70-642 r2

tedkilroy

Got a couple of questions if anyone can answer them. I have not done a MS exam/cert in awhile. Taking a class for the 70-642 for the MCSA 2008 and at best I think the class is ok, not really pushing us on the material. I have the MS training kit R2 book and CD that came with it.

Is there another CD media anyone can suggest to prepped? Been through the questions and I already know them by hard. I was not trying to remember the answer, they are not hard questions.

Also, I plan to take the exem either last week of this month (7/13) or firest friday in August. I still have the 70-646 and then 70-642, will I earn the MCTS or did they do away with the certification? Thank to all or anyone the replies.

Lexluethar

You will get the MCTS with the 70-642 as well as your MCP.

I suggest not relying on what is covered in the book for the exam. Use MS's own skills measured page to determine what to study for and lab on: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

I would also suggest doing a ton of labs until you know each page by heart. Seems overkill i know, but the certification exam is NOTHING like the questions you see in the MS publishing books.

MeatCatalogue

Lex is right - I learned this the hardway once - Always consult the website for the latest required topics.

70-642 isn't very difficult, depending on your networking background. Be sure you know IPv6 (and ipv4 obviously), branchcache, netsh from top to bottom, VPNs, ports, DHCP and relay connectors, and of course NAP NAP NAP.

Remember that MS tries to trick you by throwing in extraneous information so read every question at least twice. Most exam questions come down to either a very obvious answer or two of the multichoice answers. Mark for review, then go with your gut if you are still torn.

Good luck!

alan2308

Lex is right on. Lab it up over and over again. The step-by-step guides on Technet are great for this.

tedkilroy

read the book, did the labs after each chapter. Used the CD from the back of the book and have scored high, also bought the (Kaplan) SelfTest and have done great on that too.

I was wondering if that was my approach that would be enough to schedule for the 31st of this month. I really don't need the MCTS cert but would be fun to have since it is going away.

Lexluethar

I would repeat the labs over and over again, a lot of the questions in the MS books are deceiving IMO because they are pretty cut and dry. In my experience the exam is not that is far more specific in questioning than the MS books.

It's like they are two completely separate departments that don't even know each other exists. Seriously, it's stark of a contrast.

DoubleNNs

Where do you get the labs for the 642? Just the ones in the MS Press books?
Will you need multiple instances of Server running (VM or multiple computers) or could most of the labs be done on a single server machine?
And are there any questions available that closely match those found on the actual exam? Are Transcender/MeasureUp any good for that?

I'm planning on starting this material late summer/early fall so just trying to get mentally prepared.

Mutata

I've been working through the Self-Paced 70-642 - Material seems decent although not enough.. I tend to have a tough time knowing when I have enough knowledge on a subject

You will find you need 2 VMs/Server Machines for most of the Labs and a 3rd off and on (at least according to the self-paced). it is Windows Networking so more than one box makes sense

Crikey

I used the MS books for the 640 and 642. My approach was to read the material and the suggested practices and make up my own environment to lab. I found that following the step by step labs were of no use - I wasn't learning. Kind of like paint by numbers.

Set it up, make it work, break it, fix it. Rinse and repeat. Amazing what will sink in.

tedkilroy

Well guys, I decided I will not make the MCTS 70-642 exam by the 31st. Who would of thought in this day in age there are no test centers opened on Saturdays and I can't get off of work during the week. I started a new job and have not earned time off yet so I'll attempt the test on the 15th.

Thanks to those that gave me input and good luck to those that will attempt the MCTS before it goes away.

Lexluethar

Sorry man, keep studying and maybe in a few months you can take a week day off.

As for labs, I create my own. When i'm messing with branch cache I will setup the entire environment and implement branch cache as if i was doing it for my own company. Same with other things like quotas, DNS, DHCP, ect, ect. The only thing I did not actually lab on is Direct access, its far too difficult to setup a lab environment using the Direct access requirements (two completely different networks, both on ipv6 or one on ipv6 and another using a transition technology).