Microsoft Certification: Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003?

In the wake of Microsoft's recent reversal of its "mix'n'match" strategy on Windows 2000 exams versus Windows Server 2003 exams (and – presumably -- Windows XP for the desktop), lots of readers have e-mailed me to ask: "Should I get certified on Windows 2000 exams sooner, or wait and get certified on next-generation Windows Server 2003 exams?"

Any time we're on the cusp of changes in Windows certifications programs, this question pops up -- and it's always a good one. Here are some facts that will help put new exam availability in context.

For those already underway in certifying on Windows 2000, it would be wise to finish up ASAP. For those contemplating an MCSA or MCSE in the next year or two, things shake out like this:

The inevitable follow-up is "If I certify on Windows 2000, how soon must I upgrade for Windows Server 2003?" Microsoft has announced it will offer upgrade exams for the MCSA and MCSE to take people from the 2000 to the 2003 le

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vel. They haven't yet said when those upgrade exams will be available. I can only guess how this will work. Based on how Microsoft handled upgrading from NT 4 to Windows 2000, I believe individuals won't be able to upgrade until Q3 or Q4 of 2003 and that they won't be forced (by virtue of partnership requirements and so forth) to upgrade until a year later. Given that one exam is likely to upgrade an MCSA and two to upgrade an MCSE, I'm hoping those upgrade requirements won't be too onerous, either.

Bottom line: if you're in a hurry or you want to finish MCSA or MCSE this year, take the Windows 2000 track. If you've got more time or specific Windows Server 2003 requirements, you'll have to wait for the next exams to come around.

Ed Tittel runs a content development company in Austin, Texas, and is the series editor of the Que Exam Cram 2 and Training Guide series. He's worked on many books on Microsoft, CompTIA, CIW, Sun/Java, and security certifications.