My Story

Finally i ve decided to give to those who have given to me, clues and tips, study guides etc. . . First let me start by telling everyone my story . . I work as a technical Phone Support rep . .

It all started back when i was in college . . i realized school wasnt for me but i couldnt leave without having anything, then i heard about mcp i took the 70-271 exam and passed with a high score i then went on to find the job iam at now been here since 2004 . .

Then i decided i want more money which equates to needing more certs i challenged my self how many certs could i get with in 2 months based on my experince and knowledge, before Jan 2007 begin the new year with a new job and get my son to live with me cant support him on my income alone . this october ,2006 i decided to challenge my self! I first took exam 70-272 i passed with a 700 out of a 700 very scary . . . lol

I then pursed comptia certifications, starting with A+ i took both exams in 1 day and read 1 book covering both os and hardware in 1 weekend the day i passed a+ i bought a book on network+ studied for 4 days read the book passed the exam the 5 day then i thought about what i was doing so many certifications so little time, all i knew was i am sick of talking to people on the phone although iam extrememly good at it . . i wanted to do field technician work or deskside work but i really wanna do network admin work . . .

So i said let me persue MCSA on 2003 . . i took and passed 70-270 . . . with flying colors i told my self i am un beatable . . ha thats when it happened . . . that same day i bought 70-290 by sybex . . i love sybex especially there fast pass series there really thin and hit the major points for people with experience . . i'll recommend them to anyone . . i had never used a server before so i was actually "learning" something at this point . . i tried to use my same technique . . study a few days . . then take the exam . .

i live by myself in a 1 bedroom apartment . .i converted my living room into a lab . . to practice with server 2k3 . . . i downloaded the evaluation version of the software and studied and practiced . .

BUT i was not prepared for the simulations. My technique and its a really bad one is i go into the exam expecting to fail certaint questions that i find really difficult . . its usually something really difficult or something i cant understand no matter what i'll be honest i dont know everything but i do know alot and i dont think iam cheating myself iam just challegning myself i always learn one way or another but usually later then sooner . . . i failed 70-290 with a 650 out of 700 . . . that discouraged me . .

iam not a quiter but i know when its time to move and i told my self well . . iam already a+ network+ mcp-70-270 and mcdst . . i'll survive then it hit me iam on a deadline . . i picked up a novell 50-686 book . . i always wanted to know about novell but never thought i would well now was my chance i wanted to get away from server 2k3 and microsoft all together . .

without! hitting cisco/ccna that will be last and most likely a 2007 goal of mine . . its scares me! I studied for novell this time a little longer then normal 1 week. . . i took the exam and failed by 25 points . . . close but no cigar . . now today is december 7th . . . this morning when i walked out the exam i just wanted to cry . . . i realy studied hard for novell it was something i actually enjoyed studing for . . i wanted to go home under the covers and cry . . iam 21 years old with a son but i can still cry . . . thats how i came in this world and i hope its not how i leave . . I got over it by noon today.

Since i know the cna exam is linear/form based and its the same exam always i think i immediately studied from my memory every question i got wrong silly stupid . stuff i was determined to take the exam again today still i checked out my bank statment . . ha i just paid all my bills and my rent and i refuse to tap savings . . it will have to wait till next pay day however as the day went on i thought to my self how creditable is novell or shall i say crucial to getting a job sure its like stuffing on a resume but does it catch a recuiters attention like a mcse or mcsa????

no i dont think so i did some research and then found out about mcsa on server 2k hmmmm cant be any tougher then the 70-290 i already failed i initially told myself i would come back to 70-290 i just wasnt sure when or how soon but i did know if i did any more microsoft certs i would be sure to steer away from that exam for a while. So to make a long story short i ve deciced to go for the mcsa on server 2k. I know i gotta do atleast 70-290/291/215/218 because other wise my 70-270 would be a waist . . . i just wanted to share my story with everyone . .

but most important note that for the exams i did pass i used this websites study guides and practice exams to help amongst other things and reading other it pros opinions thoughts helpful hints and guidance in my it career . . for a second this morning i thought i needed a career change ive waisted 300 bucks atleast between learning materials and exam costs that i could have used at a bar someplace however when i look in the 70-215 forum area i saw all the people who say they passed kinda hard to say no since i wanna be one of them . .

The moral of my story is well there really isnt one just want people to know there are people who find this site useful . . and iam sure iam not the only annonomous user out there that finds this site useful thanks to all wish me good look on 70-215 and 70-218 which i expect to finish before january and best of luck to anyone who is going through what iam going through i hope you make it whether it takes you 6 months or 1 or 5 days whatever i hope you make it walking out of a exam with a paper that says you passed throws a smile on your face even if your the angryiest person in the world . . .

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Comments

MAC_Addy

Wow...

not to dig or anything, but could you have put that in paragraphs?

Philippatos

One nice thing about MS Press books for MCSA/MCSE is they include a 180 day eval of Windows Server 2003. I crimped myself a few hardware loopback plugs

and installed 2003 on my laptop, dual booting with XP. Could then play with a real AD domain controller just about anywhere.

Incidentally, I was very surprised not to get any simulations on my MCTS test.

sprkymrk

Leonjs, you sound motivated and discipilined. You'll make it. Don't worry about the money too much - it will be worth it in the long run. I would make one comment if you'll allow me; if you can come that close with only a few days worth of study, I think you would be able to get over the hump if you excersized a little patience and double or triple your study time. I'd rather pass on the first try with 4 weeks study than to blow my money after one week of study, know what I mean?

Thanks for posting and good luck on your goals.

LEONJS

Really you didnt get any simulations on 70-290????? Awww man i got 8 . . . . i just wasnt ready for it . . . from what i understand its pretty rare to get that many . . i knew something wasnt right when i went to take the exam . . the computer i usually sat at was having issues and they moved me to another seat . .

sprkymrk; you know i think your right . . and in the long run thats proabably whats gonna happen but since i studied hard for 70-290 i think iam not gonna need much time for 70-215 i also think it should be a piece of cake with no simulations potentially . . . but thank you for the encouragement i will take it with me to the testing center

Philippatos wrote:

One nice thing about MS Press books for MCSA/MCSE is they include a 180 day eval of Windows Server 2003. I crimped myself a few hardware loopback plugs

and installed 2003 on my laptop, dual booting with XP. Could then play with a real AD domain controller just about anywhere.

Incidentally, I was very surprised not to get any simulations on my MCTS test.

int80h

Philippatos wrote:

One nice thing about MS Press books for MCSA/MCSE is they include a 180 day eval of Windows Server 2003.

The free 180 day eval of Windows 2003 is a free download from microsofts website.

LEONJS

Do you know if theres a link to download the Windows server 2k/2000 i cant seem to find one?? Maybe i can proceed for the 2k cert with the 2k3 ionno if there the same . . .

int80h wrote:

Philippatos wrote:

One nice thing about MS Press books for MCSA/MCSE is they include a 180 day eval of Windows Server 2003.

The free 180 day eval of Windows 2003 is a free download from microsofts website.

Philippatos

int80h wrote:

The free 180 day eval of Windows 2003 is a free download from microsofts website.

I've got enough eval keys for R2 to last me two years. Each of the core MCSE training kits comes with another.

The new 30-day VHD evals for Virtual Server are pretty neat though:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/try/vhd/default.mspx
A lot easier than reinstalling every time you blow something up anyway.

Olajuwon

Not to be rude, but you need to refine your writing skills. I had a hard time reading your post. Good story and keep it up!!!

I am a 22 yr old black male myself, in case you wanted to know.

mrkorean

Your story reminds me of "pursuit of happyness". Well done - I am impressed. I hope you get your dream job soon!

initiald

Leon, great post. (Sorry, I'm kinda late joining this forum.) I know it's tough my man but keep on pushing ! I'm only MCP (70-270) and A+ certified (although I've been in this computer game for 10+ years). Going to bang out Network+ next month then after that it's on to MCSA or CCNA. I guess MCSA since I already have the MS Press books.

litehedded

maybe try studying a little longer next time

5no-yt

Don't forget... Social life is important too...

Inc

Chapt3r:4 wrote:

Don't forget... Social life is important too...

Social life is over-rated

LEONJS

Months late after landing a new job and having hands on server work i finally passed 70-290!! I am glad i didnt take the 2K exams as i understand they are set to expire. Now i need to pass 70-291 Iam scared. .. . plan on taking it within 2 weeks but expect to have it done before the end of august . .

ilcram19

im actually taking 291 in a month those test aren't antry level like compTIA test, i think they required a lil more study and more experiance, try to learn and not to memorize stuff just for the test in real life ill come handy

LEONJS

Finally!

Done! I complete my MCSA in 2003 today!~ soooo happy party time!

royal

LEONJS wrote:

Finally!

Done! I complete my MCSA in 2003 today!~ soooo happy party time!

Congrats!

mikej412

LEONJS wrote:

Done! I complete my MCSA in 2003 today!

Congratulations!

Its always fun to hit a target and get something to show for all that hard work and study! Plus it's a good excuse to take a small study break and celebrate!

sprkymrk

Congrats!