MCSE in progress

Hey fellow IT geeks,

Yesterday, I completed the 70-290 to kick off my MCSE certification track. This is the plan I'm currently following (ordered as I plan to tackle them).

Before I get too wrapped up in this MCSE process, can you comment on this order and whether I should re-arrange or change some of the tests listed?

70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (Completed 11/26/2007)
Certification Awarded: MCP (Completed 11/26/2007)

70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Certification Awarded: MCSA Windows Server 2003

70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
Certification Awarded: MCSE Windows Server 2003

Thanks in advance.

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Comments

famosbrown

Looks good. I would recommend taking the 70-293 exam after 70-291 due to the similar information and difficulty in my opinion.

I actually took the Security+ then 70-284 after 70-291, then 70-293. I would recommend taking 70-293 after 70-291 though. IMO...after those two exams, it should be smooth sailing.

iproute

famosbrown wrote:

Looks good. I would recommend taking the 70-293 exam after 70-291 due to the similar information and difficulty in my opinion.

I actually took the Security+ then 70-284 after 70-291, then 70-293. I would recommend taking 70-293 after 70-291 though. IMO...after those two exams, it should be smooth sailing.

Good idea, I was debating on whether I should take the 284 or the 291 after the 270. This makes it an easy decision.

Updated:

70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (Completed 11/26/2007)
Certification Awarded: MCP (Completed 11/26/2007)

70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Certification Awarded: MCSA Windows Server 2003

70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
Certification Awarded: MCSE Windows Server 2003

dynamik

The order is more of a personal preference than anything.

I would (and did) start with 270 and 290. These exams have some overlap, so it would make sense to do them together (in either order).

293 is an extension of 291 as 297 is an extension of 294. You could go with either 291/293 or 294/297 at this point.

I did my Security+ and then 294 after that to mix things up a bit. If I was doing 297, I would be doing that now to continue on with the AD material. I had no problem taking 294 without 291 and 293. I don't think 297 would be a problem either, but I'm not certain about that.

I would suggest doing Exchange last since a knowledge of AD, DNS, etc. will aid you with that. Check out this thread: http://techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27669

Remember, you can also get a messaging specialization if you tack on 285 after that.

Slowhand

Looks like you're getting a pretty good handle on your MCSE track. If you're thinking about doing the upgrade path to MCITP: Enterprise Administrator after Windows Server 2008 launches, you might want to think about doing the Vista exam instead of the XP for your client OS. While you can use 70-270 for MCSA/MCSE, the 70-620 exam is applicable as a client OS exam for both the MCSA/MCSE track as well as the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator.

And, of course, congratulations on passing 70-290.

dynamik

Slowhand wrote:

If you're thinking about doing the upgrade path to MCITP: Enterprise Administrator after Windows Server 2008 launches, you might want to think about doing the Vista exam instead of the XP for your client OS.

Good point. I just noticed that a few minutes ago myself.

Keep in mind that XP will still be widely for the foreseeable future and Vista probably won't start making headway until SP1 or later. It's nice to know you have options though.

famosbrown

iproute wrote:

famosbrown wrote:

Looks good. I would recommend taking the 70-293 exam after 70-291 due to the similar information and difficulty in my opinion.

I actually took the Security+ then 70-284 after 70-291, then 70-293. I would recommend taking 70-293 after 70-291 though. IMO...after those two exams, it should be smooth sailing.

Good idea, I was debating on whether I should take the 284 or the 291 after the 270. This makes it an easy decision.

Updated:

70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (Completed 11/26/2007)
Certification Awarded: MCP (Completed 11/26/2007)

70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Certification Awarded: MCSA Windows Server 2003

70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
Certification Awarded: MCSE Windows Server 2003

From my experience with 70-284, I would recommend taking or at least studying for 70-291 before taking this exam. I took this exam this year, and it seemed to be more routing/network related questions than meaty Exchange Server questions.

r0bski

This is the track i am working on.

70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (exam taken after the 294 course)
70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (exam taken after 290 exam)
70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (exam taken after 291)
70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure (failed exam, reatke next)

The above 4 were tutor led MOC courses.

70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Self study using MSPress book and skillsoft CBT (exam taken after 291 exam)
70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Self study using MSPress book and skillsoft CBT (passed exam this week

70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
Not started this yet, going to pass 294 exam first (i hope)
Then i will use MSPress book for this and skillsoft study guide.

284 has been the most 'varied' exam so far. As mentioned above, contains much AD/DNS questions, i would defo do this AFTER 291/293