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

 

good question

 

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

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

 

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

 

CBTNuggets -video trainings pretty good one, and expensive.

 

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

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

 

"MIK" <> prattled ceaslessly in

CBT = Computer Based Training

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

"Definitely not wearing any underwear."

 

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."

 

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?

 

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?

 

plug them into a network, get some software, and install it
the point is to learn ON YOUR OWN!!!!!

 

I wont ......

wat is the mcse

 

If I remember correctly, 70-290 was mostly backup questions and share
permissions and a few ras questions....

Some of the stuff you could wing if you have been an administrator for
atleast a year...

this trick worked for me...

1. Read the solution criteria usually found near the end of the
question.
2. Read the question from the beginning and relate the relevant facts
to the solution criteria.
3. Determine your own answer before reading the multiple choice
answers - how would you satisfy the solution criteria?
4. Read all of the answers to find the best match to the solution
criteria. Notice the patterns in the answers. If two or more answers
appear to be correct then one answer is better than any of the others
based on the solution criteria. Carefully re-read the criteria to
eliminate all but one answer.
5. Choose the best answer and mark it. If the answer is unclear,
eliminate any answers you know to be wrong to limit the remaining
choices and improve your odds. If you have eliminated all but one
answer and it appears to be wrong then it is must be correct. When in
doubt over multiple selections choose an answer that best exemplifies
a Windows 2003 feature.
6. Read the question from the beginning together with the single
answer you selected to confirm your choice.

it might take long, but hey you'll pass...

 

well - i have to say that yestarday i had the same stuff and now i am
amaized to see that you have the same thing to say about MS exams, i
wasn't ready for scripting and in no one of the mock tests i didn't
see any mentions of VBS....

i hope that next week - on my next test it will be better....

Hell!

 

The test prep kit gives you the book knowledge. However, you really need to
be in either a physical or virtual environment such that you get hands on
experience with the material that you studied. My suggestion is to take an
instructor lead course and engage in the use of transcenders.