Starting from 0 MCSE: Messaging in 90 days

seth479

I received a promotion at work and supposed to begin October 1st which is when the 90 days start. I've been prepping for the 70-410 and plan on taking it sometime this coming week but I'm sooo nervous lol. If I dont get all 5 exams passed there is potential I'll be demoted.

Anyone here ever taken on something like this? Is it doable? I'll be getting access to our systems and I learn best hands on so hoping that helps some too. Anytime I'm up against the wall with something like this I always am able to pull it off at the end but I'm a bit scared this time lol.

TacoRocket

That's a lot of material to master

seth479

Indeed. I work for a hosted Exchange provider so have some exposure to it and know quite a bit as far as roles, limitations, what can be done with it, setup, etc but I have 3 days off a week and I work Saturday and Sunday which are super slow so plan on taking advantage of that too to try and knock them out.

thatguy67

seth479 wrote: »

Indeed. I work for a hosted Exchange provider so have some exposure to it and know quite a bit as far as roles, limitations, what can be done with it, setup, etc but I have 3 days off a week and I work Saturday and Sunday which are super slow so plan on taking advantage of that too to try and knock them out.

So you are just at "zero" cert wise? It's difficult to say how much your experience will pay off. But an exam every 2 weeks or so will be really intense. I have taken 3 Microsoft exams in 2 weeks (passed 2). I am taking 70-410 on the 30th and 70-411 soon after that. It's doable, especially since Second Shot is available. People on the forums have regarded this cert as really brutal, so be on your game

Good luck.

seth479

That's correct, I have exposure to the systems and functionality and all that but cert wise I have none of them. My pay raise doesn't go in place until I pass all the exams so burnout or not I'm gonna push myself to get that money as quick as possible.

someperson49

You could go the 4 exams route by doing MCSA O365.

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-gb/mcse-messaging-certification.aspx

tmurphy3100

Sounds like a work load. I want to join you, but I will just do MCSA in 90 days...Powershell commands are what I am currently fearing.

seth479

someperson49 wrote: »

You could go the 4 exams route by doing MCSA O365.

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-gb/mcse-messaging-certification.aspx

I seen that but work requires the Server 2012 cert.

Qord

This guy did it, not the messaging but still MCSE:
https://benofthecloud.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/dual-mcse-certification-in-90-days/

tmurphy3100 wrote: »

Sounds like a work load. I want to join you, but I will just do MCSA in 90 days...Powershell commands are what I am currently fearing.

Don't be scared, powershell's your friend.

thatguy67

Qord wrote: »

This guy did it, not the messaging but still MCSE:
https://benofthecloud.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/dual-mcse-certification-in-90-days/


Don't be scared, powershell's your friend.

Yeah, PowerShell will really help you out. I am going through Don Jone's PowerShell course on CBT Nuggets and it's really cool. 30 hours worth but well worth it for sure.

OctalDump

This is possible. It will be difficult. It helps a lot that you have exposure to Exchange already.
What I suggest is powering through all your reading materials, making sure that you have hands on experience for every objective, sit the exams as early as possible and take advantage of the resit policy.
You should be able to get through a book in 3 days, and depending on your experience maybe 5-7 days for hands on. Sounds like you have about 4 days a week of study time, so about 50 days of study over the 90days.
If you get close enough, hopefully your workplace might extend the dead line a bit.

techfiend

Isn't the MCSE: Messaging 4 tests, 346, 347, 341, 342?

MCSE 2012r2 is possible but improbable in 90 days for most people. I'm working on MCSA in 60 days currently and finding it pretty difficult. I work with 2012 on a daily basis although some things are pretty new to me. It took me about 3 weeks to pass 70-410, apparently the most difficult of the three. 70-411 I'm expecting to take Friday or early next week, about 2.5 weeks after 70-410. I'm quicker than average but not the quickest study.

A big time saver is choosing the right study material. Stay away from the Panek book and Exam Ref's. My recommendations are:

http://www.amazon.com/MCSA-70-410-Cert-Guide-Configuring/dp/0789748800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442897116&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Training-Administering-Windows-Server-Microsoft/dp/0735684693/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1442897246&sr=8-20

and probably http://www.amazon.com/Training-Configuring-Advanced-Services-Microsoft/dp/0735684715/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442897328&sr=1-7

They are pretty long and dig deeper than average but easy reads. The labs are really good too.

ed_003

techfiend wrote: »

Isn't the MCSE: Messaging 4 tests, 346, 347, 341, 342?

MCSE 2012r2 is possible but improbable in 90 days for most people. I'm working on MCSA in 60 days currently and finding it pretty difficult. I work with 2012 on a daily basis although some things are pretty new to me. It took me about 3 weeks to pass 70-410, apparently the most difficult of the three. 70-411 I'm expecting to take Friday or early next week, about 2.5 weeks after 70-410. I'm quicker than average but not the quickest study.

A big time saver is choosing the right study material. Stay away from the Panek book and Exam Ref's. My recommendations are:

http://www.amazon.com/MCSA-70-410-Cert-Guide-Configuring/dp/0789748800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442897116&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Training-Administering-Windows-Server-Microsoft/dp/0735684693/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1442897246&sr=8-20

and probably Amazon.com: Training Guide Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 R2 Services (MCSA) (Microsoft Press Training Guide) (9780735684713): Orin Thomas: Books

They are pretty long and dig deeper than average but easy reads. The labs are really good too.

God work techfiend!

seth479

techfiend wrote: »

Isn't the MCSE: Messaging 4 tests, 346, 347, 341, 342?

Thank you for the links. I actually did buy the Panek book, didnt like it so ended up buying the one by Don Poulton. My employer requires the MCSA Server 2012 R2 and then with those I can sit the final two exams for Exchange to get the MCSE: Messaging.

roninkai

Looks like you have 70-680. You could take 70-686 before November (get your MCITP/MCSA). Upgrade that to Windows 2012 Server by taking 70-417, then from there its two more tests to get your MCSE. I'll be going this route later for MCSE:PC. I just talked to a MS rep. The MCSA/MCITP qualification wont expire and is still upgradable, even though the MCSA Window 7 will expire in November. So this route its 4 tests from where you are.

tmurphy3100

techfiend wrote: »

Isn't the MCSE: Messaging 4 tests, 346, 347, 341, 342?

MCSE 2012r2 is possible but improbable in 90 days for most people. I'm working on MCSA in 60 days currently and finding it pretty difficult. I work with 2012 on a daily basis although some things are pretty new to me. It took me about 3 weeks to pass 70-410, apparently the most difficult of the three. 70-411 I'm expecting to take Friday or early next week, about 2.5 weeks after 70-410. I'm quicker than average but not the quickest study.

A big time saver is choosing the right study material. Stay away from the Panek book and Exam Ref's. My recommendations are:

http://www.amazon.com/MCSA-70-410-Cert-Guide-Configuring/dp/0789748800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442897116&sr=8-1
Amazon.com: Training Guide Administering Windows Server 2012 R2 (MCSA) (Microsoft Press Training Guide) (9780735684690): Orin Thomas: Books

and probably http://www.amazon.com/Training-Configuring-Advanced-Services-Microsoft/dp/0735684715/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442897328&sr=1-7

They are pretty long and dig deeper than average but easy reads. The labs are really good too.

Sadly, I have the Panek book. Should I avoid it and get all 3 of these? Is there one, or 2 of these that I should get--and still use Panek, or do I need all 3 for the best studies?

jimbo1215

I also have the panek book. Read a good chunk of it fairly quickly, but sadly felt like I came away not learning too much. I've heard good things about the don poulton book but most people on the site seem to think that the exam ref guides are nothing but an overview. Are they really sufficient for the other 2 tests?

gespenstern

I used Panek book and failed. Then I used Mackin book and succeeded. Can't tell if it was because of books.

NetworkNewb

0 to Dual MSCE in 90 days blog:

https://benofthecloud.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/dual-mcse-certification-in-90-days/

If he can get 2 MSCEs in 90 days, you can get one right?

TheProf

MCSE in 90 days is very achievable. The only thing, you have to be up there in terms of experience and technical expertise. I can tell you that when I did the MCITP:Enterprise Messaging Administrator on Exchange 2010, it was one of the most difficult exams I've ever done. No joke, hard!

I did it in 5 months and that was only two exams back then.

OctalDump

dragonsden wrote: »

Looks like you have 70-680. You could take 70-686 before November (get your MCITP/MCSA). Upgrade that to Windows 2012 Server by taking 70-417,

Ah, thanks for that. That's one route I hadn't realised was possible. I had thought that you could only upgrade from Server to Server with 417.

It might be worth the OP checking all the upgrade paths. You can upgrade also from Windows XP or Server 2000/2003.
https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-au/mcsa-windows-server-certification.aspx#upgrade

And also checking the optional substitutions if wanting to do the whole track.
https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-au/mcsa-windows-server-certification.aspx#item-ID0EBAAAABCA
Exam 70-346 looks like a good option, since it mixes well with messaging (is actually part of the MCSA Office 365 path).

techfiend

If you have the Panek book you can read it, it's a start. The 70-410 exam ref is a basic overview, it clearly describes things but lacks a lot for the test. The 2 microsoft press books I linked to are the training guides, they go very in depth. I haven't taken the 70-411 and haven't studied the 70-412 so can't say for sure. I know the Panek and Exam Ref are resources I won't go back to and there's no Pearson guide for 411 or 412.

seth479

I have the Cert Guide by Don Poulton and David Camardella and it's as big as the Panek Complete Study Guide for all 3 exams. I've learned a ton that CBT Nuggets and the Panek book didnt even go through. So I'm using CBT Nuggets, the Panek book, the Don Poultin and David Camardella book and also labbing. I plan on scheduling the 70-410 for next Tuesday or Wednesday.

thatguy67

Hey what's up. Just checking on an update. How's the battle going?

TacoRocket

Yes I would like an update!

tysmith007@gmail.com

It isn't impossible, however I did the 2008 version MCITP EA and now teach the MCSE cert courses locally....90 days unless you weren't working and just doing school would be highly difficult. especially if you plan on understanding the material versus regurgitating the answers via ******** etc....

I wish you luck, I am going to upgrade mine seeing as im teaching it however i've already done most of the studying and posssess the 2008 version...I am just a little wary of the exchange portion as I have done exchange but not been responsible for being a primary admin over it etc...and it was 2007 with a little bit of 2010 not the newest iteration.

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/terry-ty-smith/23/5b6/a11

Apollox89

NetworkNewb wrote: »

0 to Dual MSCE in 90 days blog:

https://benofthecloud.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/dual-mcse-certification-in-90-days/

If he can get 2 MSCEs in 90 days, you can get one right?

This is an excellent read!

seth479

Update

So had some personal things come up and havent had a chance to really study as much I should be. I've been playing on VMs but going through CBT Nuggets and my books havent really happened. Right now still only have the 70-410 out of the way and hope to be scheduling the 70-411 for sometime next week.

systemstech

MCSE in 90 days? Do you have YEARS of experience in a Window Server environment?

seth479

70-411 passed on to the 70-412.

@systemstech. I've been playing and labbing for a couple years now but not a lot in production. I've worked with Exchange for the last 2.5 years.

techfiend

Good luck on the 412! Let us know what you think of it. After barely passing the 411, I was never confident I could pass the 412 after reading the training guide.