The reason we include a self-assessment in this Exam Cram book is to help you evaluate your readiness to tackle Microsoft certifications. It should also help you to understand what you need to know to master the main topic of this book: namely, Exam 70-620 TS: Microsoft Windows Vista, Configuring. You might also want to check out the Microsoft Skills Assessment web page (www.microsoft.com/learning/assessment) on the Microsoft Training and Certification website. But, before you tackle this self-assessment, let’s talk about concerns you might face when pursuing a Microsoft certification credential on Windows and what an ideal Microsoft certification candidate might look like.
In the next section, we describe the ideal Microsoft certification candidate, knowing full well that only a few real candidates meet that ideal. In fact, our description of those ideal candidates might seem downright unrealistic, especially with the changes that have been made to the Microsoft certifications to support Windows. But don’t worry: Although the requirements to obtain the advanced Microsoft certification might seem formidable, they are by no means impossible to meet. However, you need to be keenly aware that getting through the process takes time, involves some expense, and requires real effort.
Increasing numbers of people are attaining Microsoft certifications. You can get all the real-world motivation you need from knowing that many others have gone before, so you will be able to follow in their footsteps. If you’re willing to tackle the process seriously and do what it takes to obtain the necessary experience and knowledge, you can take and pass all the certification tests involved in obtaining the credentials. In fact, at Que Publishing, we’ve designed the Exam Cram 2 series and the MCSE Training Guide series to make it as easy for you as possible to prepare for these exams. We’ve also greatly expanded our website, www.examcram2.com, to provide a host of resources to help you prepare for the complexities of Windows.
To give you an idea of what an ideal Microsoft certification candidate is like, here are some relevant statistics about the background and experience such an individual might have:
Note
Don’t worry if you don’t meet these qualifications or even come close to meeting them: This world is far from ideal, and where you fall short is simply where you have more work to do.
Academic or professional training in network theory, concepts, and operations. This area includes everything from networking media and transmission techniques through network operating systems, services, and applications.
Two or more years of professional networking experience, including experience with Ethernet, Token Ring, modems, and other networking media. This experience must include installation, configuration, upgrading, and troubleshooting experience.
Two or more years in a networked environment that includes hands-on experience with Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000/XP Professional, Windows NT 4.0 Server, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, and Windows 98 or Windows 95. A solid understanding of each system’s architecture, installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting is also essential.
Knowledge of the various methods for installing Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP, including manual and unattended installations.
A thorough understanding of key networking protocols, addressing, and name resolution, including Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
Familiarity with key Windows Server 2003–based TCP/IP utilities and services, including Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP—used for web servers), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS), and Domain Name System (DNS), plus familiarity with one or more of the following: Internet Information Services (IIS), Internet Protocol Security (IPSec), Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), and Terminal Services.
An understanding of how to implement security for key network data in a Windows Server 2003 environment.
A good understanding of Active Directory.
To meet all of these qualifications, you need a Bachelor’s degree in computer science plus three years’ work experience in PC networking design, installation, administration, and troubleshooting. Don’t be concerned if you don’t have all of these qualifications. Fewer than half of all Microsoft certification candidates meet these requirements. This self-assessment chapter is designed to show you what you already know and to prepare you for the topics that you need to learn.
The following series of questions and observations is designed to help you figure out how much work you must do to pursue Microsoft certification and what kinds of resources you can consult on your quest. Be absolutely honest in your answers; otherwise, you’ll end up wasting money on exams that you’re not yet ready to take. There are no right or wrong answers—only steps along the path to certification. Only you can decide where you really belong in the broad spectrum of aspiring candidates. Two things should be clear from the outset, however:
Even a modest background in computer science is helpful.
Hands-on experience with Microsoft products and technologies is an essential ingredient in certification success.
The following questions concern your level of technical computer experience and training. Depending on your answers to these questions, you might need to review some additional resources to get your knowledge up to speed for the types of questions that you will encounter on Microsoft certification exams:
Have you ever taken any computer-related classes? [Yes or No]
If Yes, proceed to Question 2; if No, proceed to Question 3.
Have you taken any classes on computer operating systems? [Yes or No]
If Yes, you will probably be able to handle the Microsoft architecture and system component discussions. If you’re rusty, you should brush up on basic operating system concepts, especially virtual memory, multitasking regimes, User mode versus Kernel mode operation, and general computer security topics.
If No, you should consider doing some basic reading in this area. We strongly recommend a good general operating systems book, such as Operating System Concepts, by Abraham Silberschatz and Peter Baer Galvin (John Wiley & Sons). If this book doesn’t appeal to you, check out reviews for other similar books at your favorite online bookstore.
Have you taken any networking concepts or technologies classes? [Yes or No]
If Yes, you will probably be able to handle the Microsoft networking terminology, concepts, and technologies. (Brace yourself for frequent departures from normal usage.) If you’re rusty, you should brush up on basic networking concepts and terminology, especially networking media, transmission types, the Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model, and networking technologies, such as Ethernet, Token Ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), and wide area network (WAN) links.
If No, you might want to read one or two books in this topic area. The two best books that we know are Computer Networks, by Andrew S. Tanenbaum (Prentice Hall), and Computer Networks and Internets, by Douglas E. Comer and Ralph E. Droms (Prentice Hall).
The most important key to success on all the Microsoft tests is hands-on experience, especially when it comes to Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP and the many add-on services and components around which so many of the Microsoft certification exams revolve. If we leave you with only one realization after you take this self-assessment, it should be that there’s no substitute for time spent installing, configuring, and using the various Microsoft products on which you’ll be tested. The more in-depth understanding you have of how these software products work, the better your chance of selecting the right answers on the exam:
Have you installed, configured, and worked with the following:
Windows Server 2003? [Yes or No]
If No, you must obtain one or two machines and a copy of Windows Server 2003. (A trial version is available on the Microsoft website.) Then, you should learn about the operating system and any other software components on which you’ll also be tested. In fact, we recommend that you obtain two computers, each with a network interface, and set up a two-node network on which to practice. With decent Windows Server 2003–capable computers selling for about $500 to $600 apiece these days, this setup shouldn’t be too much of a financial hardship. You might have to scrounge to come up with the necessary software, but if you scour the Microsoft website, you can usually find low-cost options to obtain evaluation copies of most of the software that you’ll need.
Note
You can download objectives, practice exams, and other data about Microsoft exams from the Training and Certification page at www.microsoft.com/traincert. You can use the Exams link to obtain specific exam information.
Windows XP Professional? [Yes or No]
If No, you should obtain a copy of Windows XP Professional and learn how to install, configure, and maintain it. Pick up a well-written book to guide your activities and studies (such as MCSE Windows XP Professional Exam Cram 2), or you can work straight from the Microsoft exam objectives, if you prefer.
Windows Vista? [Yes or No]
If No, you should obtain a copy of Windows Vista and learn how to install, configure, and maintain it. Pick up a well-written book to guide your activities and studies, or you can work straight from the Microsoft exam objectives, if you prefer.
Tip
For any and all of these Microsoft operating systems exams, the Resource Kits for the topics involved always make good study resources. You can purchase the Resource Kits from Microsoft Press (you can search for them at http://microsoft.com/mspress), but they also appear on the TechNet CDs, DVDs, and website (www.microsoft.com/technet). Along with the Exam Cram 2 books, we believe that the Resource Kits are among the best tools you can use to prepare for Microsoft exams. Take a look at the Windows Deployment and Resource Kits web page for more information: www.microsoft.com/windows/reskits/default.asp.
If you have the funds, or if your employer will pay your way, consider taking a class at a Microsoft Certified Training and Education Center (CTEC). In addition to classroom exposure to the topic of your choice, you get a copy of the software that is the focus of your course, along with a trial version of whatever operating system it needs, as part of the training materials for that class.
Before you even think about taking any Microsoft exam, make sure you’ve spent enough time with the related software to understand how to install and configure it, how to maintain such an installation, and how to troubleshoot the software when things go wrong. This time will help you in the exam—and in real life!
Preparing for any Microsoft certification test (including Exam 70-620) requires that you obtain and study materials designed to provide comprehensive information about the product and its capabilities that will appear on the specific exam for which you are preparing. The following list of materials can help you study and prepare:
The Windows Vista product DVD-ROM. This disc includes comprehensive online documentation and related materials; it should be one of your primary resources when you are preparing for the test.
The exam preparation materials, practice tests, and self-assessment exams on the Microsoft Training and Certification site, at www.microsoft.com/learning/default.mspx. The Exam Resources link offers samples of the new question types on the Windows Server 2003 Microsoft Certification track series of exams. You should find the materials, download them, and use them!
The exam preparation advice, practice tests, questions of the day, and discussion groups at www.examcram2.com.
In addition, you might find any or all of the following materials useful in your quest for Windows Vista expertise:
Microsoft training kits. Microsoft Learning offers a training kit that specifically targets Exam 70-620. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/learning/books/. This training kit contains information that you will find useful in preparing for the test.
Microsoft TechNet CD or DVD and website. This monthly CD- or DVD-based publication delivers numerous electronic titles that include coverage of Windows Server 2003 and related topics on the Technical Information (TechNet) series on CD or DVD. Its offerings include product facts, technical notes, tools and utilities, and information about how to access the Seminars Online training materials for Windows Server 2003 and the Windows Server System line of products. Visit http://technet.microsoft.com and check out the information for TechNet subscriptions. You can use a large portion of the TechNet website at no charge.
Study guides. Several publishers, including Que Publishing, offer Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000 titles. Que Publishing offers the following:
The Exam Cram 2 series. These books give you the insights about the material that you need to know to successfully pass the certification tests.
The MCSE Training Guide series. These books provide a greater level of detail than the Exam Cram 2 books and are designed to teach you everything you need to know about the subject covered by an exam. Each book comes with a CD-ROM that contains interactive practice exams in a variety of testing formats.
Together, these two series make a perfect pair.
Classroom training. CTECs, online partners, and third-party training companies (such as Wave Technologies, New Horizons, and Global Knowledge) all offer classroom training on Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000. These companies aim to help you prepare to pass Exam 70-620 and several others. Although this type of training tends to be pricey, most of the individuals lucky enough to attend find this training to be quite worthwhile.
Other publications. There’s no shortage of materials available about Windows Vista. The “Recommended Readings and Resources” sections at the end of each chapter in this book give you an idea about where we think you should look for further discussion.
This set of required and recommended materials represents an unparalleled collection of sources and resources for Windows Vista and related topics. We anticipate that you’ll find this book belongs in this company.
Although many websites offer information about what to study for a particular exam, few sites explain how you should study for an exam. The study process can be broken down into various stages. However, key to all of these stages is the ability to concentrate. Concentration, or the lack of, plays a big part in the study process.
To be able to concentrate, you must remove all distractions. Although you should plan for study breaks, it is the unplanned breaks caused by distractions that do not allow you to concentrate on what you need to learn. Therefore, first, you need to create an environment that’s conducive to studying or seek out an existing environment that meets these criteria, such as a library.
Do not study with the TV on, and do not have other people in the room. It is too easy for something on TV to grab your attention and break your concentration And, do not study with others in the room who might not share your dedication to passing this exam. Opinions differ on whether it is better to study with or without music playing. Some people need to have a little white noise in the background to study; if you choose to have music, keep the volume on a low level and listen to music without vocals.
After you find a place to study, you must schedule the time to study. And, don’t study on an empty stomach. You should also not study on a full stomach; a full stomach tends to make people drowsy. You may also consider having a glass of water near to sip on.
In addition, make sure that you are well rested so that you don’t start dozing off. Make sure that you find a position that is comfortable and use furniture that is also comfortable. And finally, make sure that your study area is well lit. Natural light is best for fighting fatigue.
The first thing that you should do when you begin to study is to clear your mind of distractions. So, take a minute or two, close your eyes, and empty your mind.
When you prepare for an exam, the best place to start is to take the list of exam objectives and study the list carefully for its scope. You can then organize your study with these objectives in mind, narrowing down your focus area to specific topics/subtopics. In addition, you need to understand and visualize the process as a whole, to help prepare you to address practical problems in a real environment and to deal with unexpected questions.
In a multiple-choice exam, you do have one advantage: The answer or answers are already there, and you just have to choose the correct one(s). Because the answers are already there, you can start eliminating the incorrect answers by using your knowledge and some logical thinking. One common mistake is to select the first obvious-looking answers without checking the other options. Don’t fall into this trap: Always review all the options, think about them, and then choose the right answer. Of course, with multiple-choice questions, you have to be exact and should be able to differentiate between similar answers. This is one reason you need a peaceful place of study without distractions, so that you can read between the lines and don’t miss key points.
Whether you attend a formal class on a specific topic to get ready for an exam or use written materials to study on your own, some preparation for the Microsoft certification exams is essential. At $125 each—whether you pass or fail—you’ll want to do everything you can to pass on your first try. That’s where studying comes in.
We include two practice tests in this book (Chapters 13 through 16, “Practice Exam 1,” “Practice Exam 2” and answers to Practice Exam 1 and 2, respectively), so if you don’t score very well on these tests, you can study the practice exams more and then tackle the test again. We also have practice questions that you can sign up for online through www.examcram2.com. The PrepLogic CD-ROM in the back of this book has sample questions to quiz you on; however, you can also purchase additional practice questions from www.PrepLogic.com. If you still don’t hit a score of at least 70 percent after practicing with these tests, investigate the other practice test resources mentioned in this section.
For any given subject, consider taking a class if you’ve tackled self-study materials, taken the test, and failed anyway. The opportunity to interact with an instructor and fellow students can make all the difference in the world, if you can afford that luxury. For information about Microsoft classes, visit the Training and Certification page at www.microsoft.com/traincert/training/find/findcourse.asp to find training courses offered at Microsoft CTECs.
If you can’t afford to take a class, visit the Training and Certification pages anyway; they include pointers to free practice exams and to Microsoft-approved study guides and other self-study tools. And, even if you can’t afford to spend much money at all, you should still invest in some low-cost practice exams from commercial vendors. The Microsoft Training and Certification “Assess Your Readiness” page, at www.microsoft.com/traincert/assessment, offers several skills-assessment evaluations that you can take online to show you how far along you are in your certification preparation.
The next question deals with your personal testing experience. Microsoft certification exams have their own style and idiosyncrasies. The more acclimated that you become to the Microsoft testing environment, the better your chances are to score well on the exams:
Have you taken a practice exam on your chosen test subject? [Yes or No]
If Yes, and if you scored 70 percent or better, you’re probably ready to tackle the real thing. If your score isn’t above that threshold, you should keep at it until you break that barrier.
If No, you should obtain all the free and low-budget practice tests you can find and get to work. Keep at it until you can break the passing threshold comfortably.
Tip
When it comes to assessing your test readiness, there is no better way than to take a good-quality practice exam and pass with a score of 70 percent or better. When preparing, aim for 80 percent or higher, just to leave room for the unexpected or confusing question that sometimes shows up on Microsoft exams.
In addition to the general exam-readiness information in the preceding section, you can do several things to prepare for Exam 70-620. As you’re getting ready for the exam, visit the Exam Cram 2 website at www.examcram2.com. We also suggest that you join an active MCSE/MCSA e-mail list and e-mail newsletter. Some of the best list servers and e-mail newsletters are managed by Sunbelt Software. You can sign up at www.sunbelt-software.com.
Microsoft exam mavens also recommend that you check the Microsoft Knowledge Base (available on its own CD as part of the TechNet collection, and on the Microsoft website at http://support.microsoft.com) for “meaningful technical support issues” that relate to your exam’s topics. Although we’re not sure exactly what the quoted phrase means, we have also noticed some overlap between technical-support questions on particular products and troubleshooting questions on the exams for those products.
Before you take an exam, eat something light, even if you have no appetite. If your stomach is actively upset, try mild foods such as toast or crackers. Plain saltine crackers are great for settling a cranky stomach. Keep your caffeine and nicotine consumption to a minimum; excessive stimulants aren’t exactly conducive to reducing stress. Plan to take a bottle of water or some hard candies, such as lozenges or mints, with you to combat dry mouth.
When you take the exam, dress comfortably. And, arrive at the testing center early. If you have never been to the testing center before, make sure that you know where it is. You might even consider taking a test drive. If you arrive between 15 and 30 minutes early for any certification exam, it gives you
Ample time for whatever relaxes you: prayer, meditation, or deep breathing
Time to scan glossary terms and quick access tables before taking the exam so that you can get the intellectual juices flowing and to build a little confidence
Time to visit the washroom before you begin the exam.
But, don’t arrive too early.
When you are escorted into the testing chamber, you will be usually given two sheets of paper (or laminated paper) with pen (or wet erase pen). As soon as you hear the door close behind you, immediately jot down onto the paper information that you might need to quickly recall. Then, throughout the exam, you can refer to this information and not have to “think” about it. Instead, you can use this information as a reference and focus on answering the questions. Before you actually start the exam, close your eyes and take deep breath to clear your mind of distractions.
Typically, the testing room is furnished with anywhere from one to six computers, and each workstation is separated from the others by dividers designed to keep anyone from seeing what’s happening on someone else’s computer screen. Most testing rooms feature a wall with a large picture window. This layout permits the exam coordinator to monitor the room, to prevent exam takers from talking to one another, and to observe anything out of the ordinary that might go on. The exam coordinator will have preloaded the appropriate Microsoft certification exam—for this book, that’s Exam 70-620: TS: Microsoft Windows Vista Client, Configuring—and you are permitted to start as soon as you’re seated in front of the computer.
Exam Alert
Always remember that the testing center’s test coordinator is there to assist you in case you encounter some unusual problems, such as a malfunctioning test computer. If you need some assistance, feel free to notify one of the test coordinators—after all, they are there to make your exam-taking experience as pleasant as possible.
All exams are completely closed book. In fact, you are not permitted to take anything with you into the testing area, but you receive a blank sheet of paper and a pen or, in some cases, an erasable plastic sheet and an erasable pen. We suggest that you immediately write down on that sheet of paper all the information you’ve memorized for the test. In Exam Cram 2 books, this information appears on the tear-out sheet (Cram Sheet) inside the front cover of each book. You are given some time to compose yourself, record this information, and take a sample orientation exam before you begin the real thing. We suggest that you take the orientation test before taking your first exam; but because all the certification exams are more or less identical in layout, behavior, and controls, you probably don’t need to do so more than once.
All Microsoft certification exams allow a certain maximum amount of testing time. (This time is indicated on the exam by an onscreen timer clock, so you can check the time remaining whenever you like.) All Microsoft certification exams are computer generated. In addition to multiple-choice questions, most exams contain select–and-place (drag-and-drop), create-a-tree (categorization and prioritization), drag-and-connect, and build-list-and-reorder (list prioritization) types of questions. Although this format might sound quite simple, the questions are constructed not only to check your mastery of basic facts and figures about Windows Vista, but also to require you to evaluate one or more sets of circumstances or requirements. Often, you are asked to give more than one answer to a question. Likewise, you might be asked to select the best or most effective solution to a problem from a range of choices—all of which are technically correct. Taking the exam is quite an adventure, and it involves real thinking and concentration. This book shows you what to expect and how to deal with the potential problems, puzzles, and predicaments.
Because a certification exam costs money to take and time to prepare for, and because failing an exam can be a blow to your self-confidence, most people feel a certain amount of anxiety when they are about to take a certification exam. It is no wonder that most of us are a little sweaty in the palms when taking the exam. However, certain levels of stress can actually help you to raise your level of performance when taking an exam. This anxiety usually serves to help you focus your concentration and think clearly through a problem.
For some people, exam anxiety is more than just a nuisance. For these people, exam anxiety is a debilitating condition that negatively affects their performance (and therefore their exam results).
Exam anxiety reduction begins with the preparation process. Remember, if you know the material, you really don’t have anything to be nervous about. The better prepared you are for an exam, the less stress you will experience when taking it. Always give yourself plenty of time to prepare for an exam; don’t place yourself under unreasonable deadlines. But again, make goals and make every effort to meet those goals. Procrastination and making excuses will just lead to more anxiety.
No hard-and-fast rule applies to how long it takes to prepare for an exam. The time required will vary from student to student and depends on a number of different factors, including reading speed, access to study materials, personal commitments, and so on. In addition, don’t compare yourself to peers, especially if doing so has a negative effect on your confidence.
For many students, practice exams are a great way to shed some of the fears that arise in the test center. Practice exams are best used near the end of the exam preparation, and be sure to use them as an assessment of your current knowledge, not as a method to try to memorize key concepts. When reviewing these questions, be sure you understand the questions and all the answers (right and wrong). And finally, set time limits on the practice exams.
If you know the material, don’t plan to study the day of your exam. You should end your studying the evening before the exam. In addition, don’t make it a late night; get a full night’s rest. Of course, because you’ll be studying regularly for at least a few weeks before the evening before the exam, you won’t need any last-minute cramming.