Comparing 70-297 to 70-640 (83-640)

sagewalkinthere

Hey guys, how hard is the 297 compared to the 640? It seems to cover similar topics, so surely it can't be much harder (the 640 wasn't bad at all). What do you think?

Claymoore

Do you mean 290? The 297 and 640 couldn't be more different in both format and difficulty.

sagewalkinthere

Claymoore wrote: »

Do you mean 290? The 297 and 640 couldn't be more different in both format and difficulty.

No, I mean the 70-297: Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure.

I passed the 83-640 with an 800 score, so I am wondering how the 297 compares to it. I thought from the description that it would cover mostly the same topics - AD, group policy, DNS, etc.

Claymoore

Then, for reference, I passed the 640 section of my 649 exam with an 880. I failed 297 the first time I took it with a 580 and passed the second time with exactly a 700.

297 is a design exam comprised of separate little scenario testlets. They present you case study information about the environment and the goals af the move to 2003 and then ask you various questions about the correct design choices. The format alone causes problems, but when you combine that with the limited and inaccurate training material you are in for a real mess. Personally, I find MS design exams to be deeply flawed.

I would say a more direct comparison to 640 would be 294, but without DNS. 294 covers AD and Group Policy while leaving DNS to the 291 exam.

sagewalkinthere

Thanks! That's what I was looking for. I also took a look at the MeasureUp practice test that comes with the 297 training kit and was a bit overwhelmed by the scenario at the beginning.

I think I might just stick to the 2008 exams, lol...