Knowing when you're ready for 70-410

Boxer77

I've been putting off my MCSA for a decade now. (I did take and pass the first test for Windows 2003.) I currently have about 12 years experience as a sys admin in a Windows environment. I've been studying for the 70-410 off and on. I even bought a full CBT Nuggets subscription with the Transcender tests. That expires next week and with then Second Shot promotion, I want to knock this out for good. I've also been reading Mastering Server 2012. I feel like I have the knowledge and experience for the most part, but lack a lot of the Powershell ability as well as the nitty gritty details that Microsoft likes to focus on. I would also like to get more lab experience. I work in an MSP and can't experiment on customer systems and my home set up is very basic. I've considered something like Boson's labs. I've had good experience with them and my CCNA.

If I can pass the Transcender's pretty consistently, do you think that's enough to pass the actual exam? I'm tempted to just take a chance and try it out, but I'd feel like an idiot asking for time off for it and then failing. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Blazepu

If your goal to just be certified, you can A's the exam by just reading the book and going through technet articles, but if you want to become the get go person and fully understand 2012R2 ndon't think that's good at all. You can do few labs using technet virtual, but nothing will re-enforce your knowledge than hands on in a home lab playing with different scenarios.
If you have a windows 8 pro or Enterprise , you can setup a nested lab using Hyper-V as long as you upgrade to 8 GB of ram and install a SSD.

As far as powershell, you need to learn how to use get-help and how to pipeline. I highly recommend Powershell One Month of Lunch and go to MVA and look for getting started with powershell 3. There is also a video in YouTube from His highnes Don Jones.

I used to dislike Windows until I discovered Powershell then felt in love with the language.
If you type lines of code you don't understand, I can explain to you what is happening and how you can achieve the exact same thing in different situations.