How I did it: I bought a Sybex Windows 2003 Server MCSE book collection and studyed my ASS off while using a 2003 server edition of windows. MAKE SURE that you know AS MUCH about DNS and remote access as possible before taking the 70-291. Those services are very important ESPECIALLY DNS...

To drill it into your head more effectively read from multiple sources about what DNS provides, then re-read the sections about the related server product.

Become as practiced as you can with the OS. Perform any wierd task your manuals ask you to several times. I didn't do this often enough because time is a bit of a factor with me. I passed the 70-290 with a 715 (700 passing) out of 900. I FAILED the 70-291 the first time through, then retook it two weeks later passing it with a 700 exactly.

I did this all through self study with little experience on the server product. Experience with the product is the key however. REAL WORLD experience is most of what employers seek though. If you want to make IT your profession you REALLY have to work at it. My certification is not going to mean much to a potential employer, but any real world experience I develop on the job WILL.

Lessons & tips: DNS, DNS, DNS! Active directory user creation! Understanding of backups through the backup utility! Remote access and associated policy making!

Learn the basic services of the OS! Have them as drilled into your memory as possible! After you're done PRACTICE using them! Definately make a lab environment with multiple machines! This is not an easy task if you've not worked with these services day in and day out over a period of years!

Resources: Sybex books are great, with the addition of websites that may help ingrain the services that the OS provides. Where the books and OS do not give much depth these websites will.

Feb 06, 2009, 05:09PM PST | 3 comments | 1 cheer