February 10, 2020 at 10:05 am
Hello. This is probalby sensitive question, so i will try to explain it as clear and precise as possible.
I've read the exam policies and FAQ of MS Server 70-461 exam, spefically the "exam security and integrity process". I am new at this subject, so please help me out.
For what i understand, brian dumps are questions that were illegaly copied from the MS exam somehow. So the first question is: are all of sample qestions that are floating arond the internet illegal and considered brain dumps or are some of them consedered historical questions and are acceptable? For example, few years ago, when i was doing financial licenses in poland, the regulator that provided the exams was publishing the historical tests in thier original form. That was the base for the learning process for multiplie chice question - like exams, simmilar to the 70-461 exam in thier form. So in simple word, does brain dumps reffears to recent exam question or are they ALL questions taken feom the exams illegally, historical questions of some kind or simmilar questions to the 70-461 exam treated all alike?
Second question: i wanted to use somthing like VCE exam simulator, but from what i see, this is illegal also? I know that Microsoft refears specifcally to the payed sites with "brain dumps". So, concludig, is only the simulator attached to the 70-461 server kit accepted?
Third and final question: how to prepare without beeing accused of cheating. From what i see this is somke kind of plauge here, considered the security mesaures taken. Myself i am against cheating in any form, even when i had to pay for my itegrity (cheating is a plauge in polish univeristies). Also, last ones of the exams i was mentioning above were taken in fonetic room under the cammeras, so i am used to fair play so to speak. However i wanted to clarify thouse issues.
Ps. i am really new at this subject, i want to take on the exam in a few weeks time, i am learning from udemy courses and Itzik Ben-Gan book. However my current knowlege of sql quering is still insufficent. So bonus question here: how helpfull is the exam simulator from the sql server traing kit book (since probalby i cannot use VCE one?) The book here cost about 200 PLN, which is equivalent in purchasing powet to 200 USD i guess, that is why i am asking 🙂
Thanks for all the future repilies, sorry for my bad writing and take care 🙂
February 10, 2020 at 10:29 am
Brain dumps are usually from people who have a photogenic memory who can look at the screen, remember the question and answers and reproduce that outside of the invigilated environment. Use and creation of such dumps is a breach of the NDA you sign when taking the exam.
Microsoft release a authorised training book (looks like you already have it from Itzik) and a authorised practise exam, usually done by Measure Up. These are the only authorised items you can use to study for the exams. Caveats are anything that's published on learning.microsoft.com or the virtual academies stuff MS do, I would say Udemy is OK too as long as its nothing to do with exams/exam questions etc you really do need to be careful what is used.
Whatever you see on the exam website is what you can use to study. If its not there, don't use it. Stay on the safe side and only use MS authorised publications. You don't want your certifications being taken away from you.
Practise practise practise is the only advise I will give you, read the books, use the authorised practise exam from MeasureUp. I'd go as far as buying the exam replay & practise test from PearsonVUE now, you get a free retake and 30 days online access to the practise test, so should you fail your not having to pay for another exam. The cost in the UK is £250 for that, but add the exam and practise test together that's £250 anyway, so if you fail, least you saved £150 from having to repay the exam fee a second time.
Don't be disheartened if you fail, heck I failed my MCTS back in 2008 about 3 times before I actually passed it, just keep learning, use the score report you get to identify where you need further improvement and lookup those topics on the exam details for what you need to deeper learn.
February 10, 2020 at 1:22 pm
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
February 10, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Wow, thanks for Yours replies!!!
Still, makes me wonder how Microsoft decides or know that one used dups? Anyway, now that i know the answer i weill try to prepare myself in the correct way, so to speak (that is Itzik Ben Gan book, traing Tool for 70-461 and Udemy, last one is quite save, no dumps whatsoever). Well thanks, hope this will be enough to pass, now i have better udnerstanding of the issue.
BTW, how much time did it take You guys to learn the basics back in the days, that is, the must have level just to pass the 70-461?
Thanks in advance, You are very helpfull
February 10, 2020 at 5:52 pm
I've never taken a single certification from Microsoft. Sorry.
The problem I have with the certs is that there is literally no way for them to know whether or not you used a set of question dumps. People get away with it every day.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
February 10, 2020 at 8:46 pm
I have a similar view of certifications. I've found that they are neither necessary nor sufficient to prove someone's proficiency in understanding a topic. Don't get me wrong, it is one way to proficiency, but most of the places I've worked at that pushed people to get them were mainly trying to maintain Silver or Gold status as a certified Microsoft Solution Provider.
February 10, 2020 at 10:16 pm
Okay i think i get it. As i wrote here before, SQL 70-461 sholud be the easiest one, so i'll try to take a shot at it. Perhaps in case of sucess it will be benefical in terms of the employment. If not - it is still the best way to learn at least the theory in my opinion.
About the dumps - way i see it - the more people use it, more complicated tests are. So people who try to pass it without that extra help lose it,well, twice.
I see the forum is very active, i will look for some technical advice in terms of T-SQL. Thank for Your replies again Guys.
February 11, 2020 at 12:24 am
Happy to help. Good luck on the test.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply