Vista Exam Info

donaghs

Hey, has anyone done any Vista exams yet? I saw this one on the MS site, 70-620.

It didn't mention it as being a module for MCSA or MCSE. Are there a few Vista exams and is there a recommended one to do (for CV purposes - I prefer to learn about products by working with them).

Ginger

As far as I know, Static M.e has done this exam and can you a better handle on it.

Its one of the client exams for MCSA/MCSE and also part of 2 MCITPs and an MCTS

Static M.e.

Hi Donaghs,

I took the 70-620 about 3\4 weeks ago. It can be used for one of the MCSA/MCSE 2003 client requirements but more importantly it can also be used for the new MCITP EA Certs (MS new MCSE certs). Its also one of two exams used for the MCIITP Customer Support Technician Cert

Its a great exam to take because its covers so much and can be used with so many different cert paths and its a new exam topic so it isnt going away anywhere for a long time!

The exam itself is quite straight forward and its based around MS latest features within Vista, such as the different upgrade paths, the network sharing & Config system, IE 7, IE 7 +, RSS feeds, pop up blocker, phishing, UAC etc.

If you have used Vista and come from XP alot of the content is very straight forward troubleshooting techniques. I wouldn't rate the exam as being hard.

You can take another Vista exam the 70-623 Applications on Vista which is a part of the Support Technician Cert but its isnt half as valuable as the 620. On saying that you could easily do them both back to back. The content is very similar imo

donaghs

Thanks guys. Slowly thinking about getting back into exam mode. This might be a good place to start, and relevant to the job as we'll be migrating to this eventually.

pclancy

Can anyone suggest best value training books and stuff for this? Need to get into exam mode too Havnt done any since Windows 2000!

Static M.e.

pclancy,

I just used the MS Press book and I use Vista on my laptop/PC.

Its depends on your level really, if you are fairly competent with troubleshooting Xp and have been running Vista for a good while you shouldn't find it very difficult.

Its kinda like the entrance exam for MS Pro track so its never going to be super difficult unless you don't work with the Tech.

Try and get yourself some CBT nuggets if you are worried I always find them helpful. Right now is a great time to start getting back into it and taking exams before MS close the "Second Shot" offer. At the moment you cant really lose, when you feel your ready take the exam, if you pass Huzzah! and if you fail you still have a free second shot so you can go home with the knowledge you learnt in the exam, study your weak points and take the exam again.

pclancy

Cool cheers for the info, i just realised that my 2000 mcp is still valid for the server 2003 MCSA track so i might skip the vista one for now and go for the 2003 server core exams. You thought the MS Press books were okay yeah?

Static M.e.

Yes for the Vista exam, sometime I prefer the Sybex books depending on the Exam Im taking.

Whats exams do you need to get your MCSA?

pclancy

Ah Sybex I think thats the one I had years ago. Cool.

MCSA standard is three core exams and one elective, or you can do either a Messaging or Security track with three core and two specialised electives.

Im just going for it as its the shortest way for me to get some kind of creditial apart from an MCP and quicker then the MCSE.

God the thoughts of actually studying though....its been so long

Static M.e.

Once you get back into it, you will fly through them.

Since you kinda starting again, I think you would be better off going for the "New" Microsoft Exams rather than studying for 2003. You credentials will last for longer and you will be more uptodate on current Tech.

If you do the Vista exam which is 70-620 you will get your MCTS Cert which is the new type of MCP. While Vista is still fresh in your mind you follow it up with Vista 70-622 Vista (Support & Troubleshooting). These two exams are quite smilar in content.

This will give you;
MCTS: Vista
MCTS: Vista Config
And
MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician

Just thinking you could also do 70-623 Vista Pro Apps which would give you MCITP: Customer Support Technician

Ginger

Which MCPs have you, based on that can give you a decent route to get your exams and certs

pclancy

Just Win2K MCP. Id like to aim for security eventually, like the vista route though would be handy to get up to speed with that.

Ginger

Win2K client?

pclancy

Yeah

Ginger

Hmm 3 exams either way!

Depends on what you want to have the MCSA or the MCTS and MCITP.. Also remember the MCTS/MCITP are valid for 3 years. So thats the thing, the MCSE 2003 is for life, the MCTS/MCITP is for 3 years


Actually I lie, I think the MCITP are around as long as the tech is supported by MS, so expect the Vista cert tto be around for a while. Only thing is once the product is deemed EOL then the cert is gone with it. Not the case for the MCSA 2003

ntlbell

Static M.e. wrote: »

Once you get back into it, you will fly through them.

Since you kinda starting again, I think you would be better off going for the "New" Microsoft Exams rather than studying for 2003. You credentials will last for longer and you will be more uptodate on current Tech.

If you do the Vista exam which is 70-620 you will get your MCTS Cert which is the new type of MCP. While Vista is still fresh in your mind you follow it up with Vista 70-622 Vista (Support & Troubleshooting). These two exams are quite smilar in content.

This will give you;
MCTS: Vista
MCTS: Vista Config
And
MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician

Just thinking you could also do 70-623 Vista Pro Apps which would give you MCITP: Customer Support Technician

Does "second shot" apply to exams on the new mcts path also?

Ginger

Applies to all MS Tech cert exams and the Business Dynamics exams as well

ntlbell

Ginger wrote: »

Applies to all MS Tech cert exams and the Business Dynamics exams as well

any idea when it ends?

Static M.e.

Second Shot provides you with one free retake of the same exam for each paid exam you do not pass on the first try. To take advantage of this offer, you must register and pay for the exam by using a Second Shot exam voucher. The offer is valid from September 15, 2007 to January 30, 2008.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/offers/secondshot/faq/default.mspx