You are invited to take the Beta of the new Certification Exam for Windows Embedded CE 6.0.  

What’s in it for me?

Getting certified is an excellent proof point of your Windows Embedded CE skills when competing for consulting opportunities, jobs, or advancement.  This certification counts towards MSPP certification requirements, and will be integrated into the Windows Embedded Partner Program (WEPP) in the coming months.  And best of all, the Beta exam is free – if you pass you’re certified and you’ve saved $125.00 USD. 

When is the Beta?

January 29-Feb 18, 2008

What’s a Beta Exam?

The Certification team uses Beta exams to test a large pool of potential exam questions.  The Beta exam includes more questions and takes longer to finish (3-4 hours) than a regular exam. After scoring the Beta exam and reviewing feedback (there’s usually a LOT of written feedback) they get rid of a lot of questions and create the final Exam version.  They base a person’s score on how they did on the questions that were kept.  The score on those questions becomes the person’s exam score, and if they pass they get the (real) certification. 

Where do I take it?
At Prometric testing centers worldwide. (Beta not available in China, India, and Pakistan.)  There is a seat limit, and you can only take the Beta exam during the specific dates it’s offered – unlike a software Beta, you can’t get a disk and check it out later.   You also can’t take the Beta exam at your desk – you need to go to an official testing center, where secure workstations control the integrity of the Beta exam data.  You need to register before coming to take the exam – each testing center has a fixed number of testing stations, and they are often booked up in advance.  It’s not guaranteed that someone can show up and take an exam immediately, or even the same day.

http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

Will it be localized?

The Beta will be available only in English.  The live exam, coming later this summer, will be available in English, German, French, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.

Availability

Registration begins: January 24, 2008

Beta exam period runs: January 29, 2008– February 18, 2008

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China

How to register:

Please note that when a person registers, they are giving private information to Prometric – a 3rd party testing partner. This information is then shared with Microsoft to administer the certification program.

You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.
Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: EMBCE
Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.

To register in North America, please call:

Visit http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

  1. Pick the country (and State, if applicable) where you’ll take the Beta exam
  2. Scroll down and chose Microsoft from the list of “Clients”
  3. Pick Microsoft ((070, 071, etc) from the list of “Programs”
  4. Read the registration information, and click “Next”
  5. Chose “Exam 071-571” from the list of Exams
  6. The Beta exam is available only in English, so English will be the only Language Choice
  7. The site will show a cost of $125 USD – later you’ll enter a voucher code to cover the cost (Beta = Free)
  8. Pick a test center in your country by clicking “Schedule Appointment”
  9. Login to the Prometric site – if you have already taken an MCP Exam at a Prometric testing center you will already have a login. If not, you’ll create one now.
  10. Schedule your appointment by picking from the available dates and times
  11. Under Payment Information, click ”YES” when it asks if you have Promotion Code or Voucher
  12. Choose Promotional Code, and enter the code in the invitation
  13. Accept the Privacy Notice at the bottom of the screen and click Commit Registration

What’s the CE Certification?

There will be a MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) certification for Windows Embedded CE, with one exam – Exam 70-571, Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0, Developing.  The exam will be Live (final) in April, and a resource guide (similar to a Microsoft Press Training Kit) will be available in the May/June timeframe.

  • Exam Name:  Exam 70-571, Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0, Developing
  • Certification name:   MCTS: Microsoft Windows Embedded 6.0, Developing
  • Beta dates:  January 29 - Feb 18, 2008
  • Beta Exam Number:  Exam 71-571
  • Expected final exam release date:  April 21, 2008
  • Localized versions: French, German, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean – May/June
  • Resource Guide:  May/June

What’s the MCP program?

The Microsoft Certification Program is almost 15 years old, and has certified over 3 million IT Pros and developers on technologies including Windows NT, Exchange, .NET Development, SQL Server, Windows XP, Vista, and more. 

A 2006 study1 showed that Microsoft Certification helped organizations improve performance:

  • For each new team member certified, team performance increases. Every time.
  • Team skill is directly responsible for organizational performance in several key IT functional areas.
  • Increasing the concentration of Microsoft certified team members on a team directly impacts team performance.
  • The teams at the top tier of performance have between 40% and 55% of their teams certified on relevant Microsoft technologies and processes.
  • 75% of managers believe that certifications are important to team performance
  • 66% of managers believe that certifications improve the level of service and support offered to IT end users/customers

1 IDC , Value of Certification: Team Certification and Organizational Performance, November 2006

  • A certification exam provides a roadmap of the common skills and subject matter areas necessary for success
  • Hiring certified individuals promotes quicker, more effective adoption of new technologies with reduced costs, increases IT staff productivity, and provides measurable proof of the effectiveness of training investments.