microsoft.public.cert.exams.mcse - Self-training good idea?

Author

Self-training good idea?

bishop22

2003-03-09, 3:23 am

Hi all,

Could I get some replies from those of you who studied
for, and passed, MCSE tests with AND without taking a
formal course? Specifically, I want some advice about
which of my two possible scenarios to choose:

Scenario #1:

I have a "discounted" offer to take a 2-week, 10-
hours/day MCSA and MCSE boot camp with some co-workers,
for $4,700 (which includes lab, books, and exams fees).
So I would have the benefit of an instructor, class-room
setting, and study buddies.

Scenario #2:

I currently have one well-equipped computer, a copy of
Windows 2000, and a copy of Windows 2000 Server. If I
buy another computer which meets-or slightly exceeds-
Win2K system requirements ($800), then buy all
7 "Microsoft Press" MCSE study kits ($300), and pay for
the tests on my own ($900), I could probably do the whole
thing for about $2,000--and walk away with a new computer
(plus I wouldn't have to cram it all into a two-week
period).

Any advice?

Thanks,
Rob

billyw

2003-03-09, 6:23 am

i would caution against using a boot camp.
but it depends on your level of knowledge to start with.
here in the UK you can have a 16 week course for the money you are paying
(roughly)

best thing is home study.. to you list of things to get, get a copy of
vmware www.vmware.com and i would also suggest using the sybex books and not
the MS press books. the mspress are a good referance tool, after you know
about the subject, but as a learning tool they are pretty shit

and the moral of this story.. save your money

"bishop22" <robert_johans22@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:008201c2e615$b0967fb0$330
1280a@phx.gbl...
> Hi all,
>
> Could I get some replies from those of you who studied
> for, and passed, MCSE tests with AND without taking a
> formal course? Specifically, I want some advice about
> which of my two possible scenarios to choose:
>
> Scenario #1:
>
> I have a "discounted" offer to take a 2-week, 10-
> hours/day MCSA and MCSE boot camp with some co-workers,
> for $4,700 (which includes lab, books, and exams fees).
> So I would have the benefit of an instructor, class-room
> setting, and study buddies.
>
> Scenario #2:
>
> I currently have one well-equipped computer, a copy of
> Windows 2000, and a copy of Windows 2000 Server. If I
> buy another computer which meets-or slightly exceeds-
> Win2K system requirements ($800), then buy all
> 7 "Microsoft Press" MCSE study kits ($300), and pay for
> the tests on my own ($900), I could probably do the whole
> thing for about $2,000--and walk away with a new computer
> (plus I wouldn't have to cram it all into a two-week
> period).
>
> Any advice?
>
> Thanks,
> Rob

Delbert Matlock

2003-03-09, 9:23 am

"bishop22" <robert_johans22@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Could I get some replies from those of you who studied
>for, and passed, MCSE tests with AND without taking a
>formal course? Specifically, I want some advice about
>which of my two possible scenarios to choose:
>
>Scenario #1:
>
>I have a "discounted" offer to take a 2-week, 10-
>hours/day MCSA and MCSE boot camp with some co-workers,
>for $4,700 (which includes lab, books, and exams fees).
>So I would have the benefit of an instructor, class-room
>setting, and study buddies.
>
>Scenario #2:
>
>I currently have one well-equipped computer, a copy of
>Windows 2000, and a copy of Windows 2000 Server. If I
>buy another computer which meets-or slightly exceeds-
>Win2K system requirements ($800), then buy all
>7 "Microsoft Press" MCSE study kits ($300), and pay for
>the tests on my own ($900), I could probably do the whole
>thing for about $2,000--and walk away with a new computer
>(plus I wouldn't have to cram it all into a two-week
>period).

One problem with a boot camp is that you can't go back and test the
items your weak on afterward. If you have the equipment there to use
you can try and try again until you are satisfied.

I did self study for all of my certifications (listed below). It does
work and you shouldn't have to give all your money to an instructor.
Two computers will allow you to recreate most scenarios that the study
guides will throw at you, so a big lab isn't needed.

To see how I structured my own studies, take a look here:

http://www.selfstudycerts.com/10step/

Good luck!

-- Delbert Matlock
-- MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, CCNA, Network+, A+
-- http://www.SelfStudyCerts.com/

--
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Prometheus

2003-03-09, 9:23 am

I used the self-study method. It actually helped me land my new position.

They told me they were more impressed with the motivation and dedication
required to do it on my own than if I had attended classes.

Not sure if they were blowing sunshine up my skirt, but there you go.

"bishop22" <robert_johans22@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:008201c2e615$b0967fb0$330
1280a@phx.gbl...
> Hi all,
>
> Could I get some replies from those of you who studied
> for, and passed, MCSE tests with AND without taking a
> formal course? Specifically, I want some advice about
> which of my two possible scenarios to choose:
>
> Scenario #1:
>
> I have a "discounted" offer to take a 2-week, 10-
> hours/day MCSA and MCSE boot camp with some co-workers,
> for $4,700 (which includes lab, books, and exams fees).
> So I would have the benefit of an instructor, class-room
> setting, and study buddies.
>
> Scenario #2:
>
> I currently have one well-equipped computer, a copy of
> Windows 2000, and a copy of Windows 2000 Server. If I
> buy another computer which meets-or slightly exceeds-
> Win2K system requirements ($800), then buy all
> 7 "Microsoft Press" MCSE study kits ($300), and pay for
> the tests on my own ($900), I could probably do the whole
> thing for about $2,000--and walk away with a new computer
> (plus I wouldn't have to cram it all into a two-week
> period).
>
> Any advice?
>
> Thanks,
> Rob

2003-03-09, 3:23 pm

I would recommend scenario #2 for a couple of reasons. 1 - I'm biased
against boot camps.
2 - You can study at a pace that's comfortable for you and will still have
all of the equipment when it's all over for further studies/training.

--
vt

"bishop22" <robert_johans22@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:008201c2e615$b0967fb0$330
1280a@phx.gbl...
> Hi all,
>
> Could I get some replies from those of you who studied
> for, and passed, MCSE tests with AND without taking a
> formal course? Specifically, I want some advice about
> which of my two possible scenarios to choose:
>
> Scenario #1:
>
> I have a "discounted" offer to take a 2-week, 10-
> hours/day MCSA and MCSE boot camp with some co-workers,
> for $4,700 (which includes lab, books, and exams fees).
> So I would have the benefit of an instructor, class-room
> setting, and study buddies.
>
> Scenario #2:
>
> I currently have one well-equipped computer, a copy of
> Windows 2000, and a copy of Windows 2000 Server. If I
> buy another computer which meets-or slightly exceeds-
> Win2K system requirements ($800), then buy all
> 7 "Microsoft Press" MCSE study kits ($300), and pay for
> the tests on my own ($900), I could probably do the whole
> thing for about $2,000--and walk away with a new computer
> (plus I wouldn't have to cram it all into a two-week
> period).
>
> Any advice?
>
> Thanks,
> Rob

Mark Smith

2003-07-22, 1:23 pm

I have worked for a couple of companies which do not rate MCSE's who have
been on boot camps.

Personally have been lucky, the current company I work for have supplied
all the books (I do own all the core ones anyway), and pay for the exams.

Mark

"vt" <email@email.net> wrote in message
news:uzlA8Bo5CHA.2408@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> I would recommend scenario #2 for a couple of reasons. 1 - I'm biased
> against boot camps.
> 2 - You can study at a pace that's comfortable for you and will still have
> all of the equipment when it's all over for further studies/training.
>
> --
> vt
>
>
> "bishop22" <robert_johans22@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:008201c2e615$b0967fb0$330
1280a@phx.gbl...
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Could I get some replies from those of you who studied
> > for, and passed, MCSE tests with AND without taking a
> > formal course? Specifically, I want some advice about
> > which of my two possible scenarios to choose:
> >
> > Scenario #1:
> >
> > I have a "discounted" offer to take a 2-week, 10-
> > hours/day MCSA and MCSE boot camp with some co-workers,
> > for $4,700 (which includes lab, books, and exams fees).
> > So I would have the benefit of an instructor, class-room
> > setting, and study buddies.
> >
> > Scenario #2:
> >
> > I currently have one well-equipped computer, a copy of
> > Windows 2000, and a copy of Windows 2000 Server. If I
> > buy another computer which meets-or slightly exceeds-
> > Win2K system requirements ($800), then buy all
> > 7 "Microsoft Press" MCSE study kits ($300), and pay for
> > the tests on my own ($900), I could probably do the whole
> > thing for about $2,000--and walk away with a new computer
> > (plus I wouldn't have to cram it all into a two-week
> > period).
> >
> > Any advice?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Rob
>
>

David Maggard

2003-07-28, 5:23 pm

I think pretty much everybody here would say you would be better off doing
self paced and actually 'learning' the material rather than 'cramming' it in
2 weeks, which you will soon forget. If you have coworkers looking at doing
it you would probably benefit by doing it as a group(group-paced), buy 1
group 'server' and 1 workstation(might I suggest an nForce2 Asus Motherboard
with an AMD chip, approx $600-$700 for a really good computer) each person,
and set them up at someones house(maybe for providing the space they get the
server when it is all over), study groups often help, especially if you
discuss the materials. You may be able to get 1 set of books for every 2
people and alternate books. Maybe assign each topic to a person to study or
if they already know the topic and then they can teach the others. Take
turns providing meals or snacks. If you take your tests 1 at a time, have a
party(lan party anyone?) after you pass them, to reward yourselves for your
hard work, "All work and no play makes jack..." ...burn out. Try to keep
each other motivated so they keep you motivated. If someone had difficulty
with a topic help them out so if you have a problem. You get the advantages
of a classroom, without the cost. :-)

The worst thing you could do is cram in all the info just long enough for
the tests, then forget it, it will become apparent to any employer rather
quickly that you don't know the stuff, and unless you plan to move it would
make getting another job hard. Don't Devaluate your own cert, take your
time and really learn it.

Right now is a great time take the MCSE2000 exams and then upgrade to 2003
with 2 tests. Might I suggest the SQL servers electives so you get MCDBA
certified as well
You can get MCSE 2000, MCSE 2003, MCSA 2003, and MCDBA, for 9 exams, add 1
more 218? and get MCSA 2000.

"Mark Smith" <zordon3@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eVwKxFHUDHA.612@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> I have worked for a couple of companies which do not rate MCSE's who have
> been on boot camps.
>
> Personally have been lucky, the current company I work for have supplied
> all the books (I do own all the core ones anyway), and pay for the exams.
>
>
> Mark
>
>
> "vt" <email@email.net> wrote in message
> news:uzlA8Bo5CHA.2408@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > I would recommend scenario #2 for a couple of reasons. 1 - I'm biased
> > against boot camps.
> > 2 - You can study at a pace that's comfortable for you and will still
have
> > all of the equipment when it's all over for further studies/training.
> >
> > --
> > vt
> >
> >
> > "bishop22" <robert_johans22@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:008201c2e615$b0967fb0$330
1280a@phx.gbl...
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > Could I get some replies from those of you who studied
> > > for, and passed, MCSE tests with AND without taking a
> > > formal course? Specifically, I want some advice about
> > > which of my two possible scenarios to choose:
> > >
> > > Scenario #1:
> > >
> > > I have a "discounted" offer to take a 2-week, 10-
> > > hours/day MCSA and MCSE boot camp with some co-workers,
> > > for $4,700 (which includes lab, books, and exams fees).
> > > So I would have the benefit of an instructor, class-room
> > > setting, and study buddies.
> > >
> > > Scenario #2:
> > >
> > > I currently have one well-equipped computer, a copy of
> > > Windows 2000, and a copy of Windows 2000 Server. If I
> > > buy another computer which meets-or slightly exceeds-
> > > Win2K system requirements ($800), then buy all
> > > 7 "Microsoft Press" MCSE study kits ($300), and pay for
> > > the tests on my own ($900), I could probably do the whole
> > > thing for about $2,000--and walk away with a new computer
> > > (plus I wouldn't have to cram it all into a two-week
> > > period).
> > >
> > > Any advice?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Rob
> >
> >
>
>

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