70-646 - My first failure

Discussion in 'Windows Server 2003 / 2008 / 2012 / 2016' started by greenstarthree, Mar 19, 2015.

  1. greenstarthree

    greenstarthree Nibble Poster

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    Hi all,

    Unfortunately failed my 70-646 exam on Tuesday, my first exam failure after passing the 640 and 642 first time. Annoyingly my score was 680 which I can't get out of my head is only 2% off the pass mark!

    Strangely, it felt as though the exam was going ok at the time (I remember making "educated guesses" for the first 10 questions of the 642 as they were on my weakest area!), but I now see what everyone means when they say the 646 is somewhat of a different animal. Mostly case studies, very conceptual, and more "why" than "how".

    At least it's the time of year for Second Shot so I'm already booked in for my retake in April. If all goes well it's then on to upgrading with the 417 later in the year. Time to hit the books again! I've been using the MS Press book, with it's included MeasureUP exams and CBT Nuggets videos.

    I did perform the labs suggested in the MS Press book, but I think if there's one thing I did less of when studying for this one it was lab. And having read through a few posts perhaps that's the key. At work we are single-site-single-subnet infrastructure so perhaps setting up a virtual "multi-site" lab might help me get my head around the grander scale of things?

    I will, of course, gladly take any advice!
    Cheers
    Adam
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCTS 70-640, MCTS 70-642, MCSA 70-646
  2. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hi Adam,

    it sounds like you've just been unlucky on the day, we've all been there. Check the print out you got showing the areas you're weakest on and really focus on those, as well as an overall refresh on the areas you are good at, but a bit more in depth on your weakest area/s. We've all been there mate, sometimes missing by 1%. This is why I'm a big fan of the second shot no matter how experienced you are. Sometimes it's just not your day but I'm sure you will nail this on the next go. The books and CBT's you have are enough and just keep on the measureup tests. You'll be fine

    Cheers
    Jim
     
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  3. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Sorry just realised what you've said with regard to labs, labs are key mate. I realise it might be hard to get a lab setup but if you've got a decent laptop you can fudge it, as it doesnt need to be very powerful at all. Make sure you attempt some of the labs, it makes all the difference and for me, cements what the book is saying. I often don't really get it until I've clicked the buttons myself.
     
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  4. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    Do Microsoft offer virtual labs for this exam, it's been a few years since I sat the exam but I do recall it's a case of reading the scenarios and understanding the different requirements well.

    I agree with Jim that labs are key, not just to this or Microsoft in general but also in pretty much most IT exams these days, sometimes just getting hands on lab time is the difference between passing and failing.
     
    Certifications: CNA | CNE | CCNA | MCP | MCP+I | MCSE NT4 | MCSA 2003 | Security+ | MCSA:S 2003 | MCSE:S 2003 | MCTS:SCCM 2007 | MCTS:Win 7 | MCITP:EDA7 | MCITP:SA | MCITP:EA | MCTS:Hyper-V | VCP 4 | ITIL v3 Foundation | VCP 5 DCV | VCP 5 Cloud | VCP6 NV | VCP6 DCV | VCAP 5.5 DCA
  5. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Good shout on the MS Virtual labs. They do still have 2008 R2 labs here! You might have to set the filter on the left to say 2008 R2, plain 2008 has no content understandably.
     
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  6. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    Age and experience has it's benefits young man 8)
     
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  7. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Ah I don't know mate I feel pretty ancient these days... 36 this year! :(
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  8. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    45 on Sunday whipper snapper :rolleyes:
     
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  9. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    No way, you don't look 45 mate, serious? I thought you were my age mate, not that it matters course

    I'm going grey, I look older than you now
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  10. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    Yes, 45.. tbh I still act like a kid, I just struggle with the body to play like one.
     
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  11. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    ha ha ha same here mate, I have back pain and all kinds now. Well at least you don't look it. I don't act my age but I'm starting to look it I think :S Where's that facemask!
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  12. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    I would probably agree that I don't look it but where are you seeing pictures of me, stalker?
     
    Certifications: CNA | CNE | CCNA | MCP | MCP+I | MCSE NT4 | MCSA 2003 | Security+ | MCSA:S 2003 | MCSE:S 2003 | MCTS:SCCM 2007 | MCTS:Win 7 | MCITP:EDA7 | MCITP:SA | MCITP:EA | MCTS:Hyper-V | VCP 4 | ITIL v3 Foundation | VCP 5 DCV | VCP 5 Cloud | VCP6 NV | VCP6 DCV | VCAP 5.5 DCA
  13. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    I've hacked your webcam :) I'm sure you posted something on here recently mate, not a pic a link to a pic of you, sure it was you unless I'm losing the plot, fair haired
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  14. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    Yeah fair haired, you could have been stalking my Twitter account :oops:
     
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  15. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    That's the one sorry mate I wasn't stalking you, I must have clicked that. Just clicked it again, now way you look 45!
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  16. greenstarthree

    greenstarthree Nibble Poster

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    Thanks both, looks like labbing is going to be my hobby for the next few weeks then! I thought then TechNet Vlabs were for TechNet paid subscribers only? In any case it seems to be letting me log into them but requires a restart to launch so we'll see.

    I do have a decent HP Elitebook I can use for home labs too, it's just sometimes as much of a task to get your head around the Hyper-[V config to simulate multiple sites/subnets as it is to do the lab itself! But I will duly throw myself into it feet first!

    PS - I'm 28 :-)
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCTS 70-640, MCTS 70-642, MCSA 70-646
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  17. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Sorry mate off topic madness. Good work on the labs, and ask here if you want to know something about the labs although I'm sure they come with everything you need to know. You look 27 1/2... just kidding I'll shut up now
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  18. greenstarthree

    greenstarthree Nibble Poster

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    Ha, I can assure you I look much older!

    Cheers!
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCTS 70-640, MCTS 70-642, MCSA 70-646
  19. greenstarthree

    greenstarthree Nibble Poster

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    Tried out a couple of the R2 TechNet VLabs earlier and they do indeed work very well. Should come in very handy although I'm currently rebuilding my own hyper v lab too.

    Hopefully wil help to cement the concepts in the brain!
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCTS 70-640, MCTS 70-642, MCSA 70-646
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