Final MCSE exam, should I pick 297 or 298?

Discussion in 'Active Directory Exams' started by zcapr17, Jun 2, 2008.

  1. zcapr17

    zcapr17 Nibble Poster

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    I've just passed 70-293 this morning :biggrin, which means just one design exam to go and I'll be the proud owner of an MCSE lapel pin...but the question is do I go for 70-297 or 20-298?

    Both exam formats appear to be case studies...:ohmy!

    Having a quick flick through the Self-Paced Training Kits 298 seems to be very heavy going compared to 297. On the one hand I'd like to get my MCSE over and done with ASAP (so I can get on the the 2008 exams) so I'm thinking of doing 297, but on the other hand I'd quite like to gain the MCSE Security which would require 298.

    Anyone got any tips for the design exams? Would really appreciate a comparison from anyone who's done both.

    Thanks.
     
    Certifications: MCSE:2K3 MCTS:Vista VCPv3 ITILv3 Sec+ L+
    WIP: MCITP Enterprise Admin 2008, CCA
  2. kevicho

    kevicho Gigabyte Poster

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    Why not do both?

    (what i mean to say is dont let getting your MCSE be the end of it lol)
     
    Certifications: A+, Net+, MCSA Server 2003, 2008, Windows XP & 7 , ITIL V3 Foundation
    WIP: CCNA Renewal
  3. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    If you want the MCSE:Security, then the answer is clear. But if you want it as soon as possible, do the exam that covers content that you have more experience with.

    I'm probably going to take 70-298 in the near future; I took the 70-220 Windows 2000 Security Design exam, way back when.
     
    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+
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  4. zcapr17

    zcapr17 Nibble Poster

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    Another factor... does anyone know if either of these exams are (or will be) superseded by Windows 2008 versions?
     
    Certifications: MCSE:2K3 MCTS:Vista VCPv3 ITILv3 Sec+ L+
    WIP: MCITP Enterprise Admin 2008, CCA
  5. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Eventually, all Windows Server 2003 exams will be superseded by Windows Server 2008 exams. However, they won't likely be valid for the MCSE on Windows Server 2003 or MCSE: Security on Windows Server 2003 certifications. Therefore, you should focus on doing either 70-297 or 70-298... or both!
     
    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+
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  6. Crito

    Crito Banned

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    I think they ran out of MCSE lapel pins by the way. I got one with MCP, MCDBA and MCSA but they stooged me on the MCSE. Now how am I supposed to complete my collection? :cry:
     
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  7. philbenson

    philbenson Byte Poster

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    Only just seen this thread. I took the 70-298 exam as part of my MCSE 2003 simply because it is also part of the security specialist path where as the 297 exam isn't - or at least wasn't at the time. Situation might be different now.
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCP+I, MCSE, MCSA, MCTS
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  8. nicolinux

    nicolinux Byte Poster

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    I took the 297 for my mcse track.
    Was a nice one if you like AD and network infrastructure.
     
    Certifications: mcse win2k3, mcts x4. mcitp enterprise admin
    WIP: 70-680
  9. zcapr17

    zcapr17 Nibble Poster

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    Update: I decided to do 70-297 in the end. I want to get on to the Windows 2008 material as soon as possible as we are using it at work - having reviewed the self-paced training kit it seems there is very little new in this exam that isn't covered in the core exams. This was borne out when I sat the exam this morning and got a score of 1000 :cheers . I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the score as I had marked several questions I wasn't completely sure about.

    For those interested, the exam had 6 testlets (case studies) and a total of 46 questions over 2hrs 15mins. No simulations. There is a time limit for each individual case study and you can't go back once you've completed each case study.

    If you've passed the for core exams there isn't really anything new other than the format of the exam. My advice is to be fully familiar with the reasons for creating forests/domains/OUs and DC/FSMO/GC placement. Overall, it's one of the easier exams...so long as you can read fast.
     
    Certifications: MCSE:2K3 MCTS:Vista VCPv3 ITILv3 Sec+ L+
    WIP: MCITP Enterprise Admin 2008, CCA
  10. Crito

    Crito Banned

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    Congrats and well done!
     
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  11. Obinna Osobalu

    Obinna Osobalu Banned

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    For now there is no upgrade path for security or messaging, but just like Boson said eventually there will be upgrades Congrats on 70-297:clap, I'll be taking the 70-298 myself when am ready for the security exam.
     
    Certifications: MCITP:SA,MCTS(x5),MCSE2K3;MCSA2K3:M;MCP
    WIP: EDA7,70-652,Project+,MSP(70-632)
  12. Phoenix
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    Phoenix 53656e696f7220 4d6f64

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    There is unlikely to ever be "upgrades" for the MCSE:Messaging or MCSE:Security

    they will likely continue the format already deployed for the messaging skillset

    MCITP:Enterprise Messaging Administrator
    requires anExchange Config MCTS and two PRO exam on top of that that cover Design and Deployment
    makes much more sense and follows the new role based cert format

    you can be an EA and a EMA
    but there is no requirement to be an EA to be an EMA, why should there be?
     
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  13. onoski

    onoski Terabyte Poster

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    Congrats on achieving the MCSE 2003:), I passed the HDI cert this morning which is the equivalent to ITIL foundation level hence can now concentrate on the real deal:)
     
    Certifications: MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003 Messaging, MCP, HNC BIT, ITIL Fdn V3, SDI Fdn, VCP 4 & VCP 5
    WIP: MCTS:70-236, PowerShell
  14. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Agreed. To clarify for Obinna, I never said there would be upgrades... I said that 2008 exams would eventually supersede (meaning, take the place of) 2003 exams (because once the 2003 exams are retired, all that will be left are 2008 exams).

    Ryan, I also prefer the role-based exam structure they've got now. Not sure why an EA needs to take a client OS exam and an SA doesn't... but that's a discussion for another thread. :D
     
    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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