70-293 areas of study help along with random related study

[EV42TMAN]

Well right now I'm unemployed and trying to finish my mcse I have the 70-293 test set up for Thursday. Right to maximize my chances of passing what study resources should I read. I've read the ms-press book and right I'm in the middle of the cbt nuggets videos. Is there some resource that is really good that I'm missing or is it whatever prep work will due?

Also just some random questions I'd like some opinions on I know ms has changed the naming system for the new certifications, hell I have of them but everytime I do a search trying to find a current list of certs that employers are looking for I see conflicting results. So when I finish my MCSE what should I do next or should I specialize?

Also my last question is about A+, my last job was a system builder so in my 4 years there I built approximetly 30,000 systems so I know my way around a computer or server. So I guess my question is how important is A+ over all cause right now I'm loosing job offers because I don't have it but at the same time I feel that my expierence and other certifications should be more then enough to skip it. So can you guys help me out? Sorry if there is typos I'm doing all of this from my iPhone and the predictive text messes more stuff up then it fixes

MCSA
MCITP:Enterprise Support
MCTS: Vista Config
MCDST
MCP

 

[kmcferrin]

Generally speaking if you have an MCSE then nobody will care about whether you have an A+. Specifically speaking, it depends on the job. Some places really want A+ certified techs (especially if you are doing PC tech work). A lot of government positions have arbitrary (yet strict) requirements. For example, in my state a contract position for an Exchange administrator may have CompTIA A+ listed as a requirement. If you don't have the A+ on your resume you won't get considered, even if you are the most highly skilled Exchange expert in the state.

Since you're finding that you're missing out on offers due to not having the A+, I'd say go ahead and get it. It shouldn't be very difficult for someone with your experience, and it will only make you more marketable. I have a number of irrelevant, entry-level certs that I still list on my resume simply because I don't want to be excluded from any possible position, especially due to something trivial like that.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCTS:Hyper-V
MCTS:System Center Virtual Machine Manager
MCTS:Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[EV42TMAN]

Yeah I was leaning torwards that conclusion myself, the thing that annoys me about it is I can spend 250 on ms tests and finish my mcse or spend 250 and get my a+. When I first started my certs I wouldn't have cared because my employer was paying for them. But now 250 makes a big difference on unemployment. The funny thing is I knocked out the mcdst and mcitp enterprise support and my employer paid a nice bonus for each test then a month later the economy hit and I got laid off. So atleast I got an indirect severance package before I left.

MCSA
MCITP:Enterprise Support
MCTS: Vista Config
MCDST
MCP

 

[kmcferrin]

I think you'll find that the A+ is costs more than $250. It is two exams (unless you have already done one) and I remember them being something like $175 each. That may help sway your decision.

I guess the determining factor for me would be "what is going to help me immediately?" If your work experience is primarily around desktop support/engineering rather than on the server side, then having the MCSE may not be quite as immediately helpful. Especially if you know that the lack of an A+ was the disqualifying factor in you not getting a number of positions.

If you finish your MCSE (and if you're two exams away, I would definitely plan to do so) then you will be competing in the jobs marketplace against other people with MCSEs and more experience than you. The lack of experience at the server level may be a significant disadvantage to you (I know that I am making some assumptions about your work experience, feel free to correct me if I'm worng). But if getting the A+ was likely to get you a job quickly which could then be used to fund further study, I think I'd go with the A+.

I just think that unless you have significant server experience that you haven't mentioned then the MCSE may be less immediately helpful.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCTS:Hyper-V
MCTS:System Center Virtual Machine Manager
MCTS:Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[EV42TMAN]

yeah what sucks about living in Minnesota right now is that PC Pro schools is advertising the hell out of getting your MCSE and i'm talking to possible employers that don't know the differences between the microsoft certs. With my experience i can do help desk or entry level administration, i've done both but, because of pc pro schools some hiring managers i've talked to (general hiring managers not IT) think A+ and the MCSE are interchangeable.

For any one who is lucky enough not to have pc pro schools advertising in their area. What they do is advertise if you take their 6 month class you'll get Microsoft certified. After you pay them $30,000.00 which you have to fiance, you'll get your MCP, MCDST, MCSA, and MCSE. and now they are also offering the CCNA as well.

right now i'm just frustrated because every step closer i get to the mcse, the A+ issue gets thrown back at me. The day i passed the 70-291 test and got my MCSA i got a call for a contract with Wells Fargo and after 20mins talking with them i get told you can't do this contract because you don't have your A+. Talk about a slap to the face there.

MCSA
MCITP:Enterprise Support
MCTS: Vista Config
MCDST
MCP