MTA Certifications and Resources

JackTrade86

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this forum and very excited about the journey I want to undertake. Let me set a bit of background; I have been an analyst for the past 7 years. I have specialised in commercial risk mitigation and workforce management. I am currently employed as a QlikView consultant and have been using the product for the past 4 years. My IT background is very weak I am analytical and use the visual capabilities within QlikView to 'tell a story'. My problem is, is that I feel that my career has taken certain turns for the worst. Certain fundamentals that I should have equipped myself with, I have not. This is why I am here.

I want to start doing certifications to give me a base with which I can develop my BI skills (or the lack thereof ). I decided that I should start with MTA certifications. First up being 349 and then 361. Could you please assist me by referencing good sources of material in preparation for these exams. I am finding a hard time getting hold of ebooks that will assist. The microsoft press releases (Wiley) don't generally receive raving reviews and really want a book or good link where I can in a structured manner, absorb the relevant knowledge.

Thanks to all in advance for your help with this. Happy learning to everyone

j23evan

Hi Jack, welcome aboard! I wish I could help you find decent MTA study materials, but sadly there isn't a ton of useful resources. In my experience MeasureUp practice exams have been a tremendous boon, and Wikipedia learning the core concepts. While Microsoft lists MTA as entry level, they are by no means easy unless you have a solid understanding of the concepts (whereas for the most part CompTIA exams are easy). If anything it may be more beneficial to skip MTA and go straight to the 70- exams as there tends to be a wealth of information and learning tools available. Though if you are determined to take the MTA route, prometric is offering a free retake on MTA exams if you fail. You could easily just sit the exam, get an idea of what areas you need to focus on from the score report after the exam, and spend time getting acclimated to it.

eansdad

The MTA exams are not a good place to start, they are very basic and developed for use with schools. Depending on what it is you want your tech skills to be at you might want to start with an A+ and maybe a Net+. You might not understand some of the fundamentals of the M$ exams if you jump straight into them and the real M$ exams are far and above harder then the MTA.

I believe you can get the guides off of Certiport that will have everything you will need to pass the exam.

charlemagne

JackTrade86 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this forum and very excited about the journey I want to undertake. Let me set a bit of background; I have been an analyst for the past 7 years. I have specialised in commercial risk mitigation and workforce management. I am currently employed as a QlikView consultant and have been using the product for the past 4 years. My IT background is very weak I am analytical and use the visual capabilities within QlikView to 'tell a story'. My problem is, is that I feel that my career has taken certain turns for the worst. Certain fundamentals that I should have equipped myself with, I have not. This is why I am here.

I want to start doing certifications to give me a base with which I can develop my BI skills (or the lack thereof ). I decided that I should start with MTA certifications. First up being 349 and then 361. Could you please assist me by referencing good sources of material in preparation for these exams. I am finding a hard time getting hold of ebooks that will assist. The microsoft press releases (Wiley) don't generally receive raving reviews and really want a book or good link where I can in a structured manner, absorb the relevant knowledge.

Thanks to all in advance for your help with this. Happy learning to everyone

Welcome! To answer your question, the best prep books for 349 a good source is Tom Carpenter's Microsoft Windows Operating System Essential. Just look at it on Amazon.com. You'll find links to the others in the Sybex series. Gibson's book on networking essentials is good as is his MTA security essentials. MTA is a great place to start as you state that your IT background is "very weak." Best idea is simply look at the books on Amazon and see if are not familiar with several of the topics, then that is the level to begin. You don't have to take the exams but doing so can only help you. Mastering the fundamentals is the best advice and only you know where your weakest area(s) are.
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