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Well, I’ve finally received my “Charter Member” welcome kit from Microsoft.

I was expecting a new card with a note on it or something, but it is just a typical certificate, with the note Charter at the top. Plus it doesn’t even appear on the transcript. Kind of lame.

Oh well, I guess I can put it on my resume.. like anyone would put MCTS certifications on their resume.

Why did I get FIVE certifications by getting my MCITP: Enterprise Admin? Are people craving instant gratification so much that Microsoft had to make you feel like you accomplished something every time you spent 130$ and 2 hours to pass an exam?

That MCITP itself is already easier than it should be, the individual certifications are a joke. Putting “TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring” on my resume feels as stupid as writing “MCP” on it. OK, so I know how to install IIS and Sharepoint Services, and I know what a “Terminal Server” is. Now what ?

Well, if I was like some people I know I could put this in my signature!

/rant

In a recent Microsoft learning live meeting, it was mentioned that Microsoft wants to start using statistical analysis do spot cheaters.

What is a bit unclear is how will that “evidence” be treated?

I think it should be treated as a reason to launch an investigation, but not to accuse anyone.

Microsoft Exams are relatively easy, and sometimes, the questions pop up and if you know your stuff and you are a fast reader, you can be done with the exam in about 30 minutes and score very high.

I have only once used over an hour to do a Microsoft exam, and that was a few days ago for the 70-647, and I was taking my time.

This will also lead to the inevitable race between cheaters and Microsoft. Braindumpers will start making mistakes on purpose, and will leave questions open for 2-3 minutes while moving the mouse to make it look like they are thinking hard.

A good idea if used as a tool to launch an investigation, especially against a learning center or an exam center, and a slippery slope if used to ban people.