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Exam 70-642 RRS feed

  • Question

  • I hope someone can give me some insight. I am attempting to pass the 70-642 exam.  I have used the Microsoft press first edition.  I realize there is a secondi edition which includes windows 7 references amoung other, but I think the concept is the same.  I have also purcased the video course from trainsignal and test questions from transcender.  I have been in the server administration field for 15 years.  I have taken this test twice and failed.  I find the questions on the test and sample test questions are not even discussed in the book or in the video courses.  These publications just scrap the surface.  When I went through the book and virtual stuff it was fairly straight foward.  I was like, this test should not be to bad.  Then I took the test and I was floored.  After that test I went and purchased the video and that was not much better.  It inlcuded test questions from transcender and those questions where more like what was on the test.  I read some of the posts back last year and they say read the book.  But no way.  Did something change over the past year.  Does anyone have any insight or suggestions. Something is just not right. Or am I missing something.

    Thanks for any thoughts.

    Thursday, July 14, 2011 6:05 PM

Answers

  • 70-642 includes questions on Server 2008 R2.  I'm not sure if Trainsignal includes information on this.  The 2nd edition of the book DOES include updated material.  You may wish to purchase the 2nd edition book.

    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Monday, July 25, 2011 2:46 AM
    Thursday, July 14, 2011 6:23 PM
    Answerer
  • The 70-642 was introduced in 2008.  Like other tests, it can be refreshed from time to time to maintain relevancy.  It would be beneficial if you have a look at the latest skills measured, as published on the 70-642 web page:

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-642&locale=en-us#tab2

    By looking at the skills measured, you can determine if the study material you are using is covering all of the topics.  When you run across items in the skills measured section that are not covered by your study material, you can make study adjustments (use TechNet, labs, etc. to acquire more skills in those sections).  Sometimes, you can match up chapters in a book with the skills measured and quickly see what isn't covered in the book.  Often, books are written early in the lifecycle of the product.  The second edition of the book would probably be quite valuable in your preparation.

    Also, have a look at your exam printout - it can sometimes be helpful in pinpointing areas that need additional study.

    Brian

    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Monday, July 25, 2011 2:46 AM
    Thursday, July 14, 2011 6:24 PM
  • I just took this same test and the same thing happened to me. BOMBED it, after I have spent two weeks studying the materials. I have used the Microsoft E-Learning collections, read the book, and used study guides, and nothing covered any of the new topics. This is pretty messed up, I'm really not in the position to re-buy this entire collection of books. I looked again at the online training available through the IT Academy and it still doesnt talk about the updated material, I'm at a loss here.

    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Monday, July 25, 2011 2:46 AM
    Thursday, July 14, 2011 9:29 PM

All replies

  • 70-642 includes questions on Server 2008 R2.  I'm not sure if Trainsignal includes information on this.  The 2nd edition of the book DOES include updated material.  You may wish to purchase the 2nd edition book.

    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Monday, July 25, 2011 2:46 AM
    Thursday, July 14, 2011 6:23 PM
    Answerer
  • The 70-642 was introduced in 2008.  Like other tests, it can be refreshed from time to time to maintain relevancy.  It would be beneficial if you have a look at the latest skills measured, as published on the 70-642 web page:

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-642&locale=en-us#tab2

    By looking at the skills measured, you can determine if the study material you are using is covering all of the topics.  When you run across items in the skills measured section that are not covered by your study material, you can make study adjustments (use TechNet, labs, etc. to acquire more skills in those sections).  Sometimes, you can match up chapters in a book with the skills measured and quickly see what isn't covered in the book.  Often, books are written early in the lifecycle of the product.  The second edition of the book would probably be quite valuable in your preparation.

    Also, have a look at your exam printout - it can sometimes be helpful in pinpointing areas that need additional study.

    Brian

    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Monday, July 25, 2011 2:46 AM
    Thursday, July 14, 2011 6:24 PM
  • I just took this same test and the same thing happened to me. BOMBED it, after I have spent two weeks studying the materials. I have used the Microsoft E-Learning collections, read the book, and used study guides, and nothing covered any of the new topics. This is pretty messed up, I'm really not in the position to re-buy this entire collection of books. I looked again at the online training available through the IT Academy and it still doesnt talk about the updated material, I'm at a loss here.

    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Monday, July 25, 2011 2:46 AM
    Thursday, July 14, 2011 9:29 PM
  • There has been some confusion about R2 content on some of the exams.  Others have expressed frustration.  Microsoft and others have provided some additional insight into the process in the following forum thread:

    http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/forums/tnc/f/18/t/20893.aspx?PageIndex=1

    I recommend that everybody pick up the latest version of the book(s) - assuming they have been updated for R2.  Otherwise, utilize TechNet and virtual machines to get up to speed on the changes in R2.  Unfortunately, many people were not aware of the changes in the exams and ended up without enough knowledge to pass.

    Brian

    Thursday, July 14, 2011 9:54 PM