70-290 Exam and Training Materials

I just got done failing the 70-290 exam.

I've been studying using primarily the Windows Server 2003 Environment
Training Kit, published by Microsoft. I went through the entire book, did
all the practice questions - both in the book and on the CD, as well as some
other practice exams.

Funny thing... the practice questions all had something to do with the study
material and exam objectives. A large number of the questions on the actual
exam didn't.

I thought I was supposed to learn about physical and logical devices; users,
computers and groups; access to resources; managing a server; and disaster
recovery. But apparently, I forgot to study up on Visual Basic.

And was my test computer screwed, or do all the Microsoft exams have 1/2"
high screen fonts?

So now I'm left with the question, what the hell do I study?


MIK

MIK

good question
>-----Original Message-----
>I just got done failing the 70-290 exam.
>
>I've been studying using primarily the Windows Server
2003 Environment
>Training Kit, published by Microsoft. I went through the
entire book, did
>all the practice questions - both in the book and on the
CD, as well as some
>other practice exams.
>
>Funny thing... the practice questions all had something
to do with the study
>material and exam objectives. A large number of the
questions on the actual
>exam didn't.
>
>I thought I was supposed to learn about physical and
logical devices; users,
>computers and groups; access to resources; managing a
server; and disaster
>recovery. But apparently, I forgot to study up on Visual
Basic.
>
>And was my test computer screwed, or do all the Microsoft
exams have 1/2"
>high screen fonts?
>
>So now I'm left with the question, what the hell do I
study?
>
>
>MIK
>
>
>.
>

You have two alternatives:

#1 Cheat your ass off (not really an option these days)

or
#2 Over-learn the materials
Download and read both of these
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=4719
and
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=4705

They are very heavy reading but worth the effort.

Combine the two downloads and MS Press and you got a guaranteed pass.

To be honest though, 290 isnt exactly a hard exam (unlike 293 and
297), did you really absorb and understand the materuals or did you
get page blind?

Did you write yourself some notes ?

Did you try using CBTs as well as books ?

Did you think of posting some questions on the topics you found hard
in order to get someone like Laura <we're not worthy> A. Robinson to
give you some advice.

The new series of exams is not easy (some versions of the same exam
are harder than others too) MS dont want you to just be able to read
one book and pass now, you need to demonstrate a range of skills
pulled from all over the curricuum that prove you are an engineer.

Good luck going forward!

Yours
BOFH



On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 21:53:04 GMT, "MIK" <> declared
in their epistle:

>I just got done failing the 70-290 exam.
>
>I've been studying using primarily the Windows Server 2003 Environment
>Training Kit, published by Microsoft. I went through the entire book, did
>all the practice questions - both in the book and on the CD, as well as some
>other practice exams.
>
>Funny thing... the practice questions all had something to do with the study
>material and exam objectives. A large number of the questions on the actual
>exam didn't.
>
>I thought I was supposed to learn about physical and logical devices; users,
>computers and groups; access to resources; managing a server; and disaster
>recovery. But apparently, I forgot to study up on Visual Basic.
>
>And was my test computer screwed, or do all the Microsoft exams have 1/2"
>high screen fonts?
>
>So now I'm left with the question, what the hell do I study?
>
>
>MIK
>

================================
My Hero:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/30/index.html
(remove vroomfondle to email me)
================================

Marlin Munrow

Thanks! I will check out the links.

I did write notes, I did understand most of the material quite well, and
used several practice exams. I also have 7 years of experience as a network
administrator - although I have only used Windows 2003 Server for about a
year now. We have a tiny company, so the admin stuff isn't exactly
challenging. I don't know what a CBT is.

I think there were a few reasons why I didn't pass:
1) When I scheduled my exam, it said that I would be given 2 hours, 45
minutes to write it. When I arrived, I found out that I had only 90. That
flustered me.
2) The screen fonts were HUGE. Having to lean way back and scroll endlessly
was a nuisance and made it hard to concentrate.
3) The 1 pen I was given didn't write from the get go, so that didn't help.
4) Some questions about Visual Basic - not supposed to be part of that exam.
5) Too many questions about Terminal Server - not my strong point.
6) Several more questions about material that was not covered at all in my
MS Press Training Kit.

Anyway, thanks again for the help. I'll read the stuff from those links. If
you can let me know what a CBT is, that might also help.


MIK




"Marlin Munrow" <> wrote in message
news:...
> You have two alternatives:
>
> #1 Cheat your ass off (not really an option these days)
>
> or
> #2 Over-learn the materials
> Download and read both of these
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=4719
> and
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=4705
>
> They are very heavy reading but worth the effort.
>
> Combine the two downloads and MS Press and you got a guaranteed pass.
>
> To be honest though, 290 isnt exactly a hard exam (unlike 293 and
> 297), did you really absorb and understand the materuals or did you
> get page blind?
>
> Did you write yourself some notes ?
>
> Did you try using CBTs as well as books ?
>
> Did you think of posting some questions on the topics you found hard
> in order to get someone like Laura <we're not worthy> A. Robinson to
> give you some advice.
>
> The new series of exams is not easy (some versions of the same exam
> are harder than others too) MS dont want you to just be able to read
> one book and pass now, you need to demonstrate a range of skills
> pulled from all over the curricuum that prove you are an engineer.
>
> Good luck going forward!
>
> Yours
> BOFH
>
>
>
> On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 21:53:04 GMT, "MIK" <> declared
> in their epistle:
>
>>I just got done failing the 70-290 exam.
>>
>>I've been studying using primarily the Windows Server 2003 Environment
>>Training Kit, published by Microsoft. I went through the entire book, did
>>all the practice questions - both in the book and on the CD, as well as
>>some
>>other practice exams.
>>
>>Funny thing... the practice questions all had something to do with the
>>study
>>material and exam objectives. A large number of the questions on the
>>actual
>>exam didn't.
>>
>>I thought I was supposed to learn about physical and logical devices;
>>users,
>>computers and groups; access to resources; managing a server; and disaster
>>recovery. But apparently, I forgot to study up on Visual Basic.
>>
>>And was my test computer screwed, or do all the Microsoft exams have 1/2"
>>high screen fonts?
>>
>>So now I'm left with the question, what the hell do I study?
>>
>>
>>MIK
>>
>
> ================================
> My Hero:
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/30/index.html
> (remove vroomfondle to email me)
> ================================

MIK

CBTNuggets -video trainings pretty good one, and expensive.
"MIK" <> wrote in message
news:SL1cd.751061$gE.1021@pd7tw3no...
> Thanks! I will check out the links.
>
> I did write notes, I did understand most of the material quite well, and
> used several practice exams. I also have 7 years of experience as a
network
> administrator - although I have only used Windows 2003 Server for about a
> year now. We have a tiny company, so the admin stuff isn't exactly
> challenging. I don't know what a CBT is.
>
> I think there were a few reasons why I didn't pass:
> 1) When I scheduled my exam, it said that I would be given 2 hours, 45
> minutes to write it. When I arrived, I found out that I had only 90. That
> flustered me.
> 2) The screen fonts were HUGE. Having to lean way back and scroll
endlessly
> was a nuisance and made it hard to concentrate.
> 3) The 1 pen I was given didn't write from the get go, so that didn't
help.
> 4) Some questions about Visual Basic - not supposed to be part of that
exam.
> 5) Too many questions about Terminal Server - not my strong point.
> 6) Several more questions about material that was not covered at all in my
> MS Press Training Kit.
>
> Anyway, thanks again for the help. I'll read the stuff from those links.
If
> you can let me know what a CBT is, that might also help.
>
>
> MIK
>
>
>
>
> "Marlin Munrow" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > You have two alternatives:
> >
> > #1 Cheat your ass off (not really an option these days)
> >
> > or
> > #2 Over-learn the materials
> > Download and read both of these
> > http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=4719
> > and
> > http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=4705
> >
> > They are very heavy reading but worth the effort.
> >
> > Combine the two downloads and MS Press and you got a guaranteed pass.
> >
> > To be honest though, 290 isnt exactly a hard exam (unlike 293 and
> > 297), did you really absorb and understand the materuals or did you
> > get page blind?
> >
> > Did you write yourself some notes ?
> >
> > Did you try using CBTs as well as books ?
> >
> > Did you think of posting some questions on the topics you found hard
> > in order to get someone like Laura <we're not worthy> A. Robinson to
> > give you some advice.
> >
> > The new series of exams is not easy (some versions of the same exam
> > are harder than others too) MS dont want you to just be able to read
> > one book and pass now, you need to demonstrate a range of skills
> > pulled from all over the curricuum that prove you are an engineer.
> >
> > Good luck going forward!
> >
> > Yours
> > BOFH
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 21:53:04 GMT, "MIK" <> declared
> > in their epistle:
> >
> >>I just got done failing the 70-290 exam.
> >>
> >>I've been studying using primarily the Windows Server 2003 Environment
> >>Training Kit, published by Microsoft. I went through the entire book,
did
> >>all the practice questions - both in the book and on the CD, as well as
> >>some
> >>other practice exams.
> >>
> >>Funny thing... the practice questions all had something to do with the
> >>study
> >>material and exam objectives. A large number of the questions on the
> >>actual
> >>exam didn't.
> >>
> >>I thought I was supposed to learn about physical and logical devices;
> >>users,
> >>computers and groups; access to resources; managing a server; and
disaster
> >>recovery. But apparently, I forgot to study up on Visual Basic.
> >>
> >>And was my test computer screwed, or do all the Microsoft exams have
1/2"
> >>high screen fonts?
> >>
> >>So now I'm left with the question, what the hell do I study?
> >>
> >>
> >>MIK
> >>
> >
> > ================================
> > My Hero:
> > http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/30/index.html
> > (remove vroomfondle to email me)
> > ================================
>
>

Jacek

Hi

You need to get practiced at the write and wip-off boards and dont be
afraid to walk out and ask for another one (you can only have one at a
time)

On the contrary vbscripting (to create users and modify settings) is
very much part of the syllabus.

The materials you think weremt in MS Press are in the links I posted.

Good luck
BOFH



On Sat, 16 Oct 2004 04:49:54 GMT, "MIK" <> declared
in their epistle:

>Thanks! I will check out the links.
>
>I did write notes, I did understand most of the material quite well, and
>used several practice exams. I also have 7 years of experience as a network
>administrator - although I have only used Windows 2003 Server for about a
>year now. We have a tiny company, so the admin stuff isn't exactly
>challenging. I don't know what a CBT is.
>
>I think there were a few reasons why I didn't pass:
>1) When I scheduled my exam, it said that I would be given 2 hours, 45
>minutes to write it. When I arrived, I found out that I had only 90. That
>flustered me.
>2) The screen fonts were HUGE. Having to lean way back and scroll endlessly
>was a nuisance and made it hard to concentrate.
>3) The 1 pen I was given didn't write from the get go, so that didn't help.
>4) Some questions about Visual Basic - not supposed to be part of that exam.
>5) Too many questions about Terminal Server - not my strong point.
>6) Several more questions about material that was not covered at all in my
>MS Press Training Kit.
>
>Anyway, thanks again for the help. I'll read the stuff from those links. If
>you can let me know what a CBT is, that might also help.
>
>
>MIK
>
>
>
>
>"Marlin Munrow" <> wrote in message
>news:.. .
>> You have two alternatives:
>>
>> #1 Cheat your ass off (not really an option these days)
>>
>> or
>> #2 Over-learn the materials
>> Download and read both of these
>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=4719
>> and
>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=4705
>>
>> They are very heavy reading but worth the effort.
>>
>> Combine the two downloads and MS Press and you got a guaranteed pass.
>>
>> To be honest though, 290 isnt exactly a hard exam (unlike 293 and
>> 297), did you really absorb and understand the materuals or did you
>> get page blind?
>>
>> Did you write yourself some notes ?
>>
>> Did you try using CBTs as well as books ?
>>
>> Did you think of posting some questions on the topics you found hard
>> in order to get someone like Laura <we're not worthy> A. Robinson to
>> give you some advice.
>>
>> The new series of exams is not easy (some versions of the same exam
>> are harder than others too) MS dont want you to just be able to read
>> one book and pass now, you need to demonstrate a range of skills
>> pulled from all over the curricuum that prove you are an engineer.
>>
>> Good luck going forward!
>>
>> Yours
>> BOFH
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 21:53:04 GMT, "MIK" <> declared
>> in their epistle:
>>
>>>I just got done failing the 70-290 exam.
>>>
>>>I've been studying using primarily the Windows Server 2003 Environment
>>>Training Kit, published by Microsoft. I went through the entire book, did
>>>all the practice questions - both in the book and on the CD, as well as
>>>some
>>>other practice exams.
>>>
>>>Funny thing... the practice questions all had something to do with the
>>>study
>>>material and exam objectives. A large number of the questions on the
>>>actual
>>>exam didn't.
>>>
>>>I thought I was supposed to learn about physical and logical devices;
>>>users,
>>>computers and groups; access to resources; managing a server; and disaster
>>>recovery. But apparently, I forgot to study up on Visual Basic.
>>>
>>>And was my test computer screwed, or do all the Microsoft exams have 1/2"
>>>high screen fonts?
>>>
>>>So now I'm left with the question, what the hell do I study?
>>>
>>>
>>>MIK
>>>
>>
>> ================================
>> My Hero:
>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/30/index.html
>> (remove vroomfondle to email me)
>> ================================
>

================================
My Hero:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/30/index.html
(remove vroomfondle to email me)
================================

Marlin Munrow

"MIK" <> prattled ceaslessly in
news:SL1cd.751061$gE.1021@pd7tw3no:


>
> If you can let me know what a CBT is, that might also help.


CBT = Computer Based Training

--
Catwalker
aka Pu$$y Feet
BS, MCP

"Definitely not wearing any underwear."

catwalker63

Do you really have to take the courses or will reading books be enough?

Abe

Abe <> prattled ceaslessly in news:uail5vFtEHA.2192
@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl:

> Do you really have to take the courses or will reading books be enough?

What preparation methods work best depends entirely on the person
preparing for the exam. I didn't require courses but I don't think you
will pass if you only read the books either. Setting up a home lab to
practice with the product is far cheaper than taking classes and you have
some equipment left to play with instead of a cheap sheet of paper saying
you took a class. However, home study requires discipline which is hard
to come by these days.

--
Catwalker
aka Pu$$y Feet
BS, MCP

"Definitely not wearing any underwear."

catwalker63

I was thinking the same thing. I have many computers here at home and a
room that I can set-up as a lab. Are there any website or forums
dedication for this type of preperation?

Abe