Anyone About start MCSA,A+,N+?

russdev · 09-10-2008, 09:49 PM

Well had the good news work have agreed to pay for MCSA (A+,N+) elective.

Going to be self study so if anyone else about to start it etc so we can try and keep us all going (as certainly I know i am going to need it). Then if post in this thread not sure how to make this all work in practice so open to ideas on that front.

somabc · 09-10-2008, 10:07 PM

Congrats, but if they are paying then why not go away on a course, it would be faster?

Sorry anyway back to the topic, what books are you going to buy for Self Study? The MS Press books?

Amazon.co.uk: MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294): Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Core Requirements, Second Edition: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements: Thomas, Mackin, McLean, Zacker, Spealman,

speckytecky · 10-10-2008, 07:12 AM

I tried an online MCSA with a UK based company a couple of years ago. The support was almost non existent and even though I'd distance learnt with the OU before this course failed to prepare me for the rigor of MS exams. On the other hand I recently attended a 2273B course with QA-IQ - Transforming performance through learning - QA-IQ The 5 day course was just the business and well worth the money the school paid for me to attend.

russdev · 10-10-2008, 10:38 AM

I haven't got the time to do a course due to family commitments etc (easy for me to work in evening and two days a term I get off for CPD) and for me self study is better (and cheaper) way in the long run.

Plan was to do these books : -

Amazon.co.uk: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290): Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Environment, Second Edition: Managing ... a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment: Dan Holme and Orin Thomas: Book
Amazon.co.uk: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-291): Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Network Infrastructure, ... Infrastructure, Sec (Pro Certification): J.C. Mackin and Ian McLean: Books
Amazon.co.uk: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-270): Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional, Second Edition: ... Professional (Pro-Certification (Hardcover)): Walter Glenn and Tony Northrup:
Amazon.co.uk: Network+ Study Guide: Exam N10-003: David Groth, Toby Skandier: Books
Amazon.co.uk: CompTIA Network+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Fourth Edition (All-in-One): Michael Meyers: Books
Amazon.co.uk: A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition (All-In-One): Mike Meyers: Books

But I suspect I will replace ms text books with these types.

Amazon.co.uk: MCSA/MCSE Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (Exam 70-290): Study Guide & DVD Training System: Study Guide and DVD Training System: Syngress: Books

Russ

sparkeh · 10-10-2008, 10:45 AM

Cool, glad you got it sorted Russ.

As you know I just started mine. Had my material delivered last weekend and couldn't believe how much there is!

plexer · 10-10-2008, 11:04 AM

I'm doing a combination of cbt and books allthough I've yet to buy the books.

Doing the cbt through mindleaders.com £130 for access to a complete range of ms course not just the mcsa requirements but a lot more.

Ben

russdev · 10-10-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plexer

I'm doing a combination of cbt and books allthough I've yet to buy the books.

Doing the cbt through mindleaders.com £130 for access to a complete range of ms course not just the mcsa requirements but a lot more.

Ben

Shame didnt see that before hand as looks very interesting know if they had monthly sub like Safari books might of spent my own money on it..

Russ

strawberry · 10-10-2008, 01:20 PM

i used cbt nuggets and sybex books , books are great for digesting information while videos are convenient.

I like to think of it as depth and breadth, books have depth, videos have breadth.

Joanne · 10-10-2008, 01:34 PM

I'm currently reading the MS Vista book... it's very dull and boring and I'm finding it hard to become motivated...

I have set myself a target to pass at least 2 exams by december!! Eap!

I'm going for MCSE though...

jamin100 · 10-10-2008, 01:48 PM

i've had these (link) and this (link) for about 3 months and havn't got motivated to even open them yet....

So if you lot start then so will I !!!

Ben

russdev · 10-10-2008, 04:26 PM

I am told Microsoft press books are very dry at times. Well as they say more the merry might keep us all going. At some point will post the links I have got with various free videos and practice tests (not brain dumps) etc

BaccyNet · 11-10-2008, 12:42 PM

I'm currently studying towards MCSE (currently one off MCSA) MS books can be quite broad and a few that I've used have focussed too much on stuff that wasnt in the exams.

I've been doing mine through a training provider (paid for by me, school hasnt paid a penny towards it!) who host workshops at their centre but also have regular online discussions + email etc.

I'll post up a list of the books I've used so far if anyones interested. The exam I'm doing now (70-291) is a bit of a mare though so you may want to get more than just a book for that one

russdev · 11-10-2008, 09:21 PM

Ordered the books Friday and they turned up this morning (wasn't expecting them till middle of next week.

According to book working from should take me about 49 hours to do the A+.

So have a schedule (got to do this otherwise will end up not starting) that means should be ready for a+ by ending 26/01/2009 that is based on doing a minimum sure can add hours into the schedule.

Russell

Kyle · 11-10-2008, 09:38 PM

I have the MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit books,Amazon.co.uk: MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294): Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Core Requirements, Second Edition: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements: Thomas, Mackin, McLean, Zacker, Spealman, £90 on Amazon

These are brand new and have never been used, I am willing to sell them for less than half this if anyone is interested. I had these brought for me but never once looked at them.

joe90bass · 11-10-2008, 10:35 PM

Was hoping to join in on this peer support group. but I'm starting on the 2008 track not 2003

I've had the MS study pack for a while now and started it (even bought a server to play around with!) but haven't got very far. I'm hoping the 5 day course in November will spur me on with this!

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09-10-2008, 09:49 PM	#1
russdev Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 5,221 Thanks: 34 Thanked 85 Times in 60 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 33	Anyone About start MCSA,A+,N+? Well had the good news work have agreed to pay for MCSA (A+,N+) elective. Going to be self study so if anyone else about to start it etc so we can try and keep us all going (as certainly I know i am going to need it). Then if post in this thread not sure how to make this all work in practice so open to ideas on that front.

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Anyone About start MCSA,A+,N+?

09-10-2008, 10:07 PM	#2
somabc Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: London Posts: 630 Thanks: 15 Thanked 43 Times in 35 Posts Rep Power: 17	Congrats, but if they are paying then why not go away on a course, it would be faster? Sorry anyway back to the topic, what books are you going to buy for Self Study? The MS Press books? Amazon.co.uk: MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294): Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Core Requirements, Second Edition: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements: Thomas, Mackin, McLean, Zacker, Spealman,

10-10-2008, 07:12 AM	#3
speckytecky Join Date: May 2006 Location: Devizes Posts: 379 Thanks: 454 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Rep Power: 7	I tried an online MCSA with a UK based company a couple of years ago. The support was almost non existent and even though I'd distance learnt with the OU before this course failed to prepare me for the rigor of MS exams. On the other hand I recently attended a 2273B course with QA-IQ - Transforming performance through learning - QA-IQ The 5 day course was just the business and well worth the money the school paid for me to attend.

10-10-2008, 10:38 AM	#4
russdev Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 5,221 Thanks: 34 Thanked 85 Times in 60 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 33	I haven't got the time to do a course due to family commitments etc (easy for me to work in evening and two days a term I get off for CPD) and for me self study is better (and cheaper) way in the long run. Plan was to do these books : - Amazon.co.uk: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290): Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Environment, Second Edition: Managing ... a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment: Dan Holme and Orin Thomas: Book Amazon.co.uk: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-291): Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Network Infrastructure, ... Infrastructure, Sec (Pro Certification): J.C. Mackin and Ian McLean: Books Amazon.co.uk: MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-270): Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional, Second Edition: ... Professional (Pro-Certification (Hardcover)): Walter Glenn and Tony Northrup: Amazon.co.uk: Network+ Study Guide: Exam N10-003: David Groth, Toby Skandier: Books Amazon.co.uk: CompTIA Network+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Fourth Edition (All-in-One): Michael Meyers: Books Amazon.co.uk: A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition (All-In-One): Mike Meyers: Books But I suspect I will replace ms text books with these types. Amazon.co.uk: MCSA/MCSE Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (Exam 70-290): Study Guide & DVD Training System: Study Guide and DVD Training System: Syngress: Books Russ

10-10-2008, 10:45 AM	#5
sparkeh Join Date: May 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 749 Thanks: 63 Thanked 40 Times in 36 Posts Rep Power: 13	Cool, glad you got it sorted Russ. As you know I just started mine. Had my material delivered last weekend and couldn't believe how much there is!

10-10-2008, 11:04 AM	#6
plexer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norfolk Posts: 4,269 Thanks: 30 Thanked 102 Times in 101 Posts Rep Power: 33	I'm doing a combination of cbt and books allthough I've yet to buy the books. Doing the cbt through mindleaders.com £130 for access to a complete range of ms course not just the mcsa requirements but a lot more. Ben

10-10-2008, 01:20 PM	#8
strawberry Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 751 Thanks: 22 Thanked 32 Times in 32 Posts Rep Power: 10	i used cbt nuggets and sybex books , books are great for digesting information while videos are convenient. I like to think of it as depth and breadth, books have depth, videos have breadth.

10-10-2008, 01:34 PM	#9
Joanne Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1,013 Thanks: 29 Thanked 36 Times in 33 Posts Blog Entries: 17 Rep Power: 11	I'm currently reading the MS Vista book... it's very dull and boring and I'm finding it hard to become motivated... I have set myself a target to pass at least 2 exams by december!! Eap! I'm going for MCSE though...

10-10-2008, 01:48 PM	#10
jamin100 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 247 Thanks: 27 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts Rep Power: 3	i've had these (link) and this (link) for about 3 months and havn't got motivated to even open them yet.... So if you lot start then so will I !!! Ben

10-10-2008, 04:26 PM	#11
russdev Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 5,221 Thanks: 34 Thanked 85 Times in 60 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 33	I am told Microsoft press books are very dry at times. Well as they say more the merry might keep us all going. At some point will post the links I have got with various free videos and practice tests (not brain dumps) etc

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11-10-2008, 12:42 PM	#12
BaccyNet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Norfolk Posts: 181 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Rep Power: 4	I'm currently studying towards MCSE (currently one off MCSA) MS books can be quite broad and a few that I've used have focussed too much on stuff that wasnt in the exams. I've been doing mine through a training provider (paid for by me, school hasnt paid a penny towards it!) who host workshops at their centre but also have regular online discussions + email etc. I'll post up a list of the books I've used so far if anyones interested. The exam I'm doing now (70-291) is a bit of a mare though so you may want to get more than just a book for that one

11-10-2008, 09:21 PM	#13
russdev Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 5,221 Thanks: 34 Thanked 85 Times in 60 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 33	Ordered the books Friday and they turned up this morning (wasn't expecting them till middle of next week. According to book working from should take me about 49 hours to do the A+. So have a schedule (got to do this otherwise will end up not starting) that means should be ready for a+ by ending 26/01/2009 that is based on doing a minimum sure can add hours into the schedule. Russell

11-10-2008, 09:38 PM	#14
Kyle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 768 Thanks: 30 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0	I have the MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit books,Amazon.co.uk: MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294): Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Core Requirements, Second Edition: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements: Thomas, Mackin, McLean, Zacker, Spealman, £90 on Amazon These are brand new and have never been used, I am willing to sell them for less than half this if anyone is interested. I had these brought for me but never once looked at them.

11-10-2008, 10:35 PM	#15
joe90bass Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: S Wales Posts: 548 Thanks: 43 Thanked 24 Times in 22 Posts Rep Power: 8	Was hoping to join in on this peer support group. but I'm starting on the 2008 track not 2003 I've had the MS study pack for a while now and started it (even bought a server to play around with!) but haven't got very far. I'm hoping the 5 day course in November will spur me on with this!