Yay, just passed my first Cert.

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System.

Sounds easier than it was... A crap load of sharing and rights questions... I nailed everything else I think, but some of their scenerios for Active Directory and Shares and NTFS permissions were very convoluded.

Anyways... I am happy.

Good bye!

Oh yeah, so what does being an MCP get you? Any cool Microsoft swag, like a golf towel or somethin? :D
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Haha, I was thinking about taking the A+ and Net+ tests too... work pays for them... why not?
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Originally posted by: GigaCluster
Take CCNA.
Shit no! That stuff is tough... I work with 2 CCNAs, and I read through their review material (for update tests) and it is very intimidating... I might some day though.
 

GigaCluster

Golden Member
Aug 12, 2001
1,762
0
0
The CCNA preparation curriculum is split into four semesters. It was offered at my high school and they were regular semesters, one class per day as opposed to the standard one class every two days, as is on block schedule. I was one of the two people in my class to pass the test. In my opinion it's not tremendously difficult, but Cisco claims that it's the most challenging networking exam in existence.
 

Linflas

Lifer
Jan 30, 2001
15,395
78
91
Originally posted by: edro13
Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System.

Sounds easier than it was... A crap load of sharing and rights questions... I nailed everything else I think, but some of their scenerios for Active Directory and Shares and NTFS permissions were very convoluded.

Anyways... I am happy.

Good bye!

Oh yeah, so what does being an MCP get you? Any cool Microsoft swag, like a golf towel or somethin? :D

An ID card, lapel pin, and a $50.00 rebate for an MSDN sub once you sign up through their site. It will take a week for your exam results to post there but once they do you can register and request the welcome kit.
 

munruss

Golden Member
May 4, 2001
1,104
0
76
you're wasting your time and money. go get a college degree. microsoft is not a college.
 

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Originally posted by: edro13
Haha, I was thinking about taking the A+ and Net+ tests too... work pays for them... why not?

No reason not too, a lot of tech support jobs require a+ and net+ (or at least a+). Its a good cert to have for entry level stuff.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Originally posted by: munruss
you're wasting your time and money. go get a college degree. microsoft is not a college.

I already have a bachelors degree...
 

Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
11,218
1
0
Originally posted by: GigaCluster
The CCNA preparation curriculum is split into four semesters. It was offered at my high school and they were regular semesters, one class per day as opposed to the standard one class every two days, as is on block schedule. I was one of the two people in my class to pass the test. In my opinion it's not tremendously difficult, but Cisco claims that it's the most challenging networking exam in existence.
They're probably talking about CCNP and CCIE tests. CCNA is, according to Cisco, is only entry-level networking.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Originally posted by: Linflas
Originally posted by: edro13
Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System.
Sounds easier than it was... A crap load of sharing and rights questions... I nailed everything else I think, but some of their scenerios for Active Directory and Shares and NTFS permissions were very convoluded.
Anyways... I am happy.
Good bye!
Oh yeah, so what does being an MCP get you? Any cool Microsoft swag, like a golf towel or somethin? :D
An ID card, lapel pin, and a $50.00 rebate for an MSDN sub once you sign up through their site. It will take a week for your exam results to post there but once they do you can register and request the welcome kit.
I get an ID card? WHOA! I can "bling bling" that at clubs and pick up womens! w00t! Oh wait...
 

GigaCluster

Golden Member
Aug 12, 2001
1,762
0
0
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: GigaCluster
The CCNA preparation curriculum is split into four semesters. It was offered at my high school and they were regular semesters, one class per day as opposed to the standard one class every two days, as is on block schedule. I was one of the two people in my class to pass the test. In my opinion it's not tremendously difficult, but Cisco claims that it's the most challenging networking exam in existence.
They're probably talking about CCNP and CCIE tests. CCNA is, according to Cisco, is only entry-level networking.

Oh, sure, the CCIE exam is the most challenging exam in existence, but I meant that the whole Cisco Certifications array is the most challenging. There's no equivalent of CCNA.
 

Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
11,218
1
0
Originally posted by: GigaCluster
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: GigaCluster
The CCNA preparation curriculum is split into four semesters. It was offered at my high school and they were regular semesters, one class per day as opposed to the standard one class every two days, as is on block schedule. I was one of the two people in my class to pass the test. In my opinion it's not tremendously difficult, but Cisco claims that it's the most challenging networking exam in existence.
They're probably talking about CCNP and CCIE tests. CCNA is, according to Cisco, is only entry-level networking.

Oh, sure, the CCIE exam is the most challenging exam in existence, but I meant that the whole Cisco Certifications array is the most challenging. There's no equivalent of CCNA.
Thanks for the insight. How long did you study for the CCNA exam? Props to you for passing it. :beer:
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: GigaCluster
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Originally posted by: GigaCluster
The CCNA preparation curriculum is split into four semesters. It was offered at my high school and they were regular semesters, one class per day as opposed to the standard one class every two days, as is on block schedule. I was one of the two people in my class to pass the test. In my opinion it's not tremendously difficult, but Cisco claims that it's the most challenging networking exam in existence.
They're probably talking about CCNP and CCIE tests. CCNA is, according to Cisco, is only entry-level networking.

Oh, sure, the CCIE exam is the most challenging exam in existence, but I meant that the whole Cisco Certifications array is the most challenging. There's no equivalent of CCNA.
Thanks for the insight. How long did you study for the CCNA exam? Props to you for passing it. :beer:

i heard the Nortel exams are pretty tough.


I am in semester 3 of the CCNA program @ my college, it and isn;t taht bad. It is demanding however, requiring you to actually TRY.
 

GigaCluster

Golden Member
Aug 12, 2001
1,762
0
0
As I said, I studied for it the full two years of my high school, namely my sophomore and junior years. However, went at a rather slow pace. What helped me to prepare for the exam was a full practice test that came with a CCNA book that my friend bought. He and I sat down a few days before the actual exam and went through the entire practice testbank. We marked the questions we had missed, then created a study guide for ourselves in Notepad, which we crammed on the car ride to the test. Unfortunately, my friend didn't pass.
 

dawks

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,071
2
81
Originally posted by: munruss
you're wasting your time and money. go get a college degree. microsoft is not a college.

How true. how very true.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: DaZ
Originally posted by: munruss
you're wasting your time and money. go get a college degree. microsoft is not a college.

How true. how very true.

realization of the afformentioned FACT only comes after a great deal of spending for quite a few fools.....
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
the OP already has a college degree.

relying only on certifications to get a job isn't going to yield good results, but I think they back up a college degree pretty well. I've been thinking about taking some classes just to move into more of a specialist field, especially since my college degree has nothing to do with computers.
 

Zugzwang152

Lifer
Oct 30, 2001
12,134
1
0
Originally posted by: loki8481
the OP already has a college degree.

relying only on certifications to get a job isn't going to yield good results, but I think they back up a college degree pretty well. I've been thinking about taking some classes just to move into more of a specialist field, especially since my college degree has nothing to do with computers.

Ameesh claims that certs actually devalue your degree. I personally think that certs make great backups to a degree. It proves you are willing to go through the PITS process at any rate.


ed: changed PINTS to PITS (i must need a :beer:.)
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
989
0
0
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: DaZ
Originally posted by: munruss
you're wasting your time and money. go get a college degree. microsoft is not a college.

How true. how very true.

realization of the afformentioned FACT only comes after a great deal of spending for quite a few fools.....

Apparently none of you have ever had to deal with recruiting departments who instantly throw away resumes that don't match their "acronym soup" list.