I know we have a couple of MCSE's on this board (hello Nick :wavey: ). Can anyone recommend training companies or course styles (what do you all think about the intensive courses?) that are most likely to get a reasonably competent person through the MCSE exam?

I know very little about the process, but I'm thinking along the lines of the W2k3 course - http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/windows2003/ -, with an elective in SQL Server (70-228) if it hasn't been deprecated by then ...

Thank you all very much.

I am a co-director of a training company

Buy a bunch of good books and a few PCs that you can build a test network with and teach yourself.

You'll end up understanding a lot more than if you do a cramming type course

Not sure they hold as much weight nowadays as they used to, but good luck.

I stopped with the MCP in NT4 W/S lol... Couldn't be bothered doing any more!

I've been thinking about going for a few of the basic courses, IBM, linux, as400 and MS...I can't do it all, few can...but I'm not looking at the consoles thinking wtf do I do next.

However the training courses should take you through the core, I find it's when you step out and have a go at the fringe that your almost back to stage one...quality and level of course not withstanding.

I do tend to find myself wanting a course, but after a few days of research, a 1:1 would be better...however the bit's of paper can count if tying to proove you have a sheet of skills for example.

MS also does a bunch of free courses if you are on a certain level of support - if you are in a medium or larger company there is a good chance you can attend for free (i.e. course is free, travel isnt, etc, but worth investigating).

There are also loads of online courses on the MS site IIRC that are free for all, or for MSDN subscribers (which most companies that develop software will be)

On the MSDN subject, any small business that is willing to sign up to the partnership programme can go for an Action Pack, which will save them around

Buy a bunch of good books and a few PCs that you can build a test network with and teach yourself.

You'll end up understanding a lot more than if you do a cramming type course

I'd agree with that - I've got several Win2k MCSE course books in a nice box set sitting next to my desk, but have never got round to doing the modules, as I've learned everything I need to know by doing, not reading. Obviously, if you want the paper qualification, then the quickest way is to do a course. In my case I just use the course materials for reference...

It really depends what you want MCSE for. If you're looking for a job, then of course the actual qualification is very important. If you're just looking for the skills to do your current job better, I'd perhaps have a word with your employer to see whether they'd rather rush you through a course where all your knowledge is going to be theoretical, or whether they'd prefer you to learn as you go along, and do the modules as and when you are ready.

Don't forget the qualifications are only really valid for a fairly short period. I've got the Win2k stuff here as it's what we use, but if I wanted to move into IT full-time, I'd be wanting training in XP/2003. Of course three or four years down the line, XP/2003 will be on the way to obsolescence. (Some might say XP should have been strangled at birth :thumbdwn: )

Having said this, I have a mate who arranges IT courses for people, and I don't want to do him out of a job! In the unlikely event that someone here can't sort you out, drop me a PM and I'll put you onto him!

For the few I've done I usually look on Amazon and find a book with the best user reviews. I then spend around a month going through the book in my own time and sit the exam. Far far cheaper than training courses.

As a tip if you go to www.getcertify4less.com they often (but not always) have discounted vouchers for VUE examinations. Not a huge saving but I think I paid around

I did my courses through Wave Technologies - had a nice place just round from Moorgate, good food too, which was really the deal maker for me :P

Try System IT in Cumbria www.system-it.co.uk, they send you to the pub for lunch too - very nice (and the tutition is excellent as a bonus too !)

I did my courses through Wave Technologies - had a nice place just round from Moorgate, good food too, which was really the deal maker for me :P