70 685 blues

chevchelios

hi, i failed my 70 685 today for the third time and so you can imagine how im feeling.
the first time i got 567
the second time i got 624
and today i got 546
i am using the 685 cbt nuggets and the ms self paced training book by tony northrup and j.c mackin.
whilst i was sitting my exam today i realy felt like i had it in the bag but was shocked at such a low score.
i passed my 680 in july on the second shot with 750.
im feeling low, share your stories!

LittleBIT

Sorry to hear that, I am actually looking forward to my MS Certs soon, I know they are 10x much harder then CompTIA's stuff...

However, on a unrelated industry, I am in the military, and for my job I have to take a board to get qualified to do my job (Go Figure?)...

I can't tell you how many times I have failed, and been humiliated. I've even been called a slacker, a liar (about studying for the board) and a slew of other things. I have been through almost anything you can think of, depression being the highest. However, one day, I just decided after failing my board (and wasting the board's time) that the reason why I was failing was because my confidence levels were low, I walked in with with my heart rate at 10000 beats per minute. I was scared, couldnt focus.

I requested my Board be changed to someone else, luckily (sarcastically), it happened to be a seasoned vet of the job. Before walking in, I knew he was stiff, strict and about the regs. I was already sweating and knew I was going to fail.

Before even starting, he stared at me and asked "Are you ready? Did you study?" I said yes - he already knew I had failed my board 7 times.

The next sentence blew my mind "Okay, I need you to calm down, breath deep, and not overthink this stuff, its not brain surgery, you know the stuff, I have seen you recite regulations verbatim, just slow down and don't overthink."

I passed my board that day, and it was the greatest feeling in the world. I could now shove my success into those who doubt'ed me and those who thought ill of me.

He was right, I was overthinking the questions and answers, I knew them, I memorized them, but I always froze up and couldnt spit them out.

You know the stuff, you have it memorized. But you probably overthink the questions and get stuck. When I read how people take months to study for some of these exams, (Security+) to be exact, and I read 1 book and take the exam (all in 1 week), and pass, I feel that people who fail that exam (which is a cake walk) overthink the material and go in feeling they are going to fail.

I went in with a positive vibe, I knew the material, and knew it well. The questions always add a bunch of useless junk that is there to trick you.

"Ann, a Material management Specialist with a IT certificate in Telocomunications needs to submit a form to IT for a Security clearence, and she needs access to emaill, what port is POP3?" (Exageration) But you get the idea...

Just slow down, think, draw it out in your head. 1+1 = 2. Not 1+3/2 (4) = x7^.

You know this stuff, good luck on your next exam, pass it and the rest is history.

chevchelios

thanks for the great advice. much appreciated!
i have placed an order on amazon today for the darril gibson book so hopefully this may contain more material to help pass.
has anyone got any experience with this book?

LittleBIT

I have used his book for Security+, his writing style is very easy to understand. I also picked up a copy of his book and skimmed through it, its very easy to understand and he does make a good job in testing your knowledge. I'd recommend him for sure.

bub9001

@chevchelios what was your study process for the 70-685. I am currently working up to sitting the 70-685 and might be able to help some if needed. I have taken a slightly different approach then I did with the 70-680. I have read the Darril Gibson book and watched all the CBT's. I now have a daily schedule with topics that hit close to each other. Then I do a 20 question self exam every other day and study all the answers so I understand why the right question is right and the others are not right. Then I do a hour or so of labs a day to help get some hands on with the Server and Clients.

The one thing I have heard about the materials out for the 70-685, is that they are lacking the correct depth. So my hopes are if I do some digging and lab out some topics, that when it comes time to test I have a little better chance of passing.

Let me know back something, best to not look back and just remember your almost there.