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MCSE 2003: Which exam was hardest? 3

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Wishdiak

Wishdiak

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Mar 7, 2004
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I'm currently going to school for MCSE 2003, and have so far only taken (and passed) 70-270. I found the questions wordy, but not overly difficult.

I have 70-290 scheduled for next week. So far, of 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, and 80-294, it looks like 70-291 will be the hardest (broadest material) and 70-293 the easiest (less broad).

Am I way off base? I was just wondering about other people's experiences with MCSE 2003 exams.

Wishdiak
 
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taking 294 next week, then will try for the 293.....
it's easier than the 216 ?? is it an equivalent for the 216 on the 2003 track??

fingers crossed..... if i get the 294 then 2 left before MCSE 2003 :)
 
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aftertaf,

I'm scheduled for 70-299 next week, as this and Security+ will get me my MCSA+Security and then MCSE one exam away...

I'd be interested in your thoughts on 70-294, as that's the one I have to take after Security+. At least that's my plan.

IMO, 70-293 was much less difficult than 70-291, and was in fact the first MCSE test that I didn't fail the first time.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, MCSA 2003 certified
 
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Wishdiak;

Will do...
mock tests, managed to get me to 900+...
cramming on sites and all that part, GPO seems ok tho...

48hrs time will tell!!!!
David

Aftertaf (david)
MCSA 2000 / 2003
hopefully MCSE 2003 one day (MCP-3)
 
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I'm taking the 70-290 this friday. This will be my first microsoft exam. Wish me luck.
 
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The questions on the 70-290 were a little bit too wordy and yes i failed but will be taking it again next week..
 
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haga147,

I wouldn't get discouraged. I failed 70-290 the first time too, although it wasn't my first Microsoft exam.

What I suggest it using the Readiness Review CD included with the book (if available). This will help you acclimate to the way the questions and answers are presented. Then, rather than trying to pick out the correct answer for a multiple-choice question, try to eliminate the incorrect ones. It's worked pretty well for me so far.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, MCSA 2003 certified
 
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Just starting to review for MCSE 2003. Can I take 290 right away or do I need to start with 270?
 
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Do you have any recommendation on video tutorials? I have little experience on networking.
 
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ivs7720

You can do the exams in whichever order you like. Each exam pass gives you one MCP qualification so you can use them individually if you wish.
I've just gained MCSA status, the exam order I took was 270, 290, 291 and 228 (SQL admin).

John
 
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Thank you so much! I know I have to do hands on to be more familiarize but would you recommend video tutorials they sell online?
 
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I've not used any video tutorials, only hands on experience so its not really possible to comment on the quality of any tutorial CBTs.
I allowed myself about 6 months from starting working on them to doing the exam, because it gives time to do the necessary learning and practise, whilst still giving time for other non IT learning related things.

John
 
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Wishdiak

Thanks for the heads up.. This was my first microsoft exam as well. I think i'll get it next time around. I'm taking it again on 12-29.
 
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good luck haga147, and congrats jrbarnett(mcsa) :)

I've been on the mcp track since last february: followed official MS curriculum courses for Win2000 Pro & Server, Network Infrastructure, W2k Network Admin and SQL Server admin:
I got myself up to speed with mock exams, following that i passed the following 70-210, 70-215, 70-218, 70-228 ... MCSA 2000

Seeing as the training paid for by my old job included 8 MCPs, cos I wanted to try for the MCSA 2000, and i passed these 4 first time..... :) i had 4 left...

So i got hold of (Hmmm) some M$ books in pdf format and recently passed 70-292, upgrading to MCSA 2003, and last week walked through 70-294 (934/1000) after only reading thru the self paced training kits (pdf)... which are frankly very well written and prepare you for much more than the exam content.

just got 2 left now, 293 & 297...
fingers crossed, will get MCSE 2003...

Hardest i found was SQL 70-228,
70-210 & 215 weren't too bad,
218/292/294 were IMHO a walkthrough..
what conuts is having the exam, but after last week on the 294, i was a bit disappointed to find it so easy....
but like i said, what counts...... :)

good luck to all.

Aftertaf (david)
MCSA 2000 / 2003
hopefully MCSE 2003 one day (MCP-3)
 
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aftertaf,

I did the MCSE 2003 track without doing MCSE 2000 first. If all you've got left is 70-293 and 70-297...70-293 was one of the easiest exams I've ever come across. I found that reading the MS Press book was more than adequate, and passed it with 919/1000.

So good luck, you're almost there!

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, MCSA 2003 certified
 
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Wishdiak,
thx for the tips :)

true, i find the 2003 exams easier than the 2000 track...

just got 2 left...
just a little worry: never passed a design exam yet, preparing 297 before 293.... wondering if anyone could give me advice on how to prepare 297, or even would i be better taking 70-219 instead (or is it, as a 2000 track mcp, harder....)
not wanting to take the easy option, but then again if there is any reason why i should make things harder, just for fun, someone let me know???

for info: using mspress training books for both exams, have transcenders of both....

good luck to all too :)
David


Aftertaf (david)
MCSA 2000 / 2003
hopefully MCSE 2003 one day (MCP-2)
70-297/70-293 here i come!!
 
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Hi all,

Can anyone tell me how long I should keep to prepare for the Windows 70-290 exam? I can average a few hours a night and at weekends maybe 5 hours on sat and sunday.
I'm eager to get thsi one as soon as possible :)

Conor
 
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my yardstick was mock exams...
when i hit 800+ it's smile time :)


Aftertaf (david)
 
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I passed 270 first time.

Just failed 70-290 with a score of 612.

I didn't really find the questions that hard, but some of the wording was awful, both in the questions and answers. Just so much ambiguity because not enough detail is presented.

Maybe I am just bitter, but I swear that one of the questions that came up just wasn't in the syllabus I was working from...

 
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