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[edit section] All About the Microsoft MCDST 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting in Windows XP exam

The Microsoft MCDST 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting in Windows XP exam is one of several exams in the new MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician) track, a certification series designed to help candidates who are new to Microsoft certifications obtain certified status and get started in the computing support industry. It is a basic certification that covers topics in help desk/technical support common to Windows XP users and is somewhat comparable to the CompTIA A+ certification. The MCDST requires passing two core exams, 70-271 and 70-272, so the 70-271 is certainly a good way to get started going about obtaining MCDST status.

[edit section] Difficulty and Scope

The Microsoft MCDST 70-271 exam is somewhere between the MCTS and MCSA/MCSE exams in terms of difficulty. It is not an easy exam and even experienced technicians find that they generally need to study and prepare for the exam. At the same time, it is not exceedingly difficult like some of the MCSE exams and is very manageable for the IT certification candidate with some desktop support experience and Windows XP knowledge. In general, the more you know about Windows XP, the better you will do on the MCDST 70-271, as it covers:

• Install Windows XP via attended and unattended installations
• Upgrading to Windows XP from previous versions of Windows
• Manage and troubleshooting NTFS permissions
• Configure file sharing and basic Windows networking
• Troubleshoot common PC hardware, especially hard disk drives, removable media, display devices, and I/O devics
• Configure Windows for accessibility
• Manage local security policy
• Correct performance issues
• Utilize Remote Desktop connections

[edit section] When and why to take the MCDST 70-271 exam

Most people take the MCDST 70-271 in working towards the MCDST certification, which is a new Microsoft equivalent of the CompTIA A+ certification as a general technical support skills test. Becoming MCDST certified can help you achieve a career in help desk support, systems repair, on-site technician, or technology trainer. Much of the test centers on meeting the demands of real-life users and solving their Windows XP issues in a competent and efficient way. So, employers are very interested in candidates who have the MCDST because it shows that they have some handle on dealing with users and common troubleshooting issues.

As to when to take the exam, it is best to take it when you are ready to immediately follow the 70-271 exam with the 70-272. Make sure you have enough time to avoid a long layoff between the two exams as much of the content relates from one exam to the other and it helps to be familiar with the 70-271 when studying for the 70-272. If you are totally new to Microsoft certification, however, you may want to start with a MCTS exam to work your way into Microsoft exams before pursuing the more difficult MCDST 70-271.

[edit section] I’m going to take the MCDST 70-271! Now what?

First, you will need to determine if it is really feasible for you to take the certification exam. Not everyone has the time to set aside to study for this exam, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest that you should have at least 60 hours available to prepare for this exam, although anywhere from 45 to 90 hours would be a reasonable estimate of time required to prepare. For this reason, we would highly suggest that you have at least a month or two available to really prepare for the exam. Next, once you have set the time aside, you should probably schedule a date to take the exam at a Prometric test centre. Finally, use ProProfs resources in addition to your own study materials to prepare for the exam. We wish you the best of luck in your studies!

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