| Author |
Taking the Test Again
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| soxfan09 2002-10-23, 12:50 pm |
| My name is Mark. I'm new to this website and just wanted to introduce myself. I have taken the 70-210 exam twice now and failed both times. The first time I scored a 520, so I barely missed. The second time I got a 460, so I actually did worse the 2nd time testing. I'm preparing to take it again and was wondering if anyone here had any advice for me, or useful tips. Thanks in advance!
~Mark | |
| soxfan09 2002-10-23, 1:27 pm |
| Just an addendum to my previous post. I would greatly appreciate any feedback anyone has on the testing process as a whole and individual exams. What works? What doesn't? What study materials helped you? Any other ideas? Any input you have would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, did I read that the tests are no longer being scored? I took one last month and it was still 540 to pass.
Thanks again everyone!!!
~Mark | |
| cross36 2002-10-23, 2:33 pm |
| Never admit defeat. When you review things, review them gradually and never cram. For it sticks better to your mind and usage in time.
Best of luck to you | |
| NetChild1985 2002-10-23, 2:51 pm |
| Welcome to the forum Mark! I think you're really close to the success. On your third attempt you must pass it. I'd recommend you to review the material and to do some practice tests. Also practice as much as you can, because "hands-on" experience is very important. Setting up a small network with at least 2 PCs will help you a lot.
BTW what materials are you currently using for preparation. For my exam I used both Microsoft Training Kit book and NewRiders book and I strongly recommend them!
Good luck on your third attempt! Just be calm and you'll do it just fine!  | |
| bluedog535 2002-10-23, 3:10 pm |
| That's my biggest problem - I am simply no good with tests. I feel the time pressure, the questions look like gibberish... ARRRGGHHH!! Sorry - had to be done.
Anyway, keep plugging away. It is not uncommon, from what I have seen and heard, that experienced network people have trouble with these tests and take a few shots to pass. I haven't taken the plunge yet (next week) but I feel your pain!
Remember - third times the charm...... | |
| Pavlov 2002-10-23, 4:23 pm |
| Welcome to the forum - I think where you went wrong the first two times is you didn't have all of us to collectively help you through the process  Now that you've found us you're sure to pass.
Send me a private message with your email address and I'll hook you up with some questions from a class I took that really helped me zero in on what MS wants you to know for these tests.
Oh, and by the way - I grew up in Everett, MA - not far from you | |
| soxfan09 2002-10-24, 12:07 am |
| I accidentally posted new threads instead of a reply, so forgive me this once. Here is where I should have posted what I wanted to say.
I wanted to thank everyone who has replied thus far to my posts. Everyone is so nice and so cool, I'm blown away. Thank you all for your kind words and support.
To try and answer some of your questions....Some of the study materials I have used (and there are alot): Mike Myers books on MCSE Win2K, Transcenders tests, MS MCSE Training Kit, and some various PDF's from Troytech and Cramsession. I certainly have alot of materials and feel like an idiot because I have everything I need to pass (I think) and haven't yet.
The thing that got me the second time I took the test was the firt 12 questions or so I just had no clue on and I knew I was cooked. I figured I'd pass this time because I came within a question of passing the first time, but as it turn out I actually did worse. Go figure?!?
Again, thanks to everyone who replied and I look forward to reading what you all have to say.
~Mark | |
| hazz_bin 2002-10-24, 6:27 am |
| Welcome Mark! Pavlov said it best, the collective help has been just that. I've made a lot of progress since finding examnotes.com, mostly from the collective intelligence of the members (even Ruscorp, if you can believe it). You will find much help and support here. Listen to Pavlov, she is very sage and wise. I purchased my books (Syngress) before finding this site and now have to make do with that. Next book purchase will be based on recommendations from the members. I agree with the consensus here that hands on is key, and getting the best study material is icing the cake. Best of luck. | |
| enforcer 2002-10-25, 9:48 am |
| hands on.
if you're using it day in day out it becomes second nature | |
| soxfan09 2002-10-28, 4:47 pm |
| I do have Win2K Pro running on my home PC, but I don't have another computer to set up a network. 
Unfortunately, from what alot of people are saying, it would be a good idea if I could get my hands on another computer. Any idea if really old ones, ie a 486 could be used for this purpose?
Any other help out there?? Ahhhhh, I feel lost!! I see all of you guys with 9 zillion certs and it makes me wonder if I made a huge mistake taking that Win2K MCSE course.
Help please!!
Ever Grateful,
~Mark | |
| oldsaltdoggie 2002-10-28, 5:36 pm |
| Wecome, soxfan09,
I feel your pain! I'm in the same boat as you, studying networking with only one PC stinks. But don't worry we will get through this sooner or later! | |
| enforcer 2002-10-29, 4:09 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by soxfan09
I do have Win2K Pro running on my home PC, but I don't have another computer to set up a network.
Unfortunately, from what alot of people are saying, it would be a good idea if I could get my hands on another computer. Any idea if really old ones, ie a 486 could be used for this purpose?
ah? i see a small flaw here. by all means a second PC will be required, and yes it doesn't have to be that powerful. However it does have to meet the minimum requirements for W2k Pro. which i won't list here*. you should be able to pick up one of these babes quite cheap now.
*you should know that already | |
| bluedog535 2002-10-29, 6:59 am |
| Don't get discouraged. Even the guys with "nine zillion certs" had to start somewhere! All it takes is perseverance and desire. You'll get it!
As far as another system, it helps a great deal if you can do the labs in the books. Some require a network.
You can get an old Pentium 133 to run Win2k Pro for cheap. Remember, whatever you spend on this second system will be used for all your tests, so it isn't a waste of money.
Set Win2k server on your better system, win2k pro on the older system. I must have reformatted and installed Win2k a thousand times in many different ways to do the labs and scenarios. It's all good experience. | |
| Pavlov 2002-10-29, 8:34 am |
| quote:
Even the guys with "nine zillion certs" had to start somewhere!
Soooooo True! | |
| soxfan09 2002-10-29, 10:29 am |
| I understand that a computer must meet the min. requirements to use Win2K. However, could I not run Win2k Server and Pro on one machine with a dual boot and run Win 9x on the slower, older computer(s)?
If this is a ridiculous suggestion, forgive me. It's a bit intimidating talking to some of you. But as I said before, I need/want your help, so bring it on! I'am very eager and hungry to learn all that I can.
Thanks to those who have/will post!
~Mark in MA | |
| Pavlov 2002-10-29, 10:34 am |
| Mark - you can dual boot a machine with Pro and Srvr, however, you won't be able to try out the labs effectively as you will never be able to have the client join the domain. Two PCs minimum is the best solution for a home lab. Search around www.overstock.com - they have some pretty good deals sometimes | |
| ANDRONDA 2002-10-29, 12:27 pm |
| Hey Mark-
I do not work in IT either and have passed two exams (CCNA and Net+) in about four weeks time each by reading the Sybex books and taking test prep software.
Knock out about 40 pages a day of reading, use a pencil to underline key passages- and take test preps every day for about 10-20 minutes a day. Then review your underlined parts of your books in the week before the test.
70-210 is difficult only because the questions are very lengthy and many of the answers are only subtly different.
I studied for four weeks and then went to take a newer practice exam and it seemed to me that there was a lot of material I was not that good with so I decided to go ahead and study one more week before taking the exam. I’ll let you know how it turned out. | |
| oldsaltdoggie 2002-10-29, 3:41 pm |
| I don't know about you Mark, or you Andronda, but the best way for me to learn is hands on! If I did what Anronda did I would have passed too, but you can't learn to drive without getting behind the wheel at sometime. Imagine if everyone learned how to drive from a book!  Know lets see put car in D and mash the pedal to the metal! LOL Just my .02! | |
| bluedog535 2002-10-30, 7:38 am |
| Mark-
>>could I not run Win2k Server and Pro on one machine with a dual boot and run Win 9x on the slower, older computer(s)?
I suggest that you do just that. Boot the first to Server and connect the Win98 machine to the Server. Blow out Win 98 and put Win 2k Pro on and connect to the Server. Blow out both and install in different ways. Your suggestion is not ridiculous at all, but when you invest in the second system, do strange and bizarre things to both to make them work as a network. Try new things; try things not in the book and see how it reacts. It's really the only way to fly.
I have been working on my certs for over one year now. By the time I am done, it will have been the better part of two years. But I really feel that I KNOW the material. I have met many people that have their certs, and don't know the first thing about this stuff. So, take your time, learn the material, practice, practice, and did I mention practice? You'll get this and make yourself a valuable, knowledgeable member of the IT community.
--Steve | |
| ANDRONDA 2002-10-30, 7:55 am |
| I agree that hands on is the best way to learn.
It is simply an issue of resources.
We do what we have to do to pass the tests. | |
| soxfan09 2002-10-30, 11:46 am |
| Thanks to everyone who has posted their replies and advice as I strive to take this test (and pass!) again for the 3rd time.
Did Microsoft change the scoring ont the tests? My last attempt was in late August and at that point still showed me what I scored on the test. Is it simply pass/fail now? When did that change?
Thank you again everyone, keep the messages coming!
~Mark | |
| mitchflorida 2002-10-30, 1:00 pm |
| Mark,
First realize that you should know Windows 2000 Server thoroughly before you take the Professional Test. Even some AD questions are there.
Secondly, if you can honestly pass the Transcenders (updated) with at least a 90% pass rate, then I know you will pass the Professional Test. | |
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| I must say that this was an amazingly helpful post to all of us who are on our way to take the 70-210. I registered for my test and will be taking it on Friday. I especially found the underling passages and reviewing them later extra helpful. | |
| bluedog535 2002-10-31, 6:57 am |
| I agree. It depends on how important these certs are to you. In my cert classes, we had the range of people. Dedicated and motivated to "I don't care - teach me." I know the ones that will do well in the field and make a career, and the ones that will flip burgers for the rest of their lives. | |
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| I failed this test the other day. I don't know where MS dreamed up the questions for the particular test I took, but they sure didn't come from any of the materials I used for review (and I used them all).
Hey soxfan -- how did you go about finding out your score on the exam? | |
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| I used Microsoft training kit, some study guides, Test king, Transcender, and Exam essentials ( extremly helpful). plus do any practice possible. you will have no problem passing. good luck | |
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| Can you tell me what parts of the training kit book from microsoft helped you the most as well as the troytec etc? What new resources will you be trying now for round #3?
Minimum requirements for a Win2k box is a p133 i believe so no a 486 is out of the question. It takes me almost a minute to log on to my pii 350 running win2k pro. i just got a second computer and have set up a network.
What do you guys recommend be put on the second pc: win2k pro or win2k server or advanced server in order to prepare for the 70-210? | |
| ANDRONDA 2002-11-04, 8:12 am |
| The VUE administraor told me Friday after I had taken my test that they were receiving a high number of failures for the past two weeks on all MS certification exams.
Microsoft is likely changing things around a bit. | |
| soxfan09 2002-11-04, 10:51 am |
| The last time I took the test was about 2 months ago, so I was told what my score was as soon as the test was finished. I'm told this no longer is the case and that you only receive a pass/fail score.
I honestly could not tell you what study materials helped me the most, because I have not passed the test yet. I'am however, using something called CBT Nuggets, which is a CDRom that has the visuals and a guy talking and explaining what he is doing. I'm taking notes during these "sessions" and it seems to help me retain. It's also very helpful fo someone like me who has no network to see exactly what certain things look like (RIS, etc).
~Mark | |
| hairy51 2002-11-04, 3:50 pm |
| I feel the same to you, i am new to all this certification stuff aswell, i have 70-210 booked for the 9th of december, and 70-215 a week later.
I lots of course books and exam notes, but i am still really worried about the exams!
I haven't got access to a win2k network either, but i was thinking about setting up a 2 system network at home.
Would having a 2 computer workgroup (Both running 2k pro) give me an extra chance at getting through the exam?
I hope so.
Good luck with your exams in the future, i'm sure you will do it next time! | |
| ANDRONDA 2002-11-04, 4:38 pm |
| Any system running W2K that has administrative an account will be of benefit on 70-210. You can add in the snap in modules and play around with them.
I do not know about server though. | |
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| Guys,
I have setup a network but want to know what things I should install as far as server components are concerned for the 70-210?
Currently, I am running Win2k pro on both PCs. I only have a eval copy of Adv Server.
Someone who has taken the exam and knows how the question are distributed, please tell me what things I need that basically would require a network(and win2k server, adv server) and what can you glean from just win2k pro. I want to know this from exam 70-210 perpective.
Anyone who has passed 70-210, dont hate, just participate.
Buh bye.
all relevant parties, please reply back |
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