OR i can take the 70-646...but that seems a little out of order for someone who has no microsoft certs yet...

You should ideally take them in the order that they are numbered, so the 83-640, then 70-642 and then 70-646, for the EA exam you would need to take a client (70-680 or 70-620 (Vista)) as well as 70-643 and 70-647.

MCTS:Windows 7
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Desktop Administrator
MCTS:System Center Configuration Manager 2007
MCSE:Security 2003
CompTIA Security+

Sounds logical enough. Did the 83-640 get replaced with the 70-640? Reason i ask is im new to microsoft certifications and  when i was looking at the exams you needed to pass to qualify for the MCITP SA it just says 70-640 70-642 70-646, and i can only find the 83-640 when i manually search for it.  

Thats correct, 83-640 is actually an emulation exam, that means you have two emulations where you have to carry out a number of tasks in each, it's designed to weed out those who have dumped to those who actually know the product.

MCTS:Windows 7
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Desktop Administrator
MCTS:System Center Configuration Manager 2007
MCSE:Security 2003
CompTIA Security+

So essentially i could take either the 70 or the 83 and would earn the same certification, just one would show i can do it hands on and one just says i can read a book?  

70-640 is no longer available in English. I think the only language it is available in is Russian.  

--Lilliabeth

I dont know where youre seeing it not available in English... its definitely still on their website and says nothing about being replaced or discontinued....

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-640&locale=en-us

Try to schedule it.

Where am I seeing it not available? I own a Prometric testing center.

--Lilliabeth

Lillabeth is correct, you are not able to schedule the 70-640 exam in English-speaking countries.  This exam has been replaced by the 83-640 exam which includes simulations.  These exams actually present you with virtual labs and a list of tasks to accomplish in those labs (in addition to the traditional multiple choice questions).

From what I've heard it can be a bit buggy.  Sometimes they have connection difficulties during the exams and they have to re-schedule the exam (for free).

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

Thanks kmcferrin. It has been rather rough, our admins have had to restart a couple of exams. It seems better now though; we're hopeful they have the kinks worked out.

--Lilliabeth

As of today the 83-640 actually has been pulled and 70-640 put back into the mix again.  Apparently all of those issues with the labs finally caught up to them.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

good information on the 83-640, thanks. I was looking to schedule that exam over the weekend but could not. Now I know why. I wonder if I can now select 70-640 in english.

You should be able to schedule 70-640 again, at least until they work out all of the kinks with the 83-series.

 

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

Hahah, sweet! I dont mind taking either, but im sure the written is easier than its interactive counterpart.