How to prepare for the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) Certification

Introduction

The new Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician certification provides the most effective approach to gain the skills of successfully troubleshooting desktop environments running on the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. It is an entry-level certification presented by Microsoft for the client and desktop professional.
A research by the U.S. Department of Labor, shows that Computer support specialists held about 500,000 jobs in the year 2002, but at present there is still a shortage of skilled individuals to do this job. According to this research this is a fastest growing occupation through 2012. MCDST certification provides an excellent opportunity for those candidates who are interested in the job of support technicians because it validates that the individuals have the skills to support end users and to successfully troubleshoot desktop environments running on the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. For more information you can visit.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm

http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/cmag_department.asp?articleid=917&zoneid=63

IT managers are facing problems in recruiting their technical staff and arranging the training for them. They would like to ensure that their professionals are consistent and have the adequate knowledge of supporting Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office applications. The organizations that have made plenty of investments in the Microsoft software can utilize this certification as a benchmark for hiring support technicians and it can be also used as a training tool for development of the professionals.

To achieve this certification Microsoft presents only two core examinations. Exam 70-271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System, that measures the skills of the candidates required for supporting users and troubleshooting the Windows XP operating system, and exam 70-272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System that measures the skills needed to support and troubleshoot applications like Microsoft office or internet explorer running on Windows XP.

Any individual who is interested in making their career in IT can opt for this certification. MCDST certification validates the skills of help-desk technicians, customer-support representatives, PC support specialists, technical-support representatives, and technical-support specialists.

Benefits of Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician certification:

1. It simplifies the process and reduces the cost of recruiting and hiring the staff. It also reduces the time spent by the management and the inherent risk in the recruiting, hiring and promotional process.
2. It lowers the costs involved in the training of the professionals.
3. It provides a benchmark to the organization for recruiting their staffs..
4. It provides a proof to the individuals for their abilities and skills..
5. It provides a certification that increases the qualification of the individuals..
6. It will be very beneficial for those individuals who are struggling for
   promotion.

Resources:

Books: The MS Press books are very good option for any Microsoft certification but there are various other Venders too who have published books for this certification. For MCDST certification some excellent books are MCDST: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Study Guide (Exams 70-271 and 70-272) by Bill Ferguson, MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System by Walter Glenn, MCDST 70-272 Exam Cram 2: Supporting Users & Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Windows XP Operating System (Exam Cram 2) by Diana Huggins, Will Schmied, Ed Tittel.

Useful Sites: In addition to the books, you can get a number of resources on the web. Some useful sites for you to get adequate knowledge about certifications and practical articles are:

http://www.mcpmag.com,

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcdst/default.asp,

www.developer.com,

http://www.csharpcorner.com.

Exam Simulation: Practice is the most important ingredient for success. Although you have studied appropriate books, reviewed effective articles, read tutorials and notes, they will not help you much, if you do not practicing at all. Simulation exam provides you an environment of actual exam, which helps to discover where are you lacking and how far are you from success. It also enhances you confidence level.

Discussion forums: Certification forums are a very good recourse for learning with others. With the help of forums you can clear you doubts, you can ask them about their study techniques, learn about other not popular certification resources and get moral support when you are tensed about your exam. Some good forums are:

http://www.mcse.ms/forum12.html

http://www.examnotes.net/forum100.html

http://redmondmag.com/forums

http://forums.windrivers.com

http://www.mcmcse.com/forums

http://forums.msdn.ph

These resources will surely help you attain this specialized Microsoft certification, which is increasingly growing popular in the IT industry.