Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator 70-290 Exam MCSA HELP!!!

Hi all

Im in need a of a little advice! Im hoping im not the only person but would like to ask this question

I started my MCSA / MCSE course last year in April / May time with Home Learning college and have been using some CBT Nuggets videos

Ive started on my MCSA 70-290 module
ive been stuck in this module and cant seem to escape it!

ive taken my 70-290 exam twice now and failed, I took it in Sheffield at Rezound,
passing score is 700 and ive been getting 635! being soo close,
My candidate results at the end all show strong

now i think i know where i am going wrong

its the new simulations, they are messing me up every time!

is anyone else having this same problem! i so wanna start my 70-291

all this holding back is putting me off and making me not interested as much lol

and i do want this qualification but finding it hard to plod on lol

i know i need a good kick up the butt, but would be nice to know if any one else has been through it and if you can give any advice that would be great!

I recently passed my Comptia A+ course so im done with that one, just need to nail this one

HELP!! lol :-)

thanks

Do you have a test environment setup? You should be able to get evaluation versions of server, windows and exchange and various other products from technet. You can run these with virtualbox or virtual pc, or something similar. That way, you can get more familiar with the software.

I also found that quite often there was some small detail in the question that was important. Sometimes you have to read between the lines and make assumptions. For example, they could ask a question as "Whats the best way to do X" or "Whats the quickest way to do X" which might have an impact on the correct answer. You need to read each question about 3 times before you answer it.

Thanks Chris.

i currently work in a school as a IT technician and i have access to our servers there, i use them regular!
are the simulations based on how quick you can do them or by how many clicks i don't get it, im wondering if im doing something wrong?

also do they take points off?

im not so worried about any thing else as i have strong in all categories! so im just so near to passing, just need to know abit more about these simulations and what i should be looking out for

The simulations are only based on the final configuration. You can make the changes in any order or with any amount of clicks and it shouldn't make a difference. I am a few steps further on from you by the sound of it. I managed to pass my 290 and 291 first time but I am mighty struggling with 70-293!

My advice is to set yourself a test environment at home. You cant cover anything like enough using live servers. You cant dcpromo a live DC for example! You can get a HP microserver for £200 that will run VMWare with a couple of servers on it. Either that or the much simpler option of VMWare workstation on a standard PC. PM me if you have any questions!

Thank you ever so much for your advice, i will probably use vmware. i was given MS server 2003 trial with my course!

i will let you know soon as i know anything

You can still take the MCSA for 2003 but be aware they have recently changed the MCSA as well so it is now "Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate" and based on the 2008 track but expires after 3 years. MCSA: The foundation for your career in IT

so you have to renew these qualifications every 3 years!!

Not the one's you are doing but just making you aware they renamed the MCSA to add plenty of confusion.