November 4, 2011 at 8:47 am
I just sat the 70-450 exam and failed ( got 668 out of a possible 1000). Obviously i need to do more work, no excuses, i know i need to work harder.
But what i am curious about is Trancender. I spent a week doing the exam in trancender, and was in a position where i was getting 90%-100% in the trancender exam each time i tried it.
I found, on sitting the real exam that the questions were levels of magnitude more difficult than the Trancender Exams, and to this end, i feel that the Trancender is of little use in preperation for this exam. Perhaps the exam has been made more difficult since the trancender exam was released, i dont know, but the end point is that trancender does not seem to prepare you for this particular exam.
Has anyone else found this, and if so, is there any other test software out there that is more up to the standard of the 70-450?
November 8, 2011 at 9:29 am
I barely passed 70-432 this morning with a 700. I too used the Transcender Practice Exams. I was getting in the 90% repeatedly on the Random Question Exams in about 20 minutes. During the test, I was thinking about how different the questions seemed from Transcender. The format was about the same and that part was good. I definitely help me to get use to the format of the test
To be fair to Transcender, they do warn that memorizing their answer will not help you pass the test. I did find that after taking 14 Practice Exams, I had memorized the answers to many of their questions. They also have a first pass guarantee so you can ask for refund if you want to.
I have already purchased the Practice Exam for 70-450 and I plan to use it. However, I will probably add in one or two more practice sources before I take the next exam.
In the future, I will continue to use Transcender in test preparation as I have in the past. It was my only practice source so apparently it worked.
November 8, 2011 at 10:03 am
It seems to me Transcender is much more specific than the exam questions are, e.g it will question you on a specific fact/feature in sql rather than a set of conditions which are given to you in the exam, making the exam questions a little harder & more thoughtful.
Don't think I'd use as sole practice material but gives good balance with practice exams from most guide books.
Admittedly that was SQL 2000 exams so might be a bit different now 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 11:18 am
I used Transcender with the SQL 2000 exams also. At that time, I passed the first one and then had to do a double take on the second one.
Maybe that is just par for the course.
I never asked for easy, just possible.
November 8, 2011 at 11:42 am
Those exams may be nice simulation practice, but they don't really teach the topics.
Nothing beats breaking down the exam criteria, studying the points, and practicing those areas.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
November 8, 2011 at 8:00 pm
michael.french 172 (11/8/2011)
I had memorized the answers to many of their questions
That's the reason why many people fail the cert exams. Memorization without understanding won't help you if they change the questions even a slight amount. It's like buying a bad crib sheet. 🙂
Buy the MS book/training kit for an exam and study it. Learn and understand the concepts. Rote memorization of someone else's test questions won't help much on cert exams and they certainly won't help in real life especially on an interview.
I'll also tell you that I don't even look at certs when I'm looking at resumes because too many people try to take the easy way out by, you guessed it, memorizing questions instead of learning and practicing concepts.
And, yeah... I'm picking on you a bit because I had higher expectations from someone who wrote the following... and I quote... 😉
While there are some aspects of being a DBA can be learned in a vocational manner, I believe that in general, a four year degree provides a solid foundation on which to build a career.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
November 9, 2011 at 2:58 am
Don't know what are you're getting at Jeff? My four year degree in Biochemistry has served me well in my career as a DBA 😉
November 9, 2011 at 7:52 am
What I was getting at is that folks work hard for their 4 year degree and they learn a lot of things in the process. That's the whole plan. It pertains to MS certs, as well. MS certs are sort of like a degree in that you're supposed to learn something in the process. Rote memorization of questions to pass an exam isn't a learning process.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
November 9, 2011 at 8:12 am
Jeff,
My point on memorizing the answers to the questions was that it naturally happened as a result of repeatedly taking the practice tests. However, it was not my goal and therefore thinking that I would pass the test if I had memorized Transcender’s answers. In fact, I had fallen into that trap years ago and I did not want to repeat that mistake. As I prepare for 70-450 Exam, I read the topic about lack of study material for the test. As a result, I pulled my copy of the Administrator’s Pocket Consultant off the shelf and it will now be carried with me where I go until I pass the next test.
On to looking at resumes, most times you and I are the most technical people in the room and we may discount certifications if not backed up by relevant work experience. However, when I am interviewing for a contract, the non-technical manager or executive that I am interviewing with may see it as plus.
So then I would suggest that if you do not have four year degree, then you should at least have a certification. If you have a degree, then you may not ever need to be certified to get a job, but it cannot hurt. I have always had mixed feelings about certifications over the years. At this point, I feel that it is worthwhile investment of my time.
To bring the topic back to full circle, I still believe that the Transcender Test Prep is worthwhile as part of an overall study program. If someone purchases the software, then just takes the practice exams and nothing else, then they will most likely fail on the first try. Transcender states very clearly that you should not memorize their answers and expect to pass. I applaud them for that.
Michael
November 9, 2011 at 8:42 am
Gazareth (11/9/2011)
Don't know what are you're getting at Jeff? My four year degree in Biochemistry has served me well in my career as a DBA 😉
Heh... Sorry... Not enough coffee this morning. I definitely missed the irony in that. 😀
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
November 9, 2011 at 8:44 am
michael.french 172 (11/9/2011)
Jeff,My point on memorizing the answers to the questions was that it naturally happened as a result of repeatedly taking the practice tests. However, it was not my goal and therefore thinking that I would pass the test if I had memorized Transcender’s answers. In fact, I had fallen into that trap years ago and I did not want to repeat that mistake. As I prepare for 70-450 Exam, I read the topic about lack of study material for the test. As a result, I pulled my copy of the Administrator’s Pocket Consultant off the shelf and it will now be carried with me where I go until I pass the next test.
On to looking at resumes, most times you and I are the most technical people in the room and we may discount certifications if not backed up by relevant work experience. However, when I am interviewing for a contract, the non-technical manager or executive that I am interviewing with may see it as plus.
So then I would suggest that if you do not have four year degree, then you should at least have a certification. If you have a degree, then you may not ever need to be certified to get a job, but it cannot hurt. I have always had mixed feelings about certifications over the years. At this point, I feel that it is worthwhile investment of my time.
To bring the topic back to full circle, I still believe that the Transcender Test Prep is worthwhile as part of an overall study program. If someone purchases the software, then just takes the practice exams and nothing else, then they will most likely fail on the first try. Transcender states very clearly that you should not memorize their answers and expect to pass. I applaud them for that.
Michael
Ah... the bolded text is what I was hoping you'd say. Thanks for the feedback, Michael.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
November 9, 2011 at 9:53 am
Jeff - no worries 🙂
I also find certs useful for gaining awareness of areas or features in SQL Server I don't use regularly or at all.
From a CV point of view I imagine they're more important for freelancing/contracting than permanent jobs.
Or for someone in my position that doesn't have a computing degree. I know I'd have much less interest when job hunting without them!
November 9, 2011 at 10:32 am
I'll tell you what I like to see on CV's... a list of major accomplishments and the words "Google Me". 🙂
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
November 9, 2011 at 10:38 am
Jeff Moden (11/9/2011)
I'll tell you what I like to see on CV's... a list of major accomplishments and the words "Google Me". 🙂
I think I'll update my resume to just say google me:-D
Did it work to google me?
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
November 9, 2011 at 11:06 am
Apparently I am a Pediatric Dentist. My kids will be thrilled to find that out.
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