Sigh* No 70-640 for me this time

Hi All.

I want to thank all those who have been posting with their experiences in their testing, I gave it my first shot today (after the wife has been nagging me to get it done) I felt ready, I was scoring 800/900's in my practice exams and getting bored with Labbing.

I received a score of 529. Over half way and only 7 questions off a pass this time (working it out on how many questions were part of this day's exam - might be more or less next time

) DNS was my down fall, but ADDS and AD Infrastructure were the next.

I certainly know the areas I need to work on, and I am definitely going to get straight into it and go for my second shot. Although, I have difficulties with exams. I'm a practical person, I can do the task, but ask me the same thing in a test scenario, and i just crumble.

I am a little disappointed as I was looking forward to moving onto VCP or just spend some time learning some coding and extra tools like Exchange/SQL (I use these a fair bit at work - but would definitely be good to have a good knowledge of it, rather than picking it all up on the job.)

Thanks again, and hopefully, next time I post a thread, it will be good news!

-Keiran

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Bloogen

You'll get it next time. I failed my 640 the first time also but got it on the second time around.

webgeek

Keep your head up!

Psoasman

It's a tough exam, don't be too hard on yourself. Lab up the weak areas and you'll nail it the next time.

kj0

Thanks guys. I'm keen to get it over and done with, but it's just a disappointment that I am unable to move on to the next one. I've got a fair few things built up at work now that I think I might get out of the way as a bit of a break, and then get straight back into it - a little bit of breathing space/

WilliamK99

Not sure why but I have taken dozens of certification tests from A+ to CISSP and everything in between and Microsoft has the hardest tests...Not sure if it's the wording of the questions or the depth of the material. The only reason why Microsoft exams have such a high pass rate is the fact that many testers use brain **** and **** their way to a certification. Good luck when you re-test...

kj0

Thanks mate. I think the series questions were what got me - They made me second guess myself multiple times and I changed my answer multiple times (I was probably correct the first time lol.)

I know powershell commands well enough to recognise which is right and wrong, but when it comes to using command prompt and remebering what unctions lie under which utility is hard.

WilliamK99

kj0 wrote: »

Thanks mate. I think the series questions were what got me - They made me second guess myself multiple times and I changed my answer multiple times (I was probably correct the first time lol.)

I know powershell commands well enough to recognise which is right and wrong, but when it comes to using command prompt and remebering what unctions lie under which utility is hard.

I normally take about 30% of the time alloted to me when I test. If given 2 hours, I finish in 35 to 40 minutes. I also never change my answer or even review my answers. My reasoning is this....If you know the answer then you will click it right the first time. If you are unsure of the answer, then it's best to go with your gut...

My first try on 70-642 I took 95 minutes and failed with a 550, next try I took 35 minutes and scored 880.... The key is going with your gut and don't second guess yourself.

ITMonkey

My test-taking habits are completely different. My unused time is spent going over all the questions if I can. The 2nd time I don't ask "what is correct?", but instead ask myself "What choices are incorrect and why are they incorrect?" Have yet to get a perfect score. But my failure rate has been low.

At the cost of the tests being what is is, what's the hurry to rush out of the test center?

kj0

ITMonkey wrote: »

At the cost of the tests being what is is, what's the hurry to rush out of the test center?

It was a lot more pleasant inside than out.

I've never gone back over a full test, I do go back a question or two if a following question makes me think about the answer previous. Sometimes the following questions give you the answer to the previous.

nosoup4u

Failed me first one with a 672, and I believe it's because I went back over my marked questions and changed about 5 of the similar questions with the same answers sets...

I retook it and didn't got over anything, probably a dumb idea but scored in the mid 800's after a month of studying my weak areas, keep at it!

Essendon

Damn that sucks man, I know it feels to fail one of these. Luckily for me, the 640 was lab based when I did it 2-2.5 years ago. I was in and out in about 45 minutes and scored close to a 900. Easiest test ever, primarily because it's easier to find your way through the actual server than it is to pick your way through the essay sized questions they throw at ya.

You'll get it next time man, keep at it and dont delay the second attempt too much.

kj0

Failed again today. I got 605 this time. I spent time on questions, I went back, and changed a few answers (I felt a bit more confident about some during the review). It is a ridiculous exam, and it's the type/Way the questions are asked. Make sure you know what does what down to the "T" as some questions you could say Two answers but only one is correct (As that is what Microsoft chose) I won't give an example though.

So I am now sitting at home, remembering all the questions I can, and about to get stuck into Studying those that I remember, but I'm some what considering on giving up on it for a little while and get out the exams I've been planning to do afterwards.

Essendon

Bugger man, that sucks big time. I'd suggest doing the VCP5 mate, waaaaaay more interesting that studying the Microsoft tests. Depends on your goals of course.

I know it wont be much comfort mate, but I passed the 70-647 on the 4th try. These tests arent easy, that's certain.

kj0

I'm just googling some of the answers I put down (particularly commands) one I focused on two options, turns out they were both incorrect, but all four options were all possibilities. Just shows how difficult this exam is.

I'm planning on VCP, CCNA, or the next one in my Apple series. I'm thinking the apple one as I can knock that over during the weekend. VCP is the next I think. At work we are very limited in what we can do with our servers. We can't even install printers on the DCs. we can only really administer our Member servers. so I don't get the hands on production experience as I should. I have consider doing some "work Experience" style of work for some 24hr companies, somewhere that I can get my feet soaked without leaving my current job.

We are the one of 6 or so out of 1400 sites that run virtualisation, which we have full control over. So it may be worth while to go ahead and just start working on VCP . All I know is that it is going to be one long conversation with the wife.

Essendon

Yeah go for the VCP mate, it's a no-brainer really. Sign up for the low-cost VMware class (look for the huge thread in the v Forum) and you'll be done with the training in about $300. Just tell the wife your going ahead with this VCP thing, dont ask her!

kj0

No Need, she came home and then said "Are you going to try something else or are you going to continue" So I think with that, I'm going to go ahead and do VCP.

I've just put my MS books away and just pulled out my "Mastering VMware vSphere 5" by Scott Lowe book and going to start on that. Will nest it inside VM Workstation for now, and get some hardware going shortly. (Before end of financial year

)

mjlynden

Tough go mate.

It's definitely a tough exam.
I agree with you when it comes to the wording of the questions. I've second guessed myself on plenty of exam questions.
You've just got to be lucky and pick what Microsoft picked as the correct answer.
I definitely practice the "eliminate what the answer definitely is NOT, then work on what remains" philosophy.

The series questions were definitely the most stressful for me too.

Good luck with the VCP5. I've been sussing this out recently and am very keen to get started on this ASAP.
But would like to get my 70-642, 70,646 and CCNA out of the way first.

Keep us posted and all the best.

- Matt

kj0

I will probably do the Apple Management exam on the weekend and knock that out.

I continued to eliminate the answers that were incorrect, but series questions just confuse you and don't help at all. Easier just to click the same answer for all and hope that it was right for one of them.

VCP was a goal for this year, so that's what I'll start this time. Apparently this "Cloud" this getting bigger...

Blizz127

Essendon wrote: »

Yeah go for the VCP mate, it's a no-brainer really. Sign up for the low-cost VMware class (look for the huge thread in the v Forum) and you'll be done with the training in about $300. Just tell the wife your going ahead with this VCP thing, dont ask her!

Essendon: could you point me to the 300 dollar VMware class? lol. I've been dreaming of VCP but i can't find any cheap class.

Essendon

@ Blizz 127, here ya go! http://www.techexams.net/forums/virtualization/88907-summer-may-20-2013-stanly-cc-vsphere-5-icm-class-thread.html

I found the VCP one of the most interesting of all exams I've taken. It's a definite breath of fresh air over any MS cert. You may be able to find the required ICM course at your local TAFE too. I did mine online from UCSC (in the USA), took 2 months to do and cost me $990 AUD.