MCDST Training Materials...

Hi,

I'm going to take MCDST soon. Due to limited resources, I just download
training videos and practice exams on sites w/c offering these materials, the
likes of ExamCram and LearnKey. Are these materials coming from those sites
are dependable enough to have confidence to take the exam, even if not buying
Microsoft Press books.Any idea?, your response will be highly
appreciated..Thanks.

 

Confidence comes from having experience with the tested technology.
These items listed will not do that. Only hands-on experience
installing, diagnosing, and troubleshooting Windows XP Professional and
Office XP in a domain environment.

START - RESEARCH - PLAN - PERFORM - FINISH - TEST - EVALUATE

 

these books and training scams are just money makers, if you will read some
of the mail above you will notice that most of these people had to take
the exams 3 times, when you sit for the exam it will be a whole new world,
they do not want you to pass the first 2 times(at $125 each), if you can
remember the settings in 10,000 dialog boxes, and 20,000 radio button
settings, with how to configure and troubleshoot all the office programs,
networking, and most of the systems administators tasks(so they can drink
coffee and eat doughnuts) and if you want to work for half of what they are
getting go for it!

 

What in the world are you talking about?!? First off, one should take
advantage of Microsoft's Second Shot
(http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/offers/secondshot/default.mspx).
Secondly, KNOW THE TECHNOLOGY. And last, there is no way I would have an
allow an MCDST to perform my duties as a System Administrator.

 

first, know the technology(1000 pages of so called training for mcdst), not
one question on the test addressed anything i had studied! second, what are
you selling?

 

I am selling common sense, and someone needs a dose. Certifications are
for experienced individuals. Microsoft states, "The MCDST credential is
for IT professionals who are working in the typically complex computing
environment of small, medium, or large organizations. An MCDST candidate
should have 6-12 months of experience supporting end-users of a desktop
operating system." Do you fall into this category? If not then get some
experience and stop the whining. Otherwise evaluate your score, practice
on your weaknesses and pass the test.

 

Thanks.Truly , all of you have great inputs and ideas. What I miss out to say
or should I only ask if this will help as one factor to have confidence in
taking the exam. Of course right now Im supporting XP pro on a domain
environment (2 yrs+), I have also pulling out resources from microsoft sites
and I need to have 3 to 4 months review before taking the exams. Thanks a lot
for your usual supports.

 

30 years as a certified electronics tech(computers)ISCET, 8 years as the IT
tech for a civil engineering company, does this qualify me? or how about
this, MCP, CET, RLS, PHD?

 

From the sound of it, you have things under control. I would save your
money on any additional study material and use
http//www.microsoft.com/technet.

 

Apparently not since you have been unsuccessful in passing this exam.
This is a specialty exam dealing with diagnosing and troubleshooting
Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office product in a domain
environment. It has nothing to do with your currently held designations.

 

Apparently not.

MCDST is all about installing, supporting, and troubleshooting Microsoft
operating systems (specifically XP), and supporting end users with
applications (such as Office).

CET The exam is the basic electronics portion of the full credit CET exam
and must be passed with a score of 75% or better. This multiple-choice test
covers basic electronics, math, DC and AC circuits, transistors and
troubleshooting. A successful associate CET will receive a wall certificate
valid for four years and is eligible to join ISCET, the International
Society of Certified Electronics Technicians.

CET does not appear to be applicable in any way to MCDST.

I am not sure what RLS is, I can find no information on it in a basic "RLS
Certification" web search. Could you expand on what that is?

PHD in what? Doctoral degrees are always in Philosophy, but of what?
Electronics? Medicine? Communications?

MCP, well we all know that means you have passed at least one Microsoft
exam, but that test could have been in SQL or any other of a multitude of
things that have nothing to do with MCDST.

As an IT tech for a civil engineering company, what were your job
responsibilities because this is the most promising of the things you
listed? Did you fix and repair electronics or did you install, support, and
troubleshoot Microsoft operating systems (specifically XP) and applications
(most specifically, Office applications) ?

Please don't take this the wrong way, I am trying to answer your question.
I trust that you are a pretty intelligent person based on the CET alone, let
alone the PHD. If you are, surely you would realize that there are many
many people that have passed these tests on the first try.

I also have an electronics background (FCC Amateur Extra license and
Volunteer Examiner which NARTE recognizes), but I found that to be of no
help while acquiring my MCSA 2000, MCSE 2003, and MCDST, all without a
failed test.

Either way, I hope that you calm down, get your sights straight, and
accomplish what it is you are after.

John R

 

Note: I did not mean to dimish the CET in this post. CET is much more than
basic electronics, and includes sections on audio, video, medical equipment,
radar, etc. The info I posted is just the CET associate, not the full blown
CET. CET is closely related to the FCC CROL (Commercial Radio Operator
License). Those of us who are into radio and electronics understand that
the CET and CROL are very comprehensive and very desireable/valuable if you
are in those fields.

 

Hi,

I'm in the middle of my MCDST course, got part one and working toward part
two. Be wary of using 'Cram Session' type material, apart from being frowned
upon it can devalue your certification. Unfortunately it is really a case of
you do need to know it. I would recommend signing up for an aproved training
course that offers tutor led training. Also bare this in mind..... two or
more people can sit an MS exam at exactly the same place and at the same
time, however they are unlikely to get the same set of questions!
Honestly, the best course of action is to follow official material and get
down and learn it! - Reciting answers from practice exams won't get you
through, the tests are designed to really test knowledge and understanding.

Good luck with it, it's rewarding and worth the effort when you pass!