How to study and take the exams Microsoft style?

These exams can be a real beggar.....
and YES...knowing HOW to take them is critical.

Read the questions thoroughly TWICE....you will be amazed at what you might catch that you missed the first time.

You need to be able to pick out immediately what can NOT be correct based on your studied information.

Before you look at the options THEY give you, read the question and think about or write down what YOU know.
Next you need to evaluate what is left....remembering that they are looking for the best solution...not the most technically correct one always.

Also, be careful when they ask you "what meets the required" because it will trip you up. What is a better setup does not mean it is the right answer. What meets the required is the minimum that will make it work. You will need this when you get out into the field, because your clients/bosses will want this on a regular basis!

I used plenty of paper to draw out my scenarios to make sure I had a clear picture in my mind of how things would run...and why it would work...or not. Sometimes it is a process of elimination using what you KNOW you need, and what you KNOW can not be included.

The bottom line is, you really need to understand the material....not just the facts. KNOW why things work and what components are required to make it happen. Know what things can make the whole scenario NOT work. One seemingly small detail can take a great setup and make it impossible to do one of the tasks they are telling you is required. One small missing piece can make or break an answer.

Make sure you have read and understood the lingo....the way Microsoft words things in exams makes a huge difference when you are choosing your answers. Look for words like BEST way,and double negative like "not"and then "undesireable."

Know your acronyms.
If you don't know what all those short forms stand for I am SURE it will cost you marks.Whether you are asked for a definition, or just have to choose what to use in a certain situation, you will need to know which ones are good and which don't even exist!

If you are having trouble with the material....set up test systems to physically DO these tasks yourself....and you will learn more messing that way than any book can give you. I found this to be the absolutely best way to study.
It will also help when the tests ask you WHERE something is.
You need to know that as well. If you need to accomplish XX task..you can do this in where? Reading your text with the system in front of you will reinforce the information.

I found this site useful also...

www.cramsession.com

They do skilldrill online timed tests and it will help you identify any areas you need more help..if any. There are more online resources listed in the FAQ and in the forum posts themselves.

You can also post here in the forums for any explanation in plain english if you need clarification. There are plenty of experts here willing to share what they know for someone in your situation. PLEASE look through previous posts to see if your question was already answered.


Don't stress yourself out...they arent that bad if you have done your homework. It is a lot of work, but definitely not impossible to do well.

GOOD LUCK!

Kimber
CSS SS A+ MCSE