The Definition of a MCP Number
To become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), an individual must take a training course offered by Microsoft and pass the corresponding exam. Upon successful course completion, the individual will receive an MCP number that can be used to validate that individual's comprehension of a certain family of Microsoft computer software.
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Registering for Certification
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Becoming an MCP requires that an individual choose a desired certification for different types of Microsoft software, and register for an exam. Registration is done through testing partners Microsoft contracts with. Microsoft's certification website (see Resources) has links to these partners, as well as preparatory materials for some of its exams. Review of the preparatory material may be helpful, but it is not required to achieve certification.
Receiving Certification
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Exams are administered in physical testing facilities operated by Microsoft's testing partners. These facilities provide a cubicle, a computer system configured with testing software, and noise-canceling headphones available upon request. The tests typically last several hours and contain combinations of multiple choice questions and computer puzzles to solve involving the targeted piece of Microsoft software. Tests cost $125 plus local taxes and fees, as of December, 2010.
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How to Receive an MCP Number
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Contact information is entered during online test registration and confirmed on testing day. Assuming you perform satisfactorily, your MCP number will be emailed to you a few days after testing. If more than a couple of weeks have elapsed without receipt of an MCP number, you should call Microsoft Support and make sure your information is accurate and up-to-date.
What an MCP Number Says
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Your MCP number tells what exams you have passed, what certifications you have obtained, and how recent this information is. It can be useful for job seekers to show proficiency with a certain class of software. Alternatively, employees seeking promotion can use their MCP number to demonstrate the additional certifications they have acquired. Furthermore, freelance computer repair technicians can use their MCP number to show potential clients their familiarity with Microsoft systems, and receive special support from Microsoft.
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References
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