Chapter 1. Microsoft Certification Exams

Terms you'll need to understand:

	Case study
	Multiple-choice question format
	Build-list-and-reorder question format
	Create-a-tree question format
	Drag-and-connect question format
	Select-and-place question format
	Hot area question format
	Active screen question format
	Fixed-length test
	Simulation
	Adaptive test
	Short-form test

Techniques you'll need to master:

	Assessing your exam-readiness
	Answering Microsoft's various 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

Exam taking is not something that most people look forward to, no matter how well-prepared they might be. In most cases, familiarity helps offset test anxiety. In plain English, this means you probably won't be as nervous when you take your fourth or fifth Microsoft certification exam as you'll be when you take your first one.

Whether it's your first exam or your tenth, understanding the details of taking the new exams (how much time to spend on questions, the environment you'll 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 recognizeand perhaps even outfoxsome of the tricks and snares you're bound to find in some exam questions.

Besides explaining the exam environment and software, this chapter describes some proven exam-taking strategies that you should be able to use to your advantage. Taking the time to read through the information and recommendations presented in this chapter will bring you one step closer to achieving success on a Microsoft exam.