back into the exams

Kevin_cambs_uk

Well after 6 years absence of doing the MS certifications I am back doing them. ! I did them years ago and passed the four core NT 4 exams, and then they went by the way side, which when I look back was a waste I should have carried on. C'est la vie.

Well I am back doing them again, and have started with the XP 270 exam. I have been in IT for over 16 years, mostly Windows stuff, but you have to keep up all the time, but I found this forum, and of all the forums I have visited this seems the most helpful, not only by the content but by the users who seems extremely friendly and supportive.

Any way I digress ! My ramble on is about how they have moved on the exams. I have studied the Sybex book and thought it was ok. I took the exam not expecting to pass but to use it as a yard stick to learn how much they had changed, what to expect and just to get the first one out of the way as an experience.

Anyway I didn't pass, I got 652 which I was quite pleased with. My main problem with the exam was that at question 48 I had 5 minutes to go ! The last 10 questions I could not even look at, by the time I had clicked to them from review I just had a quick scan and plumped for anything !

Then the time just ran out. So overall I was glad it was over pleased with the score, and relalised the Sybex book just did not have enough info in it, so got me the MS Press XP book instead, which I must admit is an easier read, but there is stuff in this book thats not in the Sybex and vice versa.

So I am re booked for 2 weeks time, I have now been studying every night for 4 weeks, I can't seem to remember anythng anymore ! I thought I knew a lot about XP, but not in the Microsoft way. I just keep hoping I can get one under the belt and take the pressure off me a little.

Does anyone have any tips for the exam about technique so I can avoid running out of time, and aso how do people study?. I tend to make notes as I go along and then re read them.

I must admit, with the weather so nice is not easy to keep studying,but when I feel not in the mood I log onto here and the forum does give you that extra motivation to get back on with it, just hoping that one day I can post up that I have passed one at last !

Anyway thanks for listening !

Kev

Breadfan

I am not sure what works for you but for me this works:

I take notes as I study and then create a "study cram guide" in Word of topics of each objective which I need more study time in and the objectives I dont need extra study effort with I cover minimally.

I use several books and combine these notes into one source as I go along before making the final "cram guide". This way I cut alot of "fluff" out and only cover what is essential and written in a way I can understand it

The idea behind it also is reinforcement. As I am reading from seeveral sources, several times, and copying notes, typing them out in an organized manner, and then eventually studying them I have, in effect, "studied" the material. As I get older, it seems to take a few more times of perusal to sink in than it used to

Also, come time to take the exam, I have my "cram guide" taken from several sources in a language written by me.

I also have a home lab setup and use notes I take from that and put in the "guide" as well.

Hope this helps and good luck. I hope to be taking the 70-270 soon as well

gabrielbtoledo

Hey, I hope you are not feeling bad, because you should not.
Anyway, everybody is different, so their technics to learn and even speed learning.
I always had problems to understand what Microsoft wants from the question. I believe the main reason is because I'm not American and reading long questions, processing and then understanding was my big downside. As it goes, I'm reading faster and understanding quicker.
My first exam (yeah I had to take twice) I got 676 with about 3 hours. I retook the exam on the next day and spent about 2 hours and got 805.
Things I learned when reading Microsoft questions:
- Usually the first sentence is just telling you what type of network they using in that scenario question. How big the AD is and what type of Server/Client they are running. So, I just quick glance over the first sentence.
- I don't write down anything as I read (waste time for me). Usually they give you more than you have to know.
- Right after reading the question, I don't re-read it, neither take notes.
- Go stratight to the answers and from there I can related to what I read and discard the dumb ones.
For example, "The network is running in Native with Windows 2k Server and Windows 2k3 Server". Down on the choices you have something that only applies to an Interin mode, or only 2k3 servers, or something you know it's not possible on Native mode. So, you cut down those options.
Hope that helps a bit.

Kevin_cambs_uk

Good tips guys, I must admit of the usual 4 answer 2 are always dumb answers !

The are very subtly worded !!!