MCSE Self-Study Possible?

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well i just got back from the training providers... MCSA will set me back 300 quid (GB) for all three courses that includes sybex books! yeah i know dirt cheap but im only paying 1/4 the rest my work will pay for! They start on 26th sept twice a week for 3hours...

Should i get over these exam (the two server beasts) how possible is it to gain the MCSE through self-study? I would need to do:

70-293
70-294
70-297/70-298
Elective (Which comptia certs can i use?)

I may have to fund these so im opting to go self-study to save but only if its possible....

 

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Hi Zimbo,

Self study is entirely possible to gain the MCSE. lots of people do it that way. As you are already finding out with your A+ training it is not really that hard to do self study, you simply need to have the motivation to do it.

As regards going all the way for the MCSE you will need lots of experience with the products and it will take you longer than going through a training provider but it is completely achieveable.

 

Sorry I missed this bit - The only Comptia cert that currently counts as an elective for MCSE is the Security+

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/windows2003/

 

yeah i noticed that too thanks! has anyone attempted the exams self-studying? (the ones ill have to)

 

As I recall, Bluerinse got his MCSE through self study so obviously it's possible. As has been mentioned, it requires a lot of hard work and dicipline and hands on experience with Windows computers and networks is a must.

 

that i totally agree.. im going to be using hopefully a lab at home and at work im going to try learn as much as i can... but it is totally possible for someone new to server 2003 to make it?

thanks again for looking...

 

Possible, yes of course it is. Can I predict in advance how you'll do? Not a chance. No one can guarantee you success. However, if you don't try, you'll never know. If it's what you really want to do then you'll have to take your chances and make the attempt. That's the best I can offer you. Good luck.

 

I certainly got my 70-215 (Windows 2000 Server) exam first time, with no prior knowledge or experience of servers. Can be done my friend

 

is this in the sense i have no chance in passing the server exams or as in you cant tell how ill do?

BTW does anyone know a book on how to get a gentle introduction to server?

@AJ thankfully mate no kids im a kid still (20 actually) could end up with other ppl wanting attention thou!

 

Be careful what you do with those other ppl, or you might just end up with kids!

 

Sorry...I should have been clearer. I was trying to say that I don't have a crystal ball and I can't see into the future, read minds, or guarantee that you or anyone else will pass an exam. Of course you have a chance at passing with self-study...but no one here can promise that you'll do well. That's entirely up to you. We'll be glad to help as we can but you are the one who has to study and learn.

 

Hi Zimbo,

My self plan is A+, N+ and then MCSE. I do believe that you can do it self study. Perhaps self study sounds a bit harsh because you have your books, video training (?) and of course all your pal's on the best IT forum in cyberspace.

I hope that I will soon have a job in IT and will "rocket" on.

 

Not quite true trip, as I did make the mistake of parting with $9500AU and so I got the MOC books which lack in-depth information. I also did all the courses for each MCP. They were equally a waste of time.

The Microsoft MOCs (Microsoft Official Curriculum) books do not correlate with the respective exam. They only cover the basics. It is possible to pass the exams with only the MOCs but you would have to be a lot smarter than me to do it especially for the more complex exams like 70-216. So, the reality is that I did have to self study a lot in order to pass the exams. The courses are more like a brief overview, very fast paced and a difficult learning environment.

I remember spending the 5 days on ISA, when I left I didn't even understand the difference between the three types of clients i.e. Firewall, Secure NAT and Web Proxy I was lost after the first hour! It happens and there isn't the necessary time to dig down because you don't want to hold up the class.

For example I paid for 1 week ISA course with instructor. Information retained = zilch - Had I taken the exam I would have failed dismally

Self studied ISA for 1 year
Information retained about 80% - Took exam and passed.

This is the reality.

Pete

 

everything is possible.
all the certs that you see in my sig, except some of the mcp nt4 stuff, i have achieved through self-study. but it required time (which was hard to find between work and social life), much dedication and motivation, money, and a lot of hands on experience (which i was lucky to get at work).
also, choose your exams well. a lot of exams can be used as credit for more than one cert. so you can minimize the number of exams whilst maximizing the number of certs.

 

I have to agree with Pete on this one.

 

sandy you been here for a while.... any pointers? im clueless to server but feel i can get my MCSA and why not MCSE!

anyone... im looking for a book that will intro me to server 2003 doesnt have to be a cert book ....

 

I am sooooooooo bad.



Here's the link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764579223/qid=1125611590/026-0802433-9340419

 

oh yeah!!

 

so it's okay for senior moderators to spam, while new members get banned?