New poster. Unique question

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by ExamQs, Nov 1, 2011.

  1. ExamQs

    ExamQs New Member

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    Hi, looks like I stumbled into a super nice board for Microsoft info.

    I had a question that has been bothering me for a long time and I can not get a straight honest answer from my tech school. Have heard a few different explanations. My question is...

    How are the Microsoft Cert. Exams graded? Meaning are they weighted questions. Are some questions worth more points than others? I have to date taken about about 6 to 8 exams. Half of which I was certain I knew close to half the answers. But some of my scores have been a major shock. We need 700 to pass. I have had several scores in the 419-450 range when I am sure I had at least half correct if not more. One person at the school told me getting a 450 score would be like getting a 45% on a regular test. Which means only avg 4.5 correct out of every 10 questions. I think its has to be a weighted score. Some questions worth 3, 4 points and others worth 1 or 2.

    PLEASE HELP. I am so frustrated and a better sense of procedure would help tremondously. I have taken exams like the 70-271, 70-272, 70-680
     
    Certifications: SDP
  2. soundian

    soundian Gigabyte Poster

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    Microsoft ain't telling. 700 is the pass mark, but that can be anything from 55% to 85% (roughly). I don't even know if that's %age questions correct or %age available marks.
    So, if the passmark of 700 was say 80% of questions answered correctly, a score of 450 would be just over half (51.4%).
     
    Certifications: A+, N+,MCDST,MCTS(680), MCP(270, 271, 272), ITILv3F, CCENT
    WIP: Knuckling down at my new job
  3. ExamQs

    ExamQs New Member

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    Yikes. I'm pretty worried if thats the case.

    Thanks for the info.
     
    Certifications: SDP
  4. kevicho

    kevicho Gigabyte Poster

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    From Microsoft Certification Exam Registration Questions l Exam Preparation FAQ l Exam Policies

    Q. How are exam scores calculated?

    A.
    Here is some general information about exam scoring:

    There is no penalty for guessing. If you choose an incorrect answer, you simply do not earn a point for that item. No points are deducted for incorrect answers. This is subject to change as Microsoft continues to introduce new and innovative question types.

    If a question specifies that you must choose multiple correct answers, you must choose all of the correct answers in order to earn a point for that item. This is subject to change as Microsoft continues to introduce new and innovative question types.

    Some questions on the exam may not be included in the calculation of your score. To gather data to update and improve the quality of each exam, we present new content to candidates without counting the results toward their score. However, as soon as we have the necessary data to evaluate the quality of the question, it will be scored. Microsoft will not inform candidates as to which questions are unscored; as a result, you should answer every question as if it will be scored.

    Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) exams

    All MCTS and MCITP exams are scaled such that the passing score is 700. The actual cut score (the number of items you need to answer correctly) is determined by a group of subject-matter experts. A common misperception is that you must answer 70 percent of the items correctly in order to pass the exam; however, the actual percentage varies from exam to exam and may be more or less than 70 percent, depending on the input provided by the subject-matter experts who helped us set the cut score. After you complete your exam, the number of items that you got correct is compared with the cut score to determine whether the result is pass or fail. The exam delivery provider's software generates the scaled score and bars shown on your score report based on scoring information provided by Microsoft.

    Microsoft Office exams

    All Microsoft Office exam scores are reported on a scale of 1 to 1,000. The passing score varies from exam to exam and is provided on the score report. The actual cut score percentage is determined by a group of subject-matter experts using a process similar to that used to set the cut score for MCTS and MCITP exams. After you complete your exam, the points you earned are compared with the cut score to determine whether the result is pass or fail.

    Microsoft Dynamics exams

    We are in the process of migrating Microsoft Dynamics exams to scaled scores similar to what we use for MCTS and MCITP exams. For exams that have been migrated, the passing score is 700; for those that have not been migrated, the cut score is reported as a percentage of items that candidates need to answer correctly in order to pass the exam. Regardless of whether the cut score is reported as a scaled score or a percentage, the proportion of items that candidates must answer correctly varies from exam to exam and ranges between 60 and 80 percent. The passing score is determined by a group of subject matter experts. After you complete your exam, the points you earned are compared with the cut score to determine whether the result is pass or fail.
     
    Certifications: A+, Net+, MCSA Server 2003, 2008, Windows XP & 7 , ITIL V3 Foundation
    WIP: CCNA Renewal
  5. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    The questions are weighted, and some not scored at all.
    It's a well protected secret, but at the same time, it doesn't really matter.
    You go into an exam when you feel that you are ready.
    Do you sit there and think 'I need to get an extra 22% from somewhere'?
    No.
    You just answer all the questions to the best of your ability.
    You've got no way of knowing what you need to get right, what you have got right, or anything.
    Use a good quality practice test like Bosun or Transcender until you feel confident.
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  6. ExamQs

    ExamQs New Member

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    Thank you guys for replies and explanation. I have heard various different answers in my many inquires to my school and could not figure out what I was doing wrong. Its very frustrating as I have put so much time and $ into just trying to get a couple certifications. I was close on the 70-271 and 70-272 and before I could pass they expired on me halfway through my 26 weeks of class. Now the 70-680 I cant score out of the 400's even though I know I'm getting at least 50% of the correct. Also, I have done many, many, many self tests through Kaplan website, about prep 1000 questions and different modes between the three test and have always scored very well.

    At least I can show these replies to my wife so she has a better understanding as to why I'm struggleing with scores and test. Its not like any test I've ever taken.
     
    Certifications: SDP
  7. Boffy

    Boffy Megabyte Poster

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    Perhaps you need more practice with Windows 7 and its features?

    You can't sit question after question and hope to pass the test through memorizing the answers, the MS course is to test the knowledge you already have.

    Do you have 1 years experience with Windows 7 (and using corporate features)? If not, go through the MSPress book, read the examples and run labs to test it.

    After that, go through technet exam advice and finally ProfessorMesser windows 7 videos.

    Professor Messer's Free Microsoft 70-680 Certification Training | Professor Messer - CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Certification Training


    Do this before booking your next exam, you want to be confident with all features of Windows 7 before putting more money towards exams.

    Good luck with it 8)
     
    Certifications: BSc Computer Game Technology, A+
    WIP: MOS 2010
  8. RichyV

    RichyV Megabyte Poster

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    Hi,

    I think this sentence is quite revealing...

    There seems to be something terribly wrong here:
    Is the course you are attending not covering the syllabus correctly? (Have you checked the MS Learning website for course objectives?)
    What practical experience of Win7 within a Server 2008 R2 environment are you gettng? It seems certain that the exam is beyond the scope of your knowledge at the moment and maybe it's just the way it's being taught/learned(?)

    ...just my thoughts, although there may be other explanations...
     
    Certifications: B.Sc.(Hons), MBCS. MCP (271,272), MCDST, MCTS (680), MCITP:EDST7, MCSA:WIN7, MCPS, MCNPS
    WIP: 70-686, then onto MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure via MCSA: Server 2012...
  9. kevicho

    kevicho Gigabyte Poster

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    I would suggest buying the MSPress book and doing the exam on the CD, do it in study mode then you will have a much better idea where you are going wrong and what you need to focus your studies on.
     
    Certifications: A+, Net+, MCSA Server 2003, 2008, Windows XP & 7 , ITIL V3 Foundation
    WIP: CCNA Renewal
  10. ExamQs

    ExamQs New Member

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    I will access all of the above mentioned and it will help. After my last test it was mutually agreed that I need to find other materials to prep and study beside what I have been doing. That was my main reason for finding this board. Thankfully. I'm already finding so much more in here and wish I would have done it much sooner. I think the school I attended was not sufficiant much.. at least in my case.. Others were fine.. Others dropped out like flies.. but not here to dwell on the past but to look ahead, keep my head up and do whatever I can to progress.

    The suggestions and input I have already seen here in a short amount of time is going to give me a major boost.

    Thank you.
     
    Certifications: SDP
  11. ExamQs

    ExamQs New Member

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    It is somewhat beyond my scope. All my intentions mostly when I started was at minimum, get the less difficult 70-271 and 70-272 which would have made me pretty marketable to start with. Was almost around 600 but when they expired half way in, the 70-680 became the new requirement for graduation at my school in place of the 271 and 272. I knew big time the 680 was likely beyond my scope but it was all they were offering in place (of 271,272) to graduate. That aside, I preped like crazy, thought I was making progress only to see 3 crappy scores in the mid 400's. That was what led to my original post about score break down, which now makes me more nervous. I have thankfully though found additional material in these postings.
     
    Certifications: SDP
  12. RichyV

    RichyV Megabyte Poster

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    In my opinion, the information I gained from posting and reading these boards was priceless.
    Without a doubt I was able to take and pass my 2 MCDST exams on the same day due to help and guidance from CertForum members and their guidance whilst at the same time saving money by only buying the study resources that were necessary - the main reason why I paid to become a Premium member!
     
    Certifications: B.Sc.(Hons), MBCS. MCP (271,272), MCDST, MCTS (680), MCITP:EDST7, MCSA:WIN7, MCPS, MCNPS
    WIP: 70-686, then onto MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure via MCSA: Server 2012...
  13. ExamQs

    ExamQs New Member

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    I will not doubt be spending way more time finding resources here and less time with my self test scores that I have been using for some time now. I too have taken a look at other options beside the 680 for certifications without the cost of going to a campus. And what I found so far here is a major boost. Thanks all for taken the time and responding to this inquire.
     
    Certifications: SDP
  14. GiddyG

    GiddyG Terabyte Poster Gold Member

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