Microsoft’s Performance-Based Testing Pilot and Certification Stats

Yesterday Trika posted about a new type of testing that Microsoft is … well, testing out.

The idea behind this new type of testing is to get you closer to a real-world environment.

This performance-based testing allows for emulation (as opposed to simulation) where you get to perform tasks in a virtual environment that’s very much like your real work environment.

Trika explains that:

“This is different from the simulations many of you have run in to on our exams; in simulations you perform tasks in built out mock-ups of the technology. Simulations restrict you to a small number of expected paths, whereas emulations allow for any path, as long as the end result is correct.”

Microsoft is currently evaluating and testing this out — so if you want to participate in the pilot sign up, but please be aware that this exam will not count for you, even if you pass.

If you’re not interested in being a guinea pig don’t worry, Dave Lawlor has already signed himself up for an exam on August 7th and I’m sure he’ll tell us all about it.

If you do want to participate here’s some things you need to know:

• As I mentioned above, this test will not count; so even if you pass you will not get credit for taking this exam. Your participation is simply to help the Microsoft team improve the testing process.
• If you do participate you will be rewarded with a free exam voucher — but only if you’re one of the first 3,000 candidates, so don’t wait to sign up.
• In order to participate you must be familiar with Active Directory since you will be providing feedback not only about the new exam experience but also about the content of the exam.
• And lastly, please be aware that not all Prometric centers offer this exam, so please check with a center near you.

You can get more information and all the details about the Performance-Based Testing Pilot (Exam 70-113 Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring) from Trika.

Microsoft Certification Statistics

Since we’re on the topic of Microsoft Certifications, I thought I’d present you with some interesting statistics about the number of Microsoft Certified Professionals worldwide.

This information can be useful if you’re thinking about getting certified and want to know which certifications are popular and which ones are in demand.

Please note: the numbers below are current as of June 2008.

Top 5 Most Popular Microsoft Certifications

• The most popular Microsoft cert is the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) — with over 2 million people certified worldwide, 2,296,561 to be exact
• 2nd place goes to Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) – Windows NT 4.0 — with 395,798 people certified
• 3rd most popular is Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) – Windows 2000 — with 290,359 certifications worldwide
• 4th highest is Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) – Windows Server 2003 — with 197,568 certifications
• In 5th place is Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) – SQL Server 2000 — with 150,717 certifications

5 Least Popular Microsoft Certifications

• The least popular Microsoft certification is Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) – Database — with only 18 people certified worldwide
• 2nd least popular certification is Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) – Microsoft Virtual Earth 6.0: Developing Applications — with only 25 people certified in this area
• In 3rd place is Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) – Infrastructure — with only 38 people certified
• 4th place is Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) – Microsoft Office Visio 2007: Application Development — with only 46 certifications
• 5th place is shared by Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant (MCLC) and Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) – Microsoft Office Project Server 2007: Configuration — both with 53 people certified worldwide

Pretty interesting huh? Check out the complete list at Microsoft Learning and see how many people in the world have the same certifications you do.

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