MCSA/MCSE exam advi

[sinetheo]

I threw my hat into the ring and signed up for 70-410 the 1st exam. Those that took the old exams get mocked how easy server 2003 was. I heard MS made server 2012 R2 much more difficult.

 

I need advice from those that took the recent server 2012 exams as to how hard the tests are and how to study? How many hours should I be dedicating?

[TPreston]

Deploy it on your network, Not just one vm create an entire server 2012 infrastructure from DC to WDS and live with it for the duration of your exam. You cant beat real world experience.

[+BudMan MVC]

How long have you been using 2k12?  To what extent are you using it - in a production setup or just lab?  How many times have you deployed 2k12 AD.. etc..

 

expecting to just do some study and pass is unlikely.. Without actual hands on your going to be hindered, and just what the world needs another "paper" mcse

[sinetheo]

How long have you been using 2k12?  To what extent are you using it - in a production setup or just lab?  How many times have you deployed 2k12 AD.. etc..

 

expecting to just do some study and pass is unlikely.. Without actual hands on your going to be hindered, and just what the world needs another mcse

 

My experience includes manaing OU's in AD, troubleshooting some GPOs during XP to 7 migrations (only a few), and creating domains in a virtual lab. All in server 2003 R2 and server 2008 R2

 

My lab is rad 0 SSD i7 with 32 gigs of ram and several base images for VMWare Workstation and now Hyper-V to gain experience. My weaknesses are networking and doing other things with server 2k12 like branch cache and advanced AD stuff. 

[+BudMan MVC]

BTW I meant to say paper mcse - I edited to show that..

 

You can play with branch stuff on a vm network.. Just have to set it up.. Workstation and Hyper-V are bit harder to setup networking type stuff.. I would setup esxi that is very simple to create vswitches and then even put routers and simulate wan bandwidth between networks with say something like wanem or dummycloud.

 

I would play with setting up native 2k12 AD forests with trusts and branch offices in your vm lab, etc. etc

[sinetheo]

BTW I meant to say paper mcse - I edited to show that..

 

You can play with branch stuff on a vm network.. Just have to set it up.. Workstation and Hyper-V are bit harder to setup networking type stuff.. I would setup esxi that is very simple to create vswitches and then even put routers and simulate wan bandwidth between networks with say something like wanem or dummycloud.

 

I would play with setting up native 2k12 AD forests with trusts and branch offices in your vm lab, etc. etc

 

I have a CIsco GNS3 if needed. I have a Server 2003 I have now for a router with the RAS service installed. Not awesome but I can create different subnets with it. Need to learn static routes to get traffic and internet access for my vms. 

 

My current domain is set as 2008 R2 as I wanted the experience of raising a trust and see the before and after differences between the 2. I am just getting ready for the 1st exam which I assume is basic but the later ones will probably quiz me on AD schema differences between the 2 perhaps?

 

How long would it take to pass each exam with hours and preperations? I am desktop with helping some companies do a few AD tasks described above? How hard are the tests for the newer ones? I know Server 2000 and 2003 were a joke.

[+BudMan MVC]

So you took 2k and 2k3?  Your mcse in 2k3? Or you have people telling you they were a joke?

 

Depends who is taking a test.. To some CCIE is a joke, to others maybe CCNA is a bitch..  

 

Some could walk in off the street and pass mcse, other might have to study for months..  Back in the day when got mcse+i NT4, I took all the tests in a week and had no issues without any study.. But then again that was what I was doing as my job for quite some time.  When updated to 2k it wasn't a problem because again worked with it again.. 2k3 wasn't that much different than 2k, etc.  Now I have not done much with MS stuff for years and while I would hope I could still pass just because I keep my hands dirty with it in my own labs, etc.

 

I would suggest you look for some practice tests and after taking that you will have a better idea how much hands on you need and what areas your weak in.

 

example

http://www.accelerated-ideas.com/free-70410-practice-test.aspx

[sinetheo]

So you took 2k and 2k3?  Your mcse in 2k3? Or you have people telling you they were a joke?

 

Depends who is taking a test.. To some CCIE is a joke, to others maybe CCNA is a bitch..  

 

Some could walk in off the street and pass mcse, other might have to study for months..  Back in the day when got mcse+i NT4, I took all the tests in a week and had no issues without any study.. But then again that was what I was doing as my job for quite some time.  When updated to 2k it wasn't a problem because again worked with it again.. 2k3 wasn't that much different than 2k, etc.  Now I have not done much with MS stuff for years and while I would hope I could still pass just because I keep my hands dirty with it in my own labs, etc.

 

I would suggest you look for some practice tests and after taking that you will have a better idea how much hands on you need and what areas your weak in.

 

example

http://www.accelerated-ideas.com/free-70410-practice-test.aspx

 

Thanks man

 

I bought transcenders to assist. FYI my MCSE was NT 4.0 as well. I left the IT field for several years and came back

[BinaryData]

So you took 2k and 2k3?  Your mcse in 2k3? Or you have people telling you they were a joke?

 

Depends who is taking a test.. To some CCIE is a joke, to others maybe CCNA is a bitch..  

 

Some could walk in off the street and pass mcse, other might have to study for months..  Back in the day when got mcse+i NT4, I took all the tests in a week and had no issues without any study.. But then again that was what I was doing as my job for quite some time.  When updated to 2k it wasn't a problem because again worked with it again.. 2k3 wasn't that much different than 2k, etc.  Now I have not done much with MS stuff for years and while I would hope I could still pass just because I keep my hands dirty with it in my own labs, etc.

 

I would suggest you look for some practice tests and after taking that you will have a better idea how much hands on you need and what areas your weak in.

 

example

http://www.accelerated-ideas.com/free-70410-practice-test.aspx

You just reminded me of sc302. CCENT was a pita. CCNA makes my head swirl.

 

@ OP If you can't get real world experience, I'd get as much experience as I could via VM. That's what I've found helps. I'll be taking my Red Hat Cert at the end of July. By the end of the year, I'll have my Server+, Network+, CCNA, and Red Hat Cert completed. I would do as much as you can, to learn as much as you can. Also, I suggest harassing BudMan like there was no tomorrow. He's a massive honey pot of information. He's helped me with a lot of problems, and pointed me in the right direction.

[binaryzero]

CBT Nuggets\Pluralsight\Brain dumps\testhorse\dicking around in a lab.

 

Good luck.

 

The exam I found the hardest was Config advanced server (think it's 70-412) features - a lot of those things are set and forget, I really had to have a good think about some of them (stayed off the booze for a week to help haha).

 

I'm MCSA Server 2008/2012, MCSE Server Infrastructure, MCSE Private Cloud, VCP4.

[sinetheo]

CBT Nuggets\Pluralsight\Brain dumps\testhorse\dicking around in a lab.

 

Good luck.

 

The exam I found the hardest was Config advanced server (think it's 70-412) features - a lot of those things are set and forget, I really had to have a good think about some of them (stayed off the booze for a week to help haha).

 

I'm MCSA Server 2008/2012, MCSE Server Infrastructure, MCSE Private Cloud, VCP4.

 

I failed MISERABLY :-(

 

I left home humiliated with only 30%. It defeated me and sent me home with a whooping. I have never in my professional career scored something like this. Part of it was my fault as I waited until the last minute to reschedule so I had to take it. I have passed the A+ from only a week studying. I passed all but one of the NT 4.0 tests and easily passed retaking it. 40-710 on the otherhand was a different ball game. 

 

I was told there was hardly going to be any powershell. I was wrong. But I know the few questions on it I knew like PSRemoting -enable. What I did screw up embarrassingly on was I forgot the difference between change and modify. I assume modify you could not delete? This is 101 so that is on me for the confusion. The rest I would assume were trick questions. I used udemy training videos which are very detailed but did not prepare me totally. 

 

I still am wondering what I did wrong besides not know every single PS command where a trick question with one option off was off or perhaps my knowledge of AD which was heavier than expected was off which I used the old adage the strictest is applied when group, share, and NTFS permissions are all set different.

 

The rest on Hyper-V was rediculous where which setting can't you change if it is on?? Really. Hey you are hosting X and want to do Y it is on. Can you change this property or not without shutting it off for like 1/2 of that section. 

[sinetheo]

You just reminded me of sc302. CCENT was a pita. CCNA makes my head swirl.

 

@ OP If you can't get real world experience, I'd get as much experience as I could via VM. That's what I've found helps. I'll be taking my Red Hat Cert at the end of July. By the end of the year, I'll have my Server+, Network+, CCNA, and Red Hat Cert completed. I would do as much as you can, to learn as much as you can. Also, I suggest harassing BudMan like there was no tomorrow. He's a massive honey pot of information. He's helped me with a lot of problems, and pointed me in the right direction.

 

Thanks

 

I just took the 70-410 and man did I fail :-( and I mean really fail with a super low score where every domain tested I scored below passing :-(

 

MS really did up their game with these exams which my coworkers do not respect and think anyone with an IQ over 80 can pass 1st time around etc. It seems it is the other way around. 1/3 was powershell but the odd thing is I thought I get them right. Heavily AD releated. I need a new way to study as I studied mouse clicks and screenshots which is how to pass the NT 4.0 exams. I thought I knew subnet masking but panicked on the test. Surprisingly did the highest in networking but couldn't answer IPv6 questions. 

 

Well I do not want to be no paper MCSE.

[binaryzero]

What written materials are you using? Did you use any of the brain dumps?

[binaryzero]

On the results page, which areas does it say you need to improve on? Or should I say which ones did you score the highest on?

[BinaryData]

Thanks

 

I just took the 70-410 and man did I fail :-( and I mean really fail with a super low score where every domain tested I scored below passing :-(

 

MS really did up their game with these exams which my coworkers do not respect and think anyone with an IQ over 80 can pass 1st time around etc. It seems it is the other way around. 1/3 was powershell but the odd thing is I thought I get them right. Heavily AD releated. I need a new way to study as I studied mouse clicks and screenshots which is how to pass the NT 4.0 exams. I thought I knew subnet masking but panicked on the test. Surprisingly did the highest in networking but couldn't answer IPv6 questions. 

 

Well I do not want to be no paper MCSE.

Subnetting to me, is one of the hardest to do. I don't understand why the IT world is dragging it's ass when it comes to IPv6. Anyways, keep studying bro. Ask lots of questions here!

I gave up on the 70-410. I'll get my Network+ and Server+, Linux+ too. Eventually my RedHat Cert.

[sc302 Veteran]

play with subnet calculators. 

 

play some subnet games

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-1802

http://www.subnetting.net/Start.aspx

[sinetheo]

Subnetting to me, is one of the hardest to do. I don't understand why the IT world is dragging it's ass when it comes to IPv6. Anyways, keep studying bro. Ask lots of questions here!

I gave up on the 70-410. I'll get my Network+ and Server+, Linux+ too. Eventually my RedHat Cert.

 

I need to pass. It is on my performance review.

 

Ayway subnetting was the easiest as I did not have to memorize which can I do while the VM is running types of questions. That threw me off big time in HyperV where I had a WTF moment.

 

I guess MS really wants employers to respect the MCSA while it is laughed at. Only someone running it every day for years would know the answers to some of the strange questions. A lot were tricked. One screenshot showed a group but failed to mention it was a domain local in another domain in the forest etc to trick  you

[binaryzero]

You do realise the whole test is just about memory right? So download a brain dump (hint the brain dump IS the exam), go through it, memorise it, do the pactical work for the theory you don't understand.

 

PM me and I'll send you some of my notes if I can find them. 

 

MSCA isn't laughed at, it's the first stepping stone to a higher grade. You can't get MCSE without MSCA lol. 

 

People who laugh at certifications are either too lazy, not smart, and don't know their technical information to pass.

 

Just an FYI - I just accepted a new job today, which is paying significantly higher (25k+) than my current job. What made my resume attractive? The certs...

 

You're not expected to remember EVERYTHING once finishing the exam - jeez I have a bookmark folder full of cheat links (cmdlets etc..)

 

You'll pass with the right preparation -

 

70-411 V10.02.pdf

70-412 V12.02.pdf

70-246 V11.02.pdf

70-247 V14.02.pdf

Sorry can't find 410 - pm if you want others though.

[Shiranui]

My advice to you is not to end sentences mid-word.

[sc302 Veteran]

"Exams are about memory...download the brain dump, the brain dump is the exam."

And you wonder why they are laughed at. The whole point of any exam is to prove your knowledge, not your memory skills.

[sinetheo]

"Exams are about memory...download the brain dump, the brain dump is the exam."

And you wonder why they are laughed at. The whole point of any exam is to prove your knowledge, not your memory skills.

 

I have heard MCSE's are so dumb they can't subnet and need a CCNA to really show off ... as well as CCNA's who do not even know what a VLAN is??! My guess is the braindumps.

 

But when they make an exam where they ask which setting can you change without shutting it down kind of ticks me off as most corporations do not run hyperV yet and still use VMWare. Who the hell is going to know this besides an VM admin? It encourages braindumps which adds back to the problem again. One question ... well I can't dwell into it but was a strange setting you had to block from HyperV from doing that I never heard of which no training material covers. I do admit I got modify vs change confused with permissions :-) OUCH yes that is paper tiger all over MCSE as I got confused on that one

[binaryzero]

I obviously mean use them as one source of study material, practical work is a must haha.

 

I have heard MCSE's are so dumb they can't subnet and need a CCNA to really show off ... as well as CCNA's who do not even know what a VLAN is??! My guess is the braindumps.

 

But when they make an exam where they ask which setting can you change without shutting it down kind of ticks me off as most corporations do not run hyperV yet and still use VMWare. Who the hell is going to know this besides an VM admin? It encourages braindumps which adds back to the problem again. One question ... well I can't dwell into it but was a strange setting you had to block from HyperV from doing that I never heard of which no training material covers. I do admit I got modify vs change confused with permissions :-) OUCH yes that is paper tiger all over MCSE as I got confused on that one

 

Well, isn't the role of a network engineer to configure the hardware?? I'm MCSE and don't go around saying I can configure Cisco routers and such. I know the bare minimum on how to configure those, but I do understand the concepts and theories behind network technologies. After all, I do have to configure the subnets in DHCP, as well as actually design the layout and IP ranges of networks lol. Isn't that how a team usually works? Unless you're the one man band.

 

Either way, don't be ashamed that you failed. Everyone fails one, hell I have! Use it to learn, use the printed report to focus on the subjects you weren't the greatest at, and second time around you'll be fine. You now know what to expect, and the format and presentation of all the questions. No sweaty palms second time around, that's for sure.

 

People can laugh at certifications all they want, I'm laughing to the bank right now lol.  FYI - I didn't really start doing certs until probably 4 - 5 years into my career, they're attractive when work pays for them.

[sc302 Veteran]

fwiw, I did an experiment a few years ago playing with my resume.  5 went out with certs listed, 5 went out without certs listed.  I received 4 calls from the one without, and 0 calls from the one with. People will want you if they want you, certs aside.  If it is neck and neck, they may lean more towards you if you have the creds.  I have found that being proactive and calling back after a week has gone by, after the interview, to the job or jobs that you are interested in does pay back; mainly to let them know that you are still interested and to guage their interest in you as being a candidate.  If you get through, they are or were interested. If you get nothing they are not interested/moved on.

[sinetheo]

fwiw, I did an experiment a few years ago playing with my resume.  5 went out with certs listed, 5 went out without certs listed.  I received 4 calls from the one without, and 0 calls from the one with. People will want you if they want you, certs aside.  If it is neck and neck, they may lean more towards you if you have the creds.  I have found that being proactive and calling back after a week has gone by, after the interview, to the job or jobs that you are interested in does pay back; mainly to let them know that you are still interested and to guage their interest in you as being a candidate.  If you get through, they are or were interested. If you get nothing they are not interested/moved on.

 

There is a debate on www.slashdot.org right now over this. It makes me angry as many of us spent months obtaining these certs. Basically some will consider MCSE as knowing less and avoid than not having any certs at all. Pure BS. True if you do not have the experience to back up that paper certification yes the helpdesk is where you need to start or the bench at a shop. But that does not mean your IQ lowers because you passed a Cisco or MS cert

[sc302 Veteran]

The issue isn't the cert.  This issue is this right here:

You do realise the whole test is just about memory right? So download a brain dump (hint the brain dump IS the exam), go through it, memorise it, do the pactical work for the theory you don't understand.

 

 

You see, if a 5 year old can read and retain information, simply following the above will get anyone certified (provided that they can read and retain the questionnaire in memory, usually through repetition...see all of the under 10 year old MCSE and MCSA's. Do you think they have the experience or the knowledge to be able to support anyone other than their home network?).  Experienced people in the field know this.  This is why tests like the CCIE are so coveted, it isn't just a Q/A test, it is a test to show your peers that you know what you are doing as they break the equipment and you need to show them, while they are watching, how to fix it.  It isn't a ABCD questionnaire where you can memorize the answers and pick them out.  CCIE proves your knowledge, MCSE proves that you can memorize answers (that is how it is looked at and why it is a running joke in the tech community).  The tests that hold any sort of live practical are the ones that are worth their weight, all others are referred to as (near) useless. 

 

MCSE used to stand for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer...now it stands for Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert.  I can only guess that they even know that it doesn't prove you are a true Engineer.