Taking MCP/ what, how to prepare--confused

Isaac_Karthik

Hi,
I am thinking of taking MCP exams,
Please let me know what to prepare for this exams.
I checked in the microsoft website, but didn't get any contains of the MCP exams.
I'm working as Junior Sytem Admin, mainly in windows 2000 platforms and have got knowledge in them (regarding DNS, Active Directories etc..)
Currently my company seeks for certifications in these fields
Please help me.

janmike

Scroll down this page here at TechExams and you will find some study notes for Microsoft exams, http://www.techexams.net/technotes.php, and here, http://www.techexams.net/pexams.php, for some practice exams.

The best thing for study is the Microsoft Self-Paced Study Kit that they publish. They have these for all of the Microsoft exams.

Good luck!

Danman32

I believe your confusion is on the MCP certification. Just about any 70- test will earn you an MCP. Microsoft lists the objectives of all their exams here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/default.asp

For a general overview of MCP: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcp/default.asp

If you are looking to take a client exam, I would suggest doing it on XP (70-270) rather than W2K Pro unless you have resources that would favor you targeting 70-210. Either is valid towards an MCSA or MSCE, but XP would be more relevent real world.

Re-reading your post, you may want to work on getting an MCSA. Here's the link of the requirements: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/default.asp
You can take a 2000 track or a 2003 track. I would suggest 2003 as that would help you better further your career in other shops. There are a few areas where 2000 and 2003 overlap, but not much.
Another option is to take the 2000 track, then upgrade to MCSA 2003 using test 70-292. That's what I did, since I already had some 2000 tests under my belt, and was only 1 test away from obtaining MCSA 2000. Then upped that to 2003 with one more test. Then got ambitious and obtained my MCSE on 2003 with 3 more tests.


Inch by inch it's a cinch. Yard by yard is hard. MS designed the 2003 track so that you can step up to MCSE through MCSA without wasting a test, though some might think there's too much overlap between 290/291 and 293 that it becomes a required waste.

Isaac_Karthik

Thanks for your suggestions.
I am not so perfect in XP, honestly I hate XP becuase 2000 and XP are different in many things. I am comfortable with Windows 2000 server.
Is it Ok to apply for MCSA 2000 directly or take a MCP first and then test for MCSA ?

Danman32

Once you pass your first test towards MCSA, you are an MCP. 3 more tests (two if you already hold A+ and Network+ and have Comptia transfer your certs to Microsoft) and you are an MCSA. Take 292 after that and you are also MCSA on 2003.

You may be comfortable with 2000 pro, but if you happen to lose this job, you may not be as marketable elsewhere, as most shops are using XP for their workstations. There are a lot of new security features that XP supports that W2Kpro does not.

I too used W2KPro for my certs, because at the time I passed the client test, XP didn't exist. However, I have more exposure to XP and its additional features, and can show that to prospective employers. Case in point: remote desktop and remote assistance. Not available in W2KPro.

Isaac_Karthik

Thanks for the mail
I have enrolled for 70-210 professional exams already, I have exactly two weeks time for the exam.
I do have Alan Carter book on MCSE 2000
Please let me know what chapter or areas should i study for 70-210

Danman32

Just one book for MCSE doesn't sound adequate. MCSE requires 7 exams, of which 5 are core (one of the core being the client exam). I have seen MCSE suite packages though.

MCSA only has 3 core exams, one being the client, so it is possible to hav a single book on that which could adequately cover the required material, though it might be better to have separate books.

Here's an outline on what's covered on the 2000 pro exam: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-210.asp

Although they tend to miss some points, I like the style of Sybex books. Syngress books are very detailed, but sometimes too detailed, giving more info than you really need for the test, have gramatical and some technical errors.

Isaac_Karthik

I've got Internet access in my system in the office surprising I quite cannot figure why I'm not able to access microsoft pratice exams when i can access other pratice exams web pages.
We do have proxy server maintained for Internet.
How to over this ?
Why I'm asking this question is because in spare time i go for an practice test.

Danman32

Microsoft themselves do not offer practice exams. They have links to practice exam providers, such as MeasureUp. What site can't you access?

If it shows up here as XXXXX (literally) after you finish posting, that's an unethical **** braindump site, which may be why it is blocked where you are at if that's what it is.