Test preparation strategies? MS books useful?

[DanMIS]

I'm brand new to certification, although I've been doing Windows Network administration for 6 years. I always thought of myself as a good admin and a pretty smart guy, until I started preparing for the MCSE tests.

I'm starting with 290, and am reading the MS press book for it. My real question is whether the front section (self study) is worth spending much time on, as all the questions seem to come from the back half.

My new job requires me to become an MCSE. I want to do it the most painlessly as I can, and am open to all of your feedback on how to prepare so I have the best possible chance of passing.

Dan

 

[mrdenny]

I've found that the MS Press books (The big blue books) are pretty good for studying for the exams. When I use a book to study they are what I use.

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)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[GeertVerhoeven]

Hi,

First of all, the questions are not really the same as those at the end of the book. They give you a good idea what to expect but they are not completely the same.

I think reading the book gives you a good base but after that you still need to work with the product.

If you want to do it the easy way, you can use

http://www.testking.com.

These guys give you exact the same questions as on the exam. The bad thing about is that you are cheating on yourself since you don't gain any experience.

I always read a book and try to gain some experience before going to an exam. I like both MS PRESS and SYBEX books.

Hope this helps.

Greetz,

Geert

Geert Verhoeven
Consultant @ Ausy Belgium

My Personal Blog

 

[Lilliabeth]

Don't you think it is cheating to buy a stolen copy of a test to use to study for that test?



Lilliabeth
-Why use a big word when a diminutive one will do?-

 

[mrdenny]

It is absolutily cheeting to buy a copy of the exam and use it to "study". You also have no guarantee that the answers are correct. I've heard that anywhere from 10%-30% of there answers are wrong.

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)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[DanMIS]

Great feedback, all. I have a lot of experience with the product, but need to get certified this year. I was getting pretty frustrated with the format of the tests included with the book, because it seems more like "trivial pursuit" than trying to figure out if someone would be a competent admin.

I'll keep working with the MS press books and give it a shot soon on the test.

Dan

 

[mrdenny]

The example tests on the CD in the back of the book are the same format that the actual tests are in.

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)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com