Subject: Essentials Braindump

I thought the test was hard. I studied all 4 of the Transcender NetCert 2.5a practice tests for a week until I scored over 950 on all of them every time. I also studied somewhat from the Microsoft Networking Essential Training Kit and Exam Cram book. (NOTE: you can buy the Exam Cram MCSE 4 pack set at Computer City for $85; saves $35 if you bought them separately. The kit comes with a CD which has all of the books on it exactly as they appear on the pages. ISBN 1-57610-198-3)

I saw a lot of unfamiliar material. Saw RAS server, not listed in Microsoft or Exam Cram books. Wasn't important.

6 or 7 questions about routers. KNOW THEM WELL.

My test had no questions about identifying OSI layers or 802 that weren't easy answers. Surprised me.

Know RAID Levels 0,1,5

If you can remember that IRQ 3 is COM 2 or 4, IRQ 4 is COM 1 or 3, IRQ 5 is LPT 2 or sound card, and IRQ 7 is LPT 1 you should be alright. Try to know them all. Several conflict questions.

There were a lot of diagrams. Confusing. Know Broadband termination and grounding info.

The questions that had required and optional results had more than 2 optional results. Tricky.

Of course know the standards for thinnet, thicknet, utp, fiber, etc.

Connectors, max lengths, etc.

LMHOSTS goes with WINS and NETBios.

HOSTS goes with DNS and IP address.

One question gave itself away: gave you 4 possible answers. Instead of saying choose all that apply, said to pick 3. One was obviously wrong.

Saved my butt because I originally picked only 2 but the test made me go back to it.

READ ALL QUESTIONS CAREFULLY AND SLOWLY. MARK THE ONES YOU DON'T KNOW

AND GO BACK TO THEM LATER.

I took the entire time. Finished in 45 mins, went over the exam twice.

It won't give all of the answers, but if you can practice with the Transcenders it will help you tremendously. They simulate the test environment very closely. You won't regret it.

Awesome info condensed at http://home.att.net/~tpgugliotta/index.htm

Good Luck!