PREFACE: I am certified in both SharePoint 2007 and 2010. I am NOT a Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) or Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) and never planned to be. My opinions are my own and I am open to correction on anything in this post that is not accurate.
There has been a LOT of debate and controversy around Microsoft’s …
The Cancelling Email
The Blog Responses
http://sebmatthews.net/2013/08/whats-all-the-mcm-mca-fuss-about-its-just-a-certification-right/
A Petition to Revive the Program
https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/details/799431/please-dont-get-rid-of-the-mcm-and-mca-programs
These were seen as the pinnacle of certifications in the industry for products such as SharePoint, SQL, Lync, Active Directory, and Exchange. Now, they have been replaced with more cloud-centric certifications that do not require training, as seen in the Microsoft link above.
However, they still require a hefty normal exam and lab exam. It is believed that Microsoft’s sole purpose for this move was to remove the money and time barrier that was in place for the ‘old’ program. This makes sense, but does it ‘dumb down’ the certification? I believe it does. Why? Well, mostly because of brain-dumps and the ‘study just to pass’ mentality that is used for the lower-level exams and will also be used for these new exams.
The MCSE, MCTS, etc exams all have a PLETHORA of brain dumps available on the internet…
However, there are REALLY good guides out there on what to study for…
https://collab365.org/page/the-ultimate-guide-to-sharepoint-server-2013-certifications
Which begs the question, will the new Master certification program become just as ‘useless’ and ‘irrelevant’ as the current exams? Not to say that they are completely irrelevant or useless, but you have to admit that there are PLENTY of certified people in this industry that don’t truly understand the product that they are certified in. But have you EVER met a MCM or MCA that didn’t know the product? Never…
What are your thoughts? Should Microsoft revive the program? Do you agree with them and like the change? Do you find the lower-level certifications useless?
