more than likely asked, but couldnt find anything

anyway, im starting out on my MCSA track with 70-270. I'm currently in IT in my department, with no certs and I'm working on my 1st. I've been doing this work for years, so this is by no means new. However, I'm learning small details about XP I've never known (or really need to know). My problem- I really don't have a way to practice some things
Right now I have the MS "kit" book that I've been basically just studying/reading and doing as much as I can... since I have access to an AD in my job, I can do some of the admin type things (as long as I'm not applying these settings/changes/etc...mainly just looking), and I have VPC07 with XP Pro where I do the "experimental" type things on it, but I'm limited to workgroup type things in there since I don't have a copy of server to set up an AD (ontop of I dont have the knowledge of creating/setting up AD's yet).
Through the MS practice exams in that "kit", I've been around 70-80% range as most of the admin/setup things I don't have a problem with. Its the installation things that get me- whats the best way to practice/learn the installation procedures required for the 70-270?
I plan on getting in the 95+ range on all the practice exams before I attempt the 70-270, which I'm hoping to do in the next month or so.