November 20, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Hello all, you may have seen my post below regarding the tough time I had at the test center. Anyway, made it through with a score of 850 or so... whew! A quiet test center helped out a bunch. Don't drink too much coffee.... It took me 3 hours 15 minutes to complete.
It is the toughest Microsoft Test I've taken and did follow other posters' tips... Be wise with time! It is easy to get caught up in a question and spend a lot of time looking for answers. By the end, my strategy was to skip the Case Study completely initially, read each question, and then work backwards to reference the case study for information.
It can seem like they are trying to trick you, information is scattered thoughout sections of the Case Study. But in general, I think the questions were reasonable. A little too much reading for my style!
Good luck to all...
Todd Carrier
MCITP - Database Administrator (SQL 2008)
MCSE: Data Platform (SQL 2012)
November 20, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Congrats. I take it next week. Is the pass mark 70% as with the 431? The self-paced training seems to want upper 80s, albeit it is straight multiple choice rather than case studies.
November 21, 2007 at 5:42 am
Ouch. I've got 447 coming up in 3 weeks. I'm not looking forward to it.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
November 26, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Congrats!
I thought 431 was the hardest, but I worked on a book for 443, so that might have helped 🙂
Good luck Gail!
November 27, 2007 at 1:37 am
Thanks. Will let you know afterwards how it went. I'm not looking forward to it, since admin's not my main job function.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
December 4, 2007 at 9:29 am
Congrats Todd,
443 is what I am currently studying for, could you tell me if you used Transcenders? I have used them on other occasions, lately they dont seem to be as tough as the actual exams so I have felt I am wasting my time on them.
I am also using the MS Self study kit.
Regards,
D.
December 4, 2007 at 9:46 am
Hi Duran,
I am a pretty big fan of Transcender. Since I started taking tests, it just seems to match my way of thinking. Seems like they cover all of the bases, and for me, the most valuable information are the explanations for the answers. When I don't know the specific subject, I then go out and reference books online, msdn, books, other sources.
The transcender test is kind of spendy, but my company covers the cost. I think they did a good job in writing their case studies to get you into the routine of reading and searching for tidbits and clues that lead to solving the question. Anyway, that's just me... certainly many ways to skin the cat!
Good luck on the test!
Todd Carrier
MCITP - Database Administrator (SQL 2008)
MCSE: Data Platform (SQL 2012)
January 31, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I passed 443 the second time :=(. I spent too much time reading the questions. The previously stated strategy of reading the questions and backtracking is good advice.
I did pay for software insurance, so at least the 2nd test was free. It is a very hard, very long exam. Good luck to all.
When the snows fall and the white winds blow,The lone wolf dies but the pack survives.
Once you've accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.
January 31, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Congrats fizzleme!
Good feeling, huh? Whew!
Keep it up...
Todd Carrier
MCITP - Database Administrator (SQL 2008)
MCSE: Data Platform (SQL 2012)
February 1, 2008 at 8:30 am
I've started studying for 70-444 and plan to take it 1st (before 70-443). It seems to fit what I'm working with most these days. Anyone go backwards like that? Bad idea or doesn't matter?
Thanks
February 1, 2008 at 9:10 am
I've been studing 444. The two tests seem very different, so I don't think the order matters.
When the snows fall and the white winds blow,The lone wolf dies but the pack survives.
Once you've accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.
February 1, 2008 at 9:33 am
Doesn't matter. Go with what you're more comfortable with.
I did 443, 444, 441, 431 in that order.
February 22, 2008 at 10:47 am
I've also gone out of order. I passed 70-431 in December. Then I bought the Sybex books for 70-443 and 70-444 and after looking them over decided to study for 70-444 first. I passed 70-444 yesterday with a 842, but it was a bear. Lots of wordy questions that test your stamina to read and concentrate more so than actual SQL Server 2005 knowledge.
The case studies for 70-443 worry me. I'll definitely take it with a second chance promotion voucher.
February 22, 2008 at 10:59 am
443 is very tough. Those verbose case studies are time killers. As I said before, read the questions first. I passed it the second time with the insurance.
When the snows fall and the white winds blow,The lone wolf dies but the pack survives.
Once you've accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.
July 8, 2008 at 8:56 am
one other piece of advice i would offer is that the case study text does provide an "ALL" page, which shows all the text rather than having to go through each tab one at a time. sometimes the tabs can be useful when referring to one specific part for a question but i preferred seeing everything
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