New User Hello

Just registered....seems like a nice forum

A little history...

Joined the working world out of High School many moons ago. Got fed up with the minimum wage jobs and decided to go to college (I got my first computer in 1980).

Got 2 degrees in Computer Programming; worked as a Systems Analyst/Programmer for 15 years till I had to "leave" October 2009.

Decided I don't want to go back to the "programming rut" I got into and decided to go for MCITP track (Enterprise Administrator Server 200

. As one in the IT field, I feel that the networking specialist is more and more in demand in today's market.

Anyhows, to keep it short, I have the MS Press Books for MCITP. First book on Active Directory was like 700 pages and I didn't want to take my first test on that, so I decided on going with 70-642 first. I'm about 2 weeks from taking that test.

It's not like college at all...in college you would get 3 or 4 chapters, than a test. Repeat. Then maybe a comphrehsive final exam (most of which were curved

) Not used to reading a book, doing lab work and THEN taking a final (that is NOT curved) LOL.

Oh well, I could go on...but I won't

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Comments

veritas_libertas

Welcome! I have to say that I feel like I learn more from certification studies than I ever did with college. Might be because I am more motivated to study for certifications.

Rootstonian

Thank you for the welcome...last 2 forums I joined, I had like 80 views and ZERO responses. Needless to say, I don't visit those forums anymore.

And maybe I forgot to mention, my programming life was at a University

, so I've had my fill of "college" life. LOL

I just want to get through 70-642 and pass the test; give myself the reassurance that I can still do it (e.g. learn and pass tests!).

By the way, I've seen a couple of studies on the Web about the "Next Best Paying Jobs" and "Best Jobs for the New Decade". Network Administrators are in the Top 10!

veritas_libertas

This forum is very friendly, and well monitored.

Rootstonian

Looking at your "stats" (and I don't want to be guessing), but with an A.A.S. in Networking and your current goal of a B.S., I'm going to assume you're in the 20 to 30 year-old range?

If so, and you get the B.S. and CCNE, you're starting pay should be upwards of $60,000 per year

And those Certs/Degrees are well above what you need for entry-level!

Trust me; I was lead programmer for Payroll, HR and Benefits; I knew salaries from the janitor to the President

I've got the programming background, I would like to get my MCITP and maybe CCNE or the 2 certs you need for SQL Admin/Developer....wave of the future, IMHO.

Technito

Welcome aboard! Yeah this is a nice forum. Most of the people here are really helpful and friendly. And most importantly, this place is "active". I've been a member of other forums relevant to this one as well but either the people were really arrogant or they were dead, such as hardly anyone ever posted anything. Which made me move on and been here ever since. But anyway, glad to have ya. I haven't gotten to any of the MCITP exams yet, but here's some personal advice on taking Microsoft exams. I too am not fond of a lot of reading. I find it a lot easier to use Practice exam simulators, such as Selftest Software or Trancender. What's good about these simulators is not only does it greatly simulate the real exam, but it shows why an answer was correct and why the others were incorrect. Also they reference information on Technet and chapters in the MS Press book. Therefore what I usually do is just read the information referenced in the Press books referenced from the simulator. Or if it's a subject I'm not really comfortable with at all then I read that particular chapter check what's on Technet about it. I've never read a MS Press book from start to finish, only read the information which I didn't understand or felt is important to getting through the exam. The other thing is labbing out some of the scenarios. This is a biggie. It not only helps you get through the exam but it "sticks" in your brain more efficiently. In other words you retain the information longer, in which in a real world environment it'll help you understand and makes actually doing it easier. Anywayz, Hope that helps and good luck on your exam

Rootstonian

No problem with "lab stuff" I have 4 computer and a laptop in my "man cave" now. Running Vista Business on a dual core, 3 gig ram that has 3 virtual servers on it.

I don't know what you mean by "exam simulators"? I have the MS Press books and they do have practice exams included on disc. And I understand the reading part; a lot of it is "mental mastrubation" (LOL) that doesn't apply to exam questions.

My take, from what I've done with practice questions, is that they're what I call "Sherlock Holmes" questions; that is, can you use deductive reasoning to find the correct answer. And some A, B, C or D questions can be cut to 50/50 on the same reasoning (i.e. why open an OUTBOUND firewall rule when they ALL are open by default

)

Oh, and greetings to a relative Ohioan; I'm from NE OH...about 20 miles east of Akron!

mikej412

Welcome to the TechExams.Net Forums

Technito wrote: »

or they were dead

Oh -- the forums, and lack of posts -- I was thinking the posters were dying (or getting killed for being arrogant).

veritas_libertas

mikej412 wrote: »

Welcome to the TechExams.Net Forums

Oh -- the forums, and lack of posts -- I was thinking the posters were dying (or getting killed for being arrogant).

Oh the humanity...

Rootstonian

ROFL, I know I'm going to like this site now!

Technito

Rootstonian wrote: »

I don't know what you mean by "exam simulators"?

It's basically like the practice exam that comes with the Press book, except it's made by a third party company. Most find it easier to learn from than the Readiness Review (Press book's practice exam). But cool sounds like with what you got setup you should do fine. Hope all goes well fellow Ohioan

mikej412 wrote: »

Welcome to the TechExams.Net Forums

Oh -- the forums, and lack of posts -- I was thinking the posters were dying (or getting killed for being arrogant).

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Oh the humanity...

LOL yeah I meant lack of posts. I did make it seem that way