Sams Teach Yourself MCSE Windows NT Server 4 in 14 Days
(Publisher: Macmillan Computer Publishing)
Author(s): David Schaer, et al
ISBN: 0672311283
Publication Date: 12/15/97

In order to locate a Sylvantesting center in the U.S. or internationally, go to http://www.microsoft.com/Train_Cert/mcp/certstep/sylvan.htm.

Testing is offered at a majority of the Microsoft Authorized Training Centers (ATEC)and also at most of the Novell Authorized Education Centers (NAEC). The testing centers all have minimum equipment requirements that a site must meet to host the exams. Unfortunately, some of the sites meet the requirements better than others. One site in your area might use 486-based systems, whereas another might offer Pentiums. Because the exam is heavily graphical and also timed, you might want to ensure that the site you will use offers equipment beyond the minimum.

Make sure you give the proper test number(s) when you call. Check the Microsoft Web site if you are unsure about a test number.

1.2. How to Pass MCSE Exams

There often is debate over which are more difficult, the Microsoft or the Novell exams. The truth is that the hardest exam you will ever take is the one for which you are not prepared. If you properly prepare for the MCSE examination, you can pass it. To prepare for the MCSE exams, you must follow a few basic rules and understand a few standard testing principles.

1.2.1. Identifying Exam Topics

Microsoft provides a list of the examination topics for each of the MCSE and MCSD exams on its Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/Train_Cert. The first step in preparing for an examination is to print out a copy of the appropriate guide. Use this to focus your studying; these topics are what you will be tested on. You might also want to think of possible questions that address each of these topics as a way for a last-minute review.

Not Just Bells and Whistles

The exams are designed to ensure that the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSE) who pass the exams understand how to implement the products under the most common circumstances. Focus your study on the major functions of the product for which you are testing. For example, on the NT examinations it will be infinitely more important for you to understand how to establish printer priorities than to know where in the registry to configure script mapping for Perl.

Remember Who Wrote the Questions

Microsoft exams are written by people employed to do so by Microsoft. It is in Microsoft’s best interest that the exams highlight the strong points of its products. You will never find a question on a Microsoft exam that asks “When would it be better to implement a product from Netscape or Novell....”

Microsoft contracts people who implement the products to write the exams. Groups of MCSEs and Microsoft employees sample the exam questions from several authors to determine the validity of the questions. If a significant number of the testers in the sample group feel a question is without merit, is ambiguous, or is technically inaccurate, it will be rewritten or discarded. A final beta exam is compiled from the remaining questions. Microsoft offers the beta exam to groups of MCSEs at a discount rate. Based on the performance of the beta group, questions are deemed valid or discarded and a passing score is established.

For more information on how exams are written, or even how to participate as a contract writer, visit http://www.microsoft.com/Train_Cert/mcp/examinfo/iwrite.htm.

Your Topics Are Their Topics

If you were writing the exams, what questions would you ask? The concept is simple enough. If the exams were about cars you wouldn’t ask questions only about the engine. The engine might be the primary focus, but you would also ask about the transmission, wheels, steering, and perhaps basic accessories, such as air conditioning. Apply the same logic as you prepare for the Microsoft examinations.

The exam topics are chosen based upon the importance of the requirement that a system engineer recall the information necessary to make proper decisions during the planning, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of NT Server. Because you will not be allowed to bring reference material into the exam room, you will not be expected to recall overly obscure information. As you review for the exam, think of when and why you would ever need to know the information in the “real” world. This will help you to apply your knowledge when you walk through your answers.

1.2.2. Dissecting Exam Questions

Dissecting the exam questions enables you to separate the scenarios into those areas you know are true, those you know are false, and those that are suspect. Also, you will be able to discern what a particular question actually is asking.

Questions Can Have Many Levels

Exam questionsare written to test several levels of knowledge. On the most basic level, you might be asked a question that requires only that you recall a simple command to answer. A more complex kind of question, popular with Microsoft but seemingly less so with test takers, is the comprehensive scenario question. In this type of question you are presented with a problem scenario, often one that incorporates exhibits. A proposed solution is offered along with a listing of required and desired effects. You will be required to determine which combination of required and desired results, if any, the solution achieves.

Write Your Own Exam Questions

This is perhaps the most important segment of this chapter. As you study the technical summaries in this book, you should try to formulate questions of your own. If you create your own questions, you will force yourself to fully comprehend the material. When you get to the review questions, hopefully some of the questions will match closely with the ones you have written.

First, read the technical summary in full. As you are reading the summary note the key words. Try to establish a mental image of how the information in the summary could apply to a physical network.

Second, before you reread the material, create a list of what you consider to be the most important points to recall. Doing this before you reread the material will help you establish your list of primary topics.

Third, reread the material. As you do, look for the detail items within your primary topic list. The details will become your secondary topic list. The points that you select might seem relatively minor until you put them into the context of your question.