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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
        
(Message started by: Dragnlance on Jun 27^th, 2006, 10:32am)

Title: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Dragnlance on Jun 27^th, 2006, 10:32am

oK, As Matt stated, this is one of the hardest, if not THE hardest tests I have ever taken. The practice tests were not even close to the real format of the test.
I did not pass THIS TIME. You need a score of 700, and I scored 603..

I now know what to expect and the test facility gave me a generic sheet explaining where my weak areas are. I am rescheduled for July 24. (I was smart, and signed up for Microsoft's free second shot offer, which is good, because I don't have the cash for a second attempt).
Looks like my summer is going to be shot in the butt, with all the studys I have to pursue. :-/
Thank you for your caring.
The HAs are still here, but are giving me a little space by staying at a lower level of pain than usual. I hope it holds! Anyway, off to bed I go, hope to sleep and tomorrow, begin studies anew.
Quiet Dreams my friends.
Lance

Hey EveryOne!

Well, this is it. In just over 2 1/2 hours I go in to take one of my Microsoft certification tests. This is a big deal for me, as it will open some career doors for me. While not as difficult as Linux certs, this is still a difficult test, and am hoping you can send me some positive vibes and prayers that the test goes well.
I have been taking practice tests several times a day for the last week now, and have been averaging between 87 and 96%. I hope it is enough. It will also be very cool to be able to say that I am a Microsoft Certified Professional!
Anyway, going to jump back to some quick studies before the test, so I will talk to you later.
Thank you Everyone!!

Lance

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by Mattrf on Jun 27^th, 2006, 10:38am

Hope you do well, and you are right they are hard test, take it from an MCSE who has been through it.
They are designed not to pass on the first attempt so don’t beet yourself up if you do not get it the first time.
If you do pass then go have a beer and celebrate because you done good my man!
I need to update mine but I hate the test so much that I keep putting it off, and since I have a good job there is not much motivation to put myself through that kind of torture.

It is well worth having your MCSE and it will open a lot of doors and help you get a job that pays well so keep at it and good luck. PM me if you have any questions.

Matt

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by LeLimey on Jun 27^th, 2006, 10:53am

Good luck Lance - hope you don't need it!
Let us know how you get on 'cos we're all thinking of you and ~~kicking you up the bum~~ cheering you on! ;;D
Helen

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by alchemy on Jun 27^th, 2006, 10:58am

Goodluck Lance!! I hope you nail it.
jim

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by Redd715 on Jun 27^th, 2006, 12:06pm

Best of Luck Bud!!!!!! I'm pulling for ya!!

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by zwibbs/Scott on Jun 27^th, 2006, 12:15pm

Knock em dead Lance !!!

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by nani on Jun 27^th, 2006, 1:14pm

You can do it, Lance! (I'll send good juju anyway).
hugs, nani

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by Sandy_C on Jun 27^th, 2006, 1:21pm

Good luck! I'm sure you'll nail it!

Sandy

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by Jasmyn on Jun 27^th, 2006, 1:24pm

Go for it Lance, full throttle!

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by Charlotte on Jun 27^th, 2006, 1:45pm

Good luck.

Missed you.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time
Post by cootie on Jun 27^th, 2006, 11:38pm

Luck vibes bein sent......good lucker Pam

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Dragnlance on Jun 27^th, 2006, 11:38pm

just a bump to show I updated this

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Richr8 on Jun 28^th, 2006, 1:31am

Been missin ya dude! Give it alll you got and make it happen.

I'm behind you bro! Oh wait a minute, that's chewy. ;;D

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Jasmyn on Jun 28^th, 2006, 3:27am

Sorry you did not pass it this time but like the Afrikaans saying goes:"Aanhouer wen!" - "The one who keeps going wins the day!" :)

This is definitely worth your while and I do believe that you can do it. It is always good to have a test run and know what to expect, you'll be better prepared the next time.

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by LeLimey on Jun 28^th, 2006, 5:12am

Lance 603 isn't shabby my friend, now that you know what to expect I have every faith in you for next time.
You have all of us behind you 110% and I would just like to point out that I'm much better at bum-kicking than maths! ;;D
You can do it, you will do it and WE? We'll all be doing the happy dance with you!
lots of love
Helen xxx

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Melissa on Jun 28^th, 2006, 8:32am

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/mfiltz/GoodLuck.gif
Lance, I'm sure you'll kick butt the 2nd time around!

:-*melly

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Mattrf on Jun 28^th, 2006, 11:00am

Lance sorry you did not pass on your first run, I know how disappointing it is, I have failed a couple myself when I went for my MCSE. What are you using for a prep? Have you ever heard of Transcender practice exams?
It is what got me through the tests, it is the closest thing to the real test, if you go through it then print out the wrong answers it will give you the right answer and a paragraph or two on why it is the right answer so you learn why it is the right answer. They are well worth the money bud.
http://www.transcender.com/dept.aspx?dept%5Fid=100000

Matt

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Charlie on Jun 29^th, 2006, 12:22am

Wow.

It's true. Nothing's ever easy. Rats.

We're widja though. Lots of vibes.

Charlie

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Dragnlance on Jun 29^th, 2006, 2:04pm

Thank you everyone!

Matt,
I have heard of, and used Transender. I used it this time to help gauge my knowledge, but it was not much better that the tests I already have.
I am using the Microsoft self paced training kit, which I assumed would prepare me well. I backed this up with ExamCram, and Sybex Test Prep. I read all three books cover to cover.
I ordered the test preps from TestKing.com, and am quite surprised, because of the 5 different test engines I have tried, this is the only one that has the format the same as the real test, as well as the same questions. So far I have identified 27 of the questions that I had on the real test. I believe if I had this before I took the test, I would have been more prepared for the test.
I feel more confident that I will pass the second time, now that I have this to help me.

Lance

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Ghost on Jun 29^th, 2006, 2:16pm

Party after the test! ;;D
Good luck and always trust your 1st instinct! ;;D

Mike

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Mattrf on Jun 29^th, 2006, 2:41pm

Glad you found some good practice tests to help. I always waited till I was dam near acing the practice tests before I would take the real one and it worked pretty well for me.

Just don’t get discouraged it is well worth the time and effort, even if it does seem you have no life for six months or longer. When I past my last test I went to Reno Nevada with a buddy and drank and gambled for a week to celebrate and do a little brain purging. I literally felt like I could not fit one more bit of data in my head by the time I was done with all the tests.

Keep at it bud, you will get it done and be very proud of what you accomplished and remember if it was easy then it would not mean anything to have it, it proves that you know what you are doing.
[smiley=damncomputer.gif]
Matt

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Sandy_C on Jun 29^th, 2006, 3:12pm

Now that you know where your weak areas are, you are good to go!. You can do it!, keep positive thoughts!

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Richr8 on Jun 29^th, 2006, 3:36pm

You don't fail until you stop trying. Everything else is practice. ;)

Keep swinging!

Title: Re: Almost Crunch Time UPDATED
Post by Mattrf on Jun 29^th, 2006, 3:38pm

Oh if Microsoft only made it that easy. One of the things I hated about there test was that they are very vague in what you missed, they will tell you a section but you have no idea what questions you got wrong. The kicker is that there will be two or three answers that would work, but what they want is what they think is right and most of the time that does not jive with the real world and how you would do it. They leave just enough data out that you can not make a proper decision, it drove me nuts when I took these tests.
If you sat out side a testing center you would laugh at how many people come out swearing and yelling and just being all kinds of pist off at the tests. I never lost it but I saw many that did, they are really hard tests to pass.