Well an hearty thanks goes out to those that helped on the board. I sat down this afternoon with mojo in hand and 175 minutes later was overjoyed at the "congratulations you have passed your exam" message.

It was tough, by far the toughest IT exam that I have taken to date. It tests both knowledge and accumulated experience.Yes, it was tougher than the old IIS4 and TCP\IP exams.

I'm going to echo and comment on some of Cris'(Cross36) thoughts that he made on his pass through the forest of the BEAST. I am also curious if anyone has noticed a format change on the test besides the move to 65 questions.

quote:

---

It took me 80 minutes to complete. Here's my advice to everyone now. I marked a total of 11 questions to come back to and answer. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT SPEND MORE THAN 2 MINUTES ON ANY ONE QUESTION trying to answer what you can't recall. Mark them and go ahead. It helped me. When i retured to the marked questions, it all appeared more clearer to me.

---

This is a good piece of advice because you're going to need a little test taking skill on this test. I personally have a hard time leaving things alone and subsequently did not finish all the questions (7 short). I read for comprehension, not speed and that has saved my butt on M$ exams before. It's those little details.

Now on the subject of reading for comprehension, honestly the test format seems more complicated than the previous 2000 tests (210, 215,217). By that, I mean the questions were longer, more complicated and had more discerning details. On the subject of visual format, be prepared for multiple windows open on the desktop that may throw your concentration. IE. a question of 2 screens in lenqth with an imbeded master diagram and 2 exhibits plus a drag and drop solution screen. Have fun with that on a 14" 640x480 screen. There were several of these. Ok now if there going to do this...I'm tendering a formal request that all test centers be supplied with 22" monitors...Nuts

quote:

---

I can't stress enough know;
SCOPES
RRAS
IAS
LCS
RCL
PPTP
LT2P
DHCP
ACTIVE DIRECTORY
RELAY AGENTS
A HOST
FORWARD & REVERSE ZONES

Plain and Simple know everything
.

---

Be aware that these questions were not aimed at a simple SOHO environment or for that matter a small network. Be prepared to think and analyze fo larger setups. These questions were aimed at solid midsized enterprise and internet enabled environments. IT was very heavy on web access. I agree that the test was well within the audience profile from Microsoft however I really do believe that you need at least 2 years experience and frankly I don't think most admin's will let support personnel near firewalls and core routing until at least 2 1/2 years of experience.


Audience Profile
Candidates for this exam operate in medium to very large computing environments that use the Windows 2000 network operating system. They have a minimum of one year's experience implementing and administering network operating systems in environments that have the following characteristics:

Supported users range from 200-26,000+
Physical locations range from 5-150+
Typical network services and applications include file and print, database, messaging, proxy server or firewall, dial-in server, desktop management, and Web hosting.
Connectivity needs include connecting individual offices and users at remote locations to the corporate network and connecting corporate networks to the Internet.

Ok, my list of subject content that you better be prepared for, in order of priority...

DHCP Like the back of your hand
DNS Like the back of your hand especially as it relates to performance with internet services in a multisubnetted and RRAS accessed environment.
CERTIFICATE SERVICES: Know the ins and outs of its design..luckily, I read up on some 220 stuff to cover the gap. Know all versions of certificate servers, their placement and benefits.

ROUTING
Tables (especially tables for demand routing in a multisubnetted and RRAS accessed environment.)
VLSM FOR ROUTERS
RIP especially v1 VS. v2
OSPF
SUBNETTING
DEMAND ROUTING
FILTERS
PPTP
LT2P
MULTICAST
WINS

My preparations tools for this exam included:

1. Syngress\OSBORNE Windows 2000 Network Administration 70-216 Study Guide by Thom and Deb Shinder ISBN 0-07-212383-4
Covers about 85% of the subject matter tested thoroughly...HIGHLY RECOMMEND

2. CBT nuggets 70-216 and 70-220 (Security PKI infrastructure) 55% of the coverage useful only as a review supplement.

3 Cisco course materials..VLSM and Subnetting good for routers

4 Prentice Hall Internetworking with TCP\IP on WinNT 4 Kostya Ryvkin

5 Extensive LAB work


Again my thanks go out to Freak, WBAfrank, Cross36 and the rest of the regulars on the board.

To all good luck

__________________
Regards,

Jefe


You want me to do what by when? Sure, boss, sure I can make a pig fly! But, neither the pig nor the SPCA will be happy about the landing! eljefe 10/1/99

Report this post to a moderator

on a job well done!!

__________________
One Exam leads to another! Where will it ever end?

Report this post to a moderator

WTG!! Conquered the Beast!

Some good advice too! Thanks!

__________________
Keyboard not functioning. Press F1 to continue....

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to use the Net and he won't bother you for weeks.

What goes up must come down. Ask any system administrator.

If a trainstation is where the train stops, what's a workstation...?

Report this post to a moderator

Outstanding!!! We appreciate your insight!!! And good luck on the next one !!!

__________________
Due to financial problems, the light at the end of the tunnel will be shut down until further notice.

Report this post to a moderator

Congrats!!

Report this post to a moderator

Outstanding you study and prepared truthfully and read many of our commentaries.
Enjoy this weekend of relaxation.
Also best preparations on your next task.

Congradulations!

__________________
Riding the endless light of fortunes...

http://www.darkroads.com

Report this post to a moderator

Congratulations on the pass!!

__________________
Peace Out
-=PotatoHead=-
A+, CNA, MCP, MCSA, Net+

Report this post to a moderator