Microsoft’s changes are long overdue, and although I’m already a Windows 2003 MCSE, I intend to take one of these updated exams once available just to understand how the new format works in practice.

Even though it’s difficult to be sure until I actually take one of the exams with the simulation questions, one would have to think this change can only be a good thing. For employers, those that pass the exams have demonstrated hands-on ability with the product to complete typical day-to-day tasks. For test takers, the exams become less a memorisation exercise and more a test of our abilities to actually work with the product. It also gets away from the ever-expanding types of multiple-choice questions faced in the exams, which can often become a test of comprehension rather than technical ability with the product. Therefore, these tests have their validity improved by being a more reliable predictor of the ability to perform the job.

The new certifications announced by ScriptingAnswers.com are an interesting proposition. I’ve remarked before that I’m amazed how few Windows administrators know scripting, whereas Unix folks think nothing of putting together a shell script to automate a task. Somehow, the constant presence of the GUI on Windows means that many don’t or can’t see the value of scripting tasks. As a manager, I love the ability to automate admin tasks to perform them quicker and more reliably. This saves precious time and also reduces the chances of user error once a script has been fully tested In fact, I would have loved to see Microsoft come out with a scripting elective as part of the MCSA/MCSE program.

ScriptingAnswers has seen a gap in the certification market and elected to produce their own certification programs. Starting with a verbal exam with a high pass mark and some hands-on scripting tasks, there’s no doubt that these are going to be tough to get. Certainly, the name behind this cert doesn’t have the same kudos as having the vendor behind it, but this is one way that those who want to specialise in these tasks and demonstrate their abilities in Windows scripting can show their stuff.

Even if you assumed the worst and that the name of the vendor behind these titles has no value, as a hiring manager, I can see a benefits for candidates with this cert. The process of preparing for the exams forces them to revise items that they may have forgotten or haven’t fully used in practise before. It does demonstrate that the candidate is interested in taking the time improving themselves by putting themselves through this program. And lastly, given the demanding process they’ve had to go through to get the certification, then they must know their stuff!

Like all certification programs, the question is, then, whether the time invested in preparing and taking the exams together with the cost of the exams themselves exceeds the potential benefit to your career earnings. For most, yes, the cost will exceed the potential benefits, making this program an unlikely option. However, there's a niche for some for whom it's worthwhile.

The next column will discuss my adventures in completing the MCSE: Security specialisation (two exams down, one more to go). So it’s time to go and hit the books! In the meantime, I’m interested to hear your thoughts on the simulation questions in Microsoft exams and the new ScriptingAnswers certification program. Let me know by posting your thoughts below.