14 replies to this topic

[ipchain]

I passed 70-293 today with a score of 925, which I am very pleased with. Overall I believe the exam was very similar to 70-291 in terms of complexity, but not impossible to pass.

I nailed RRAS & Server Roles/Server but was weak in some other areas. I was heavily tested on IPsec, RRAS,  and PKI. Hopefully I only had about 2-3 questions on clustering as it is my weakest point.

I found one of the sims to be really straight forward, but for the other two I wasn't really sure what they wanted me to do. ( 3 sims in total )

The exam consisted of about 43 questions including the sims, and I was allowed about 3 hours to complete it.

In conclusion, you should know really well IPsec, RRAS, PKI, CLUSTERING, DNS, DHCP, backup types, etc for this exam.

Time to celebrate now!!!    :smilie_tanz_008:  

Edited by ipchain, 12 February 2007 - 11:50 AM.

[James]

Congratulations IP, Thanks for the tips as well  

[FSUFan]

I don't see how you move through these certs so quickly... I don't have time to study for them hardly.

[Victor Nox]

I'm guessing IP's avatar, with the oversized cranium and pulsing veins, might be a clue as to how he does it so fast!

Edit:  Congrats!

Edited by Victor Nox, 12 February 2007 - 12:55 PM.

[Alice]

  That would be a fair question.

You would think his brain is going to explode at some point.

Congrats on the pass  

[ipchain]

Haha,

           Thanks for the comments. Actually I am quite stressed out right now so after Linux+ I will most likely take a week or two off to relax. It's been difficult, I can't deny it but it's starting to pay off as I'm getting more people interested in my resume, and whatnot.

I usually read through the books, and then watch CBTnuggets or TestOut ( to get hands on experience ), and then take a few practice exams to see where I stand. For this particular exam I didn't use a book as I had all the DNS, RRAS stuff fresh in my head from 70-291 so I only had to focus on clustering ( which I am honest and say I don't yet master it ) PKI, IPsec, and Security Templates.

I had previous experience with PKI from my Security+ exam, so I did not have to spend a lot of time on it. I also had touched Security Templates before in a way or another, so that was not too difficult either.

IPsec made sence since the first time I watched the videos so I did not have any major problems with it.

Other than that I knew most of the things from my previous exams, TCP/IP troubleshooting, Backup types, DHCP, etc.

By no means think it is easy studying for these exams, I spend 4 hours daily more or less studying for them, and in my days off I usually spend anytime from 6 to 8 hours studying non-stop.

I guess I have no life right now, but that's not totally true as I count with my fiancee's support and my family's as well. I also get to go out, and watch a couple of movies from time to time.

[Quinntessential]

Congratulations ipchain on yet another pass.  You have been knocking off all these exams so quickly good for you.  Two more exams and then you are MCSE certified man that is impressive.  Keep up the good work.

[pete071]

Congratulations ipchain on nailing 70-293 and admire your effort and scores - far from scraping through.

Been offsite a month since Server+ and missed the comments, but been burning the midnight oil with Examcrams 70-270, 70-290, currently 70-291 (finish wednesday night) then 70-299 (small book! to finish by sunday)... followed by 2 weeks revision and self testing... for a 6 week MCSA (4 weeks residential) which i like for the practical training, interaction with like-minded souls, instructor experiences and tips, and networking opportunities. Realise residential courses come at a cost though, and probably wouldn't do my training this way if i had to pay full rates - fortunate i'm getting for less than £800 including exams.

Pleased I've got my CompTIA foundation skills which helps greatly and not a lot of new stuff - just got to focus on configuring domains, AD, DNS and remote services in particular.

Also got the Microsoft MCSA/MCSE training kit press books. Hardly looked at them yet but handy to have and includes 2K3 Server Evaluation CD (180 days), 25% discount exam voucher, readiness testing, eBooks, and other bits and pieces.

All for now... back to work, have a nice day

[ipchain]

Also got the Microsoft MCSA/MCSE training kit press books. Hardly looked at them yet but handy to have and includes 2K3 Server Evaluation CD (180 days), 25% discount exam voucher, readiness testing, eBooks, and other bits and pieces.

Thank you pete071.

          It looks like you have all the right tools in order to successfully pass all of these exams. The only thing I'd recommend is for you not to rely on the exam cram books too much.

          While it is possible to pass 70-270, and 70-290 by using EC2 ( Exam Cram 2 ), they'll definitely lack a lot of information required for exams such as 70-291 and so forth.

          Looking forward to see you conquer all of these exams in no time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.  

Edited by ipchain, 27 February 2007 - 10:18 AM.

[wn914]

Does anyone know what is the minimum score you can pass with?

[ipchain]

Does anyone know what is the minimum score you can pass with?

Fist of all,    to Proprofs.

  The minimum passing score for any Microsoft Exam is 700 out of 1000.

I hope this information helps you a little.

[pete071]

thanks again for your words of wisdom...

i'm undecided about the value of exam cram material, heard both positive and negative feedback and personally need a while longer to decide. i find the Q/A only-books useful to jog my memory but similiar questions seldom appear on exams.

Thus far, i've always read 2 books prior to certification to get different slants and plug-in any knowledge gaps, and sure i'll turn to the MS books in a weeks time and throughout the course dates when i can put work aside and dedicate more time. Must admit i overlooked the 2 parts to the 70-270 but Part 2 doesn't look too heavy and i should get through it in 1-2 nights or a weekend.

Back to my point though, and the exam cram Server+ book has been heavily accredited (and rightly so) because it's an excellent source and could be used by itself to pass that exam. i've also enjoyed the (almost 3) MCSA books i've read and don't think i would have done so if they lacked good material or challenge. If nothing else, they've certainly given me a good insight and platform to work from.

I'm really looking forward to the 1-2 months ahead and also wish you the very best in a successful MCSE completion and beyond...

[ipchain]

Thank you for your words Pete.

              Having used Exam Cram 2 for my Security+ studies, I know it provides you with the foundation required to pass any exam.

             I don't believe I expressed myself correctly in my previous post, so here's something to clarify my opinion on EC2.

             Prior to studying for my previous exams ( 70-270, 70-290, 70-291 ) I did a little bit of research before I bought my books. I found mixed reviews, and some EC2 books had very good reviews, but it is my belief they will most likely come short on certain topics you would need to master in real life.

             EC2 books have been written with the sole purpose of providing the basic foundation of the topics so you can go ahead and pass the exam. For CompTIA, it has been proven EC2 is an excellent book to use for exams, but for Microsoft things could change. Microsoft has a unique way to test your understanding of the material, and they're always trying to trick you in a way or another that's why I believe it is best if you use the books made by them in order to study for the exams.

             That's not to say you can't use EC2, or Syngress. In fact, Syngress has written excellent books for the MCSA/MCSE tracks. You can use EC2 for review, and for your last minute cramming, but try to use either Syngress or MS Press as your primary book.

            As previously mentioned in my post, EC2 could get you through your 70-270, and even through 70-290 if you got a Windows 2003 Server at home, or a virtual PC with it installed. For 70-291, and 70-293, I wouldn't recommend you to use EC2 other than for review because there's a ton of information to grasp, and a lot of exhibits you should know by heart in order to pass these exams.

            I don't know about 70-294 or 70-298, but I have read someone who was able to pass both by using EC2, along with CBTnuggets.

            Sorry for my long post, and I hope the information provided will help you, and some other users as well.  

[pete071]

Thanks for your latest which i've read well and especially appreciate as a non-microsoft tester.

I'll finish EC2 70-291 tonight and am considering postponing 70-299 for a later date to start the MS books and self testing a week earlier than scheduled. i don't really need 70-299 (due security+ elective) but it's part of the residential course coming up and included for those without an elective. The extra cert will be good to hold and give me MCSA (+security).

Thanks again

Edited by pete071, 28 February 2007 - 07:06 AM.

[bsubrandon]

Congratulations! I am looking forward to taking mine soon as well. Did anyone take classes at New Horizons or any other place like that?
THanks again.