| The following series of questions and observations is designed to help you figure out how much work you must do to pursue Microsoft certification and what kinds of resources you should consult on your quest. Be absolutely honest in your answers; otherwise , you'll end up wasting money on exams you're not yet ready to take. There are no right or wrong answers ”only steps along the path to certification. Only you can decide where you really belong in the broad spectrum of aspiring candidates. Two things should be clear from the outset, however: -
Any technical background with operating systems and desktop applications is beneficial. -
Hands-on experience with Microsoft products and technologies is an essential ingredient to Microsoft certification success. Educational Background -
Have you ever taken any computer- related classes? [Yes or No] If Yes, proceed to question 2; if No, proceed to question 4. -
Have you taken any classes on computer operating systems? [Yes or No] If Yes, you'll probably be able to handle Microsoft's architecture and system component discussions. If you're rusty, brush up on basic operating system concepts and general computer security topics. If No, consider some basic reading in this area. We strongly recommend a good general operating systems book, such as Operating System Concepts , 6th Editio n, by Abraham Silberschatz and Peter Baer Galvin (John Wiley & Sons, 2001, ISBN 0-471-41743-2). If that title doesn't appeal to you, check out reviews for other, similar titles at your favorite online bookstore. -
Have you taken any networking concepts or technologies classes? [Yes or No] If Yes, you'll probably be able to handle Microsoft's networking terminology, concepts, and technologies ( brace yourself for frequent departures from normal usage). If you're rusty, brush up on basic networking concepts and terminology, especially networking media, transmission types, the OSI Reference Model, and networking technologies such as Ethernet, token ring, and WAN links. If No, you might want to read one or two books in this topic area. The two best books that we know of are Computer Networks , 4th Edition , by Andrew S. Tanenbaum (Prentice-Hall, 2002, ISBN 0-130-66102-3) and Computer Networks and Internets with Internet Applications , 3rd Edition , by Douglas E. Comer (Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN 0-130-91449-5). Skip to the next section, "Hands-On Experience." -
Have you done any reading on operating systems or networks? [Yes or No] If Yes, review the requirements stated in the first paragraphs after questions 2 and 3. If you meet those requirements, move on to the next section. If No, consult the recommended reading for both topics. A strong background will help you prepare for the Microsoft exams better than just about anything else. Hands-on Experience The most important key to success on all the Microsoft tests is hands-on experience. For this exam specifically , you will want to have experience with Windows XP Professional and Office XP Professional (including Outlook) in a Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server Active Directory network. If we leave you with only one realization after completing this self-assessment, it should be that there's no substitute for time spent installing, configuring, and using the various Microsoft products on which you'll be tested repeatedly and in depth. -
Have you installed, configured, and worked with Windows XP Professional? [Yes or No] If Yes, make sure you understand the basic concepts covered in the following exam: If you don't have a lot of experience with Windows XP Professional, you will want to spend several months working with it, including Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. You should pay particular attention to small details, especially within Internet Explorer. -
Have you installed, configured, and worked with Office XP Professional? [Yes or No] If No, you'll definitely want to spend some time getting to know Office XP Professional, both from a user 's point of view and also from a support person's point of view. You'll need to be very familiar with some intricate configuration options.  | You can download objectives, practice exams, and other data about Microsoft exams from the Training and Certification page at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/. Use the Microsoft Certifications link to obtain specific exam information. |
Before you even think about taking a Microsoft exam, make sure that you've spent enough time with the related software to understand how it may be installed and configured, how to maintain such an installation, and how to troubleshoot that software when things go wrong. This experience will help you in the exam and in real life! | | If you have the funds, or your employer will pay your way, consider taking a class at a Certified Training and Education Center (CTEC). In addition to classroom exposure to the topic of your choice, you usually receive a copy of the software that is the focus of your course, along with a trial version of whatever operating system it needs, with the training materials for that class. |
Testing Your Exam-Readiness Whether you attend a formal class on a specific topic to get ready for an exam or use written materials to study on your own, some preparation for the Microsoft certification exams is essential. At $125 (U.S.) a try, pass or fail, you want to do everything you can to pass on your first try; that's where studying comes in. We have included two practice exams in this book (Chapters 10 and 12), so if you don't score well on the first, you can study more and then tackle the second. For any given subject, consider taking a class if you've tackled self-study materials, taken the test, and failed anyway. The opportunity to interact with an instructor and fellow students can make all the difference in the world, if you can afford that privilege. For information about Microsoft classes, visit the Training and Certification page at www.microsoft.com/education/ partners /ctec.asp for Microsoft Certified Education Centers. If you can't afford to take a class, visit the Training page at www.microsoft.com/traincert/training/find/default.asp anyway because it also includes pointers to free practice exams and to Microsoft Certified Professional Approved Study Guides and other self-study tools. Even if you can't afford to spend much at all, you should still invest in some low-cost practice exams from commercial vendors . -
Have you taken a practice exam on your chosen test subject? [Yes or No] If Yes and you scored 80% or better, you're probably ready to tackle the real thing. If your score isn't above that threshold, keep at it until you break that barrier . If No, obtain all the free and low-budget practice tests you can find and start working. Keep at it until you can break the passing threshold comfortably. | | When you want to assess your test-readiness, there's no better way than to take a good-quality practice exam and pass with a score of 80% or better. When we're preparing for an exam, we shoot for 90% or more, just to leave room for the "weirdness factor" that sometimes shows up on Microsoft exams. |
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