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Just Passed 70-648 upgrade exam

GilarnGilarn Member Posts: 8 ■□□□□□□□□□
Hi all,
I have just passed 70-648 so I'd like to share some ideas about it, hopefully it will help those who prepare for this or similar exam.
I went to a course from Microsoft 6414, it took 5 days. Wasn't bad, gives you practice over all the labs and new stuff W2008 server can do.
After that I started reading book "Microsoft Press Books MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-648 and 70-649): Transitioning your MCSA/MCSE to Windows Server 2008 Technology Specialist". That really is much better for certs as we all know MS books from the courses are maybe good for the course or to get you basic picture, but not to prepare for an exam.
I read the book carefully, after that started with tests that are included on the CD. I was a bit worried as my worst score was from sections "Configuring Additional Active Directory Server Roles (11 percent)" and "Configuring Active Directory Certificate Services (14 percent)". We don't use AD FS, Certs or similar stuff at work so I had to really learn from questions most of the step-by-step what to set up where (like offline Standalone CA, etc).
Somewhere I read that the test actually composes of 2 parts: Exam 70-640 and Exam 70-642. That is true and you are evaluated separatelly. My final score was 850/836 so I'm not sure if my tests counts as the lower score of those 2, but I'm guessing if I didn't pass one of those I'd probably fail the exam?
The test questions were a bit different from those I had with the training book, I had about 5 very similar-or maybe the same questions, but other were different and I'd say maybe asked more details about commands, paths etc. I had quite a bit of questions about certificates, AD FS and LDS, then of course AD replication and monitoring of the statuses, subscriptions. I really felt lost after the 1st half but at the end the score wasn't too bad. Took me about 3 weeks to study for this. First half I managed to finish some 20 mins before deadline (you have 1 hour for each test), the other one took me longer, I had some 5 mins remaning when I finished. Generally I'd say the test really asks you about the new stuff you can find in W2008. I had no simulation questions and 2x I had to click exact order how to do things (that's similar to tests provided with the sSelf-Paced Training Kit).

I hope this helps. Best of luck guys
Jiri

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    SabaloSabalo Member Posts: 100
    I believe that you do fail if you fail a portion of it, yep!

    And congratulations! What's next?
    I'm no expert, I'm just a guy with some time, money, and the desire to learn a few things.

    Completed ITILv3 on 11/20, working on College & METEO, reading Classics on my Kindle, organizing my music library with Mediamonkey & TuneUp, trying to lose a wee bit of weight by running, eating less, and lifting weights, planning for my stateside vacation, and wasting time posting on forums.
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    TechnitoTechnito Member Posts: 152
    Congratz on the pass and thanks for the advice :)
    Knowledge is being an Architect, no matter what field.....
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    GilarnGilarn Member Posts: 8 ■□□□□□□□□□
    Well I was wondering if its good idea to go for Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator there seems to be a lot in common with 648 so prep might not take so much time.. what do you guys think?
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    earweedearweed Member Posts: 5,192 ■■■■■■■■■□
    Congrats on the pass!
    I had asssumed that was your next step since that is the required test to get the MCITP:SA. The 648 only keeps you from having to take both the 640 and 642. The Sybex book for the 646 is very good from what I've heard and was written by TE member Darril Gibson.
    No longer work in IT. Play around with stuff sometimes still and fix stuff for friends and relatives.
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    za3bourza3bour Member Posts: 1,062 ■■■■□□□□□□
    Congratulations for the pass Well I think it's a good idea to take 646 it's not an easy exam though but it seems you have an excellent experience and it's only one exam for you.
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