I need some helpful advice...

Question

I need some helpful advice...

cdun2

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Points: 7893
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May 16, 2003 at 4:05 pm

#159966

Hello,
I am 2 1/2 months into my effort to get the MCDBA certification for SQL Server 2000. I have about one year of experience with SQL Server 2000, and about four years of total database experience ( I started with Access 97). Most of my time in SQL Server 2000 has been spent with development, but I also work with Security, Jobs, DTS, and backups. I have not done anything with SQL Profiler, System Monitor, Replication, or Full Text Search.
I took exam 70.228 (SQL Server 2000 Administration) three months ago without any preparation just to see what the exam was like, and to try to get an idea of how much work I needed to do. I scored a 533, and so I figured I just needed a little polish to pass. I bought the Microsoft Press book, "Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Administration" and the companion 'Readiness Review' book. I did not elect to go through these, as I figured I was close enough to passing the test that I could save some time by just prepping with Transcender test software and BOL.
I bought the Transcender software for this exam, and for the last two and 1/2 months, I have studied the Transcender test questions, the explanations, and have reviewed the BOL references made in the Transcender test question explanations. I built an outline that mirrored BOL for all the areas that the Transcender tests made reference to, and reviewed this outline several times. With Transcender, I took many custom exams, going through each section individually. I repeated this process for all sections, and studied the explanations. My scores for the custom exams got better and better. I then took the exams A, B, and C, and scored 933 on each test. At this point, I had worked at this approach for 2 1/2 months every weekday morning from 5am to 7am. I felt like I understood why the right answers where right, and why the wrong answers were wrong.
It was two days ago that I took Transcender test 'C'. I took 70.228 this morning at 8:00am, and I was confident before I took the test that I was going to pass. Instead, I got a rude awakening with the way the actual test questions were presented vs. what I had experienced with Trancender, was surprised at how much information the test presented that Transcender didn't cover, almost ran out of time before I got to question 45, and would up with a 577.
So, it’s back to the drawing board. That is to say, I don't think a short review before I take the test again is going to work, I think I need to start over and take a different and more complete approach to preparation. I don't blame Transcender for this set back, though it does seem like with as much work as I did with what this software offers, I should have been better prepared, and should have done better on the test. Even so, I need a more thorough self-study that will give me good scenarios and examples within all of the objectives.
After I get back from vacation, I want to start this again. But before I try this again, I would like to get answers to some questions:
1. Will a thorough study of the Microsoft Press books for test 70.228 help me to become well prepared for this test, or are there some other books I should consider instead?
2. Is it realistic for someone with 1 year experience as a SQL Server 2000 developer to expect to pass any of the MCDBA tests?
3. Is there a better choice for self-test software than Transcender?
4. Am I using the Transcender software the correct way?
I really want to get this certification, and I really don't want to waste more time than I already have. I don't know if I've asked the most useful questions here, so if you have something to offer besides just answers to the questions I have addressed here that you feel would be more helpful, please share. I sure could use the help.
Thanks,
CSDunn

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

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K. Brian Kelley SSC Guru Points: 114642 More actions · Answer 1

1. In the past, my experience has been the MS Press books aren't enough. They are better than they were even a year ago, but don't expect them to get you through. Most folks rely on two or more books.

2. Yes. Very realistic if you put in the work. Also, if you set yourself up with a practice environment, you'll get to "play" with an emphasis on really learning the technologies. SQL Server 2000 with its multiple instances really helps in this regard. So, incidently, does a product like VMWare.

3. When it comes to Microsoft tests, most would say Transcender is probably the best.

4. In my experience, Transcender and other test prep software works best to help pinpoint your weaknesses, not as the principal focus of your study. In other words, after you studied a book, take the Trannie, see where you got marked down, and go back and study that section.

Here's an article I wrote last month that gives some additional advice, basically what I've picked up from others:

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/bkelley/gettingcertified.asp

K. Brian Kelley

http://www.truthsolutions.com/

Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

Edited by - bkelley on 05/16/2003 5:12:33 PM

K. Brian Kelley
@kbriankelley

cdun2 SSCertifiable Points: 7893 More actions · Answer 2

cdun2

SSCertifiable

Points: 7893

May 16, 2003 at 5:43 pm

#457543

Thanks for your help, Brian!

CSDunn

PBirch SSCrazy Eights Points: 8493 More actions · Answer 3

I agree - I also took your path. I took my first SQL test based mostly on studying Transcender. Not enough. I studied using two books and especially those pieces of SQL Server that I do not do on a regular basis - such as replications, etc.

I also went through the parts of the test that I felt most comfortable. I scored in the 90's on the second test.

Bon Chance!

Patrick

Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue

cdun2 SSCertifiable Points: 7893 More actions · Answer 4

quote:
I studied using two books...

If you don't mind sharing, which two books did you use?

Thanks,

CSDunn

PBirch SSCrazy Eights Points: 8493 More actions · Answer 5

Sybex and Microsoft. The Microsoft presented much more information than was necessary - but the Sybex presented just the basics. I would read the chapter that deal with the same subject - say Performance Monitoring - and then compare the different explanations. That way I would see the underlying concept instead of just rote answers. So, when I took the test for the second time I wasn't thrown by questions I didn't recognize.

Patrick

Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue

cdun2 SSCertifiable Points: 7893 More actions · Answer 6

quote:
Sybex and Microsoft.

Thanks Patrick, I will look into the Sybex books.

CSDunn

Antares686 SSC Guru Points: 125444 More actions · Answer 7

Look at ExamCram and ExamPrep books also. Those are clear in their order and I have had no issues with them. However, most folks used the Trancenders in the past which used to mimic the test almost exactly. But back in 2000 and in 2002 MS made changes to the test to follow the Novell format which based on getting questions right will progress harder faster and an occasional mistake will lower the difficulty which makes soem folks test very hard and other almost simplistic in comparioson. MS was trying to get rid of the learn without understanding effect Transcender created which was causing the MS certifications to become all but useless when hiring someone based on that fact.

cdun2 SSCertifiable Points: 7893 More actions · Answer 8

quote:
Look at ExamCram and ExamPrep books also.

Thanks for your input!

CSDunn

K. Brian Kelley SSC Guru Points: 114642 More actions · Answer 9

That's adaptive format and Microsoft varies on whether or not a test is in adaptive format. Check at http://www.cramsession.com/ to see what the most recent version of the test are.

K. Brian Kelley

http://www.truthsolutions.com/

Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

K. Brian Kelley
@kbriankelley

cdun2 SSCertifiable Points: 7893 More actions · Answer 10

quote:
Check at http://www.cramsession.com/ to see what the most recent version of the test are.

Thanks for your help, I will check the cramsession site.

CSDunn

htt SSCertifiable Points: 5242 More actions · Answer 11

quote:

Is it realistic for someone with 1 year experience as a SQL Server 2000 developer to expect to pass any of the MCDBA tests?

quote:

Personally I don't think that way. The exams cover many things that you never do in real world. And it is easier when you study for the exam without "I already know this" in your mind. I passed my MCSE easily when I was kind of a fresh guy switching from Novel to MS. Always passed first time. Now with SQL experience I must admit that I am not sure if I can pass the exam first time. I try to fool myself that "it isn't worth it to take the exams"