Microsoft 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services is the last (third) exam of three certification tests that one should pass in order to obtain the Microsoft MCSA: Windows Server 2012, as well as MCP and MCSE credentials. The exam is designed to validate the candidate’s knowledge and expertise in administering the Windows Server 2012 infrastructure in an enterprise environment. It aims to evaluate one’s capability in the areas of implementing, sustaining, providing, and operating services and infrastructure in Windows Server 2012.

The Microsoft 70-412 exam includes about 40-60 questions that are multiple or single choice with single or multiple answers. There are no simulation questions in the test. The time-limit for this the exam is 90 minutes. The students have to score around 700/1000 in order to pass Microsoft 70-412. Since there are no simulation questions, the test takers need to master the subject areas and develop their crucial reasoning skills in order to attain success in the exam. The test is available in Portuguese (Brazil), English, German, Chinese (Simplified), French, and Japanese. To enroll for the exam, you are required to pay the fee of $165.

There are basically two ways of writing the test: online proctored delivery and computer based at a testing center. In preparation for the Microsoft 70-412 exam, the candidates are expected to cover the skill areas of the exam contents. These include managing and configuring high availability, Active Directory infrastructure, file and storage solutions, information and access protection solutions, and network services, as well as implementing business continuity and disaster recovery.

It is recommended that the candidates take the two series of the exam (Microsoft 70-410 and Microsoft 70-411) before attempting Microsoft 70-412. This is because the content of the 70-412 certification test is a development on the core technologies of Windows Server 2012 that has been covered in the introductory exams. It certifies that you have the capability to carry out advanced configuration tasks that are required to manage, maintain, and deploy the Windows Server 2012 infrastructure like certificate services, identity federation, and fault tolerance. After passing this exam, (in addition to the first two ones), one is certified to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to manage, provision, implement, and maintain infrastructure and services in the Windows Server 2012 environment.