With Windows Server 2003, Microsoft has "morphed" its certification program into two very distinct audience tracks: MCSAs and MCSEs. Should you go for, wait or forget about these next-gen credentials? Find out here.

Clarifying the above post, Microsoft has made it two separate tracks for certifications between Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 with upgrade exams for Windows 2000 certified MCSA's (1 exam) and MCSE's (2 exams). Windows 2000 has the MSCA and MSCE tracks just like Windows 2003 does, just have to take test for Windows 2003 based systems vs W2K systems.

Windows 2003 Certification Track Link: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcs...sa/windows2003/

Windows 2000 Certifcation Track Link: http://www.microsoft.com/TrainCert/mcp/mcs...equirements.asp

I wonder what the average associated cost would be and if the difference in cost would justify the rewards?

Should not cost anymore to certify in Windows 2003 vs 2000 since the exams are currently the same price if testing thru a VUE test center. Cost for the upgrade exams can be justified by looking at the migrations that will be be performed from all the older NT systems that have not upgraded to 2000 and they require support and all the other items that go along with a new system if they upgrade to 2003. Currently, most companies are looking at performing a migration to 2000 and not 2003 because that is what has been in the planning pipeline for the companies, especially with the delays in the release of the 2003.

Since 2000 and 2003 are really close in functions and how they work, the exams for upgrading should be not as difficult as the upgrade was for NT to 2000 MSCE.

Very well put.