SYNOPSIS MCDBAvs MCSA 2003vs MCSE 2003vs
Microsoft’s exam 70-290, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment is a core networking system requirement for the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 certifications. It is designed for IT professionals who operate in a medium to large scale business and have at least 12 months experience as a system administrator.
The official domains of this exam are:
Managing and Maintaining Physical and Logical Devices
Managing Users, Computers, and Groups
Managing and Maintaining Access to Resources
Managing and Maintaining a Server Environment
Managing and Implementing Disaster Recovery
Within these domains, Microsoft might ask realistic and complex simulation questions involving the administration of Microsoft windows and its use in a Medium to Large Scale environment. However, there is no set exact format, as the exam tends to change with time. The exam contains multiple choice, drag and drop, multiple answer, and simulation based questions with a total somewhere between 45 and 70. In order to pass the exam, you must achieve a 700 out of 1000.
Helpful:Compare this exam with others.
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MCSE 2003 Lecture Series Bundle This 12-CD set includes the Lecture Series audio training for 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, and 70-294. Each Lecture Series set contains topical information covered in the certification exam in lecture format....
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Server 2003 Network Environment (70-290) Prometric Exam Pack You'll be completely prepared with this over-stuffed exam pack. It has everything you need for last minute study; the PrepLogic Practice Exam (240 questions/4 exams), the PrepLogic Printables, Tips...
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MCSE 2003 Quiz Me Series Bundle This MCSE bundle includes Quiz Me Series sets for 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, and 70-294. That's 8 CDs with hours of questions and answers. Buy the bundle and save!...
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MCSE 2003 Core Four Practice Exam Bundle This MCSE 2003 Core Four Bundle (for exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293 and 70-294) includes OVER 900+ Practice Questions inside 24 MCSE 2003 Practice Exams. All have a customizable interface...
Server 2003 Network Environment (70-290) Lecture Series This title is available to you as a digital download or 3-CD set. This Lecture Series Product features topical information in instructor-based lecture format. Topics covered include: Managing...
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Server 2003 Network Environment (70-290) Mega Guide This Mega Guide covers the key points you need to know to pass 70-290 as well as 25 practice questions. Topics covered include: Implementing, managing and troubleshooting; security policies, patch management...
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Simulations
jnorton04 on Thursday, May 08, 2008
The simulations are the best part of the test. If you know what you're doing and are not just trying to pass the test the simulations will be easy. Otherwise the simulators will really make it tough. I don't understand why so many questions are directed to windows backups. Who uses that in a enterprise?
Sims Make it Harder
BugBuster on Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The regular questions were about average in difficulty. I was expecting the drag & drop and hot area questions, but was not expecting the 4-5 full-on sims of the desktop and tools. This is good because it'll be hard for anyone to pass without any actual experience, but hard because you have multiple objectives per sim and not always stated clearly. Still, I passed in on the first try and I'm happy with my score. I concur with the previous comments on exam focus areas. I used the Microsoft book, practice software from SelfTest, and of course real live experience and practice.
Passed with 814
bmheino on Thursday, April 17, 2008
I studied for this exam pretty well. People said you would see much SUS and IIS, but I had 5 questions from each. Study terminal services, groups (global/universal, ect)(security/dis), permissions and shares. Understand how IIS and SUS works with some basic troubleshooting. All 5 of my simulations had to do with permissions and shares and creating users and groups. I am a 19yo IT student at New horizons CLC, and with no experience in Server 2003 other than classes and studing I was able to pass this exam on my first time. People say the microsoft questions are long and most of the content is pointless, but I found the questions to be no more than 3-6 sentences. Good luck
Backups, SUS, Sims, TS
coolreem on Monday, April 07, 2008
I passed today with an 828. Whoopie! I purchased the press book and it did not help me with some aspects of the test. That’s why I got an 828. But, it did help me with understanding the core of the OS. The press book gives you the practical knowledge you need on the job. You don't ever want to be embarrassed when they ask you about so and so and you said that was not on the test. Of course not, you only get that knowledge by doing it. That’s what the press book does; it forces you to do it. Enough of that.
Now to pass the test, I used transcender. (I wish I would have used it more)I actually borrowed it from my friend who passed it. I did all practice exams over and over, until I passed all of them with over 900.
The test appears to be random questions, but I had about 10 questions or more on backups ( diff, incr, normal,etc.) About 5 or so on SUS. 4 or 5 sims. (Sims I think weigh more points,???) And the rest was divided equally on permissions & shares.
It was hard beca
Hard but passable on first try
sott3 on Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I passed the exam today on my first try with a score in the mid-800's. There are 5 simultations, which I found to be the hardest part of the exam. Lots of questions about backups (at least 10). I used the Exam Cram2 book and went through the Transcender practice exams several times.
passed with 914
yasir152 on Saturday, February 16, 2008
I passed today with a score of 914. I failed this exam twice a couple of years back but this time round I have used my work experience to help me. I used TestKing to prepare for this and most of the questions from that material came in my exam. I had 5 sims, plenty of questions on backup and disk management.
More difficult than I thought
jeff_grillo on Friday, February 15, 2008
Passed w/ a 790 on Feb. 5th. Thought I did much better than the score indicated. Lots of back-up, detailed WSUS, mixed domain environment & permissions. Used CBT & pratice exams from 3 sources: Skillsoft, Preplogic & MS Press Training Kit. Also set up a small 2003 domain w/ 3 clients to run all of the labs & hands on pratices. If you can score 90% or better on the Measure-Up pratice exam that comes with the MS Training Kit, you should be golden.
Average Exam
TroyAikman on Saturday, February 09, 2008
I would rate this exam as average in toughness. It's very similar in content to the 2000 Server exam I already passed, making this exam pretty easy to clear for me. There's a lot of backup, SUS, and AD administration here that can be mastered with the MS Press book+ exams from Preplogic or Measure Up. Also 70-290 seems much easier after clearing 70-291 just a few weeks beforehand.
Passed it 900!
namradi on Saturday, December 15, 2007
I would rate this in between average to hard. My exam was pretty much spread out all sections. One area i had to struggle was the performance monitoring. So to ace those questions practice using the system monitor with the main counters memory, hd, processor. I read Exam Cram2 and MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290). Luckily i found both books in the library. Both were enough to get thru the exam but my advise practice every question you can find online few days before your exam day. Also bought a voucher from http://getcertified4less.com/ for 115. I got 45 questions and there was plenty of time so be cool and read the questions carefully.
Good Luck!
Passed with 842
tpeterson79 on Monday, November 12, 2007
This was my first MCSE exam. Passed with 842 my first time. I used the preplogic MCSE pack to study. Did research on Microsoft technet among other sites and some testing in a lab with virtual pc. I have experience working in a Server enviroment at work which helped a ton.
Test was harder then expected. The sims were fairly easy and straight forward. More questions on backups, terminal services, disaster recovery, permissions. The questions are complicated; needed to block out the unecessary info and sort through the details.
Read questions and answers very carefully. There are very few straight forwarded answers, use the best method given the details and circumstances provided. Take your time.