Study time for MCSA

[Agentstarks]

I'm going to be taking the first Windows 2000 Pro (70-210) test towards the MCSA soon. I was wondering how long everyone studies for these tests. I know most of the material I've gone over already, but it's just brushing up on all the details. I guess I'm just looking for some advice on taking the exam, so it won't be a surprise on test day.

 

[MattWray]

I spent about a month and a half preparing for 210. After I took it, I wished I hadn't spent so much time, because it is really very easy. If you work with 2k or 2k server, you shouldn't have any problem with it.....

Thanks,

Matt Wray
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CCNA

http://www.sss-steel.com

 

[Overclocker]

I did the same thing. I studied for about 6 weeks, and when I took the exam I realizied I had "overstudied", if there is such a thing. I'm currently about a week away from 215 exam, and oddly enough, I'm finding the study material easier then 210.

Overclocker
(A+, Net+, MCP)

 

[xchefpeter]

spent about 7 weeks total on both 210 and 215

xchefpeter
A+N+MCP
Pending MCSA>MCSE>CCNA
----------------------------------
I never know my limitations until I exceed them

 

[jtb]

if only 216 was that easy... *sigh*

210 was not too bad; 215 was easier... but the "secret" is to get the MS Objective list and a couple of the discount study guides and practice actually doing everything at least twice.

Transcender is a good tool to focus your training after you've gotten familiar with the MMCs and such...

Avoid braindumps at all costs... they may help you pass the test; but you know in your heart they're wrong... And later, on the job, the stuff you didn't learn will come back to bite you in a very bad place...

Good luck!!

JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[Vetinari78]

i did the same as most people here, just over a month, the only thing i would say is make sure u know RIS, three mates of mine did the exam at the same time, we all got 5 or six questions on it.

either way, good luck m8

 

[Overclocker]

""cos you don't want to end up with a paper MCSE and not be able to do the work""

Sadly, I'm not currently in the IT field, but trying to break into it. So when I get mine it will be a "paper MCSE".


Overclocker
(A+, Net+, MCP)

 

[MattWray]

Not necessarily Overclocker. If you use the products at home in a test network, and you have knowledge of how to do configs etc, I wouldn't necessarily call you a paper MCSE. At least not fully.
I think most mean what bubble was saying. Memorize a braindump and pass the test. Then ask them to configure a VPN solution and they say, Huh?

Thanks,

Matt Wray
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CCNA

http://www.sss-steel.com

 

[Overclocker]

"Then ask them to configure a VPN solution and they say, Huh? "

When I took my Net+ exam, there was a lot of VPN setup and configuring on it.....but since I haven't used that information since I took the exam, I'm in the same boat too. I would answer that "huh" also. LOL

Overclocker
(A+, Net+, MCP)

 

[Overclocker]

Edit to the above post:

It's 12:08 pm Sunday 10-12-03, and I'm slated to take my 215 exam in 52 minutes. Must have told me it was easier then 210, a few have told me it was a bear. Needless to say, I'm more then a little nervous. I'll post back in a while with my results.

Overclocker
(A+, Net+, MCP)

 

[Overclocker]

Re: "Edit to the above post:"

Well it took 2 hours and 10 minutes, but I passed.



Overclocker
(A+, Net+, MCP)

 

[jtackett]

To me the 210 and 215 were pretty much the same. Congrats on passing it. I just need to find the time to study for the 218 and then I will have my MCSA

 

[MattWray]

Congrats Overclocker!


Thanks,

Matt Wray
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CCNA

http://www.sss-steel.com

 

[Overclocker]

"I just need to find the time to study for the 218 and then I will have my MCSA"

I started studying for 218 Sunday afternoon, and so far I'm seeing a lot of similar stuff that I studied for 215 on.

Overclocker
(A+, Net+, MCP/Win2K)

 

[philote]

I thought I studied my butt off for the 70-210 exam. I took it yesterday and thought it was pretty tough. I didn't have a book to study from but had taken MS classes 2151, 2152, and 2153 and studied the material from them. I didn't feel at all good about the test while taking it and was biting my nails when I finished and had to wait on my results. But I passed!!

I had looked at Microsoft's preparation guide that listed all the topics the exam would cover and which classes covered each topic. I thought the topics not covered in the classes would only make up a small percentage of questions on the test. Unfortunately, it seems most of the questions on the test were those topics not covered in the classes. For example there were questions on mulitple processors, fax support, and accessibility services that stumped me. Should I be worried about taking the 215 and 218 exams? I do have the Mike Meyers books for these two exams that I'll be studying.

 

[CharlieJax]

WTG Overclocker, and don't worry about the VPN answer, but the correct answer is to use a cisco router setup on the internet to answer your VPN requests

218 is a tad tougher than 215 and 210, but it's not bad, not bad at all.

Once your get your MCSA go get your MCSE as well, you will have mastered the hardest part of the MC tracks, and that is taking the tests.



CJ

Don't drink and post, save that for driving home!

 

[Budu101]

What's up people, brand new member here.

I've just completed MS press 70-210 book and studying for the test. I was able to get my hands on a free copy of troytec-teskkill for test 70-210.

Does anyone see a problem with me using the testkill, Being that i've already read the book and using the testkill for a review.

 

[jtb]

Budu101, it's still a braindump... and may not be as useful as working your way through the material with an eval copy of W2K loaded on a couple of "disposable" Pentium 133s...

YMMV; but you'll be a more welcome coworker if you actually know how to do more than memorize someone else's test papers...



JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[bubba1001]

is there anything wrong with studying through a ook like microsft press, doing all the practical exercises and then grabbing say a trancenders testskills etc etc to do a review??

 

[MattWray]

Not at all. In fact, in my opinion, that is the preferred way... They are talking about Braindumps where people report the actual questions and answers. Transcenders does not have actual questions, just similar ones to get you familiar with the testing environment...

Thanks,

Matt Wray
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CCNA

http://www.sss-steel.com