MCSE - Self Study
Discussion
Yes, well sort of. Not a lot of self study but more a case of real world experience.
What is your background? If you are already working with the products at the right level then you won't need much / any time studying. If you need a little prep then Exam Cram style books may help.
If you don't really know the products well then something more in depth (such as MS's own self-paced training) is the way to go.
What is your background? If you are already working with the products at the right level then you won't need much / any time studying. If you need a little prep then Exam Cram style books may help.
If you don't really know the products well then something more in depth (such as MS's own self-paced training) is the way to go.
I'm a network manager with 7 years experience of NT4 and W2K3...
Not much exposure to Exchange 2003, but lots of 5.5 experience (but having said that have already passed an MCP for Exchange 2003).
Have recently been doing projects consolidating a multi-domain environment into a single one so that meant that I had to really polish up my AD skills.
I'm guessing that my overall knowledge is good - but I fall down on doing things in the "correct microsoft way".
A
Not much exposure to Exchange 2003, but lots of 5.5 experience (but having said that have already passed an MCP for Exchange 2003).
Have recently been doing projects consolidating a multi-domain environment into a single one so that meant that I had to really polish up my AD skills.
I'm guessing that my overall knowledge is good - but I fall down on doing things in the "correct microsoft way".
A
pantscat said:
I'm a network manager with 7 years experience of NT4 and W2K3...
Not much exposure to Exchange 2003, but lots of 5.5 experience (but having said that have already passed an MCP for Exchange 2003).
Have recently been doing projects consolidating a multi-domain environment into a single one so that meant that I had to really polish up my AD skills.
I'm guessing that my overall knowledge is good - but I fall down on doing things in the "correct microsoft way".
A
In which case the Exam Cram style books will probably do the job for the products you have already worked on, maybe a more thorough book for any weaker areas.Not much exposure to Exchange 2003, but lots of 5.5 experience (but having said that have already passed an MCP for Exchange 2003).
Have recently been doing projects consolidating a multi-domain environment into a single one so that meant that I had to really polish up my AD skills.
I'm guessing that my overall knowledge is good - but I fall down on doing things in the "correct microsoft way".
A
My approach to my 2k then 2k3 MCSE was to simply go and sit the exams, and if I failed then go and do some reading / practising.
UpTheIron said:
pantscat said:
I'm a network manager with 7 years experience of NT4 and W2K3...
Not much exposure to Exchange 2003, but lots of 5.5 experience (but having said that have already passed an MCP for Exchange 2003).
Have recently been doing projects consolidating a multi-domain environment into a single one so that meant that I had to really polish up my AD skills.
I'm guessing that my overall knowledge is good - but I fall down on doing things in the "correct microsoft way".
A
In which case the Exam Cram style books will probably do the job for the products you have already worked on, maybe a more thorough book for any weaker areas.Not much exposure to Exchange 2003, but lots of 5.5 experience (but having said that have already passed an MCP for Exchange 2003).
Have recently been doing projects consolidating a multi-domain environment into a single one so that meant that I had to really polish up my AD skills.
I'm guessing that my overall knowledge is good - but I fall down on doing things in the "correct microsoft way".
A
My approach to my 2k then 2k3 MCSE was to simply go and sit the exams, and if I failed then go and do some reading / practising.
I self studied, and got 5 win2000 MCPs, before I came thoroughly stuck on networking. With no IT admin experience and no real experience of networks, I just couldn't pass.
Examcram books are great, but they are not enough to get the whole MCSE. Also look out for Transcender exams which I found very accurate
Examcram books are great, but they are not enough to get the whole MCSE. Also look out for Transcender exams which I found very accurate
Why not wait until the Windows 2008 exams are out, download the beta 3 version of the software, and make a commitment to do one hours studying/learning on the new O/S per night Monday -> Thursday.
If you do your MCSE on Windows 2003 you will probably have to sit some upgrade exams to keep your MCSE up to date.
If you do your MCSE on Windows 2003 you will probably have to sit some upgrade exams to keep your MCSE up to date.
I find the MS Press books pretty good and most likely to cover all of what's needed for the exams. Add a copy of Minasi's Mastering Windows Server 2003 for the "real world" stuff but he does deviate from the offical MS way so don't take it as gospel for exam prep.
Have a look at the Amazon marketplace when you're shopping for books - there's so many secondhand copies about you can pick them up very cheaply.
Have a look at the Amazon marketplace when you're shopping for books - there's so many secondhand copies about you can pick them up very cheaply.
sjg said:
Have a look at the Amazon marketplace when you're shopping for books - there's so many secondhand copies about you can pick them up very cheaply.
Managed to get all of the exam cram books I need at a snip of their usual price 
Amazingly... have also just found a box of Microsoft Press MCSE 2003 books in my office... I don't remember buying those!
Hey-ho... now just have to book the first exam and get my finger out!
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