Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certification 2

[Nademic]

Hi,

I am in the process of studying for the mcts cert. Just sick of my current job with the constant schedule changes and the no weekends off stuff. I basically get by doing software support for a POS software company by have no life due to my messed up schedule. Can't go to school to study VB.net because of my schedule and lack of money. I work alot of 16 hour night shifts with some 8:00AM to 5:00PM shifts thrown in between. I figured that the best way to get a job in this related field was to get my mcts cert, after all It's kind of hard to prove to employers that you are good at what you do even though you have had no formal training. . So enough of my ranting and now I will get down to the question at hand.

Has anyone here passed the 70-536 exam and if so what should I expect? Also how much time roughly should I devote to studying and for how long to prepare for the test. Last but not least could you list any books/sites that would be of great help. Thanks in advance.

 

[earthandfire]

I've looked at the first few results from here:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=70-536+&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

and they all look as of they are pretty worthwhile.


Pesonally, I did (most of) the MCSE for NT4 - I didn't pass the Networking Essentials exam because the course materials were SO boring and I couldn't be bothered to read it all. (I only just missed out, but was sufficiently disinterested not to bother to retake it).

I've never done any of the Deveoper exams, to be honest, since I got no benefit from the (near) MCSE, I didn't really see the point. Here in the UK you don't see many jobs advertised requiring the exams.


But as I said earlier, definitley look at the first few references from the link above.


Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[earthandfire]

Oh, and the best of luck with the course.

 

[Nademic]

Thanks for the reply as always earthandfire. I also started the MCSE also back when I was going to college and I feel you pain. Really boring material coupled with the rumor that the NT 4.0 track was going to be obsolete soon so getting the cert would mean that you only would be certified for a few more months. That option was quite a waste of time and money for me. I will check out that link you provided. Thanks again for your time. Take care.

 

[jshurst]

I just passed the 70-536 exam this week. I recommend getting the Microsoft Training kit (book and cd with practice tests). After you read the book and start passing the practice tests then start looking on the internet for more practice tests because the questions are harder on the real test (I've heard that Transcender has good tests).

Also, make sure when you register you first sign up for the "second shot offer", so if you don't pass the first time you can take it again for free (

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/offers/secondshot/default.mspx)

I would give yourself 2 months to study. The only way I did it was to go ahead and register for the test (via Prometric's website). I did reschedule it a couple of times, but it forced me to study to meet a deadline.

Good luck!

J

 

[Nademic]

Thanks alot jshurst. I have bought the practice tests and study guide from Transcender along with the trainging kit for exam # 70-536. Just one question though. How much experience did you have in vb.net prior to studying for the exam just so I can guage the study time required. Thanks again for your input.

 

[jshurst]

I have been working with asp.net for about 4 years (mainly vb.net with some c# thrown in).