Top Microsoft Certifications

Microsoft is a leading IT certification vendor in the world. It prepares certified specialists able to support its systems and work with the products it issues. Microsoft developed a new mystifying alphabet broth that needs some sorting out.

Presently, the official Microsoft Certification package is segregated into 7 major categories i.e. Cloud, Data, Mobility, App Builder, Productivity, business Applications.

Certifications provided by Microsoft are divided into 2 categories:
- Non-technical –it includes MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) and MOS Expert (Microsoft Office Specialist Expert)
- Technical- MTA (Microsoft Technical Associate), MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate), MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert), MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer).

The major three certification levels are MCSA, MCSE and MCSD.

MTA is a certification level for those who want to start their career in IT and work with Microsoft technology field. Note, that MTA is not a must for getting MCSA certification. In order to launch your career in IT MCSA certification is needed. For this, a candidate passes the certification exam, depending on the career path he/she has chosen. Mainly the exams check the basic skills necessary to make a career in IT and serves as a prerequisite for getting the certifications of the higher level- MCSE or MCSD. MCSE certifications testifies your deeper knowledge and skills to operate various Microsoft technologies. MCSD certification level is for those who have chosen to follow developer track and verifies one’s skills to develop Azure solutions, Sharepoint, web services etc.

The thing you should know is that once you successfully accomplish your initial Microsoft exam, you are considered a MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional). Earning an MCP certification offers access to benefits as well as exams console, with transcripts and certificates, promotional offers, downloadable certification logos and many more. Moreover, you get MCP title on your transcript. It is significant to know that only MCSD, MCSA and MCSE qualify as an MCP certificate. Neither MOS nor MTA certificates qualifies for MCP designation and no one of these exams are requirements for MCSE, MCSD or MCSA certifications.

A passing sum total of 700 don’t indicate you need to answer 70% of exam questions accurately, as Microsoft makes use of ascended scores. This indicates that number of questions required to pass out the exam perhaps range from 50 to 85 percent of number of questions. Mentioned below are a few steps required to get Microsoft certifications in hand:
- Prior becoming a certified MS Office Specialist (MOS), Candidates should obtain core computer skills.
- Sign up for Microsoft Office Courses.
- Select a Certification Course.
- Finally Take Those Certification Exams.

Basic Salary for Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): $65,821 in average. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): $79,097 in average. Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST): $81,917 in average.

In a nutshell, Microsoft offers a varied certification program. One of the initial stages in getting a Microsoft certification is to select the certification level that is perfect for you and afterward start reviewing the prerequisites for the chosen career track.