[windows2000] Re: OT - Study Texts for MCSA/MCSE
- From: Jeff Malczewski <jeff.malczewski@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: windows2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:24:54 -0500
I would STRONGLY recommend against the use of "braindumps", for
numerous reasons. First, if you've ever taken a M$ exam before, or if
you use high-quality testing materials (like Transcenders), you'll
already have a feel for the exam, so you'll know the question format.
Second, you are relying on other people's memory of the questions, the
answer, and what they "think" or "have found" to be the correct
answer. That's not necessarily always the case. Having taken
numerous M$ exams myself, as well as a couple other vendors, I can
tell you that the instant the exam is over, I'm cooked. 70-292, which
I took 3 weeks ago is a prime example. 56 questions, 120 minutes. You
do the math, it's just over 2 minutes per question. The questions are
QUITE verbose, and I almost didn't make it. I had less than three
minutes to spare, in contrast to 70-240 where there were like
50-some-odd questions, but you were give 4 1/2 hours to answer them.
I have ALWAYS finished every exam I've taken with over half the
allotted time remaining, but with the new exam format, this doesn't
seem to hold true. There is just enough time to read them, understand
them, and answer them, forget about memorizing them.
As for study material, for 70-240 I used the Exam Prep, for 70-219 I
used the Exam Cram and the MS Press study guide (dry, but
comprehensive). For 70-292, I felt I knew the material pretty well,
but I still used the Sybex MCSA/MCSE 2003 Upgrade book (pretty good),
and the Exam Cram 2 (terrible. The first series of Cram books were
great, but the second generation leave much to be desired, IMHO). For
practice tests, I used the Exam Blaster from Cert21. It was decent,
but for $49 for 6 different tests (as in tests on 6 different exams,
not 6 on one exam), plus a CCNA exam, and 3 months access to online
streaming training videos, what could you expect? It was adequate,
but only with plenty of prior knowledge of the OS and the material.
If this is your first M$ exam, I would HIGHLY recommend using
Transcenders for your practice exams. They offer a money-back
guarantee, so what can you lose (never had to take them up on it, so I
can't speak as to the ease/difficulty of this process, but they are
VERY highly rated, and I have used them before, EXCELLENT). As for
study guides, I would recommend the MS Press books, but you must
compliment them with something else for a more real-world feel. The
MS Press series are excellent, but plan on drinking roughly one pot of
coffee per chapter to stay awake.
HTH,
Jeff
On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 15:36:23 -0800, David Spanne <werenomads@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> There is no doubt I'll take practice exams, and look at brain dumps, but
> there is no substitute for studying the material. I'd hazard a guess that I
> could likely pass 70-270 and 70-290 with very little study. After 6 years of
> doing M$ desktop and server support, I don't just want to have the cert, I
> want to know for myself that I'm really capable and know what is expected of
> me. I want texts that will cover every topic that might be tested. I passed
> the Calif. and Oregon bar exams on the first try, so I'm no stranger to
> tests. (Don't ask why I left the practice of law, just watch the climax
> scene of "The Devils Advocate.")
>
>
>
> Thanks
> David
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wayland Phillips [mailto:wayland.phillips@xxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 12:32 PM
> To: windows2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [windows2000] Re: OT - Study Texts for MCSA/MCSE
>
> Online brain dumps?
>
> Wayland
>
> "David Spanne"
> <werenomads@xxxxxxxxx To:
> <windows2000@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> t> cc:
> Sent by: Subject: [windows2000]
> OT - Study Texts for MCSA/MCSE
> windows2000-bounce@fr
> eelists.org
>
> 11/22/2004 03:26 PM
> Please respond to
> windows2000
>
> I'm in the midst of a job search, and I realize I should have gotten
> certified while I had a good job, not while I'm looking.
>
> I'm looking for opinions as to what texts others have used and felt to be
> good, such as the MS Press series, Sybex (MCSA Windows 2003 Core
> Requirements) or others, "Cram" series, McGraw Hill/Osbourne (MCSA Windows
> Server 2003 All-in-One Exam Guide), or any others you would recommend.
>
> Thanks
> David
>
> ********************************************************
> This Weeks Sponsor StressedPuppy.com Games
> Feeling stressed out? Check out our games to
> relieve your stress.
> http://www.StressedPuppy.com
> ********************************************************
> To Unsubscribe, set digest or vacation
> mode or view archives use the below link.
>
> http://thethin.net/win2000list.cfm
>
> ********************************************************
> This Weeks Sponsor StressedPuppy.com Games
> Feeling stressed out? Check out our games to
> relieve your stress.
> http://www.StressedPuppy.com
> ********************************************************
> To Unsubscribe, set digest or vacation
> mode or view archives use the below link.
>
> http://thethin.net/win2000list.cfm
>
> ********************************************************
> This Weeks Sponsor StressedPuppy.com Games
> Feeling stressed out? Check out our games to
> relieve your stress.
> http://www.StressedPuppy.com
> ********************************************************
> To Unsubscribe, set digest or vacation
> mode or view archives use the below link.
>
> http://thethin.net/win2000list.cfm
>
********************************************************
This Weeks Sponsor StressedPuppy.com Games
Feeling stressed out? Check out our games to
relieve your stress.
http://www.StressedPuppy.com
********************************************************
To Unsubscribe, set digest or vacation
mode or view archives use the below link.
http://thethin.net/win2000list.cfm
Other related posts:
