MCTS 70-640 Windows Server 2008 R2 Review Material

I've been studying the Sybex Windows Server 2008 AD book for the past couple of weeks, come to find out the exam has been updated to include a lot of new R2 material and the testing time has been extended. Now I've been in a slight panic. To help ease my mind I've been researching threads and finding material to help compensate for the missing information.

1. Train Signal Videos Includes R2

2. Windows_Server_2008_R2_e-book.pdf

3. Updated Overview from Microsoft E-Learning Site of new items included / expected in exams.

OVERVIEW TAB:
The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) on Windows Server 2008 credentials are intended for information technology (IT) professionals who work in the complex computing environment of medium to large companies. The MCTS candidate should have at least one year of experience implementing and administering Windows Server 2008 R2 in an environment that has the following characteristics: …

· Configuring Active Directory Roles and Services
Configure backup and recovery
Active Directory Recycle Bin Step-by-Step Guide
Automate creation of Active Directory acounts
Offline Domain Join: Step-by-Step Guide
Configure Active Directory replication
DFS Replication: What’s new in Windows Server™ 2008 R2
· Configure Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS v2).
Configure Active Directory Federation Services (AD FSv2)
Active Directory Federation Services v2
· AppLocker
Deploy and manage software by using GPO's
Applocker resources - Technet
· Global object access auditing; “Reason for Access” reporting
Configure audit policy by using GPO's
What's new in Wndows Security Auditing
Advanced Security Auditing in Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2
Advanced Security Audit Policy Step-by-Step Guide
Advanced Security Auditing FAQ
· Configure AD recycle bin
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd392261(WS.10).aspx
Introducing Active Directory Recycle Bin - Active Directory Documentation Team - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
Revive Deleted AD Objects with Active Directory Recycle Bin
· deploying multiple-forest certificates; x.509 certificate mapping
Certificate Enrollment Web Services in Windows Server 2008 R2 - Word document
Authentication Mechanism Assurance for AD DS in Windows Server 2008 R2 Step-by-Step Guide
Cross-Forest Certificate Enrollment for Windows Server 2008 R2 - Word document

4. MS Thread discussing changes, many disgruntled, caught off guard individuals, MS employee responds.
70-640 exam content - Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 7

5. Kaplan SelfTest Software (Updated and includes R2 questions)
Kaplan SelfTest Microsoft MCTS 70-640 Training Products - Practice tests and Online Courses - 70-640

6. 70-640 Sybex Book
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Server-Active-Directory-Configuration/dp/0470261676/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1291404682&sr=8-3

MCTS Self Paced Training - Publisher: Microsoft Press; Second Edition edition (July 15, 2011) (NEW!)
http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-640/dp/0735651930/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1310647072&sr=8-4

For those of you who have any other material or resources to add, please post here.

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Comments

unnamedplayer

Hey I am studying for the 640 as well. Hope to be taking it next week. Check out the 70-640 resources thread by Claymoore. The second page as links to new topics covered by R2 that I've been finding very helpful, especially the certificate services paper.

Are you using any practice exams? I just purchased the Selftest Software for the 70-640 and it's got R2 material in it.

veritas_libertas

Thanks for the information

ITVince

Fantastic I did not notice that thread was updated on the second page to include R2. I added useful links directly into my bullet points.

unnamedplayer wrote: »

Hey I am studying for the 640 as well. Hope to be taking it next week. Check out the 70-640 resources thread by Claymoore. The second page as links to new topics covered by R2 that I've been finding very helpful, especially the certificate services paper.

Are you using any practice exams? I just purchased the Selftest Software for the 70-640 and it's got R2 material in it.

Please let me know how the exam goes once you take it

Added 5. Kaplan SelfTest Software that includes R2 questions.

earweed

Good luck on your test.
Some people have been getting the 40 question 90 minute test while others have gotten 65 - 75 question 3 hour exams so be prepared in case they give you the big one.
A good thing about the long exam is that you'll actually have plenty of time to read over and even review your questions. With the 90 minute exam you are actually kind of pressed for time.

ITVince

I wonder if it has anything to do with your Geographic location? Florida here. I'm only on Chapter 2

I have a long ways to go. Super Duper n00b. Good thing though I just bought a new PC

AMD Phenom II 3.2Ghz 6 Core Processor
12 GB RAM!
1 TB 7200 RPM HDD
ATI Radeon 5770 GFX Card

Virtual Enviornments setup, just lack of time and energy is my downfall. Working 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM by the time I settle in from work its 7:00 PM....

I study an hour on my lunch break I need to utilize the weekends more. I'm hoping maybe study everyday for a solid Two months and give this bad boy a shot.

earweed

I think the question length is randomly selected. I had to take the 643 several times before eeking out a pass. The first time was 70 questions and the 2nd and third were 40 questions. The 4th try was 65 questions. The 40 question tests were more stressful since I barely had time to finish the test. The first try I was unprepared for the R2 stuff. On the last try I had plenty of time to read the question/ possible answers and even review the whole test.

ITVince

I'll probably use this thread as a blog of my studies so others may tune in and ask questions as well as myself so fellow MCTS MCITP individuals could help where need be. That would be greatly appreciated

earweed wrote: »

Good luck on your test.
Some people have been getting the 40 question 90 minute test while others have gotten 65 - 75 question 3 hour exams so be prepared in case they give you the big one.
A good thing about the long exam is that you'll actually have plenty of time to read over and even review your questions. With the 90 minute exam you are actually kind of pressed for time.

You get a free re-take with every test right? 4 re-takes? That sounds costly...

earweed

2 were on WGUs dime and the 3rd and 4th were $60 apiece. You only get the free retake if you purchase a voucher that specifies "second shot".
When you get to the 70-643 and see the amount of stuuf it covers you'll see why it's a difficult exam. I overstudied some things and understudied others which screwed me at exam time. The second and 3rd tries I was within 1 or 2 questions of passing, if I had time to review the test questions I probably would have passed the second try. The 40 question tests, IMO, don't give you enough time.

LCA

Re the timings of MS exams they certainly are currently a bit screwy. The confirmation of the 643 exam (on Monday) I got from Prometric says the exam time is 4 hours!!

ITVince

Sounds to me like your taking the new exam with more questions if thats the case then.

ITVince

Everythings going well, repetition repetition repetition is finally getting this concepts to stick in my head. Using Sybex, CBT Nuggets (just picked up a copy) and trainsignal videos, the videos help support and give visuals for the readings. I'm labbing as well with my VM's. Still a n00b but making progress!

Monos

How are things going ITVince? Are the Sybex books proving to be useful?

ITVince

Everything went fine passed this exam with no problems. No material on R2 beside them wording the question with "R2' in it. Sybex + CBTNuggts helped me pass

LAN_Guru

ITVince wrote: »

Everything went fine passed this exam with no problems. No material on R2 beside them wording the question with "R2' in it. Sybex + CBTNuggts helped me pass

Congrats and ^5's!

My MS Press 70-640 2nd Edition book will be shipping from Barnes & Noble on 7/15. Very much looking forward to this exam. I love AD, GPO, etc.

higherho

Congrats! How much do the Microsoft exams cost? I am planning to get my SA in 2008R2 cert but in the future I will go for the EA.

pzero

higherho wrote: »

Congrats! How much do the Microsoft exams cost? I am planning to get my SA in 2008R2 cert but in the future I will go for the EA.

Depends on where in the world you are.... MS just put the prices up. In Aust the price now exceeds $200 per exam. Jump onto the prometric site and you will see how much it is for the location you live.

ITVince

I only paid 60$ with microsoft special promo for college students. Pay $60 and get a free re-take (which I needed)

alan2308

ITVince wrote: »

I only paid 60$ with microsoft special promo for college students. Pay $60 and get a free re-take (which I needed)

How did you get the retake? Prometric told me there was no free retake.

Monos

Congradulations on the pass. So in your opinion CBT nuggets are better than the train signal videos?

ITVince

The way I got a re-take was through a promotion with Microsoft for college students. Keep an eye out for these on the Microsoft website. Dreamspark also had a deal recently where students got an exam free! Always do your searches for microsoft promos before paying for the exam. Yes I found train signal to be less informative then CBT Nuggets, CBT Nuggets had a little more depth to it IMO.

ITVince

Looks like a new book from M$ was recently published as well this month for this exam.

MCTS Self Paced Training - Publisher: Microsoft Press; Second Edition edition (July 15, 2011) (NEW!)
http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-640/dp/0735651930/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1310647072&sr=8-4

aklabs

I pre-ordered the MS book so I hope it ships soon.

Monos

$300 for one exam pack $1000 for the set, sheesh they surely are nuggets. So what are you going to do with yours now that you are done?