Subject: 70-58
2/2/98 Score 896/1000 You must get a 793 to pass.
First time taking exam.
A lot of great information on this site. Thanks to all that have contributed!!! May the gods bless you!
I found the following tools a MUST to prepare and help you pass the exam:
Both the Transcender and the Exam Cram thoroughly prepares you for the kinds of situations and questions you will find on the actual test....don't be cheap - get them!!
Also, Transcender point to pages in Microsoft's text, get the Self Pace training - I have the New Riders and Sybex and they leave out a lot of needed information.
Microsoft's Self-Paced Training has excellent questions/answers, troubleshooting scenarios, etc...that are extremely valuable in preparing for the exam.
Now, on to what my test covered:
1. Know your OSI Model Layers and what components are found at the Network Layer, Data Link Layer and Physical Layer.
2. Not only know the definition of what a bridge, router, brouter, gateway is....know how they are applied and used - advantages and disadvantages (used in scenario questions) ***Remember, routers don't "route" broadcast storms - bridges do!
3. Know the specifications of 802.2 and 802.3
4. Out of SLIP and PPP - PPP can use compression (if you don't believe me look at your Server Settings (Software compression for PPP should be marked if you are using PPP to contect to the internet - under Windows 95). CSLIP is a version of SLIP that offers Compression - don't try to read into their questions though.
5. NWLink and IPX integreation with NT Servers, UNIX servers, etc...was a biggie on mine....KNOW that protocol as well as all of the other protocols.
6. NWLink must have matching Frame Types.
7. KNOW not only the differences between the TDR, VOM, Oscilliscope, and Advanced Cable Testers - know when you use them.
8. Protocol Analyzers
9. Know your terminology!!!! Easy way to get correct answers!
10. Know your cable types, limitations, and what topologies usually use them.
11. Don't skip over Frame Relay (bandwidth on demand), x.25, packet-switching, MAU and IBM, Demand Priority,
Lastly, read the questions thoroughly. The answer to the question can sometimes be found in the question with a simple word like "not hardware" and 3 of your answers are hardware related.
Also, Know your Application, Transport and Physical Protocols.
I hope this will be of some help. Just remember, Read the Microsoft Book and do all the exercises, even if you already know the answers - its a good review. And take the transcender exams over and over till you score over 90% on every one of them. After the transcender practice exams are over, they give you the answers and an explanation....which is why the Microsoft book is so important....the answers point to that book. And read and do the questions in the Exam Cram. If you do all the above mentioned (which is a lot of hard work and a little extra cash) you will pass your first time out.
But it's worth it!
Take Care and Good Luck to you all
Robert
PS. If you want to ask me a question, feel free to do so, but remember, You must be able to pass the exam on your own. No two exams are alike, so its not logical to ask what the questions are, but the types of questions you will see are found in Exam Cram and Transcender.
Here is the break down of my scores:
Standards and Terminology - 100%
Planning - 100%
Implementation - 76%
Troubleshooting - 80%
PSS Exam Cram made a good statement - if you think you know it all, you will fail!