Microsoft's professional qualification
MCSA
Windows 8
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- The cornerstone for Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert certifications.
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Certification summary
The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows 8 certification certification proves that you have the core skills to deploy and manage Windows 8 clients. This foundational certification validates your ability to install, maintain, and support Windows 8 deployments in a real-world business context. It confirms that you have associate-level knowledge of virtualisation, configuring remote access, managing backups and recovery, managing Windows 8 using cloud services, and using the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack.
Exams summary
To get a MCSA: Windows 8 certification there are two exams to complete:
Exam 687: Configuring Windows 8
Exam 688: Managing and Maintaining Windows 8
A closer look...
With the MCSA Windows 8 certification you have the right qualification for a technical support or help-desk role. Support means you'll be making sure the computer systems and networks within an organisation are working properly for the end user. If there are any problems like forgotten passwords, email problems, connection or virus issues, you'll be called upon to troubleshoot and fix the problem, making sure that End Users can get back to work as soon as possible.
Career & Job Opportunities
The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA: Windows 8) is a globally recognised qualification across the Finance, Telecoms and Banking industry. As of 2015, the average salary of a Microsoft MCSA Professional is £35,000pa with more than 90% being offered a salary of more than £25,300pa. The average salary for a MCSA graduate is estimated to be £21,300pa. After graduation, you can find work in roles such as Support Engineer and Technical Support with relative ease.
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We will work with you to ensure that you can find work in IT after completing your Microsoft course
Working with JobcentrePlus and our Recruitment Partners across the UK, we will work with you to ensure that you can find work in IT (an not in any job) through job interviews and applications. We aim to get you in an IT job role on completion of your MCSA. If you have no qualification or background in IT, we will provide you with the necessary training for the experience required. For existing MCSA professionals, we can upgrade your qualifications and improve your career prospects. Do not allow your lack of experience or self-confidence deny you from a career in I.T - it is a lot easier (and enjoyable too) than most people think, once you learn the basics.
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The two exams
The MCSA Windows 8 is the latest generation in Microsoft technology and as such there is no current retirement plan for its exams. Below is a breakdown of the exams for this certification and how they are made up.
Exam 687
This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed:
- Install and upgrade to Windows 8.
- Configure hardware and applications.
- Configure network connectivity.
- Configure access to resources.
- Configure remote access and mobility.
- Monitor and maintain Windows clients.
- Configure backup and recovery options.
Exam 687
This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed: Install and upgrade to Windows 8, Configure hardware and applications, Configure network connectivity, Configure access to resources, Configure remote access and mobility, Monitor and maintain Windows clients, Configure backup and recovery options. Here are the percentages that make up the final mark for this exam using these technical tasks:
- Install and upgrade to Windows 8 (10-15%)
- Evaluate hardware readiness and compatibility
- Install Windows 8
- Migrate and configure user data
- Configure hardware and applications (10-15%)
- Configure devices and device drivers
- Install and configure desktop applications
- Install and configure Windows Store applications
- Control access to local hardware and applications
- Configure Internet Explorer
- Configure Hyper-V
- Configure network connectivity (10-15%)
- Configure IP settings
- Configure networking settings
- Configure and maintain network security
- Configure remote management
- Configure access to resources (10-15%)
- Configure shared resources
- Configure file and folder access
- Configure local security settings
- Configure authentication and authorisation
- Configure remote access and mobility (10-15%)
- Configure remote connections
- Configure mobility options
- Configure security for mobile devices
- Monitor and maintain Windows clients (10-15%)
- Configure and manage updates
- Manage local storage
- Monitor system performance
- Configure backup and recovery options (10-15%)
- Configure backup
- Configure system recovery options
- Configure file recovery options
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Exam 688
This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed:
- Design an installation and applications strategy.
- Maintain resource access.
- Maintain Windows clients and devices.
- Manage Windows 8 using cloud services and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack - MDOP.
Exam 688
This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed: Design an installation and applications strategy, Maintain resource access, Maintain Windows clients and devices, Manage Windows 8 using cloud services and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). Here are the percentages that make up the final mark for this exam using these technical tasks:
- Design an installation and applications strategy (25-30%)
- Design an operating system installation strategy
- Design an application strategy for desktop applications
- Design an application strategy for cloud applications
- Design a solution for user settings
- Maintain resource access (25-30%)
- Design for network connectivity
- Design for remote access
- Design for authentication and authorisation
- Manage data storage
- Manage data security
- Maintain Windows clients and devices (25-30%)
- Manage hardware and printers
- Manage mobile devices
- Design a recovery solution
- Manage endpoint security
- Manage Windows 8 using cloud services and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack - MDOP (20-25%)
- Manage clients by using Windows Intune
- Manage public cloud services
- Monitor and maintain clients by using Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack
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Buy the Windows 8 learning package at £899
Includes the two courses shown above and access to the Windows 10 course.
Buy Windows 8 Learning Package
This course is suitable for...
School leavers
A fun and enjoyable way to build a fresh career
Teachers & IT professionals
A prestigious qualification which will distinguish you from the crowd of 21st century geeks
Anyone else...
Looking to start a healthy, rewarding & lucrative career in I.T
But is this course right for you?
Will it provide you with the skills that you need, or the career you'd like to explore? If you are not 100% sure that it's correct for you then we highly recommend that you experience our trial courses and assessments to get an accurate insight to the MCSA certification. You can sign up for this below or use it to ask our lecturers some questions. You can also call us on 0800 622 69 69 and speak to one of our course advisers and they will help you choose the perfect certification tailored to your needs.
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Exam tips and syllabus
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