We had our OWSUG Study group exec BBQ today and the discussion came up on whether or not 70-620 counted as an elective or the core workstation OS on the MSCE. Referencing Trika’s blog, the answer is it counts as an elective or core but not both.

For example, if you were working towards your MSCA, passed 70-270 (XP) already and then wrote 70-620, then it would count as the elective. If you however were starting out and wrote 70-620 (Vista) first but did not write 70-270 (XP) then 70-620 (Vista) would count towards your Core workstation OS. If you did that, then I would recommend you write 70-622 (Enterprise Support) as your elective.

I’m a little slow at posting this, but if you haven’t heard Microsoft has dumped Pearson VUE in favour of  using only Prometric as a testing provider effective August 31st, 2007. 

For me this means I have to travel about an hour and half to Ottawa to write exams. Of course there is always the chance that the local shop will change and become a  prometric site. As much as this should be an inconvenience for me, it should work out okay, as CTE Solutions in Ottawa is a prometric site, and I am up there most Monday nights as part of the MCSE study group. I’ll just need to try and schedule my exams for Mondays and head up a little earlier.

Microsoft has said this will help streamline their process and make it easier to get exams out and also help the integrity of their exams. I am really skeptical on that, but I guess wait and see. Microsoft Learning is aware of the MCP’s complaints, with the main one being the location of the testing centers, thanks to Trika’s blog. Just remember guys, she’s just the messenger and I think most have realized that.