I’m a big fan of certifications as a training exercise. However not everyone has the same interests. With the new MCSA (well new 6-8 years ago) we were required to take the data exam (70-461), the admin exam (70-462) AND the BI exam (70-463). I know a number of people who really don’t want to take that BI exam if they can help it. But guess what? You don’t have to. You do have to take a third exam, but there are a number of options.

You can substitute Exam 411: Administering Windows Server 2012, Exam 412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services, Exam 70-417: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012, or Exam 483: Programming in C#, for Exam 463.

So if you are more comfortable with Windows Server Administration or C# then these are an option instead of the BI Exam.

Now I am aware that there are some very strange people who actually enjoy the information behind the BI exam. Those people can still take the BI exam (weirdos). The point is you don’t have to. I’m afraid there are no options to avoid the Data or Admin exams though.