That was a very good answer and I would probably have said some of those very same things. It depends on what your goals are, and where you already are. I always study more when I am unsure. Like Jason said, do you want to risk losing the 125 dollars (or perhaps a bit less if you have a coupon). I barely passed 272 and thought the questions were very difficult compared to what I studied for in several different books. The more material I used was the better in my situation. It's really a question of how much time you take to learn and let it all sink in. Good luck to all.
-starrynight
"Jason" <> wrote in message news:...
> David,
>
> Your question is really the tip of a much larger issue that speaks to the
> purpose behind certification. However, the short answer to your question is
> this: Your exam "readiness" should be exactly that...a measure of how ready
> you are to pass the exam. Does a 60% achieve that passing score? No. Is
> there a chance you will pass the exam anyway? Sure there is...it all is a
> matter of your own comfort level and your willingness to gamble. Is it
> worth the $125 gamble to pass?
>
> I personally am very confidant of my technical abilities but am also very
> uneasy when it comes to gambling on certification readiness. I would rather
> overstudy than understudy. While losing $100 at the local Texas Hold 'Em
> tourney is not something I do willingly, I do that more willingly than spend
> $125 on a cert I am not sure I am ready for. Why bet on your knowledge when
> you can know it all?
>
> The larger issue here though is to identify the purpose behind your
> certification. For many at the entry level, certs are seen as the key to
> entry. Others see it as a justification for other ends. First you must
> ask yourself why you are taking the exam. Is this to establish your
> credentials, or to support them? In other words, do you want to GET a job,
> or do you want to KEEP a job? Or, quite possibly, is this simply for
> bragging rights amongst peers? In the first case, a mere Microsoft
> credential is not a specific means to an end. No single cert can GET you a
> job as employers like to see a certain measure of experience. In the second
> case, the MCDST can be invaluable in proving your worth and value to an
> existing employer. "As the lone MCDST in your organization, I can fulfill
> all the helpdesk needs for up to x number of users [whatever 'x' happens to
> be]". Just be prepared to back up your cert credential with honest to
> goodness knowledge and experience in this second case. In the third case,
> for bragging rights, do you want to simply pass it, or do you want to be the
> highest scorer in your peer group? For the egoist, the score is more
> important than the pass, and scoring 60% will not give anyone bragging
> rights.
>
> All said, it does seem as though in the first and last of these cases, you
> would be better served to study more. In the second, my only consideration
> would be whether it is company-funded or not (the exam). If it is,
> sure....take a shot. If not...study more.
>
> If you are funding the exam yourself, the ultimate 'gambling' question to
> ask is "Am I willing to risk $125 on my knowledge of this material?" If you
> are, then take the exam. If you are not, study more. Hope this helps
>
> Jason
> (Psst.....study more.)
>
> "David" <> wrote in message
> news:02f001c50a55$b2403f20$...
>> Hi, I just took the Certification Readiness tool on the
>> Microsoft website for the MCDST exam. I scored a 67 which
>> was below what the graft showed as 80 as a passing score.
>> I got an email than confirming the 67 score. The email
>> stated if I scored above 40 I was ready to take the test.
>> I'm a little confused. I've been taking the Measure Up
>> test and scoring around 70 usually and studying the
>> Microsoft training materials. What's your opinion? Am I
>> ready or should I try to get above that "80" mark?
>> Thanks. (this was for 271)
>
>
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