Beginning July 1st the cost of most Microsoft exams (essentially all MCP exams) in the United States will rise from the current price of $125 to $150.  The prices will NOT be increasing for the MCM, MCA, MTA, or MOS (Master, Architect, Technology Associated, and Office Specialist respectively) exams.  It’s been a while since the prices were last raised and it’s probably due, Microsoft exams have been amongst the cheapest in cost for several years.  The prices for student exams will also go up, however student discounts (usually 40%) will still be in place.  Additionally the discount structure for MCTs will also change, the exams price will go up but the previous structure will be replaced with a flat 50% off.

The following exams are affected by this increase:

• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
• Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
• Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)
• Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
• Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD)
• Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
• Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)

If you purchase the discounted “certification packs” which allow prepayment for anywhere from 2 to 5 exams and use one of the vouchers between now and June 30th your prices are locked in at the old rate and and you have until December 31, 2011 to use the rest of your vouchers.  If you are contemplating taking just two Microsoft exams during the second part of the year I would highly encourage you to consider purchasing one of the packs.  Considering the cost of a 5 exam pack WITH a free second shot at each exam is currently $500 where as taking the same exams after June 1st will cost $750 with no free second shot.

You can find Microsoft’s official notice at:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-pricing-FAQ.aspx

And the old price vs the new price (by country) at:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-pricing-tool.html