Study and Exam Prep Tips

It's a rush of adrenaline during the final day before an exam. If you've scheduled the exam on a workday, or following a workday, you will find yourself cursing the tasks you normally cheerfully perform because the back of your mind is telling you to read just a bit more, study another scenario, practice another skill so that you will be able to get this exam out of the way successfully.

The way that Microsoft has designed its tests lately does not help. I remember taking Microsoft exams many years ago and thoroughly understanding the term "paper certified." Nowadays, you can't get through a Microsoft exam without knowing the material so well that when confronted with a problem, whether a scenario or real life situation, you can handle the challenge. Instead of trying to show the world how many MCSEs are out there, Microsoft is trying to prove how difficult it is to achieve an MCSE or MCSA certification, thereby making those who are certified more valuable to their organizations.

This element of the book provides you with some general guidelines for preparing for any certification exam, including Exam 70-270, "Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional." It is organized into four sections. The first section addresses learning styles and how they affect preparation for the exam. The second section covers exam-preparation activities and general study tips. This is followed by an extended look at the Microsoft certification exams, including a number of specific tips that apply to the various Microsoft exam formats and question types. Finally, changes in Microsoft's testing policies and how they might affect you are discussed.