Best way to study for MCSA

I've passed MCDST studying part time at a local college in the UK(London
area). I would like to progress to MCSA, but am finding it difficult to find
somewhere. to study. There are plenty of places willing to take my money,
but how do I know if they are any good? Most claim to be 'Microsoft Gold
Partners', or something similar.
Would I be realistically able to pass just through self study? MCDST
involved Lab work, not included in the official books, how do you get hold
of the MCSA Labs yourself?

 

If they're Certified Learning Centers, and you're the type that needs a
classroom environment to learn, then the only other question is the
instructor. Go to the school, ask to meet the instructor(s), and see if they
can convince you they know enough about the subject matter to be teaching
you.

However, classroom training is not a requirement to take the cert exams.

Absolutely! In fact, I'd speculate that most of the MCSA candidates achieved
their certifications through self-study and on-the-job experience.

When you self-study, you use a slighly different set of materials. My
recommendation is the Microsoft Press MCSA Training Kits. Typically these
kits come with evaluation copies of the operating systems, and that combined
with a free download of VirtualPC, or Virtual Server, allows you to setup
your own training lab for performing the exercises -- which are contained in
the books.



--
Lawrence Garvin, M.S., MCITP:EA, MCDBA
Principal/CTO, Onsite Technology Solutions, Houston, Texas
Microsoft MVP - Software Distribution (2005-2009)

MS WSUS Website: http://www.microsoft.com/wsus
My Websites: http://www.onsitechsolutions.com;
http://wsusinfo.onsitechsolutions.com
My MVP Profile: http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Lawrence.Garvin

 

Hi Lawrence,

Thanks for the advice. I'll try the self study route using the study kit.

 

MCSA best study material to prepare and pass the certification is available
at http://www.beitcertified.com/go.asp?c=9&ac=47