tips on doing MCTS 70-680

MrXpert

I've recently passed the A+, net+ and sec+ exams and now considering what my next step will be. I've thought about an MCTS in windows 7 or doing CCENT (ICND1) then perhaps leading to CCNA(icnd2)

i am currently unemployed and just want the extra qualification to help me find a job in IT.

I've heard some negative things about the 70-680 training books and exam. Some say the books on the subject particularly the MS press one is bad and unreliable. I do have two video training sources from professor messer and cbt nuggets that i could use instead of books, but does anyone know how easy it is to study for the 70-680 exam? do i need to have win 7 ultimate in order to practice?

or should i not bother with the mcts and go down the route of doing a ccent instead? (i do have training material on this but the training vids are dated 2007 althought they cover ICND1 AND 2)

pzero

It really depends on what you enjoy doing.

You are correct, there is a lot of errors in the MS Press 680 book. If you plan on using it print of the eratta pages for them. You will be cutting down a small tree in the process. It was a useful read tho.

If you dont have a MSDN/Technet subscription you can download 180 day trials/evals of Server 2008 R2 and using rearming/sysprep in Windows 7 you can keep that kicking for 120 days without having to activate, which should be ample time to study for the exam (if not just rebuild and start again). Besides if its only for testing and study you will probably shut it all down at the end anyway.

The exam does cover features that are server backend which is why I mention Server 2008 R2.

When i was studing for this I also read the admin guide & resource kit for Win7 as well as a lot of reading from technet.

Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

MrXpert

Hi,

thanks for clarifying this but another question if you please, if I do download server2008 r2. Am I right to assume i can install this as a virtual OS(using virtual box software from oracle)
i then also install 7 ultimate on the same machine(again as a virtual OS)?

the host OS is windows xp pro.

i think i'd have to boost the ram to 4GB.