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Disclaimer
SharePoint Community is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within the document. While the information contained within the document is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided in this document is correct, complete, and up-to-date. Although this document may include links providing direct access to other Internet resources, including Web sites, SharePoint-Community is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these sites. Links from SharePoint Community to third-party sites do not constitute an endorsement by SharePoint Community of the parties or their products and services. The appearance on the Web site of advertisements and product or service information does not constitute an endorsement by SharePoint Community, and SharePoint Community has not investigated the claims made by any advertiser. A lot of content from the Introductions has been copied directly from the Microsoft learning website.

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Purpose of the Guide

This guide is aimed at anyone who is considering studying for SharePoint Certifications either to improve their knowledge or to validate existing knowledge about SharePoint. This guide covers both certification options for all roles on both the Business and Technical side. To achieve technical certifications Microsoft offer several exam and certification options. For the Business side (Business Analysts, PMs, architects, end-users, power-users) Microsoft currently only offer the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certification path. However, we have also included a guide that covers the Salem certifications.

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Table of Contents
Disclaimer........................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose of the Guide..................................................................................................................................................... 3 Illustrated Pathway to Certification .......................................................................................................................... 6 Developer: Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) .................................................................... 6 IT-PRO / Administrator: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) ................................................... 6 Advanced Certifications: MCSM/MCA ................................................................................................................ 7 Business Analysts/Project Managers & Solution Architects (provided by Salem) ............................. 7 Power User: MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) ............................................................................................... 8 Certifications Breakdown ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer: SharePoint Applications ......................................................... 9 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Benefits ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Learning Resources ............................................................................................................................................... 9 What Courses can I take? .................................................................................................................................... 9 How to sign up: ................................................................................................................................................... 10 Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: SharePoint ........................................................................................ 11 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Benefits ................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Learning Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 11 What Courses can I take? ................................................................................................................................. 12 How to sign up: ................................................................................................................................................... 12 Microsoft Certified Solutions Master/ Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect ............................... 13 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Benefits ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Learning Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Certified Salem Series: SharePoint Business Framework ...................................................................... 14 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Benefits ................................................................................................................................................................... 14

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5 Learning Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 14 Interviews ............................................................................................................................................................... 15 What Courses can I take? ................................................................................................................................. 16 How to sign up .................................................................................................................................................... 16 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): SharePoint 2013 (coming soon) .................................................... 17 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Benefits ................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Learning Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 17 What Courses can I take? ................................................................................................................................. 17 How to sign up: ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Graduation Instructions ............................................................................................................................................. 18 1. LinkedIn .................................................................................................................................................................. 18 2. Your curriculum vitae ........................................................................................................................................ 19 3. Your SharePoint-Community.Net Profile ................................................................................................... 19 4. Your Email Signature ......................................................................................................................................... 20

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Illustrated Pathway to Certification

Developer: Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

*Recertification will be required for the MCSD Exam. The exact interval hasnt been confirmed by Microsoft yet. It should be 2 years.

IT-PRO / Administrator: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

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Advanced Certifications: MCSM/MCA

Business Analysts/Project Managers & Solution Architects (provided by Salem)

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Power User: MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist)

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Certifications Breakdown
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer: SharePoint Applications Introduction
The new Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) credential focuses on the ability to design and build application solutions that may include integrating multiple technologies and may span multiple versions of a single technology. It also demonstrates a candidate's commitment to remaining current on the latest technologies through recertification. It is aimed at individuals with 3+ years of practical SharePoint Development.

Benefits
MCSD is number three in a new survey of the top-paying certifications for 2013. If youre a developer with an expertise in analyzing and designing enterprise solutions using different Microsoft languages and development tools, this is the certification to get. Validate your expertise and raise your earning potential at the same time.

Learning Resources
There are many Resources for the 70-480 and 70-486 exams because they have been out for a while already. However, the Microsoft exams are still in Beta, therefore the links I suggest are the most comprehensive. 70-489 : http://spvlad.com/16GsMf7 70-488 : http://spvlad.com/18Qqgmx 70-480 : http://spvlad.com/13iB4oJ 70-486 : http://spvlad.com/18Qqvhr

What Courses can I take?

From a Microsoft Certified Learning Partner : 70-480: Course 20480B 70-486: Course 20486A

There are no official courses for the two SharePoint exams yet, however these are very useful to get you started on the road to passing the exams: SharePoint 2013 Dev Ramp-up series with Andrew Connell from Pluralsight Microsoft SharePoint 2013 Developer Reference from OReilly Beginning SharePoint 2013 Development from OReilly

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How to sign up:

You can book your 70-480 and 70-486 trough www.Prometric.com at a cost of 150$. However, the SharePoint 2013 exams are still in Beta and they will be available at Prometric starting June 20th, 2013. To achieve your MCSD it will cost a total of 600$.

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Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: SharePoint Introduction

The Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE) certification focuses on the ability to design and build technology solutions, which may include integrating multiple technology products and span multiple versions of a single technology, whether on-premises or in the cloud.

Benefits
Eighty-six percent of hiring managers indicate IT certifications are a high or medium priority during the candidate evaluation process.
CompTIA, Employer Perceptions of IT Training and Certification, January 2011

Eight in ten HR execs verify certifications among job candidates.

CompTIA, Employer Perceptions of IT Training and Certification, January 2011

Ninety-one percent of hiring managers consider certification as part of their hiring criteria.
Microsoft, Microsoft Certification Program Satisfaction Study, April 2012

Learning Resources
I will separate this category for the MCSA and the SharePoint 2013 exams MCSA Windows Server 2012 90 days to MCSA: http://spvlad.com/10VKl2Z 70-417 JumpStart: http://spvlad.com/11p2HMM Exam Ref 70-411: http://spvlad.com/1aZXrR2

The number of free resources on the internet for Windows Server 2012 is fantastic! Spend a moment to do a Google search and you will see how many. SharePoint 2013 Focused Exams 70-331: http://spvlad.com/18L5iTn 70-332: http://spvlad.com/11p2NUT

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What Courses can I take?

From a Microsoft Certified Learning Partner: 70-331: Course 20331A 70-332: Course 20332A 70-410: Course 20410B 70-411: Course 20411B 70-412: Course 20412B

How to sign up:

All the exams required for SharePoint Server 2013 have now been released and you can take them at your nearest certified Prometric test center. You can sign up at www.prometric.com . The cost for each exam is 150$, therefore for a new professional it would cost 450$ for the MCSA Windows Server 2012, and 300$ for the SharePoint 2013 exams, bringing the total cost to 750$. If you already hold an MCITP SharePoint 2010, you will only need to pass the 70-417 for the MCSA Upgrade, so 150$, and 300$ for the SharePoint 2013 exams, bringing the total cost at 450$ To make certification more cost efficient, Microsoft has created some packages! So, for a MCSA Windows Server 2012 package, you would pay 382$ instead of 450$ and for the SharePoint 2013 exams you would pay 255$ instead of 300$. This brings the total for a new certified person to 637$ instead of 750$. You can find detailed of the packages here: http://bsf01.com/microsoft_vouchers/mcse_sharepoint.aspx

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Microsoft Certified Solutions Master/ Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect Introduction

The MCSM: SharePoint training and certification program recognizes, develops, and validates a technology professional's ability to design, build, and troubleshoot the most complex business solutions based on Microsoft SharePoint Server. Our deep, hands-on, expert-to-expert training and rigorous examination of your knowledge and practical skills are designed to help you reduce risks, improve effectiveness, and increase efficiency in delivering SharePoint solutions.

Benefits
Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM) offers comprehensive advanced technical training and certifications on Microsoft technologies that go beyond any product training offered outside of Microsoft today. IT professionals who successfully complete the training and certification validate their skills as product experts who successfully design and implement solutions that meet the most complex business requirements. Pursuing an MCSM improves the proficiency level for experienced practicing experts who are assigned to design and build complex or enterprise-level solutions. Achieving an MCSM validates your deep technical skills to design, build, install, migrate, and troubleshoot complex enterprise solutions using Microsoft technologies. The Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) program helps enable the highest-achieving professionals in IT architecture to distinguish their expertise. These certifications are designed for architects who specialize in using Microsoft technologies to provide solutions for enterprise customers. Professionals who hold an MCA certification are generally recognized by Microsoft and the IT industry worldwide as individuals who hold the highest level of professional certification on Microsoft server products.

Learning Resources
The Microsoft Certified Solutions Master is a very technical certification, and you will get the specific training during the certification. For the MCA, you need the MCSM as a pre requisite, as well as high-level business skills. Furthermore, to even be considered for those certifications, you will need both of the MCSE and MCSD certifications which provide a lot of knowledge already, as well years of experience.

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Certified Salem Series: SharePoint Business Framework Introduction

The Certified Salem series of professional business consulting courses and certifications focuses on your ability to master Salem the Sequenced & Logical Enterprise Methodology modular framework, techniques, strategic workshops and consulting principles for SharePoint. The Salem series also demonstrates a candidate's commitment to professional business consulting techniques through assessment and certification. It is aimed at individuals from all business and technology backgrounds and can be used in a wide range of career scenarios.

Benefits
Salem is protected intellectual property and each certification includes a full and perpetual licence to practice. The framework is agnostic of both product and version which means the unique principles, formats and techniques applied currently to SharePoint can easily be applied to other evolving products and platforms. In turn this defines Salem as a career certification for life with principles which will not go out of date. A major benefit is that an individual can now learn the Salem method which previously was only available to Gold Partners. The benefits of a framework that has extensive uses is explained further here: www.sharepointcourses.net/the-

uses-of-salem/ Learning Resources

All course information and booking is provided online as follows: 110: www.sharepointcourses.net/110-2/ 115: www.sharepointcourses.net/115-certified-salem-master/ 210: www.sharepointcourses.net/210-certified-salem-sales-expert/ 310: www.sharepointcourses.net/310-presenting-the-salem-framework-workshop/ 315: www.sharepointcourses.net/315-the-salem-workshops-sequence/ 410: www.sharepointcourses.net/410-the-client-strategic-framework-workshop/ 510: www.sharepointcourses.net/510-the-complete-practitioner/

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Interviews
Having recently completed the SALEM Practitioner course, I strongly recommend this to anyone involved in SharePoint. What makes this course so valuable is the way it breaks down a huge and sometimes intimidating subject, into digestible and logical steps, in a very natural way. This empowers you to follow this approach when working with potential or existing customers on an Enterprise software delivery. I look forward to building on this foundation with the SALEM Master Practitioners course.
Adam Crawford SharePoint Consultant at Bluesource, United Kingdom

The Salem framework provides not only a fantastic and complete delivery methodology but also conceptually provides the perfect argument towards organizations adopting a complete approach to their SharePoint investment. The course structure and content provided me with a deep understanding of the framework and has given me the confidence to run workshops it is the perfect tool for business-focused consultants to gain (and ultimately sell) a complete approach to leveraging all that the SharePoint platform has to offer. I highly recommend both the course and the framework itself. I found the CSP & CSM courses useful, informative and in-depth. The Salem framework covers all the areas that are required to deploy SharePoint successfully either on premise or in the cloud. The value of using the Salem framework is in the repeatable logical approach that can be used for all SharePoint engagements.
Satnam Gidda CSM, Technical Architect - Dell Corporation

I found the CSP course enjoyable, intensive, thought-provoking and engaging. You get a huge amount of material both written and video; and for each section (and there are quite a few) there is a test which must be passed. There is a mass of reading, which worked well with the other materials provided (e.g. slides). At the end of the course I let out a whoop, I just love achievements! Another chink of armour added J An added and major benefit is that it does add an arsenal of methods; extremely useful that I can use to apply when bringing SharePoint solutions to an organization.
Geoff Evelyn MVP, Author & SharePoint Architect - Afren Oil

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What Courses can I take?

You will find a fast career map for the Salem Certification series here: www.sharepointcourses.net/career-map/ All courses are online including the assessment tests, final certification exam and certificate. 110: Course & Exam Certified Salem Practitioner (CSP) 115: Course & Exam Certified Salem Master (CSM) 210: Course & Exam - Certified Salem Sales Expert (CSSE)

There are currently two additional online masterclasses that are very useful to learn which cover the Salem business consulting workshop sequence: 310: Online Masterclass Presenting the Salem Framework Workshop 315: Online Masterclass The Salem Workshops Sequence

The masterclasses include a detailed collection of learning and training materials. These train you how to present a specific sequence of business consulting workshops using the Salem framework and methodology.

How to sign up
You can book your online Salem professional courses and certifications now through www.sharepointcourses.net (also www.salemcourses.com). The detailed course list can be found at http://www.sharepointcourses.net/get-certified/. All courses may be paid for securely online using Paypal through our website, by inter-bank transfer by emailing us at info@salemcourses.com or over the phone on +44 (0)207 788 9445. You will find the three steps to booking an online Salem course detailed as follows: www.sharepointcourses.net/certify-in-3-simple-steps/

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Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): SharePoint 2013 (coming soon) Introduction

Demonstrate that you have the skills needed to get the most out of Microsoft Office by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist certification in a specific Office program. The new MOS 2013 exam format presents a short project the candidate must complete, using the specifications provided. This creates a real-world testing experience for candidates.

Benefits
The MOS certification will prepare end users and power users to use SharePoint 2013 to its fullest potential. Candidates will learn a lot about SharePoint 2013 OOTB usage as well as how to use its features straight from the browser.

Learning Resources
As the exam is still not released its hard to find adequate learning resources. However, we will announce resources as they become available on the SharePoint-Community. Microsoft Site : http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/moscertification.aspx#fbid=UAhi8UWgzhe

What Courses can I take?

Courses have not yet been announced.

How to sign up:

All Microsoft Office Specialist exams are administered by Certiport. Direct your questions about exam schedules and pre-registration to the Certiport location where you intend to take the exam.

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Graduation Instructions
After you have successfully passed a certification, its time show it off! There are multiple ways you can let the world know that you have achieved your certification.

1. LinkedIn
LinkedIn has a Certifications section in which you can add certifications. Recruiters will often use these to search for you! Even if you are not actively looking for a job, its good to keep your profile up to date, you never know what interesting offer might come!

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2. Your curriculum vitae

Your CV is a great place to enter your certifications! You can even include one of the nice Certification Logos Microsoft gives out for free when you are certified! For Example:

3. Your SharePoint-Community.Net Profile

As you probably know, we have added an Awards and Achievements section on your www.SharePoint-Community.net profile. See below.

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20 Once you have added the certification to your profile, you will then show up in search results!

4. Your Email Signature

Your email signature is also a nice way to display your certifications. For Example:

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