Microsoft Certifications are information technology professional certifications for Microsoft products. Individual certifications are received upon passing one or more exams. Like Apple, Cisco, Oracle, Red Hat, and Ubuntu programs, the certifications mainly focus on their product, as opposed to employment aptitude tests designed for programmer trainee jobs. The certifications are categorized by function as Server, Desktop, Database, and Developer. There are three major tiers with the MC (Microsoft Certified) prefix, which are: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD). The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert certification comes after the MCSA. This level of certification requires recertification every three years. MCSEs will gradually replace the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP).