70-697 Pass
BlackBeret
Member Posts: 683 ■■■■■□□□□□
For those looking for information on the exam, I purchased the "booster pack" at the end of March, extra $50 gave me 4 retakes and this was my first Microsoft test. I don't work on the systems administration side of things, but I've gone deep enough into Windows to think that it wouldn't be too much of an issue. I went in to the test blind the same week I bought the booster and pack and realized real quickly how wrong I was.
The test at the time was insane IMO. It was little to nothing to do with Windows 10 like I expected. It was all about Powershell, Intune, Azure, Azure AD, Bitlocker and TPM, etc. I expected something about the OS itself, but no. Questions were extremely granular as well, (fake example question) "Using powershell what would you invoke to deploy an Intune application across the enterprise while minimizing bandwidth, select four steps and place them in the correct order".
I watched the Skillport Windows 10 videos, these were good for explaining what everything was, how it interacted with Windows 10, what was new about it, etc. It did not cover the specific commands, switches, and details needed for the exam. Still good for a broad overview and starting point. Then I bought the Exam Ref 70-697 from Amazon. It contained walkthroughs for most of the installation, configuration, and deployment scenarios that I saw throughout the test. Somewhere on these forums I also found out you can sign up for a Microsoft Developer account for free and gain trial access to almost everything covered in the exam. This is a must for anyone taking the exam that doesn't deal with these technologies on a daily basis. Combine the book and the trial accounts, I figured I would try again.
Almost two months later I took the exam again, paying attention to the details this time. 52 Questions, passing score was 700, (I scored a 740). The questions seemed easier this time, not just because I was prepared, but a lot of them I could rule out with basic testing strategies and general IT knowledge. Some of the questions were still very granular, but it seemed like they improved the test to the point that I could figure out what answer they were looking for. My score wasn't amazing and I didn't feel overly confident during the test, but considering I don't work with any of these applications, a pass is a pass.
The test at the time was insane IMO. It was little to nothing to do with Windows 10 like I expected. It was all about Powershell, Intune, Azure, Azure AD, Bitlocker and TPM, etc. I expected something about the OS itself, but no. Questions were extremely granular as well, (fake example question) "Using powershell what would you invoke to deploy an Intune application across the enterprise while minimizing bandwidth, select four steps and place them in the correct order".
I watched the Skillport Windows 10 videos, these were good for explaining what everything was, how it interacted with Windows 10, what was new about it, etc. It did not cover the specific commands, switches, and details needed for the exam. Still good for a broad overview and starting point. Then I bought the Exam Ref 70-697 from Amazon. It contained walkthroughs for most of the installation, configuration, and deployment scenarios that I saw throughout the test. Somewhere on these forums I also found out you can sign up for a Microsoft Developer account for free and gain trial access to almost everything covered in the exam. This is a must for anyone taking the exam that doesn't deal with these technologies on a daily basis. Combine the book and the trial accounts, I figured I would try again.
Almost two months later I took the exam again, paying attention to the details this time. 52 Questions, passing score was 700, (I scored a 740). The questions seemed easier this time, not just because I was prepared, but a lot of them I could rule out with basic testing strategies and general IT knowledge. Some of the questions were still very granular, but it seemed like they improved the test to the point that I could figure out what answer they were looking for. My score wasn't amazing and I didn't feel overly confident during the test, but considering I don't work with any of these applications, a pass is a pass.
Comments
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CNE
Member Posts: 15 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congratulations Black Beret!!
Where did you purchase Skillport Windows 10 videos? -
greg9891
Member Posts: 1,189 ■■■■■■■□□□
Congrats!:
Upcoming Certs: VCA-DCV 7.0, VCP-DCV 7.0, Oracle Database 1Z0-071, PMP, Server +, CCNP
Proverbs 6:6-11Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep, So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler And your need like an armed man. -
Piers
Member Posts: 454 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats on the pass! Your comments about the relevance of W10 sounds exactly why I'm not liking this exam, it's an all over Windows world exam it seems, with very little to do with the OS itself
I also have skillport access through my work, I'm glad to hear the videos are helpful.:study: Office 365 70-347 / 698 later -
Smilymarco
Member Posts: 62 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats on the pass! Your comments about the relevance of W10 sounds exactly why I'm not liking this exam, it's an all over Windows world exam it seems, with very little to do with the OS itself
True... Like BlackBeret said: Intune, Azure, Azure AD and so on...
Not much about Win 10 itself. A few questions like "How to enable Hibernate?" Nothing "real" for administration.
@Fayz
At the moment you can only become an MCSA when you pass both Win 8 exams (70-687 and 70-688 ) and then upgrade to Win 10 with the 70-697.
A beta exam will be available June 2016: https://borntolearn.mslearn.net/b/weblog/archive/2016/05/16/certification-update-windows-10
@BlackBeret
Congrats on the pass
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BlackBeret
Member Posts: 683 ■■■■■□□□□□
Are you an MCSA now?
No, I didn't take the Windows 8 exams. My employer only requires that we have a certification in a Windows operating system. This test alone made me an MCP and gave me the Microsoft Specialist in Configuring Devices certification, which my employer is accepting since it's a part of the Windows 10 MCSA certification. With the new exam coming out next month (70-69
replacing the Windows 8 MCSA requirement I may go on to take it just to have the full MCSA for what is supposed to be the final Windows Desktop OS. -
m1xaylo
Member Posts: 59 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats man .. I took it and score 677 but yes - exam was everything I wasn't expecting. I used 70-697 reference guide form amazon and book is more-less worthless as a prep material. TechNet was the greatest source but its easy to lost focus. I'll try again in a week -
culpano
Member Posts: 163
Congrats man .. I took it and score 677 but yes - exam was everything I wasn't expecting. I used 70-697 reference guide form amazon and book is more-less worthless as a prep material. TechNet was the greatest source but its easy to lost focus. I'll try again in a week
Keep at it ! You were not far off a pass there. Good luck.
