Just passed 70-271... here's my advice

well sometimes thats the best way.........

"Marie S" wrote:

> Hey Al P.
> I didn't attend any type of formal schooling and was able to pass my A+
> exam. I studied using Mike Meyers Passport book. I plan on doing the same
> to pass my MCDST. I bought the Microsoft training kit books for both exams.
>
>
> "AL P." wrote:
>
> > Hey Alan congratulations..... I have to agree with you on the comment you
> > made about those actual exams and those shady sites I was attending this
> > school to get my A+ and N+ and they used alot of those exams to get you
> > certified and dont teach you much....The bad thing is that Microsoft
> > recommends them
> >
> > "Marie S" wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Alan,
> > > I just passed my A+ cert a month ago and now persuing my MCDST cert. I am a
> > > help desk technician for a public school in NY. I don't have any formal
> > > training, just hands on. I bought the gianormous books and bought the
> > > on-line training kit. Like the A+ exam, I am going to do this on my own
> > > without any classes. After reading your posting I got a bit nervous because
> > > there is no way I can attend class. I do however have the help of the
> > > Network Administrator who shares my office. Any other advice you can offer
> > > would be great. Congrats on your amazing accomplishment! I remember the
> > > feeling of seeing "you passed!" when I passed my A+ Cert.
> > >
> > > Marie
> > >
> > > "Alan" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Passed 70-271 today with a score of 899. I took the official MS course
> > > > (2261b, 3 days) and studied with the textbook from that course as well as the
> > > > Measure-Up practice test. I took two weeks to study between the class and
> > > > taking the exam.
> > > >
> > > > I looked through this discussion group for general advice before I took the
> > > > test (which was very helpful, thanks to all who posted here), so now I
> > > > thought I'd add some advice of my own for future test-takers (without giving
> > > > anything away from the exam, of course).
> > > >
> > > > The 2261b course was helpful, but more because of the instructor than the
> > > > actual book. The book is one of the most vague pieces of instructional
> > > > material I've ever read. If you just read it straight through, you'll only
> > > > know half of what you probably should know. You'll learn a lot of concepts
> > > > and become familiar with terminology, but you may not have the slightest idea
> > > > of how to execute a specific task. Participating in all of the practice
> > > > activities helps out a lot. However, I feel I would have failed if I had just
> > > > used the course and textbook as my sole study materials. The instructor
> > > > really hit hard the areas he felt were important for the exam, and he was
> > > > right.
> > > >
> > > > The Measure-Up practice tests really are more difficult than the actual exam
> > > > in this particular instance. I used the Measure-Up tests not to gauge what I
> > > > knew, but to study. Every question you get wrong in practice is an
> > > > opportunity to learn, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to read
> > > > every explanation and follow up on missed questions until you understand why
> > > > you missed them. If you come across a question and answer that you don't
> > > > understand, google the topic. Often the search results will link you to the
> > > > MS KB where you'll find more than enough info. It's true that you can
> > > > memorize most Measure-Up questions within four or five tests, but if you
> > > > actually know WHY the answer is what it is, you're in good shape. I learned
> > > > quite a bit just from taking the practice tests; they will introduce you to
> > > > scenarios that typical book study won't... you'll learn things you didn't
> > > > know you needed to know in the first place.
> > > >
> > > > I got both my A+ and Network+ certifications before I took 70-271, and I
> > > > think the Network+ certification in particular is a great help for this exam.
> > > > It really shouldn't be any surprise that you need to know TCP/IP networks...
> > > > they comprise every MS network and the internet, so understanding them is
> > > > pretty much vital to taking exams like this. If you're not 100% comfortable
> > > > with DNS, DHCP, ICMP utilities, and the general structure of domains, you
> > > > will have problems, not just on this exam, but probably on most exams. Again,
> > > > I don't think that should come as a shock to anyone. This is even mentioned
> > > > in the list of objectives for the MCDST certification (around which, by the
> > > > way, you should definitely base your study time).
> > > >
> > > > Do NOT EVER even THINK about using "study materials" from those shady sites
> > > > that supposedly use actual exam questions. Aside from the obvious reason that
> > > > you're cheating yourself out of learning the material and that you'll be a
> > > > flop in whatever job you get from cheating your way through certification,
> > > > these sites are just plain junk. I know because I was actually introduced to
> > > > one by an *instructor* from a previous MS class (not 2261b) last summer, who
> > > > flat out gave me .pdf files for several exams. At the time I had no idea MS
> > > > considered them to be "cheating" and I browsed a couple of them (this was
> > > > months before I even took my first CompTIA exam). Not only do these question
> > > > lists not provide explanations, but some of the answers are just plain WRONG.
> > > > The wording is poor, the grammar is poor, and the educational value is
> > > > non-existant. If you're thinking about spending money on sites like this,
> > > > DON'T. Use that money to get practice exams from a real site like MeasureUp
> > > > and you'll actually learn something. (For my own good, I'm adding the
> > > > disclaimer that I did not use the information from these sites in my own
> > > > studying for this exam, or any other exam. I simply want to warn other people
> > > > not to go anywhere near this garbage).
> > > >
> > > > Anyway... I'd strongly reccommend that anyone who hasn't worked in a DST
> > > > position on XP Pro daily to just jump into the OS and start clicking on
> > > > everything you see. Seriously. If you have a spare PC, install XP Pro and
> > > > just go crazy with it. Open as many applets and options as you can find and
> > > > just get familiar with what's there. Play around with folder options,
> > > > permissions, synchronization options, accessibility options, everything in
> > > > the control panel, IE settings, etc. The more you see, the more you will
> > > > remember. It's one thing to read about how to do something in a book, but
> > > > it's much better to actually carry out those instructions yourself so you
> > > > actually know what you're doing. Instead of remembering steps, you'll
> > > > remember what the menus and applets actually look like, and have a better
> > > > understanding of how to accomplish tasks. I won't say either way about the
> > > > exam, but I got several MeasureUp questions correct just by playing around
> > > > with the Control Panel for awhile and remembering what I saw. I'd reccommend
> > > > that people like me (just out of college but haven't worked in the field) do
> > > > this daily. Know where every menu goes and what every button does, and you'll
> > > > be more than ready.
> > > >
> > > > I was incredibly nervous about taking this exam. For Network+ and A+, I had
> > > > also used PrepLogic practice tests, which are not available for 70-271, and
> > > > only after using those as well as MeasureUp did I feel I was ready for the A+
> > > > and Network+ exams. Yet I passed 70-271 by a much bigger margin than I did
> > > > those other exams. I wouldn't call 70-271 easy, but I think the list of
> > > > objectives is small enough and precise enough that preparation isn't
> > > > extremely difficult. Honestly, the easiest way to pass this exam is to know
> > > > those objectives. MS is handing them to you on a silver platter; all you need
> > > > to do is study what they tell you to study. Personally, I was worried because
> > > > I wasn't sure what I needed to know, and how much of it I needed to know. The
> > > > objectives list really helps out in that department.
> > > >
> > > > Hopefully this post will help others that are in the position I was before
> > > > taking this exam. I was worried that I might fail before I started the exam,
> > > > and even during the exam, but in the end I really had nothing to worry about
> > > > because I put in enough time with the study materials and practice tests, and
> > > > because I has truly familiarized myself with the OS. Do the same and I'm sure
> > > > most anyone can pass easily like I did.

AL P.

Hi all,

What I want to say today is that if there is any way to shout out to the
world that preplogic.com is the biggest liar and stealer on earth.

They didn’t stop sending me email for their practice exams and on September
11 I have ordered the 70-236 practice exam. Right after my order, they called
me on the phone to convince me to buy the package including the video, audio
and practice exams for full access for 2 years at $99. I said yes then let
Kyle Corpin to take care of all. 10 days after I have received the dvd and
the first invoice that I have paid $116.95 of $1,612.95. I have contacted
Kyle and told him that I didn’t want to pay for more than $99 that he has
confirmed me. He said that the $116 and I wouldn’t have to pay any penny
more. On October 11 I was charged a second time at $187. I called them again
and have obtained the cancellation after days of negotiation. I have a refund
of $187 then I asked them that I have paid $116.95 for the practice exam that
they sell at $49 at first. Then the explanation is that $116.95 is for 30
days trial. I mean that preplogic continue to steal from us again and again
if we don’t have any way to warn people.

Vu Binh LE PHAM VIET


"Alan" wrote:

> Passed 70-271 today with a score of 899. I took the official MS course
> (2261b, 3 days) and studied with the textbook from that course as well as the
> Measure-Up practice test. I took two weeks to study between the class and
> taking the exam.
>
> I looked through this discussion group for general advice before I took the
> test (which was very helpful, thanks to all who posted here), so now I
> thought I'd add some advice of my own for future test-takers (without giving
> anything away from the exam, of course).
>
> The 2261b course was helpful, but more because of the instructor than the
> actual book. The book is one of the most vague pieces of instructional
> material I've ever read. If you just read it straight through, you'll only
> know half of what you probably should know. You'll learn a lot of concepts
> and become familiar with terminology, but you may not have the slightest idea
> of how to execute a specific task. Participating in all of the practice
> activities helps out a lot. However, I feel I would have failed if I had just
> used the course and textbook as my sole study materials. The instructor
> really hit hard the areas he felt were important for the exam, and he was
> right.
>
> The Measure-Up practice tests really are more difficult than the actual exam
> in this particular instance. I used the Measure-Up tests not to gauge what I
> knew, but to study. Every question you get wrong in practice is an
> opportunity to learn, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to read
> every explanation and follow up on missed questions until you understand why
> you missed them. If you come across a question and answer that you don't
> understand, google the topic. Often the search results will link you to the
> MS KB where you'll find more than enough info. It's true that you can
> memorize most Measure-Up questions within four or five tests, but if you
> actually know WHY the answer is what it is, you're in good shape. I learned
> quite a bit just from taking the practice tests; they will introduce you to
> scenarios that typical book study won't... you'll learn things you didn't
> know you needed to know in the first place.
>
> I got both my A+ and Network+ certifications before I took 70-271, and I
> think the Network+ certification in particular is a great help for this exam.
> It really shouldn't be any surprise that you need to know TCP/IP networks...
> they comprise every MS network and the internet, so understanding them is
> pretty much vital to taking exams like this. If you're not 100% comfortable
> with DNS, DHCP, ICMP utilities, and the general structure of domains, you
> will have problems, not just on this exam, but probably on most exams. Again,
> I don't think that should come as a shock to anyone. This is even mentioned
> in the list of objectives for the MCDST certification (around which, by the
> way, you should definitely base your study time).
>
> Do NOT EVER even THINK about using "study materials" from those shady sites
> that supposedly use actual exam questions. Aside from the obvious reason that
> you're cheating yourself out of learning the material and that you'll be a
> flop in whatever job you get from cheating your way through certification,
> these sites are just plain junk. I know because I was actually introduced to
> one by an *instructor* from a previous MS class (not 2261b) last summer, who
> flat out gave me .pdf files for several exams. At the time I had no idea MS
> considered them to be "cheating" and I browsed a couple of them (this was
> months before I even took my first CompTIA exam). Not only do these question
> lists not provide explanations, but some of the answers are just plain WRONG.
> The wording is poor, the grammar is poor, and the educational value is
> non-existant. If you're thinking about spending money on sites like this,
> DON'T. Use that money to get practice exams from a real site like MeasureUp
> and you'll actually learn something. (For my own good, I'm adding the
> disclaimer that I did not use the information from these sites in my own
> studying for this exam, or any other exam. I simply want to warn other people
> not to go anywhere near this garbage).
>
> Anyway... I'd strongly reccommend that anyone who hasn't worked in a DST
> position on XP Pro daily to just jump into the OS and start clicking on
> everything you see. Seriously. If you have a spare PC, install XP Pro and
> just go crazy with it. Open as many applets and options as you can find and
> just get familiar with what's there. Play around with folder options,
> permissions, synchronization options, accessibility options, everything in
> the control panel, IE settings, etc. The more you see, the more you will
> remember. It's one thing to read about how to do something in a book, but
> it's much better to actually carry out those instructions yourself so you
> actually know what you're doing. Instead of remembering steps, you'll
> remember what the menus and applets actually look like, and have a better
> understanding of how to accomplish tasks. I won't say either way about the
> exam, but I got several MeasureUp questions correct just by playing around
> with the Control Panel for awhile and remembering what I saw. I'd reccommend
> that people like me (just out of college but haven't worked in the field) do
> this daily. Know where every menu goes and what every button does, and you'll
> be more than ready.
>
> I was incredibly nervous about taking this exam. For Network+ and A+, I had
> also used PrepLogic practice tests, which are not available for 70-271, and
> only after using those as well as MeasureUp did I feel I was ready for the A+
> and Network+ exams. Yet I passed 70-271 by a much bigger margin than I did
> those other exams. I wouldn't call 70-271 easy, but I think the list of
> objectives is small enough and precise enough that preparation isn't
> extremely difficult. Honestly, the easiest way to pass this exam is to know
> those objectives. MS is handing them to you on a silver platter; all you need
> to do is study what they tell you to study. Personally, I was worried because
> I wasn't sure what I needed to know, and how much of it I needed to know. The
> objectives list really helps out in that department.
>
> Hopefully this post will help others that are in the position I was before
> taking this exam. I was worried that I might fail before I started the exam,
> and even during the exam, but in the end I really had nothing to worry about
> because I put in enough time with the study materials and practice tests, and
> because I has truly familiarized myself with the OS. Do the same and I'm sure
> most anyone can pass easily like I did.

vubinhlunel