11 questions about Microsoft Certification

When I read through many forums and blogs, I found many candidates to ask those questions about Microsoft Certification which have been answered for thousands of times.
Here I list the answers to those questions.

1.How to register MCSE/MCSA/MCTS/MCITP/MCPD exams ？
Firstly，you should login http://www.prometric.com/Microsoft/default.htm to choose your exams .And then locate a test site .Because the Microsoft Certification exams are not online ,and taken in a local institute. And then schedule an appointment including the test time which is convenient to you. Some Microsoft exams are taken every day. On the Prometric .com, you can find the global test sites and tests time. You just choose a test site and test time.
2. How much is the register fee for your MCSE/MCSA or MCTS/MCITP or MCPD exams? Will you pay by cash for your exams?
Also, you should login http://www.register.prometric.com/Index.asp and select your test country /state, then you should choose your Microsoft exams .Quickly you will know the register fee in your country or your test site. Or, you can contact your local prometric center as the exam prices are different around the world. Of course, you may be able to pay by cash at a local testing centre. Generally speaking ,the exams typically cost US $ 125,but are priced according to currency values in specific countries and regions .Certification exam prices are subject to change .In some countries and regions ,additional taxes may apply. Microsoft Beta exams are free.

3.How should we become a MCP member?
First of all, there are no specified exams for MCP, if you have passed a Microsoft Certification exam, you are a member of MCP community .You can enjoy the following benefits including:
1.access MCP member web site
2. A downloadable certificate of achievement for certifications earned
3. Your official Microsoft Certification transcript
4. A tool to create and download custom credential logos
5. Current news and offers for MCPs
6. The Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) enrollment tool
4. So, how much duration the email come for MCP ID and access code ,if not come ,what should we do？
Please note it takes Microsoft several days to send out the formal e-mail .But you must be sure you have set your mailing address and contact information correctly on your profile.
If not come, you should call your local Microsoft Regional Support Centre and explain the issue, and they will sort it out for you .Also, you can email your information to mcphelp@micorsoft.com

5. Some of us want to get the ordered MCSE or MCTS or other  Certificates .So, how can we get an ordered Cert from Microsoft? How much does it cost for us to order MCPD or MCSA or MCITP or other certs? The following step will tell you everything.
Login into the MCP site -> Program benefits -> Download Certificates -> Log on to MCP Digital Certification tool -> Certification Manager -> Look at bottom right corner of page.  https://mcp.microsoft.com/authenticate/ValidateMCP.aspx
About the cost of ordered certs: Shipping and Handling are $9.95 USD for the first certificate and $0.99 USD for each additional certificate up to 6 total certificates. An Express Shipping option is available for an additional fee. During Checkout, you can view the Express Shipping costs by selecting the Express Shipping option in the Shipping Method section.
6. Is there any visible difference between ordered and printed certifications such as MCSA, MCTS, MCPD and so on?
There is no relief print (the cert is smooth), there is no gold foil on the professional track of certs (gold foil is currently on the MCAS, the office 2007 certs).They both have the same information on them, however looks wise the ordered cert looks a lot better.  The quality of the cert that you download and print out, will depend a lot on the type of paper and the quality of the printer that you use.  Added to that, when I print out the downloaded certs there’s always a white border around them. If it’s for displaying, the ordered certs look better.  However if you’re going to use it for an interview or online, then the downloaded ones coupled with your MCP online transcript and Microsoft’s VBC (when they release it) will suffice.
7. Will you get MCP card after passing Microsoft Exams?
Unfortunately I believe that the MCP cards have been discontinued, as people have reported that they do not received the MCP card anymore.
8. What are the passing scores for Microsoft exams? Total scores?
The new scale requires a minimum passing score of 700 on all exams. The maximum score on the exams will vary depending on the complexity of the skills being measured.

9. When the latest technologies and exams are born out such as Server 2008, Windows 7, will the old exams be retired such as MCSE /MCSA exams? Or when the Microsoft Certifications or exams are expired or retired?
Certification expires after around four to five years (when new and more relevant Microsoft products are released) .If the mainstream technology supports ends, some of Microsoft exams   maybe expired.Take MCSE or MCSA for example ,if Server 20003 supports ends ,MCSE or MCSA expired.

10. how should we know the numbers of people who have held the MCSA or MCTS or MCITP or MCPD, and passed the corresponding exams?
This following thread will tell you:
http://www.microsoft.com/australia/learning/mcp/certified.mspx

11. Where I can get my MCSE/MCSA ，MCTS /MCITP or MCPD after the corresponding Microsoft exams ?
Firstly, you should receive an e-mail from Microsoft advising you that you passed and providing log-in information to the MCP website.
https://mcp.microsoft.com/authenticate/ValidateMCP.aspx
Secondly, Microsoft will send out the formal e-mail providing you a link to the MCP website to where you can print a copy.
https://mcp.microsoft.com/mcp/default.mspx

12.What is the passing score for Microsoft exams ?And what about total score ?(the latest update)

700 points is the amount of points needed to pass the test 70-433 ,also for  all MS exams on the MCSE/MCTS/MCITP track .And the total mark is 1000.