70-216 - Why is it called The Beast?

Author

Why is it called The Beast?

Tech Ranger

2003-02-11, 8:44 pm

Can someone please explain in specific terms why this test is called The Beast? Is the test fair? Does it ask questions outside the stated objectives? Is there anything wrong with it? If you truly learn the material, shouldn't you pass? Are there any specific subject areas that are so profoundly complex that they transcend comprehension? What can one do to prepare so that one's experience is not a battle with a Beast?

Slinky

2003-02-11, 9:41 pm

Let me take a stab at this. I considered the test to be fair, and nothing was covered that wasn't in the objectives and nothing came to me by surprise. What makes it difficult is the length of the questions and the choose more than one answers. Many of the questions took up over a page and some of the answers went all the way up to G. I encoutered only a couple true "choose all that apply", but most were choose 2 or 3, which isn't that bad. There are also tons of graphics. I would say about 60% of the questions had some sort of graphic associated with it. Every single one, from what I remember, involved a routed environment even if it was a simple question asking about WINS or DHCP which added to the overall complexity. There are also simulation questions which test your knowledge on actual implementation of the subject, and a few of them got pretty hairy. You actually have to perform the steps to get through it. I kind of like those better, because it really tests your hands on knowledge with your book smarts, and it makes it more difficult for people to use braindumps. All of this combines into one mental taxing exam.

Overall I think I did pretty well on it even though I didn't get a score. I spent many months getting ready for it and it paid off in the end. Study the objectives and couple that with hands on and you should do fine.

Spid

2003-02-11, 9:57 pm

I believe it was originally called The Beast due to it's high failure rate. It was definitely the weedout exam for MCSE's.

Besides the fact that the amount of subject material is great, the level of detail is great as well. You need to know a lot about a lot of things.

Is it passable, sure. Could you walk in and fail the first time, sure.

Is it fair? I think so, but it does ask some tough questions that you may not be able to answer by just reading a book, study guide or what have you. You need hands-on with this exam. There are loads of choose all that apply questions, and the questions are fairly long-winded to boot.

"If you truely learn the material shouldn't you pass?" - I don't exactly know what you getting at with that question/statement. I mean, I've taken enough MS exams over the past 3 years to know that you can't make that cut and dry of a statement. There have been some questions asked in an MS exam where I'm just shaking my head going what the heck are you asking? I also know people who are much more knowledgable than I in Windows networking infrastructure concepts, implementation, etc... and have failed the exam. Some people just have a more difficult time taking a test, any test, than others.

I studied for 3 months preparing this exam, and to be honest, it's the only one to date that I wasn't 100% confident in my ability to pass it.

Slinky

2003-02-11, 10:17 pm

This may sound silly, but the only test where I thought I was going to fail was 70-218, and that was because I didn't study a lick for it. That was about the only time where my over confidence didn't come back to bite me.

I was somewhat assured in knowing that I would pass 70-216.

luisjo

2003-02-11, 10:36 pm

I think they call it the beast, because many people fail over and over, but really it gets on your brain, im suppost to take it but i try to take other test, 3 so far, i pass all of them but, im scare of the beast, so if i pass my next exam, ill give a review of the 216 and take it, whats the worst that can happend, just to join the meat club the beast has eaten.

Good luck,

hairy51

2003-02-12, 7:13 am

Not looking forward to this one !!!

luisjo

2003-02-12, 8:56 am

dude you have to pass these one in order to have your mcse2000 cert, no turn around dude.

dlizard

2003-02-17, 7:55 am

Why is everyone talking about this exam like they are afaid of this beast. I am viewing if as just an exam that if I was doing MCSA I would not have to sit because I have A+ and Network+

This beast shall die on the 26th

Spid

2003-02-17, 10:27 am

quote:
Originally posted by dlizard
Why is everyone talking about this exam like they are afaid of this beast. I am viewing if as just an exam that if I was doing MCSA I would not have to sit because I have A+ and Network+

This beast shall die on the 26th

I was never "afraid" of the beast. Just wasn't 100% confident in my ability to pass it on the first go around.

Go in with all the confidence you want, that's a good thing to have walking into any exam. But the simple fact remains, if you underestimate this exam, it will smack you. And that's speaking from my experience when I took the exam. Other views may vary.

Best of luck to you!

cm2gj

2003-02-17, 10:41 am

The exam is called the beast just because some things:

* several people fail this exams
* is a wordy exam
* needs real world practice
* just a book is not enough
* have lot of materials to study
* you need all resources you can to prepare for this one
* have several graphics and "select all that apply"
* have to many good options so the "elimination way" is almost out on this one

but the exam is passable. i know very good net professionals, certified on cisco and several Unix and linux certs who fail this exam 2 or 3 times.

i remember a guy who pass all 6 exams of mcse 2k in 2 months and fail 70216 7 times!!!! fortunately i send study materials to this person and he achieve mcse on just 3 weeks after contact me.

nice look on 216!

luisjo

2003-02-17, 1:21 pm

Thanks alexis, your always so helpfull. Well may i remind you YOU HAVE TO STUDY FOR THE DESIGN BEAST??????, Hit the books jack, i mean Alexis.

cm2gj

2003-02-17, 3:46 pm

quote:
Originally posted by luisjo
Thanks alexis, your always so helpfull. Well may i remind you YOU HAVE TO STUDY FOR THE DESIGN BEAST??????, Hit the books jack, i mean Alexis.

yes!!!! i must design a beast enviroment!!!

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