Passed this monster today on my frist attempt about two hours ago with 828/922 (or 1000 ?). I went through the first sections very fast where you have to agree to the rules etc before you can start the test so I'm not sure about the max points (it's displayed there)...still....I'm very pleased with my score. I had 30 minutes extra since English isn't my native language but had about 45 minutes left when I FREEZED and pressed the END EXAM button and didn't kill myslef
I didn't think I would pass so I bought exam insurance and now when I passed on my first attempt Microsoft is giving a 25% discount on my next test
I got 5 SIMS and I was pretty sure about a lot of things but some tasks were probably not 100% correct. Luckely you can fool around a bit and start over again if you figured out that you messed up. My strategy was going for the normal questions first and I spent the remaining time of the test doing all the sims.
Regarding the normal questions (pick two etc) I think that the questions weren't so tricky. Some questions I didn't know much about but after reading them two times you could figure out what was totally wrong.
I used the following to prepare:
* Full version of Transcenders testkit (expensive but superb...the SIMS rule).
* MindLeaders E-learning (not updated with the latest stuff but good for the basics).
* Sybex (don't rely passing with just this one...needs to be updated even though the book is really good).
* Microsoft Training kit (did some labs but not to much time working with that book).
* Exam CRAM (great...make sure to go through that book so you know it in your sleep).
* Preplogic MEGA guide (not as good as the guide for the XP cert...needs improvement!).
* Info I found in this superb forum!
* DEMO test found on the web: uCertify, Preplogic, SelfTest etc) + demo/full-tests provided with the books above.
TIME SPENT: About two months but about two weeks CRAMING like a maniac. Have been reading for this in combination with XP.
I'm totally bankrupt
now after the XP cert and 2003 server so I have to wait about a month before I can take my next cert 70-291. But STILL: No pain, no gain
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVEN'T PASSED 70-290 YET
