Helmers Blog

Just received an e-mail from Microsoft Learning today. I passed the MCTS Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Client Virtualization exam! Strange, normally you have to check the Prometric website to see if you have passed a Microsoft exam. Probably the system is working a lot smoother then with the last exams, let’s hope it stays this way with all the upcoming exams!

Earlier today I blogged about the availability of the new Windows Server 2008 Server Virtualization beta exam. You probably want to prepare yourself for this beta exam, but (as always with a beta exam) you can’t find all the info you need. That’s normal! The preparation material for a beta exam is always limited….but there is some info available. To make it easy for you, I’ll collected some resources and I placed them below!

1. Exam Preparation Guide
2. A Free 2 Hour Windows Server 2008 R2 Training
3. Windows Server 2008 R2 Overview
4. Download a Windows Server 2008 R2 Evaluation Version
5. Windows Server 2008 R2 Product Documentation
6. Windows Server 2008 R2 Homepage

If you happen to run into some more resources, please let me know and I’ll add them to the list!

At 12:00am (EST) the 71-659 became available for registration. As I blogged before there will be a very limited number of seats!

I’ve been able to register for the exam…..I’m curious how long it will take this time to fill up all the seats! Will Microsoft extend the number of seats again like they did before, they said they won’t…..

To be clear : I won’t give you the promotional code to register for the exam. It will be announced later this week on the MS Learn Blog!

Just received an e-mail from Microsoft inviting me for the 71-659 : TS: Window Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization. So if you have an up to date SME Profile with the right expertise mentioned, you probably received the same e-mail:

Register for Beta Exam 71-659: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization

You are invited to take beta exam 71-659: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization. You were specifically chosen to participate in this beta because of your Microsoft Learning SME Profile or previous participation with Microsoft Learning. This opportunity will also be offered to the general public. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form.

By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

71-659: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

· MCITP: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator

Availability

Registration begins: December 1, 2009

Beta exam period runs: December 4, 2009– December 31, 2009

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta. We recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

 

For everybody who hasn’t got a SME Profile already, just go and read here how to create your own SME Profile. Somewhere next week the information on how to register for the beta exam will be posted on the MS Learn blog….this will include the promotional code to register for the exam for free!

I just checked my Prometric History after a tip from my neighbor (Thnx Niels!) and I passed the first Windows 7 Exam!

So….I’m now official certified to configure Windows 7