mcse possible in 7 weeks?

Discussion in 'General Microsoft Certifications' started by peapod, Feb 8, 2008.

  1. peapod

    peapod New Member

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    Hi,
    I have recently passed the exchange elective (70-284) and also 70-290, with about 2 weeks study for each.

    i think i'll be able to do the 70-291 exam and the xp client exam by the end of this month to get my mcsa.

    the 3 other exams i would need to get the mcse look much more in depth, and i believe i have to get them by the end of march - is that completely unrealistic?

    i've worked in IT for 10 years, the last 5 years as network admin in a large global company, mostly specialising in exchange, and then i left 3 weeks ago, which means i can study through most of the day.

    in my work, i've done more admin than design, so i guess it makes sense that the mcsa should be relatively straightforward and the design exams for the mcse will be a big step up.

    the alternative to trying to get the full mcse is to get the mcsa instead, and also take the other exchange elective which would go with my wanting to get future jobs continuing to specialise in exchange.

    what do people think?
     
  2. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

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    For most people, I'd say "no" and let it go at that however, in your case, it might be different. Certifications are to verify the skill sets a person already possesses, not to test how good a student they are. If you already possess most or all of the skill sets that map to the MCSE set of certifications, I suppose it would be possible. "Boot Camp" style training is made for people who have year or decades in the industry and just need to nail down the concepts in a format that will maximize their ability to take and pass Microsoft cert exams.

    All that said, there's no way for you or me to know for sure how things will actually play out until you actually get in deeper. You may hit an area that you aren't very knowledgable in and hit a snag, slowing things down. On the other hand, what's the rush?
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  3. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Hi Welcome to CF

    I agree with what Trip said, it may be possible with the amount of experience you have.

    Is this something your employer is requiring you to do?

    If not then you don't need to rush things.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  4. peapod

    peapod New Member

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    ah... someone at work told me [before i left] that the w2003 exams were being retired in march of this year.

    as often happens, i submit my post, then do a bit more browsing of the forum, and see that it's the w2000 exams that are being retired.

    in that case, then i do have time to pace myself properly, thank-you to those who have replied already.
     
  5. sunn

    sunn Gigabyte Poster

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    Default answer is absolutely not. I’d say give each component (exam) a fair amount of time to study. However, as Tripwire mentioned, you know your situation and experience better than anyone else so if you think Boot-Camp training is all you need – good luck with the... :study
     
  6. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

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    So the "rush" is off. Yeah...the 2003 exams are going to be around for awhile yet. It's not like everyone's going to rush out and upgrade their infrastructures to 2008 the second it's released. :wink:
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  7. Theprof

    Theprof Petabyte Poster

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    Welcome to CF! I also agree with what's been said.
     
    Certifications: A+ | CCA | CCAA | Network+ | MCDST | MCSA | MCP (270, 271, 272, 290, 291) | MCTS (70-662, 70-663) | MCITP:EMA | VCA-DCV/Cloud/WM | VTSP | VCP5-DT | VCP5-DCV
    WIP: VCAP5-DCA/DCD | EMCCA
  8. Modey

    Modey Terabyte Poster

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    Certainly, unless you know DNS and RRAS & DHCP like the back of your own hand, then you will find the 70-291 tough. It's considered one of the toughest exams and has a 70% failure rate. So not one to underestimate if I were you. :)
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP, MCDST, MCSA 2K3, MCTS, MOS, MTA, MCT, MCITP:EDST7, MCSA W7, Citrix CCA, ITIL Foundation
    WIP: Nada
  9. onoski

    onoski Terabyte Poster

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    Welcome to CF:) and yeah! excellent advise given above.
     
    Certifications: MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003 Messaging, MCP, HNC BIT, ITIL Fdn V3, SDI Fdn, VCP 4 & VCP 5
    WIP: MCTS:70-236, PowerShell
  10. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    The 2000 exams are retiring in March, not 2003.
    They'll be around quite a while yet.
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  11. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Not entirely true, the 2k3 upgrade exams from 2k (70-292 & 70-296) will be retiring this year. See here.

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  12. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    If you've been a network admin, you shouldn't have that rough of a time with the design exams.

    For each exam, take enough time to study the concepts completely, then take the exam. No need to rush, especially since you know you're not under a deadline now! :)

    Welcome to the forums!
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!

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