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New MCP Exam for Systems Management Experts

Systems Management Server 2003 exam being beta tested from Aug. 8 to Aug. 22. Will count toward MCSE and new Technology Specialist cert.

UPDATE: Based on information posted on the Microsoft MCP site, Microsoft is planning to release a new exam for Systems Management Server 2003. Exam 70-089, Planning, Deploying, and Managing Systems Management Server 2003; the exam will be numbered 71-089 while it's being beta tested. The beta is available at both Pearson VUE and Thomson Prometric testing centers.

Microsoft has furnished MCPmag.com with some details, noting the exam just entered beta testing phase on Monday, August 8; the testing phase will conclude on August 22. The company did not provide an expected release date for the live version of the exam. The exam objective guide shows that Microsoft posted the document on July 20.

Systems Management Server 2003, Microsoft's enterprise change and configuration management toolset, has been available since November, 2003. Microsoft has confirmed that exam 70-089 will fulfill an elective requirement for the MCSE on Windows 2003 title. It will also count toward Technology Specialist fulfillment under the "new-generation" MCP program, although . (Portions of the program were revealed at Microsoft TechEd in early July; see "MCP Program Takes New Road in September" in the News archive.)

Microsoft has developed two courses for those who want more training on SMS 2003:

Microsoft typically offers beta exams for free to qualified individuals via invitation only. To find out more, go to http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/status/beta.asp.

Exam 70-089 is an update to the older 70-086, Systems Management Server 2.0. Those who passed that exam do not need to recertify, as certifications never retire.

Note: This story was corrected from an earlier posting, which erroneously referred to this exam as a Partner Competency exam.

About the Author

Michael Domingo has held several positions at 1105 Media, and is currently the editor in chief of Visual Studio Magazine.