Key points for 70-270 and 70-291

[brokenhalo]

Hey everyone. I am new to the MCSE journey and I guess I am nervous as hell with all of these exams. I am currently just an MCP, but my goal is to be MCSE by no later than July. I have taken 3 exams so far, 70-270, 290, and 350. Now, I don't know what it is, but I need some tips for the 270 and 290 exams. I failed the 270 exam with a score of somewhere around 650, and I am going to be taking 291 in about 2 weeks and retaking 270 immediately afterwards. If anyone can help me with some key points of study or related microsoft testing experiences it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

-Brad
"If the doctors told me I had 5 minutes to live, I would type faster

 

[mrdenny]

This site covers what is covered by the 70-270 exam (

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-270.mspx).

This site covers what is covered by the 70-290 exam (

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-290.mspx).

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

My Blog

 

[kmcferrin]

I know it's been said a lot, but I highly recommend the TestOut training series. Their web site lists it at $1999 for the MCSE set, but if you keep an eye out you can usually get a special for around $500 or less. If your employer pays for training then you might be able to get them to pay for it since a single weeklong class usually runs $2000-$2500, the TestOut material would be a bargain. Not only does it come with the core MCSE prep material, but it also includes material for a lot of other exams (CompTIA + other MS exams).

At any rate, I have been working towards MCSE:Security and have used only work experience and the TestOut material to prepare. I only started getting certifications about 2 months ago, but so far I have passed the 5 CompTIA exams in my sig (2 exams needed for A+), the 70-270, 70-290, 70-291, 70-299, and I'm sitting the 70-293 in about 3 hours from now and feel very prepared. My scores have ranged from 850-950.

If you don't have a lot of work experience with the software then you might need a little more work than just TestOut to get passing scores, but I think that for most people TestOut will get them most of the way there.

For any additional help I would recommend downloading VMWare server or MS VirtualPC and getting a evaluation/demo copies of Windows Server to play with in the virutal machines. IIRC, the demos are good for 90 days (definitely at least 30) which should be plenty of time for you to get familiar with everything.

Then there are always the MS Press materials, which are very thorough, though more expensive than getting a stack of TestOut CDs.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCP, MCSA:Security 2003

 

[brokenhalo]

Thanks kmcferrin for the info. And also, just to clarify, I am in school right now learning all of this stuff. I have the microsoft press books with all the evals and readiness review, along with Self Test Software from Kaplan Learning for all of the exams. I think I just need to get used to the unfair practices Microsoft tends to use for their exams. Any more comments or sugggestions would be greatly appreciated.

- Brad

"If the doctors told me I had 5 minutes to live, I would type faster.

 

[mrdenny]

Unfair practices that Microsoft uses? I've taken a dozen or so Microsoft exams (and know a couple of people that write them) and I don't know of any unfair practices. The exams are designed to test someone who has been using the software products in a production environment for a year or two. The questions are worded accordingly.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

My Blog

 

[kmcferrin]

I wouldn't call it unfair, but I will say that some of the questions are sneaky. You have to read them very carefully because a word or two can be the difference between getting it right or wrong. Pay special attention to words that quantify like "least" or "minimize".

A lot of people take the word "minimize" to mean "to reduce", but in the context of an MS exam it means "to make as little as possible." In a typical example you might be presented with a scenario that requires you to "minimize" some aspect of the problem (network traffic, administrative effort, etc). You'll be presented with 4 answers. Two of the answers will not achieve the required results. Two of them will achieve the required results. Of those two, one of them will be a common industry practice that most people would select, but the correct answer will be the other one because it actually results in the least amount of whatever (network traffic, administrative effort, etc), even if it is not a common practice or would cause other problems unrelated to the question scenario.

I guess that's my only issue with the tests. Many of the questions focus on what is technically possible/accurate rather than what are common industry practices or what you would do in real-world situations. I can't tell you how many times I've picked the "correct answer" and then said to myself "that's the right answer but I'd be damned if I'd ever do that on the job." So in that sense they're tricky.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCP, MCSA:Security 2003

 

[kmcferrin]

And a new discount code for the TestOut material has just been posted in this thread:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1409151

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCP, MCSA:Security 2003

 

[brokenhalo]

Yeah, they are pretty tricky. They tend to throw little words out there to catch your eye, and in fact, they dont have anything to do with the answer. I'll get it. And kmcferrin, if you dont mind, please dont advertise stuff on my posts. I noticed that there was a whole thread on that software, you can advertise it there... Thanks. And thanks again mrdenny, for all of your help.

- Brad

"If the doctors told me I had 5 minutes to live, I would type faster.

 

[kmcferrin]

Advertise stuff in your posts? You asked for input on resources to help you pass exams, so I pointed you to a training kit that I (and many others) have had success with. I mentioned that it seemed pricey but that there were often discounts or specials to make it more affordable. Then you thanked me for my input.

As a followup I posted that there was a discount code available now if anyone was interested in the training material that I had mentioned. Maybe you were interested and maybe you weren't, but you need to keep in mind that we post here to help everyone, not just the one asking questions. There are far more lurkers than posters.

If you have an issue with the content of my posts, feel free to have them moderated.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCP, MCSA:Security 2003

 

[brokenhalo]

I'm sorry kmcferrin, maybe that was a bit harsh of me. I assumed with no thought that you were advertising this product and trying to make money until I read some of the other posts you have made. So again, I apologise, and any more comments/suggestions to help me would be greatly appreciated.

- Brad

"If the doctors told me I had 5 minutes to live, I would type faster.

 

[kmcferrin]

No worries then.

I do have a question though. What did you use to study for the 70-270 exam? I was going over some older posts recently and saw several people complaining about how difficult it was. Then I looked through my test scores and saw that it was my lowest score by about 100 points. I have a hard time believing that the test could be that hard.

But then I remember thinking that the 270 should be easy. After all, we use XP every day, right? I think that I only spent about a day or so preparing for that test, so I didn't take it nearly as seriously as the others. I'm wondering how many other people could be doing the same thing.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCP, MCSA:Security 2003

 

[brokenhalo]

It was the same with me... The only studying I did was refresh myself on some things that I don't use daily as well as the readiness review suite and the self-test software. But like you, I didn't study all that hard. I should have taken it more seriously though, because it was the first Microsoft exam I have ever taken. I am taking 70-350 tomorrow and I don't see any posts for really anybody taking that exam (probably because ISA is a shitty unused firewall). Only reason I'm taking it is because it's an easy elective towards my MCSA. Wish me luck.

Brad L. - MCP

"If the doctors told me I had 5 minutes to live, I would type faster.

 

[dreadz]

Well when I took 270, I failed it the first time(of course),
but when studying you learn about the XP operating system. But the exam questions you as if are in a network enviroment. So, its like you have to know something about server.

And with 291, Routing and Remote Access(RRAS)make sure you have a clear understanding of the things this tool can do. Of course, DNS, WSUS, DHCP.

 

[brokenhalo]

Thanks dreadz

Brad L. - MCP

"If the doctors told me I had 5 minutes to live, I would type faster.

 

[kmcferrin]

Yeah, RRAS was a pain on 291. It's another feature that very few people actually use, but Microsoft makes a big deal out of it. I took the Server 2008 class last week and they've made more improvements to it as well, so it looks like it won't be going anywhere.

I think that most of us end up doing the same with with 70-270. In that sense, it's probably a good thing that it's the first exam that most of us take. When we get there and see how much harder it is than we expected we crank up the studying, but it's still usually familiar enough for us to get a pass. Interesting.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCP, MCSA:Security 2003

 

[ntinlin]

I decided to skip 70-270 and go straight to the 70-620 Vista config exam.

VERY, VERY easy in comparison to the mock exams I had done of 70-270 and got me my MCSA.

Neill

 

[kmcferrin]

Yeah, the 620 is on my to do list too. First I have to finish the MCSE in March, then take the 2008/MCTS upgrade test, then 620 to get credit towards MCITP:Enterprise Admin.

What did you use to prep for 620? My TestOut package is a little oldaer and doesn't include Vista.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCP, MCSA:Security 2003

 

[brokenhalo]

DAMNIT!!!! I failed 70-350 (ISA) today, I got a 593. I guess I need to study more. The test took me 3 hours to complete, so I was rushing through the last half of it, I was getting stir crazy.

Brad L. - MCP

"If the doctors told me I had 5 minutes to live, I would type faster.

 

[ntinlin]

For 70-620 I just used an Exam Cram book if memory serves and whatever test was in it. MeasureUp possibly.

I'd also got a demo test from PrepLogic which had a few useful questions in it.

Neill

 

[weissdabigman]

working on 270 with TestOut right now. Can't believe how stoopid some parts are making me feel. LOL!