To those who have MCSE.

[OdiN]

What did you use to study?

I currently don't have this certification. I would like to go ahead and get it this year. Most of the tests shouldn't be that hard for me to pass - I just need to learn all the Microsoft specific terminology to make sure that I understand what they want and how they want me to answer questions. There's always more than one way to do things, and then there is the "Microsoft Way". I have taken some practice tests back when Win2k was out, but I never did continue as I was too busy. Now I have the time and don't have to worry about the costs as much as when I was in college.

I figured I'd just pick up the Microsoft Press books - anyone used these and are they good?

Would be nice to have some sample tests to take as well, will have to search for some.

 

[pontifex]

i on't have the mcse, just the mcsa but computertraining.com had us use test dumps which pretty much had the exact same questions. we used the books for the teacher to teach us during class, but everything after that was mainly using test dumps.

 

[Pugnax]

why bother with any paper cert?
Your time is better spent elsewhere.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Pugnax
why bother with any paper cert?
Your time is better spent elsewhere.

Because a lot of positions require them.

Google MCSE Brain Dump...all you need to know

 

[hiromizu]

Originally posted by: OdiN
What did you use to study?

I currently don't have this certification. I would like to go ahead and get it this year. Most of the tests shouldn't be that hard for me to pass - I just need to learn all the Microsoft specific terminology to make sure that I understand what they want and how they want me to answer questions. There's always more than one way to do things, and then there is the "Microsoft Way". I have taken some practice tests back when Win2k was out, but I never did continue as I was too busy. Now I have the time and don't have to worry about the costs as much as when I was in college.

I figured I'd just pick up the Microsoft Press books - anyone used these and are they good?

Would be nice to have some sample tests to take as well, will have to search for some.

the MS Press books are the best ones since they train you "The Microsoft Way" which is the right way - to pass the exams. Get the MCSE pack which is a collection of all the core exams. Also includes CDs containing test exams. I got mine through these.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Pugnax
why bother with any paper cert?
Your time is better spent elsewhere.

It opens doors.

Besides that, I'm not one to just memorize crap just to pass a test. If there are concepts and technologies which I do not already have a firm grasp on - I'll setup a server/workstation environment and mess with it myself until I am comfortable with it.

A certification is only a "paper cert" if you just do the memorize and pass test and forget crap. I actually want to learn things - to fill in the gaps between what I already know, etc.

After my MCSE I will also probably go for CCNA.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: hiromizu

Originally posted by: OdiN
What did you use to study?

I currently don't have this certification. I would like to go ahead and get it this year. Most of the tests shouldn't be that hard for me to pass - I just need to learn all the Microsoft specific terminology to make sure that I understand what they want and how they want me to answer questions. There's always more than one way to do things, and then there is the "Microsoft Way". I have taken some practice tests back when Win2k was out, but I never did continue as I was too busy. Now I have the time and don't have to worry about the costs as much as when I was in college.

I figured I'd just pick up the Microsoft Press books - anyone used these and are they good?

Would be nice to have some sample tests to take as well, will have to search for some.

the MS Press books are the best ones since they train you "The Microsoft Way" which is the right way - to pass the exams. Get the MCSE pack which is a collection of all the core exams. Also includes CDs containing test exams. I got mine through these.

Yeah I was going to get the core exam pack to start, and once I get those 4 out of the way, pick up the other books as needed.

 

[alkemyst]

Personally CCNA may be smarter to get first. It's an easy two book read (you can really get by with just the ICND) and a little lab work. It will prepare you for the harder mcse especially the networking portions.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
Personally CCNA may be smarter to get first. It's an easy two book read (you can really get by with just the ICND) and a little lab work. It will prepare you for the harder mcse especially the networking portions.

CCNA easier than MCSE?

I had taken a lab class in college and it seemed more difficult - however, the teacher was a dumbshit.

I'd need to purchase some routers and crap to mess with too I imagine.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Pugnax
why bother with any paper cert?
Your time is better spent elsewhere.

Umm, I work besides many MCSEs (thought they're in a different group). They all make over 150K a year and are VERY good at what they do.

It isn't just paper. It's learning the correct way to do things.

Odin, get the books, read and understand the principles as well as trying them out. It can do nothing but help your career at worst, earn you a ton more money at best.

 

[akshatp]

CCNA is not easier than MCSE.

Forget about all those certs. Everyone knows A+ certification is the one and only REAL cert to have!

 

[reeserock]

I used braindumps and practice tests. It's really just about learning how to pass the test. Experience has tought me way more than getting an MCSE, but it does help to get your foot in the door.

 

[cjvon]

Originally posted by: hiromizu

Originally posted by: OdiN
What did you use to study?

I currently don't have this certification. I would like to go ahead and get it this year. Most of the tests shouldn't be that hard for me to pass - I just need to learn all the Microsoft specific terminology to make sure that I understand what they want and how they want me to answer questions. There's always more than one way to do things, and then there is the "Microsoft Way". I have taken some practice tests back when Win2k was out, but I never did continue as I was too busy. Now I have the time and don't have to worry about the costs as much as when I was in college.

I figured I'd just pick up the Microsoft Press books - anyone used these and are they good?

Would be nice to have some sample tests to take as well, will have to search for some.

the MS Press books are the best ones since they train you "The Microsoft Way" which is the right way - to pass the exams. Get the MCSE pack which is a collection of all the core exams. Also includes CDs containing test exams. I got mine through these.

I passed the 70-290 exam and used the MS Press book, a good amount of the questions were right off the practice tests from the book.

One thing I hate about the "The MS way" is that most admins do not do things the way they teach. For example: share permissions. In the real world you use NTFS, not share. The test went on and on about share perms. Yech.

Also way too much crap on the shitty MS backup. Every place I've worked used a third party BU solutions.

Also the practice tests were full of errata.

I like the testking tests, their labs suk but their practice tests were decent.

The 2003 MCSE is much harder than the NT MCSE. I remember a story of how a recent NT MCSE was hired and it turned out the only computer she ever used was at the testing center! Not sure if it's a true story.

 

[trmiv]

I may see about taking some classes or some kind of paced study to get mine. I tried to self-study for the CCNA and quickly found out I wasn't disciplined enough for self-paced study.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: cjvon

Originally posted by: hiromizu

Originally posted by: OdiN
What did you use to study?

I currently don't have this certification. I would like to go ahead and get it this year. Most of the tests shouldn't be that hard for me to pass - I just need to learn all the Microsoft specific terminology to make sure that I understand what they want and how they want me to answer questions. There's always more than one way to do things, and then there is the "Microsoft Way". I have taken some practice tests back when Win2k was out, but I never did continue as I was too busy. Now I have the time and don't have to worry about the costs as much as when I was in college.

I figured I'd just pick up the Microsoft Press books - anyone used these and are they good?

Would be nice to have some sample tests to take as well, will have to search for some.

the MS Press books are the best ones since they train you "The Microsoft Way" which is the right way - to pass the exams. Get the MCSE pack which is a collection of all the core exams. Also includes CDs containing test exams. I got mine through these.

I passed the 70-290 exam and used the MS Press book, a good amount of the questions were right off the practice tests from the book.

One thing I hate about the "The MS way" is that most admins do not do things the way they teach. For example: share permissions. In the real world you use NTFS, not share. The test went on and on about share perms. Yech.

Also way too much crap on the shitty MS backup. Every place I've worked used a third party BU solutions.

Also the practice tests were full of errata.

I like the testking tests, their labs suk but their practice tests were decent.

The 2003 MCSE is much harder than the NT MCSE. I remember a story of how a recent NT MCSE was hired and it turned out the only computer she ever used was at the testing center! Not sure if it's a true story.

I've worked with NT4 and Windows 2000 servers as well as Exchange and Active Directory so I don't think it will be too difficult.

But yeah...MS Backup? Everywhere I've worked has used Backup Exec and I know that a hell of a lot better than MS Backup lol.

And yeah I know I don't do things like MS might in all situations but you have to learn what they want you to say, even if you know a better way of doing something.

 

[cjvon]

The MS books also come with the eval version of 2003, if you haven't worked with 2003 then you really want to get a test server set up to practice and take the labs. Good luck.
I put aside my 2003 MCSE for now to pursue a VMware cert as a potential employeer wants VMware cert.

 

[NoShangriLa]

From what I remember brain dumps are very useful tool. Dumps were fround on during my time and foolishly I studied hard with out using dump with my first cert. However, I hit the dumps hard for the rest of my certs before I even get books because it give me an idea what MS is looking for.