The Exchange Server 2003 Exam

The Exchange Server 2003 exam covers concepts and skills required for administering Exchange Server 2003, emphasizing the following areas:

Standards and terminology
Planning
Implementation
Troubleshooting

This exam can be quite specific regarding Exchange Server 2003, and it can be particular about how administrative tasks are performed. It also focuses on fundamental concepts relating to Exchange Server 2003 ‚ s operation as an enterprise messaging system. Careful study of this book, along with hands-on experience, will help you prepare for this exam.

Note ‚

Microsoft provides exam objectives to give you a very general overview of possible areas of coverage of the Microsoft exams. However, exam objectives are subject to change at any time without prior notice and at Microsoft ‚ s sole discretion. Please visit Microsoft ‚ s Learning website ( www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-284.asp ) for the most current exam objectives listing.

Types of Exam Questions

In the previous tracks, the formats of the MCSE exams were fairly straightforward, consisting almost entirely of multiple-choice questions appearing in a few different sets. Prior to taking an exam, you knew how many questions you would see and what type of questions would appear. If you had purchased the right third-party exam preparation products, you could even be quite familiar with the pool of questions you might be asked. As mentioned earlier, all of this is changing.

In an effort to both refine the testing process and protect the quality of its certifications, Microsoft has introduced some new exam elements. You will not know in advance which type of format you will see on your exam. These innovations make the exams more challenging, and they make it much more difficult for someone to pass an exam after simply ‚“cramming ‚½ for it.

Note ‚

Microsoft will be accomplishing its goal of protecting the exams by regularly adding and removing exam questions, limiting the number of questions that any individual sees in a beta exam, and adding new exam elements.

Exam questions come in many forms in the new MCP exams, so let ‚ s examine these forms now.

Active Screen

The active screen question, seen in Figure 1, tests your working knowledge of the product by presenting you with a dialog box and requiring you to configure or change one or more options in order to successfully answer the question. You may need to select or deselect options, use drop-down menus , or drag text elements into text areas within the dialog box to meet the requirements of the question. Note that not every element you see in the dialog box will be active for you to interact with ‚ use this to your advantage in weeding out actions that you do not need to perform.

Figure 1: The active screen question format

Build List and Reorder

The build list and reorder question type, seen in Figure 2, has been used in MCP exams for quite some time but has been refined a bit for the new MCSE on Windows Server 2003 track. When presented with a build list and reorder type of question, you will be required to create a list, in the correct order, that represents the steps required to complete the stated problem.

Figure 2: The build list and reorder question format

Create a Tree

The create a tree question type, seen in Figure 3, has also been used previously in the MCP exams but has also been refined for the new certification tracks. When presented with a create a tree question, you are being asked to drag source nodes into the answer tree area in their correct location in order to successfully answer the question.

Figure 3: The create a tree question format

Drag and Drop

One of the new question types in the MCSE on the Windows Server 2003 track, the drag and drop question, seen in Figure 4, requires you to drag source objects into the correct target area in order to successfully answer the question.

Figure 4: The drag and drop question format

Hot Area

The hot area question type, seen in Figure 5, asks you to select one or more areas of a graphic to correctly answer the question. You will be able to easily see where in the graphic the selectable options exist.

Figure 5: The hot area question format

Multiple Choice

The multiple choice question is the old standby when it comes to certification exams. Not much has changed when it comes to this question type. You can expect questions that require one correct answer and/or multiple correct answers. In some instances you will be told specifically how many choices to make; in others you will not. Microsoft has made this question more difficult, however, by increasing the amount of information that you must sift through in order to successfully answer the question correctly.

Note ‚

The questions throughout this study guide and on the accompanying CD are presented in the same multiple-choice format that you will see on the exam.

Exam Question Development

Microsoft follows an exam-development process consisting of eight mandatory phases. The process takes an average of seven months and involves more than 150 specific steps. The MCP exam development consists of the following phases:

Phase 1: Job Analysis Phase 1 is an analysis of all of the tasks that make up a specific job function, based on tasks performed by people who are currently performing that job function. This phase also identifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities that relate specifically to the performance area to be certified.

Phase 2: Objective Domain Definition The results of the job analysis provide the framework used to develop objectives. The development of objectives involves translating the job-function tasks into a comprehensive set of more specific and measurable knowledge, skills, and abilities. The resulting list of objectives ‚ the objective domain ‚ is the basis for the development of both the certification exams and the training materials.

Phase 3: Blueprint Survey The final objective domain is transformed into a blueprint survey in which contributors are asked to rate each objective. These contributors may be past MCP candidates, appropriately skilled exam development volunteers, or Microsoft employees . Based on the contributors ‚ input, the objectives are prioritized and weighted. The actual exam items are written according to the prioritized objectives. Contributors are queried about how they spend their time on the job. If a contributor doesn ‚ t spend an adequate amount of time actually performing the specified job function, his or her data is eliminated from the analysis. The blueprint survey phase helps determine which objectives to measure, as well as the appropriate number and types of items to include on the exam.

Phase 4: Item Development A pool of items is developed to measure the blueprinted objective domain. The number and types of items to be written are based on the results of the blueprint survey.

Phase 5: Alpha Review and Item Revision During this phase, a panel of technical and job-function experts reviews each item for technical accuracy and then answers each item, reaching a consensus on all technical issues. Once the items have been verified as technically accurate, they are edited to ensure that they are expressed in the clearest language possible.

Phase 6: Beta Exam The reviewed and edited items are collected into beta exams. Based on the responses of all beta participants , Microsoft performs a statistical analysis to verify the validity of the exam items and to determine which items will be used in the certification exam. Once the analysis has been completed, the items are distributed into multiple parallel forms, or versions , of the final certification exam.

Phase 7: Item Selection and Cut-Score Setting The results of the beta exams are analyzed to determine which items should be included in the certification exam based on many factors, including item difficulty and relevance. During this phase, a panel of job-function experts determines the cut score (minimum passing score) for the exams. The cut score differs from exam to exam because it is based on an item-by-item determination of the percentage of candidates who answered the item correctly and who would be expected to answer the item correctly.

Phase 8: Live Exam As the final phase, the exams are given to candidates. MCP exams are administered by Sylvan Prometric and Virtual University Enterprises (VUE).

Note ‚

Microsoft will regularly add and remove questions from the exams. This is called item seeding . It is part of the effort to make it more difficult for individuals to merely memorize exam questions passed along by previous test-takers.

Tips for Taking the Exchange Server 2003 Exam

Here are some general tips for taking the exam successfully:

Arrive early at the exam center so you can relax and review your study materials. During your final review, you can look over tables and lists of exam- related information.
Read the questions carefully . Don ‚ t be tempted to jump to an early conclusion. Make sure you know exactly what the question is asking.
Answer all questions.

Use a process of elimination to get rid of the obviously incorrect answers first on questions that you ‚ re not sure about. This method will improve your odds of selecting the correct answer if you need to make an educated guess.

Exam Registration

You may take the exams at any of more than 1,000 Authorized Prometric Testing Centers (APTCs) and VUE Testing Centers around the world. For the location of a testing center near you, call Sylvan Prometric at 800-755-EXAM (755-3926), or call VUE at 888-837-8616. Outside the United States and Canada, contact your local Sylvan Prometric or VUE registration center.

You should determine the number of the exam you want to take and then register with the Sylvan Prometric or VUE registration center nearest to you. At this point, you will be asked for advance payment for the exam. The exams are $125 each. Exams must be taken within one year of payment. You can schedule exams up to six weeks in advance or as late as one working day prior to the date of the exam. You can cancel or reschedule your exam if you contact the center at least two working days prior to the exam. Same-day registration is available in some locations, subject to space availability. Where same-day registration is available, you must register a minimum of two hours before test time.

Note ‚

You may also register for your exams online at www.2test.com or www.vue.com .

When you schedule the exam, you will be provided with instructions regarding appointment and cancellation procedures, ID requirements, and information about the testing center location. In addition, you will receive a registration and payment confirmation letter from Sylvan Prometric or VUE.

Microsoft requires certification candidates to accept the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement before taking certification exams.

What ‚ s on the CD?

With this new book in our best-selling MCSE Study Guide series, we are including quite an array of training resources. On the CD are numerous simulations, practice exams, and flash-cards to help you study for the exam. Also included are the entire contents of the book. These resources are described in the following sections.

The Sybex E-book for Exchange Server 2003

Many people like the convenience of being able to carry their whole study guide on a CD. They also like being able to search the text to find specific information quickly and easily. For these reasons, we have included the entire contents of this study guide on a CD, in PDF format. We ‚ ve also included Adobe Acrobat Reader, which provides the interface for the contents, as well as the search capabilities.

Sybex WinSim Exchange 2003

We developed the WinSim Exchange 2003 product to allow you to get some hands-on practice with the skills you need to know to pass the exam. The product provides both audio/video files and hands-on experience with key features of Exchange Server 2003. Built around the exercises in this study guide, WinSim Exchange 2003 can give you the knowledge and hands-on skills that are invaluable for understanding Exchange Server 2003 (and passing the exam). A sample screen from the product is shown below.

The Sybex MCSE Test Engine

This is a collection of multiple-choice questions that will help you prepare for your exam. There are three sets of questions:

Two bonus exams designed to simulate the actual live exam.
All the questions from the Study Guide, presented in a test engine for your review. You can review questions by objective or take a random test.
The assessment test.

Here is a sample screen from the Sybex MCSE Test Engine:

Sybex MCSE Flashcards for PCs and Palm Devices

The ‚“flashcard ‚½ style of question offers an effective way to quickly and efficiently test your understanding of the fundamental concepts covered in the Exchange Server 2003 exam. The Sybex MCSE Flashcards set consists of approximately 150 questions presented in a special engine developed specifically for this Study Guide series. Here ‚ s what the Sybex MCSE Flashcards interface looks like:

How Do You Use This Book?

This book can provide a solid foundation for the serious effort of preparing for the Exchange Server 2003 exam. To best benefit from this book, you may wish to use the following study method:

Study each chapter carefully. Do your best to fully understand the information.
Complete all hands-on exercises in the chapter, referring back to the text as necessary so that you understand each step you take. If you do not have access to a lab environment in which you can complete the exercises, install and work with the exercises available in the WinSim Exchange 2003 software included with this Study Guide.
Answer the review questions at the end of each chapter. If you would prefer to answer the questions in a timed and graded format, install the Sybex Test Engine from the CD that accompanies this book and answer the chapter questions there instead of in the book.
Note the questions you did not understand, and study the corresponding sections of the book again.
Make sure you complete the entire book.

Before taking the exam, go through the training resources included on the CD that accompanies this book. Try the adaptive version that is included with the Sybex Test Engine. Review and sharpen your knowledge with the MCSE Flashcards.

Note ‚

In order to complete the exercises in this book, you'll need to have access to at least one machine running Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition and preferably two such machines networked together. You will also need access to Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, of which you can order a trial version through Microsoft. Some exercises may require you to have administrative access or to be part of an Active Directory domain. If possible, we strongly recommend that you do not install Exchange on a network that is actually connected to your production network, because the interaction with other Exchange servers on the network and with Active Directory could produce unwanted results.

To learn all of the material covered in this book, you will need to study regularly and with discipline. Try to set aside the same time every day to study and select a comfortable and quiet place in which to do it. If you work hard, you will be surprised at how quickly you learn this material. Good luck!

Contacts and Resources

To find out more about Microsoft Education and Certification materials and programs, to register with Sylvan Prometric or VUE, or to get other useful information, check the following resources:

Microsoft Learning Home Page www.microsoft.com/learning

This website provides information about the MCP program and exams. You can also get information on related Microsoft products.

Prometric www.2test.com

(800) 755-EXAM

Contact Sylvan Prometric to register to take an MCP exam at any of more than 800 Prometric Testing Centers around the world.

Virtual University Enterprises (VUE) www.vue.com

(888) 837-8616

Contact the VUE registration center to register to take an MCP exam at one of the VUE Testing Centers.