We have been working toward our Gold Partner status ( up from Certified ) for the past few months which included me taking the CRM certification tests.

In addition, you have to have to electives from a list very much like the one below. I say very much like, because depending if you are on the Microsoft Partner's web site or PartnerSource, you may see a different list.

It was during this process that I found a very irritating caveat that is causing me to waste my time and my money.

I am mentioning it here because I have a feeling that if I am running into this issue, then I am sure a ton of other people will hit it as well.

The Electives list only takes into account people who are becoming newly-certified. it does not take into account those of us who have had our MCSE certification since the NT4 days.

Every time that Microsoft introduces a new MCSE program they always take the time to create Upgrade exams that will allow those with existing certifications to upgrade to the new level with as little energy as possible.  This is really cool because it keeps us from wasting our time and money studying for and taking tests. 

The upgrade test from NT4 MCSE to the Windows 2000 MCSE was 70-240, which encompassed exams 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, and 70-217.   From MCSE 2000 to 2003, you need to take 70-292 and 70-296.

Now, if you look at the list below, you will see that only one of those upgrade tests are listed ( 70-292 ).

And Why am I concerned about this?  Well mostly because I already met the requirements by not having two of the required electives but by having four (210, 216, 217, & 220).

And yes, I have spoken to Microsoft about this and yes, I had much more luck explaining the situation to the rabbit living in my back yard.

So, it looks like over the next week I need to block out some time to study for 70-292 and take it early next week so we can go ahead and get to Gold level.

I guess the only question that I have at the moment is for Microsoft: Which is more important to you: 1) For me to be out selling and supporting CRM or; 2) Spending 20+ hours prepping for a test that I have already taken?

 

Mostly-Correct Dynamics CRM Competency Electives List:

  • 70-210 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional+
  • 70-216 Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure
  • 70-217 Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure+
  • 70-224 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server
  • 70-228 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition.
  • 70-270 Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • 70-284 Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
  • 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment +
  • 70-292 Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000
  • 70-298 Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional+
  • 70-297 Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
  • 70-305 Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
  • 70-315 Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio.NET
  • 70-431 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance
  • CRM 12-228 (MB2-228)Microsoft CRM Extending Microsoft CRM with .NET