- Topics Mentioned
- Certification(s):
- Microsoft Certifications
- Exam(s):
- Microsoft Exams
Earlier this month, the Microsoft Learning team announced a new entry level certification, the Microsoft Technology Associate Certification. Designed specifically for students aspiring to become IT professionals and developers, the MTA certifications are based on 80 percent knowledge and 20 percent skills.
The MTA is only available at licensed academic institutions. Schools can purchase an MTA Campus License or MTA vouchers and integrate the MTA into their curricula.
As Microsoft Learning points out, the MTA certifications have two goals. One of them is helping schools “teach and validate fundamental technology knowledge” at the same time allowing students to earn Microsoft certifications in their courses. The other is helping students “gain the confidence they need to succeed in advanced studies” and providing a solid foundation for their careers.
The Microsoft Technology Associate Certification Paths
Although the MTA will not be a requirement for any other certification, it is now the recommended first step in the Microsoft certification program for students.
Here is the current list of the Microsoft Technology Associate Certification exams:
MTA IT Professional Exams:
- Networking Fundamentals Exam 98-366
- Security Fundamentals Exam 98-367
- Windows Server Administration Fundamentals Exam 98-365
MTA Developer Exams
- Software Development Fundamentals Exam 98-361
- Windows Development Fundamentals Exam 98-362
- Web Development Fundamentals Exam 98-363
- Database Administration Fundamentals Exam 98-364
And here is a diagram of how the MTA certifications map to specific certification paths (click on the image to enlarge):
More on the MTA Certifications
Get more information about the MTA Certifications at Microsoft Learning, including preparation guides and learning plans for each of the exams, and the extensive frequently asked questions sections which includes information on training and exam preparation, pricing, exam delivery and scoring and much more.
Learn more about the MTA Campus License for schools interested in offering the MTA to their students from Certiport including thefree 45-day trial of the MTA Campus License, which is good for up to 50 exams.
Read Tjeerd Veninga’s original post announcing the MTA certifications at Born to Learn.
Play the Are You Certifiable practice game at the IT Fundamentals and Dev Fundamentals levels recommended for MTA candidates.
What Do You Think About the New MTA Certifications?
We’d like to hear your thoughts on the new MTA certifications.
Do you think that this new certification lineup will fill the gap of the truly entry level Microsoft certification? Or are the MCTS certifications easy and entry level enough?
Is required to have students take the MTA courses if I want to teach the MCTS cert courses? CUrrently I have both of those classes in my Network Management program and I have a Fundamentals of Security and Network Fundamentals (which are not vender specific).
I look forward to hearing your advise.
Prof. Valcaniant