| Author |
Don't take 70-216! Take 70-216!
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| Carl Mc Dade 2002-03-15, 7:10 am |
| Forget all the training kits the cramsessions. You will not pass 216 the first time and maybe not the second. The new pass or fail test is not something that can be studied for. There is absolutley nothing in presently available study materials that will help you.
Your only hope is to have a network of 5 machines and install everything. Then just take the test. Regardless of your level of knowledge, take the test to see what's needed.
70-216 ask no questions that can be solved using everyday networking experience. If you are a net admin for a fortune 500 company that has high security network of 1000's of nodes configured in different manners then you can probably do it in a walk.
I will not try this again for another year and only if I am forced to do it as part of my job. Even then I will protest. Microsoft has out done itself this time. | |
| katman 2002-03-15, 7:29 am |
| I took 70-216 the first time and passed. I also used the MS study guide and yes I have a three pc network for testing.
I have currently been passing an exam every eight weeks (70-210, 70-215, 70-222, 70-216)
I think the MS study guides have worked just fine; If you put the time in!
Good Luck.
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| unreal 2002-03-15, 8:00 am |
| Both of you have agree on one point-the need for a test network of at least 3 computers. I've just build a new PC, 2 up and 1 more to go. It's really not just a know-how issue, it's a "do" how issue. | |
| wbafrank 2002-03-15, 10:10 am |
|  Yes this exam is a beast, but also passable and I agree "Hands-on" is the key to success on this exam. | |
| Flubber6755 2002-03-15, 1:53 pm |
| If your having trouble with the 216 test then you might want to try taking your 210 test, and get some more hands on. | |
| Carl Mc Dade 2002-03-15, 2:38 pm |
| 70-210 and 70-215 have nothing in common with this latest version of the test. They were easy in comparison. I come from Winnt and have had windows 2000 since beta. The questions are not the sort that just popup during normal work hours. Especially if you have had a peer to peer or a nicely working server network. I only used the training kit spent five weeks with that and then used Transcenders.
I also noticed that a lot of the questions are based on dial up services. This is something that is non-existent in my corner of the world. Using Microsoft products for Encryption and certificate services also are not tops on this list here in Europe.
Ahh, well on to 70-228 and 70-229. Then decide again after the mental heat has died a bit. | |
| cross36 2002-03-15, 7:24 pm |
| Carl is right, you have to prepare on this beast of a challenge.
But luckily i prepared a good 5 weeks all 7 days of each.
Time did pay off | |
| DivxGuy 2002-03-15, 8:49 pm |
| Hmm...does this mean I should turn my spare machine into a W2K Server for practice purposes? I've been holding off on this, because I'd have to buy a router and a switcher.
On the other hand, a while back, I was reading these complaints regarding 70-029 from someone claiming to be a SQL Server DBA, about how he'd failed the exam several times, and that it was unfair and too hard. I passed it on the first attempt, and I'd never been a SQL Server DBA, either.
RD | |
| CyberDude 2002-03-16, 6:39 am |
| Carl Mc Dade,
what you do have to remember though mate, is that if you want to become MCSE 2000 you will have to pass this exam. It will not go in the corner, curl into a ball and start crying because people are failing it or they are saying it is hard.
The hardest exam I have encountered so far from MS was Server in the Enterprise. It was an adaptable exam. The intro for that exam was that from the second question onwards your answer will be assessed by the engine and will then be given either an easier or harder question.
Well, my questions started off hard and just carried on getting harder. So naturally, I thought I was riding this baby good, until I looked at the result screen. I could only just distinguish a slight difference in the two score bars it was that close. I believe I passed the exam by a fraction of a question.
As you are employed in the industry then I expect that you have a test LAN like all other companies. This is far more than most people have. I for one have a three computer hub network, which I hope will be enough to satisfy the lack of a real life play enviroment.
Keep cool, and next time you will ride her good. | |
| KScheler 2002-03-16, 11:17 am |
| I agree with CyberDude, in that the NT Enterprise exam was by far one of THE hardest MS exams to date. After my first 6 questions I was ready to get up and leave but hung in there and passed it.
I also agree that, if at all possible, set up some type of test lab so you can get familiar with the product. Install DHCP, WINS, DNS, RRAS, etc. and go to them when you are stumped on a subject and see for yourself what the books or study guides are talking about. I did this also when studying for Proxy 2.0. That exam required you to know what menus to go to to do certian things. There was NO way of knowing unless you could work with the product.
Good Luck.
KS | |
| katman 2002-03-16, 12:03 pm |
| I think I'm hearing from everyone(almost) that to pass any of the exams, applying your self and put the time in; the exams will start to add up.
I know when I started 7 exams seemed like a tall order. I have now just passed my fourth one; Just Take them ONE at a time!
I'm moving on to the 70-217 exam. I wish everyone good luck (but you won't need it) on passing.
katman
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| HeyDerFuNK 2002-03-16, 12:53 pm |
| Just to add a little here...
I just took/failed the test. I haven't taken a test for about 6 months but had completed Pro,Server and AD. This test was close to AD in some of the material but added a lot of Dial Up, VPN type questions.
The new score result system is a huge disappointment. Now I have NO clue as to where I was weak at as it doesn't say anything besides FAILED... Thank you for the $125 donation, now get out of that seat so we can collect s'more.
I went in to this test feeling I had a pretty good grasp on the test material and felt that way through about half of the questions. The others I made an educated guess on but I guess that is my only hint as to where to study. Personally, I like seeing the bar graphs that show areas tested by the exam as well as the point system. That would add a little more "good feeling" to spending $125 and getting at least something out of the FAIL.
This is another one of those STUDY STUDY and when your head is pounding... STUDY MORE!
Best of Luck to ALL! | |
| sebrojas 2002-03-16, 6:34 pm |
| I'm not the only who has passed it on the first try in this forum. Hands on pays off! | |
| unreal 2002-03-16, 8:59 pm |
| It's a pain for me(maybe not for those who are lucky) to cough out 'extra bucks' and a 'headache' if your home don't have so much 'space' to put in 3 computers-ie. 4 by 4 metres or room space-minus away a 'King' size bed, and bookshelf, clothing closet, 14" TV. Worst, I could be force to get a LCD ! Guess, it's literally, no 'pain' not 'gain'. | |
| kilter 2002-03-17, 8:14 am |
| I just passad 70-216 on Saturday. I thought 65 instead of 55 questions was an advantage. Now there's more opportunities to answer questions you know. You can still pass this test and answer 24 questions wrong. You don't have to know everything. I thought the test was easy. I have a evaluation copy of server and I looked at all the different screens and wizards but I only have one computer. You don't need a network to learn this stuff. This test is very easy. Like all Microsoft tests it's mostly reading comprehension. More often than not the wording of the question gives away the answer. Just learn the jargon and this test is a breeze. | |
| unreal 2002-03-17, 8:04 pm |
| Congratulations !!! You need to reward yourself generously | |
| DivxGuy 2002-03-17, 9:37 pm |
| Well, I think I am going to buy a case and hard drive for my old PII-350 mobo/CPU, and put together a Win2K Server test machine anyways. Better safe than sorry!
RD | |
| jp_d55 2002-03-17, 11:03 pm |
| Nobody said it would be easy.....i think study books and testings are ok, they got me throught 210,215,217 and they will get me over THE BEAST.
Study With A Vengeance.
 Good Luck To You. | |
| TW2001 2002-03-17, 11:09 pm |
| quote:
It will not go in the corner, curl into a ball and start crying because people are failing it or they are saying it is hard
Love it...ROFL | |
| katman 2002-03-18, 7:13 am |
| UNREAL; I know what you mean.
I was forced to clean my basement and setup shop before I took my first exam.
Space can be a problem
(heat too in the basement) | |
| CyberDude 2002-03-18, 7:21 am |
| Why is everyone calling the 216 a beast? I finished reading my book two days ago, and have not finished chapter three of my 217 book. I am having more trouble getting the latter into my head than the former. But when it is all said and done, I have not sat the exam yet so who knows what my opinion will be after that. Happy hunter all, and keep smiling. "AND That's the Bottom Line Cos' CyberDude Say's So". Sorry for that, but I have just finished watching Wrestlemania 18, AWESOME!! | |
| secondskin 2002-03-18, 12:14 pm |
| I have spoken to alot of my friends and they all say that 216 is the worst exam out of the lot. The questions are long, complex and very draining apparently.
A lot of other people on this board seem to have the same opinion.
I would be inclined to believe them.
But thats just my opinion. You may go in there and find it a breeze, who knows. | |
| DivxGuy 2002-03-18, 12:18 pm |
| quote:
The questions are long, complex and very draining apparently.
Funny, that was my opinion of 70-029 (the hardest MCP exam I have taken to date).
RD | |
| katman 2002-03-18, 12:22 pm |
| I would agree "The questions are long, complex and draining" I would also say the 70-222 has been the hardest exam to date for me!
I do like the quote
"The questions are long, complex and very draining apparently"
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| secondskin 2002-03-18, 12:26 pm |
| When I am referring to "hardest exam out of the lot", Im not really talking about the MCSD track. | |
| DivxGuy 2002-03-18, 12:28 pm |
| 70-029 is usable with the MCSD, MCDBA, and MCSE tracks, as far as I know.
RD | |
| secondskin 2002-03-18, 12:31 pm |
| Thats true, but I dont intend on learning data base managment so I wont be touching any electives covering DBs inorder to get my MCSE. | |
| DivxGuy 2002-03-18, 1:04 pm |
| Well I am greedy - I want all three of those premium certs!
RD | |
| mconnolly 2002-03-18, 10:17 pm |
| Having taken 210,215,216,217,218, I will agree that the hardest one was 216, But I must also say that 216 is not as impossible as some are claiming. Two of the greatest benefits of this site are the continual encouragement from all of the users, and the quick responces that we all get to our questions.
with that all said, I must add that I truely feel that there does not exist a test in this world that hold back anyone that is prepared and has the continued support of all of the users of this site.
I feel that the key to this test is understand why they(the creators of the various protocols) made the decisions that they did. if you can understand the fundamentals of the protocols then the rest will come easy. | |
| Psydefx 2002-03-19, 12:17 am |
| Take the general areas covered by topic (not the way people/books tell it).
Protocols is one topic. Make a list of all the protocols you can find that have anything to do with MS and make a chart. Learn what they do and compare them to the others.
Then go to PORTs
Don't forget about services
Remember:
NIC
NDIS/ODI
Protocol
TDI
Services
Applications
What this is about is basic communication. With that in mind, use your trusty OSI model, and flow the information from one place to the next.
Then watch it happen real time. Do it on a network with NetMon or a real sniffer working and look at what happens and how these little pieces work to/for/against one another.
(Don't forget name resolution)
If you know what has to happen to communicate in a given circumstance, the only thing that will trip you up is reading the question... which is actually only second to nerves in causing test failure. | |
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| Passed this exam on 16 March, you guys are right, it was very tough and difficult but then it is also passable.
Used some braindumps together with Syngress and Osborne's windows 2000 network administration. Had questions on wins, dhcp, dns, pptp, l2tp, vpn; if you know these topics well, you are on your way to seeing the "congratulations" message. There were some questions that I didn't have answers or ideas but I guess my prayers were answered cos half way thru the exam, i wanted to get up and leave but i just kept my patience in the cooler and pressed on.
Microsoft is really raising the bar this time cos the questions were set by the meanest crooks in microsoft. | |
| DivxGuy 2002-03-19, 10:46 am |
| I felt that way half-way through the 70-029 exam, but in the end I got a score better than 100 points over the minimum needed to pass.
RD |
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