| Terms you'll need to understand: Case study Multiple-choice question formats Build-list-and-reorder question format Create-a-tree question format Drag-and-connect question format Select-and-place question format Fixed-length tests Simulations Adaptive tests Short-form tests
Techniques you'll need to master: Assessing your exam-readiness Answering Microsoft's varying question types Altering your test strategy depending on the exam format Practicing (to make perfect) Making the best use of the testing software Budgeting your time Guessing (as a last resort)
Taking an exam is not something most people anticipate eagerly, no matter how well prepared they might be. In most cases, familiarity helps offset test anxiety. In plain English, this means you probably will not be as nervous when you take your fourth or fifth Microsoft certification exam as you will be when you take your first one. Whether it is your first exam or your tenth, understanding the details of taking the new exam (how much time to spend on questions, the environment you will be in, and so on) and the new exam software will help you concentrate on the material rather than on the setting. Likewise, mastering a few basic exam-taking skills should help you recognize (and perhaps even outfox) some of the tricks and snares you are bound to find in some exam questions. This chapter explains the exam environment and software, and describes some proven exam-taking strategies you can use to your advantage. | 
