What is the hardest exam that you’ve ever sat?

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Hi all

I was just thinking about all of the exams that I’ve passed over the years, having sat tons now. I think I’d honestly still have to say it was the Windows Server Network exam 79-291, closely followed by my first VCP 4. I worked with the technology but I was just too early on in my development. Failed both first time

what was yours? I’ve still got to do a few AWS and GCP exams. Im expecting those to be tough

 

Would have to agree the 70-291 was a difficult exam – a big jump from the 70-270 and 70-290 which seemed fairly straight forward looking back.

Other exams that stand out – 70-297 based on the question format compared to other certs that were needed for the MCSE 2003

The 70-351 (ISA server) exam was challenging as well – deployed ISA 2000 and ISA 2006 many times before taking the exam but it took me two attempts to pass this one.

 

I only did the MU120 and that got tricky in parts :S Good on you, I forgot about my Uni exams. Some of those were so solid! We've sat a crazy amount haven't we really

 

Ah man the ISA exam, I forgot about that. I had a free exam voucher, I forget where from but they seemed to fly around from time to time didn't they. I sat and failed the 70-351 and thought er yeah, not gonna lie I won't sit that again ha ha! I think I'd studied for it but wasn't an ISA admin #missionimpossible!

Out of interest I thought I'd see what become of ISA Server. Replaced by Forefront, but that's also now end of life. I'm so out of touch with Microsoft solutions. There was perhaps a decade they were my main focus :S I've not touched AD or a GPO for wow, 9-10 years :S

 

Yeah – some good MS products have now been completely retired. Exchange server will be retired eventually I’m sure.

Have been working mostly with hybrid AD environments over the last few years and in some cases Azure AD only when everything was migrated to the cloud.

In saying that now working with some very low bandwidth connections so back to AD\GPOs and WSUS for me!

 

Sparky flying the flag for on prem solutions ha ha Always used to make me laugh when you'd study for an exam and it would be chatting on about high bandwidth connections like they have in the US, and I'd be thinking hmm, few of my sites over here are practically on a shoe string with tin cans ha ha

 

LoL – very true! These servers are installed at locations with only a satellite connection – looking at 2Mbps connection so cloud not an option. Rolling out remote management just now which is helping day to day support tasks.

 

Starlink is an amazing technology isn't it. Our CTO has it in his place on the south coast. Very cool plus his dish has a heater in it so that if it snows, it melts off!

 

Yeah big hype around starlink - will be game changer if it works!

 

For me it was the (ISC)2 SSCP exam I fail it by 1 or 2 questions (basing it on the passing score vs the score I got), I read the book and only had a couple of years of IT experience (it was early in my career) - never re-took it. Followed by "Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000" - it was the upgrade exam from MCSE 2000 to MCSE 2003, this exam incorporated "The Beast".

 

It's proper gutting when you fail an exam isn't it. I am probably fine now but I remember early on that I'd be wondering if IT was for me, if I was good enough, why I couldn't smash it every time. It's hard early on in your career I find. Once you get up there you're laughing

 

Was always disappointing to fail an exam in the early days – the 70-297 was the worst for me as it was the last exam for the MCSE 2003 – failed first time!

 

That 70-291 the beast was what was stopping me getting my MCSA. I wanted it so badly. I wonder sometimes, is it my perception because I went on to get many more certifications or was the MCSA and MCSE just really that big a deal back in the day. Like, we all wanted it so badly didn't we. I think I felt prouder getting that than I did my degree! ha ha