OctalDump wrote: » It does depend. At an absolute minimum, for someone "good with computers, but no experience with x", you will need 2 weeks of fulltime (40-60 hours) study per exam. That breaks down to 3-4 days of reading, a day of practice testing, and the rest doing hands on exercises. Typically most people, even those with experience will spend longer than that. The thing to remember is that the 70-680 exam is aimed at people with 12 months experience supporting Windows 7. So, there is an expectation that you have lots of hands on experience with the subject matter being tested. If you have A+ you might be able to get through 70-680 quicker, since there is a good amount of overlap. The Windows 2012 exams are much harder. From the MS Site for 70-410: "This exam is part one of a series of three exams that test the skills and knowledge necessary to implement a core Windows Server 2012 infrastructure in an existing enterprise environment". Honestly, rather than trying to cram these all into the shortest time possible, I'd suggest taking some time with the 70-680 and see how you go. The 70-685 and 70-686 are good exams for introducing some of the server concepts, whilst still focussing on Windows client. Even if you don't do those exams, reading up on the objectives and trying things out is very worthwhile. Then set up a Windows 2012r2 server at home, virtualised if you like. Set some simple goals, like setting up a website, or a WSUS server or VPN server, and work through those. Once you are comfortable navigating your way around, then start on the 70-410 objectives. Get hands on experience with everything that will be tested, set up an AD master, set up group policy, set up print and file sharing, set up IPv6. Depending on how much time you spend with it, it might be a few months before you are comfortable for the exam. Then again it seems many companies require the OS cert addition for their positions. The advantage of the slow and steady approach is that you will learn it, understand it, know how things go wrong, and it will stick. So when you are in a job interview situation you will be able to answer questions intelligently.
finger11 wrote: » Hmm looks like this board doesn't like URLs... I tried posting a link to a 5-day online course from Global Knowledge covering Installing and Configuring Windows 2012. Are these worthwhile? My training budget could cover it and could give me what I need for 70-410 and then I can get 70-411 on my own.
OctalDump wrote: » The training courses are worthwhile, if you have the money, but you would still need to do extra on top of these. I find they work best as either introduction, so you can orient yourself and get an idea of where your weaknesses are for further study, or as intensive bootcamp for when you are basically ready to go. If you do decide to do training, take one course - do some practice exams (transcender, boson whatever) - and get a sense of where you need to focus your energies. There is also currently a free re-sit for these exams with MS. So you could even try the real thing as a practice run. There was a refresh of the 410/411/412 exams in 2014 to include 2012r2 material, so most of the study guides also have a 2nd edition from that time covering 2012r2. These are the ones you would want to get.
finger11 wrote: » Microsoft has a bunch of training partners who put on these 5-day courses. Are one or two held in a higher regard by most people?
finger11 wrote: » Just wanted to give an update that I passed the 70-680 today after about a week of studying. I'm getting some billable work starting tomorrow so I'm not sure how they expect me to study and pass the 70-410/411 in just a couple weeks each, but we'll see. I'm looking to take a 5-day online course for the 70-410 and then studying for the 411 on my own.
gncsmith wrote: » What did you use to study and how?
gncsmith wrote: » Yeah, I also have been watching Messer's videos and have taken a few of the online practice exams, updating my notes after reviewing why I got something wrong. I took the test back on the 19th but didn't pass. I too got quite a bit more of the drag and drop variety of questions than I expected. I'll continue studying and will retest in a couple of weeks now that the MCSA deadline has passed (today). I've also added the MS Press Self-Paced Training Kit book and the MS Windows Server Administration Essentials book by Tom Carpenter to fill some knowledge gaps.
finger11 wrote: » Deadline?
finger11 wrote: » Deadline? It looks like I'm fortunate enough to also be able to use my training funds to purchase the MCSA Transcender practice test bundle. I found a bootcamp that does B1G1F so I got both the 410 and 411 5-day bootcamps under my training budget. This week is 410. In two weeks is 411. Goal is to pass both by the end of the first week on Jan. My heads gonna explode.
techfiend wrote: » That sybex book only scratches the surface too, there's a lot involved in MCSA 2012.
OctalDump wrote: » Yeah, since I decided to take on MS certification this year, this is something I've come to realise. Not all books are created equal, and all books will leave something out. The Sybex books are more like, "this is a taste to get you started", than comprehensive coverage. They are probably good for people with lots of hands on. The official MS books are quite a bit better. I think the best options is to read more than one (also makes revising a little less tedious), and where you do the exercises, don't just leave the exercise as presented in the book, have a play around, see what other functions you can find. The more hands on, and breadth of hands on, the easier it all seems.
