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SQL 228 Database Admin

  • May 3, 2005 at 3:09 am

    #110126

    Hi all,

    I'm looking for some help/advice on how to get the MCP in the 228.

    I have been studying hard for the last few months, using Learn Key CBT's. I have completed these and feel I have a much better understanding of SQL Server.

    However, I recently took a Transender practice exam and got around 65% (need 85% to pass), although this is OK for a starting point I'm not sure how to best study from now on. I dont really just want to learn the exam and I'm looking for advice or resources that may help me build on my knowledge and get the exam.

    Any advice\resources would be greatly appreciated.

    Jon

  • May 4, 2005 at 5:16 am

    #556714

    Jon,

    I think your decision to take a Transcender exam was a good one. Don't worry too much about the 65%; it has been my experience that the Transcender exams are actually harder than the real ones.

    You typically get three Transcender exams in a package. Did you take the other two?

    I have written over 15 Microsoft exams over the years and I've almost always used Transcender as part of my study plan (note: I should point out that they are no substitute for getting experience with the actual product you're being tested on, if at all possible). Sometimes, I don't pass the Transcender exams but pass the real one.

    I typically take the Transcender exams as the last phase of my studying for an exam (the first phase being reading study materials and using the product). I'll write the first of the three practice exams and then review the answers in detail, refering to my study materials for clarification. Then I'll take the second and so on. If I have time, I may take one or more of the practice exams a second time but I don't find this as effective as I find I can remember the answer from the first attempt.

    I am not clear from your message if you have ever written one of these Microsoft exams. If not, here are some tips I've learned over the years ...

    When you go to sit the exam, don't panic if you see a number of questions that you are not sure about. Simply mark them and move on. You can come back to them later. Some times, another question will trigger something in your memory that relates to the question you skipped earlier.

    Be sure to read every question thoroughly.

    For questions that do not have an obvious answer, I jot down a, b, c, d on my scratch page and then start crossing out those that I know are incorrect. I find this allows me to better concentrate on the remaining eligible choices.

    Try to stay focused. These exams are exercises in concentration but if you remain calm, you should be able to get through all the questions with time to spare.

    Don't leave any questions unanswered, even if you have to guess.

    Good luck!

    - Mike

  • May 4, 2005 at 6:05 am

    #556721

    I used Transcender as a study tool for my 227 and 228 tests.  The most valuable thing I got from Transcender is really taking the time to read the explanations of why the correct answer is correct, and the wrong answers are incorrect.  TestKing is another study guide that was helpful.  Although most hard-core cert takers will tell you it's cheating to use Transcender and TestKing, I learned some useful information from them that I have applied to my job.  Some of the questions I had on my 228 test were word-for-word from Transcender and TestKing (more from TestKing I believe), but you can't always trust the TestKing answers, so beware...use it as a guide, not a bible.

  • May 4, 2005 at 6:45 pm

    #556972

    When I said I had written over 15 exams, I meant I had taken over 15 exams not authored them as somebody asked me to clarify.

  • May 5, 2005 at 1:44 am

    #556998

    Thanks all for your input, much appreciated.

    Jon

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