Plan Your MCSA - Windows Server 2016 Certification

Even though you have several years of experience and holdi a bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the field of your study, this may not show your value to the market. It is always a better idea to get certified in your area of specialization. I would recommend to take certification exams and get certified to prove that you’re keeping your expertise up-to date.

I am writing this article to share my idea with those who want to get certified in Microsoft’s new Server operating system – “Windows Server 2016”. If you are a fresh college graduate and want to start your career as a system administrator or already working at associate level in a company and want to advance your server operating system skills, I would suggest you to take the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification exam.

Windows Server 2016 is the latest Server OS from Microsoft. MCSA is an abbreviation for Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate. Microsoft offers MCSA certification for various technologies. You can find them below.

MCSA Certification	Expertise In
Cloud Platform	Cloud: Platform and Infrastructure
Linux on Azure	Business Applications
Microsoft Dynamics 365	Business Applications
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for operations	Business Applications
Microsoft Office	Productivity
SQL BI Development	Data Management and Analytics
SQL DB Administration	Data Management and Analytics
SQL Database Development	Data Management and Analytics
SQL Server	Data Management and Analytics
Universal Windows Platform	App Builder
Web Applications	App Builder
Windows 10	Mobility
Windows Server	Cloud: Platform and Infrastructure

List of MCSA certifications for different technologies.

I would like to share a few thoughts with you to help you prepare for this certification exam. To achieve this certification, you must write three exams. They are.

Exam 1) 70-740: Installation, Storage, and computer with Windows Server 2016
Exam 2) 70-741: Networking with Windows Server 2016
Exam 3) 70-742: Identity with Windows Server 2016

Let’s first understand the first exam. i.e. 70-740: Installation, Storage, and computer with Windows Server 2016.

Exam 1) 70-740 Installation, Storage, and computer with Windows Server 2016

In this exam, Microsoft tests your ability to Install, configure Windows Server and implement storage solutions and many other roles and features. If you have practiced well before, you can easily pass this test. I have clearly specified all the topics along with the weightages for each topic in this 70-740 exam.

Important Topic Weight

Install, upgrade Windows Servers, Nano Server and migrate workloads. (10-15%)
Configuring Virtual Hard Disks and Implementing Storage Solutions. (10 -15%)
Install and Configure Hypervisor, Configure Virtual Machine settings. (20-25%)
Manage and Deploy Windows Containers. (5- 10%)
Implement and Manage failover clustering and High availability. (30-35%)
Managing Server Environment. (10-15%)

So, better practice (gain hands on experience) all the above topics before talking this exam.

Exam 2) 70-741 Networking with Windows Server 2016

This exam is all about implementing various roles and implementing network infrastructure in an organization. In this exam, Microsoft measures your ability to

Implement DNS - (Domain Name Service). (15-20%)
Implement DHCP - (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). (15-20%)
Implement IPAM - (IP Address Management). (15-20%)
Implement remote access solutions and network connectivity. (25-30%)
Implement network solutions over a distributed network. (10-15%)
Implement and advanced network infrastructure. (10-15%)

Exam 3) 70-742 Identity with Windows Server 2016

You must have very good knowledge about AD DS (Active Directory Domain Services) to pass this exam. Let’s look at the major topics and their weight in this final exam.

Important Topic Weight

Install, Configure AD DS. (20-25%)
Maintain AD DS. (15-20%)
Group Policy Management. (25-30%)
AD CS (Active Directory Certification Service). (10-15%)
Implement Identity Federation Solutions. (15-20%)

Once you pass all the 3 tests, you will be awarded MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) certification.

Exam Fee

In the United States, the exam fee is $165 for each exam. ($495 Total)

Note

But if you’re a student, it will be ~$100 for each exam.

In India, it is ~ Rs. 5000.

Minimum score to pass

There will be around 50 – 55 questions, and you should score > 70 % to pass the exam. Most of the questions will be in either multiple choice, or drag and drop, or single line answers format.

Where should I take?

At any Pearson VUE authorized test center.

You can explore more here .

Hope this information helps. If you are planning to take this exam, I wish you good luck.