price information. Keep in mind that there are discount vouchers available for the exam that not only reduce the cost of the exam but also include free training material (read more about MCSA exam vouchers). Discount vouchers can be bought through independant third-party suppliers.