F@!#$ 294!

As I'm sure is evident from the title of this thread, I didn't do so well on my test today. I failed with a 662. This test seemed much harder than the study material led me to believe. I used TestOut and Transcender. The thing that annoys me is that I feel like I actually know the material pretty well (or maybe I'm delusional). I was doing quite well on the practice tests, but that ACTUAL test questions seemed much less straight forward. It seems like the test answers include things that I simply have not come across in my studies. More specifically, the questions seem to deal with similar topics, but on the real test the answers seem more contrived. I kept finding myself in situations where I knew that it was one of two possible answers, but I simply could not eliminate one of them. Has anyone had a similar experience with regards to the practice tests?

What I really want to know is what you guys/girls think I should use to broaden my knowledge? This whole thing is made more annoying by the fact that I had to wait until January to take it, because there were no tests offered in my area in December. After all that waiting this was a huge disappointment.

I would really appreciate any input I can get, since I feel like I've exhausted TestOut and Transcenders and I'm still short of the mark.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

dynamik

I think most people have a similar experience with this exam. Are you not using any written resources? Try the MS Press book.

emid

I suppose I may have to read the MS Press book. Is it decent for this exam? It just seemed very time consuming, and I had set a sort of artificial deadline to complete my MCSE. That may have been a mistake.

I hadn't read any of the other books to this point and I've passed 270,290,291 and 293. Perhaps I've met my match.

undomiel

Don't take it too rough, sleep it off. Failure hurts but you know that you were pretty close. I'd say identify the topics that gave you the roughest time and take it back to the lab, work it out. Research the topics on technet, check through the forums here, and when you feel you've got it go on back and pass. Good luck!

NetAdmin2436

Bummer man, I can relate to your frustration. Keep in mind you were only a few questions away from a pass.

I just began studying for this exam and I'm using the MS Press book. Be sure to go through and lab it up. Good luck!

rabbitears

I completely agree about this test -- I was quite surprised about the roundabout, needlessly convoluted questions (only 44 of them). I failed TODAY with a 662. I used the MSP book, and *thought* that I had scoured it pretty thoroughly. Granted, I was pretty skimpy on lab prep time, but I had always managed to get a higher score (and on first time) with earlier MCSE exams.

The other thing to remember is that, in my opinion, the subject matter required for 294 is very, very broad -- and involves a number of different 'knowledge domains'.

Can anyone recommend another good, supplementary text or set of practice exams?

Thanks

proteus71

Just failed today for the 2nd time and have decided to call it quits. I feel I know the info well, but often have to choose between 2 good answers, and apparently I disagree with Microsoft. I even had about 20% of the questions on both tests (including the same 2 sims), but can't remember them enough to see where I might have gone wrong. I re-studied for 2 weeks after the 1st fail, but didn't come across anything that helped. I just don't have the time or money to keep going (even though the 1st fail was a 634 and the 2nd a 682). I guess the MCSA will have to do. I am very bummed!

I used the MS Press book and ExamForce test prep.

dynamik

Dude, suck it up. You probably missed the first one by a few questions, and your second attempt might have been by only one. Why would you quit when you're so close? Are you using the second shot promotion? One more exam purchase will get your two more attempts. Two weeks really isn't that much time to review. I know you're tight on money, but consider Transcender or another supplement. Load up a few VMs, and PRACTICE! The MCSA pales in comparison to the MCSE. You've come so far, don't stop now! You can do it!

I don't know if I used enough exclamation points to drive my point home. If not: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

royal

Read all my stickies and you'll ace the exam.

NetAdmin2436

proteus71 wrote: »

Just failed today for the 2nd time and have decided to call it quits.

So you failed twice, big frickin' deal. I failed 293 twice, slacked hardcore for a good 4 month, and then passed the third time. There's people who have failed much more than us, check out this member who failed 10 times. The only thing that matters is he stayed persistent. Determination like that is hard to find. Take a month off, take two, take 6, but don't give up!

...and yes it is a proven fact that many of us pitiful MCSA's pale in comparison to Dynamik and his MCSE

But seriously if you look at the job requirements out there....it's probably 20:1 in favor of MCSE over MCSA's.

proteus71

I understand what you all are saying. I considered taking some time off, but this is Server 03, how much longer will it be applicable to current companies? I would think most are making the move to Server 08.

NetAdmin2436

proteus71 wrote: »

I understand what you all are saying. I considered taking some time off, but this is Server 03, how much longer will it be applicable to current companies? I would think most are making the move to Server 08.

I don't think that's going to happen so soon. Right now, 2003/XP is still by far more dominate. With the economy being as bad as it is right now, I seriously doubt many companies are just going to instantly upgrade. I believe it's going to be more of a gradual upgrade taking at least 2 years before XP falls out of favor. Similar to when XP first came out....it took a number of years before 2000 fell out of favor.

I'm right behind you in the MCSE track and no way I'm giving up now. Well, I guess that's mostly because I'm a pretty stubborn SOB though

Just my 2 cents.

dynamik

2003 is going to be dominant for quite awhile. I think the best approach is still to get an MCSE and upgrade to MCITP: EA, especially if you're already and MCSA that's close to passing 294.

trackit

dynamik wrote: »

Dude, suck it up. You probably missed the first one by a few questions, and your second attempt might have been by only one. Why would you quit when you're so close? Are you using the second shot promotion? One more exam purchase will get your two more attempts. Two weeks really isn't that much time to review. I know you're tight on money, but consider Transcender or another supplement. Load up a few VMs, and PRACTICE! The MCSA pales in comparison to the MCSE. You've come so far, don't stop now! You can do it!

I don't know if I used enough exclamation points to drive my point home. If not: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you sure "second shot" is in effect right now? didnt the campaign end with the 2008 for now?

elaverick1981

trackit wrote: »

Are you sure "second shot" is in effect right now? didnt the campaign end with the 2008 for now?

Yeah its definatly still going. I e-mailed Learning specifically to check about a month ago.

trackit

elaverick1981 wrote: »

Yeah its definatly still going. I e-mailed Learning specifically to check about a month ago.

oh thanks for the info... i will try to register my second shot then (will be sitting 293 on wednesday), i hope its not too late.

its interesting though as i clearly remember reading when i registered second shot vouchers for exams i took in november/december that you have to fail your first attempt before the end of 2008 and then you can retake exam before july 2009 or something. I specifically determined the dates and took my vista exam on 30.12.2008 for that reason. I guess they decided to extend that campaign then.

edit: and also, i have been confused about the following. For example you register second shot, fail exam, take another for free and pass. Is now your second shot exhausted? or you can register another second shot for another exam etc. ie is the second shot voucher 1 time opportunity or you register 1 second shot per 1 specific certification exam...

meadIT

trackit wrote: »

oh thanks for the info... i will try to register my second shot then (will be sitting 293 on wednesday), i hope its not too late.

its interesting though as i clearly remember reading when i registered second shot vouchers for exams i took in november/december that you have to fail your first attempt before the end of 2008 and then you can retake exam before july 2009 or something. I specifically determined the dates and took my vista exam on 30.12.2008 for that reason. I guess they decided to extend that campaign then.

edit: and also, i have been confused about the following. For example you register second shot, fail exam, take another for free and pass. Is now your second shot exhausted? or you can register another second shot for another exam etc. ie is the second shot voucher 1 time opportunity or you register 1 second shot per 1 specific certification exam...

The Dec 31 2008 deadline wasn't for the whole Second Shot promotion, it was just for the part where you could get 25% off your next exam if you passed.

You can use the Second Shot as many times as you want, for as many exams as you want. You can Second Shot -> Fail -> Pass or SS -> Fail -> Fail -> SS -> Fail -> Pass or SS (Exam 1) -> Pass (Exam 1) then SS (Exam 2) -> Fail -> Pass or .... you get the idea.