ERPadmin's MCITP:EA Experiences

Essendon

TLeTourneau wrote: »

643 can sneak up on a person like that. Knuckle down and you'll get it!

I agree with this too, the 643 got me the first time as well. Buckled down and nailed it the next time, I know you'll kill it next time. While you should work on your weaker areas, dont forget to do a little brush-up on your strong points too. I learnt it the hard way during my multiple 647 failures.

Good luck erp, we're all barracking for ya!

MentholMoose

erpadmin wrote: »

Well...2nd MS fail. I did not pass the 643. I was amazed at how much Media Services questions I got asked. In truth I spent such little time on them, because I figured it was no different than Server 2003 (which I did have experience in when I had to broadcast certain speeches once a year...though it was that long ago....lol).

Bummer. That's one thing that bothered me about the MS certs. They really should split all those useless components into their own exam, then give you a specialization if you pass it... something like "MCITP: EA + useless stuff" should suffice.

I'm sure you'll get it next time, just cram a bit, pass the exam, and forget media services exists (seriously, I don't remember it being on the 643 exam I took, or reading about it, or doing any labs, etc.).

Psoasman

erpadmin wrote: »

Well...2nd MS fail. I did not pass the 643. I was amazed at how much Media Services questions I got asked. In truth I spent such little time on them, because I figured it was no different than Server 2003 (which I did have experience in when I had to broadcast certain speeches once a year...though it was that long ago....lol).

Well, I'm hitting that back up and I'll be ready for round two this coming week. Seriously gonna go back to that chapter, read and lab the crap out of Media Services, and then take it this week. Hopefully this doesn't burn me on the stuff I was already comfortable with, like Sharepoint and IIS.

I'm so mad, but there's nothing I can do about it except hit the books and lab try again in a couple of days (when WGU gives me another voucher. I did want to take it tomorrow, but Prometric won't let me, since I'm still pending in the system.) I'm probably better off...

I am sorry to hear, you'll get it the next time.

erpadmin

(Deep sigh...)

Well, I thought I was ready to pass this thing today. Unfortunately, 630 apparently isn't enough to bring home the gold. That's what I got on my second attempt.

I felt real good with a good portion of the questions. The media services questions weren't a lot today, and a good portion of the exam was IIS, Sharepoint and RDS. I felt a little shaky with some of the Remote App stuff, but I guess that's where I got bitten.

I'm gonna have to focus on 647 as I already have that scheduled for 12/3. I'm kinda down about failing this...I really thought I'd have this one licked.

I think it's gonna be best if I just focus on both of these guys for awhile. I'm gonna have to go on hiatus again until I become a MCITP:EA (and college graduate.) Otherwise, I'm gonna be spending my time off in Atlanta as a spectator instead of a graduating participant.

I've been using uCertify, Testskills Testprep (thanks to a good friend), The MS Press book and TechNet. I've been labbing....but I just don't know what the heck I'm doing wrong. I did a lot better than my first attempt, but I goofed on a few questions, apparently. I thought this exam would be easier than the 70-680, but I'm guessing not.

I'll let you know how things go after the 647. Will have to proceed with that one and hope for the best.

Psoasman

Very sorry to read this. Hopefully, working on the 647 for a bit will help.

ptilsen

I've been having similar difficulties on 70-643. http://www.techexams.net/forums/mcts-mcitp-windows-2008-general/71867-70-643-last-minute-catch-up.html

70-643 is rough, and I've read here and elsewhere a lot of people consider it the hardest of the MCITP:EA track. I used mostly Transcenders and MS Press, go 630 on my first try, and an embarrassing 507 on my second try. Having failed it twice, I'm deciding that I have to lab pretty much everything.

erpadmin

ptilsen wrote: »

I've been having similar difficulties on 70-643. http://www.techexams.net/forums/mcts-mcitp-windows-2008-general/71867-70-643-last-minute-catch-up.html

70-643 is rough, and I've read here and elsewhere a lot of people consider it the hardest of the MCITP:EA track. I used mostly Transcenders and MS Press, go 630 on my first try, and an embarrassing 507 on my second try. Having failed it twice, I'm deciding that I have to lab pretty much everything.

I'm gonna subscribe to this thread and yours. I'm gonna pretty much try to master this in the next two weeks (plus 647). I don't have the luxury of quitting this, and I have to devote whatever free time I have to study and lab.

I will spend some time tomorrow morning getting on this, but I know my after 1, I'm gonna be busy with family.

We'll both get there. I just know it.

Psoasman

Have you tried the Server 2008 R2 Unleashed? It's huge, 1500+ pages, but packed with a lot of info.

petedude

Call me late to the party, but. . .

Erp, I'm glad you started this thread. I bombed 70-642 twice last year (the second time by like five points), then put it aside for WGU. I doubt I'll go for the whole enchilada next year (MCITP), but I'd be happier if I had at least an MCTS to go along with my MCSE 2000/MCSA 2003. With your notes I might take another whack at 70-642 and hopefully get it out of the way.

I'm glad I didn't pick a network concentration for WGU. While the Java courses have nearly made up for the trade-off, I can't imagine working on an MCITP with that kind of schedule pressure.

demonfurbie

petedude wrote: »

Call me late to the party, but. . .

Erp, I'm glad you started this thread. I bombed 70-642 twice last year (the second time by like five points), then put it aside for WGU. I doubt I'll go for the whole enchilada next year (MCITP), but I'd be happier if I had at least an MCTS to go along with my MCSE 2000/MCSA 2003. With your notes I might take another whack at 70-642 and hopefully get it out of the way.

I'm glad I didn't pick a network concentration for WGU. While the Java courses have nearly made up for the trade-off, I can't imagine working on an MCITP with that kind of schedule pressure.

im changing to the standard track from the network track, after seeing windows 8 and how the ms tests are setup id rather just get a degree and go sec/linux after

erpadmin

Woke up this morning...got myself a pass! (Passed by Pizzaland on my way home....you can find it in the Soprano's opening credits.. )

Took the 70-647 today and passed with an 831! This was my second attempt, because the first time I took it I got a 658! I was so angry. This was also the first time Microsoft gave me 76 questions instead of the usual 50. I spent most of my studying with Kaplan's SelfTestSoftware.com, on the advice of the WGU course mentor. I was really considering some hari kari or something, but I guess I thought better of it.

NOW, all that's left is the darn 643. I have a good feeling third time is a charm. I have been reading the Mastering Windows Server 2008 R2 book and focused on RDS. I got a whole lot of 643 questions on this exam. The other stuff about trusts, DNS, etc was more like review from the 640 and 642.

I'm almost there guys! The last exam will mean I'm both a MCITP:EA and a WGU graduate!! I (technically) have until the end of January to git er done, but I gotta do this by next week if I'm gonna do commencement and have my name on the program book.

One thing about the 647....this exam is NOT easy. I felt like I should have passed the first time, but this time around, I took the whole two hours to complete. I normally try to be out in at least an forty-five minutes to an hour. The guy kept coming in wondering if I was done yet (I went to a new testing center....they were open on Sundays and it was only thirty minutes from my house. Nice central Asian couple. The testing center also had no cameras, so that's why he kept coming in every twenty-thirty minutes. He had nothing to worry about; I would never put my name at risk like that... )

Well...I have to figure out when I'm taking the 643. It's a bit complicated now that I'm in holiday party season. Realisticly, I have until Thursday morning to take it. If I don't then I have to do it the following weekend.

Anyway wish me luck guys! I'm a very happy erpadmin!

TLeTourneau

Congratulations on 70-647 and good luck on 70-643!

Essendon

Nicely done bro!! Almost there now, just one to go. Wish you heaps of luck with the 643!

cyberguypr

Sorry to hear the seppuku/harakiri didn't work out. HAHA! Just, kidding

Congrats man!

veritas_libertas

Congratulations!

Hypntick

Congrats on the pass sir! Only one more to go!
Can't wait to see the final post wrapping up everything you've done to get here.

erpadmin

petedude wrote: »

Call me late to the party, but. . .

Erp, I'm glad you started this thread. I bombed 70-642 twice last year (the second time by like five points), then put it aside for WGU. I doubt I'll go for the whole enchilada next year (MCITP), but I'd be happier if I had at least an MCTS to go along with my MCSE 2000/MCSA 2003. With your notes I might take another whack at 70-642 and hopefully get it out of the way.

I'm glad I didn't pick a network concentration for WGU. While the Java courses have nearly made up for the trade-off, I can't imagine working on an MCITP with that kind of schedule pressure.

I don't know how I missed this post....but there's no such thing as being late to a party (unless, of course, the cops come at the same time you do...lmao.)

Going through the NDM degree is a lot different than considering going for it. If I had gone through the regular one, I know I would have chosen Java first just to get it over with, followed by the CIW certs. It would have then been smooth sailing from there.

These MS exams are much more difficult than the CompTIAs; that should go without saying.

I plan on saying a lot more about this...much more, but I'm gonna wait until the 643 is slayed once and for all. All I'm gonna say about this is this...I don't have a family...I have a live-in fiancee and two dogs. I do have committments outside of work and school. Work takes up a considerable amount of time. School is second to that. Any family obligations outside of my household are done with phone calls; occasionally my presence may be required, but nothing too ridiculous...only time I'm with my family is around the holidays anyway. Plus...I also take time to "blow off steam." Otherwise, calling me cantankerous would not do me justice.

My main point is this: whatever you choose to study at WGU, or anywhere will be determined by how bad you want it. If you want it bad enough, you learn to make time. I'm gonna be putting that to the test next month.

simtech

Congrats on 647 and good luck on 643!

Psoasman

Congrats on passing! Just about there!

earweed

Congrats on passing the 647! I'm sure you'll knock that 643 out of the park.

jmasterj206

Congrats on the pass erp and good luck with the 643.

Webmaster

Speaking of being late to the party: Congratulations!

erpadmin

Webmaster wrote: »

Speaking of being late to the party: Congratulations!

When I pass the 643, you and everyone else who wished me lucked will be invited to my party. I'm gonna have one the second I pass. I will most likely involve a bottle of 'Blue (I'm not even a scotch drinker like that...I just have a thing for expensive alcohol.... )

Thank you everyone! It sounds corny, but I feel real good about taking this exam with all of you guys at my corner. Just got Unleashed 2008 R2 and am reading those chapters pertinent to RDS. NAP, VPN, etc., is so fresh in my mind thanks to the 647. Unleashed and Mastering are gonna be two books I keep on my Kindle (well the Smartphone, Tablet and Kindle 2....) forever. They really are good reference books.

erpadmin

Seriously, I don't know what I'm doing wrong.....

I failed the 643 for the third time tonight. Same score, apparently (630). Got loaded with Sharepoint questions and I really thought I got those right.

The score report isn't helping me out much, but the weakest I did was Deploying Servers, followed by Configuring Networking Application Services.

Configuring RDS AND Web Services Infrastructure were both neck and neck. I did equally well on both.

I guess starting this weekend, I'll use SelfTestSoftware.com and focus on Deploying Servers followed by Configuring Network Application Services. Make notes of those questions and then really read and take notes. I have all next week to do that since we're on forced vacation. I was really looking forward to knocking this out by the end of the year, but it looks like January 7th is gonna have to do.

I got a few questions from the prior attempts, but not many. I can tell you that while the testing center I went to was nice (right by Grand Central Station in NYC), I definitely won't be going there again. Too much of a hike.

Guys, what the heck am I missing? I have the MSPress book, Technet, Unleashed, Mastering (both 2008 R2), selftestsoftware, ucertify (which by all accounts is useless, but WGU hooked that up for us anyhow). I've even used labs that were given to me by a kind TEer. I'm obviously not cheating. Even if it takes me 10 times to pass I'll do that so that I can say I'm an EA with pride....but this is starting to wear me down some (but never enough to ****.)

Well...let's see what happens after two weeks...hopefully it won't be a fail.

ptilsen

The 70-643 really seems to be the tricky one of the bunch. Since my last fail, I've been reading the R2 Unleashed book as well. I'm gonna take another try at the end of the year, but I'm not feeling much more prepared than I wason the first attempt. Let us know if you figure out a way around this on. I'll resurrect my thread after the next try.

Essendon

Bummer man, I dont know what to suggest. You've used all that's usually needed to pass these tests. Did you get any questions on GPO's? Though I took my test a few months ago, I got a whole heaps of questions on GPO's. Not direct ones, but one's that say "How would you do blah in RDS using GPO's" or "How would you do something in IIS using GPO's".

All I can is keep labbing away at your weaker areas. I know you'll be bring us a pass next time, we're all barracking for ya!

Psoasman

That's rough, seems like this one is the beast for 2008. It looks like you have the right tools in place to pass this thing.

ptilsen

The GPO questions weren't too bad for me. The "In what order do you X" questions were the real gotchas. Not only do you have to get the order exactly right - even if that operation can be done in different orders - you also have to make sure you remember the exact language (eg, cluster vs failover cluster). Then you start second guessing your own knowledge because the terms are stupidly similar.

They also manage to come up with some crazy combinations of RDS role services. And who would ever remember the Sharepoint commands and interfaces except a professional Sharepoint administrator or designer?

TLeTourneau

How have you been doing your labs? I found that labbing was a huge part of getting 643 down, at least for me. Some times people retain the information better when they do it in addition to studying it.

Hypntick

Really sorry to hear that sir. I know that it's the last thing for you to do for WGU and you can't really take a break from it and just decompress a bit. As I haven't gone over any of the 643 stuff I can't really give a ton of advice, although I really do hope you do better next time. I know 630 seems low but it's not far off from a pass. I can relate to the SharePoint stuff though, been dealing with some of that at work lately and i'm finding it hard to wrap my head around. Good luck on your next try, you'll get it, I think you know we all have faith in you on this.