Date sent: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 09:40:06 -0400
Subject: MCSE TCP/IP on NT4 Brain Dump

It's been a few days since post attempt - got message from mail server that post that mail system tried to send to MCSE list for 4 hours without success. I sent again, but still no sign that it made it to the list so I'll give one more shot.

Exam 70-59 Internetworking with Micorosoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0.
58 Questions - 90 minutes.
To pass you need 750.
I got 965 on this one.

I thought that this exam was "tougher" than Net Ess, but the questions were much more FAIR. I'd just like to thank all the people who sent me assorted Brain Dumps on the TCP/IP NT4 exam. What a response and from only one beg type message. I've already passed on all that material to others that I know, who are taking the MCSE trek.

Much thanks again.

Here's how I used the Brain Dumps: I was getting rather frustrated at not having a clear outline of what topics to focus my studies on. So I took all the Brain Dumps and made a list of topics which were mentioned as appearing on the TCP/IP exam. Then I focused my study time on those topics (5 evenings & this last weekend).

One major point about Brain Dumps, which I had learned from the Net Essentials exam. Don't necessarily trust the exam questions, as they are presented in the Brain Dumps. This was also born out by the TCP/IP Exam.

Also, be VERY careful about any answers given in Brain Dumps.

ALWAYS confirm the answer to be correct before believing that it is. You can't afford to waste time memorizing questions which do not appear on the exam and you surely don't need to memorize answers which are incorrect. If you are going to spend the time looking at questions on Brain Dumps (IMHO not a productive idea), then make sure that you confirm ALL the answers.

Anyhow, I took my list of exam TOPICS, being confident that I will likely see questions on the "TOPICS" which others saw. I was not disappointed.

Topics you need to know like the back of your hand:

• DHCP & WINS - big time.
• Also DNS, but not to the same extent.

This exam should be called: Everything you ever wanted to know about: DHCP with NetBios and Host name Resolution. The above is about 75% of the exam.

• Know about subnet masks - not a big part of exam.
• Know how internetwork browsing and domain functions.

Know your commands and utilities : ARP, NBTSTAT, NETSTAT, TRACERT, ROUTE, LPD, LPQ, LPR, IPCONFIG, FTP, Telnet, SNMP, Network Monitor, Performance Monitor, RAS, PPP and PPTP, TFTP.

In that resepect the exam was FAIR, since it covered material in MOC.

Resources used:

• Microsoft Official Curriculum manuals:
  • rated these 2 out of 10
  • basically the manual is like a Command Reference. Many of the LABS did not function as outlined.
  • IMHO this is not training material for people who are new to TCP/IP. If you know TCP/IP then you might like the manual.
• ATEC (AATAP) Training:
  • the course would likely have been useful to those who were already familar with Microsoft TCP/IP since it's based on the MOC described above the training (IMHO) was not for newbies to TCP/IP
  • Joseph (don't call this primadonna Joe) seemed like he was in a big hurry to get thru the material. We were joking in class that many felt like the guy in the Trancsender ad, as our MCT "Joseph" wipped thru the material. IMHO it was inapproriate training for TCP/IP newbies. The only topic which he took any time to cover was subnet masking and I still did not get it, until my classmate Robert Koniuszy clarified it. Thanks again Robert !!!!!
  • rated 1 out of 10.
• If you are new to TCP/IP, IMHO you are better off saving your money and doing some self study.
  • there is NO WAY that I would have come close to passing this exam, if I relied solely on the training which provided by the ATEC course MCSE Study Guide from New Riders: TCP/IP and SMS:
    • MANY dumb errors in the book - especially IP addresses. I was at first upset at the errors, figuring that if a newbie like me can find errors then it can't be any good. I was WRONG. I used this manual for everything except DHCP and DNS (not there) and RAS. I found it easy to read and most of all easy to understand the TCP/IP concepts as they presented them. This book does not cover NT4 features, but that was NOT a big problem as other material covered those.
  • rated 8 to 9 out of 10
• Networking With Microsoft TCP/IP 2nd edition, New Riders. Authored by Drew Heywood:
  • this is not a MCSE exam guide and I did miss the focus on preparing for the exam.
  • I used this book to learn about DHCP and DNS (also get Microsoft's DNS White Paper from either the TechNet CD or from their web site: www.microsoft.com)
  • not as easy to read (also has IP errors but not as many) as the MCSE Study Guide. Got into a tad more detail than required.
  • rated 8 out of 10
• Microsoft NT4 Server Resource Kit:
  • MUST HAVE for MCSE and POST MCSE
  • accurate
  • used it as a source to fill in blanks about material which I felt I did not understand
  • rated 10 out of 10
• Trios (my ATEC) has switched to Self Test Software:
  • the license states that I can only use the software for 12 months - say what ? You in effect rent it. At least Transcender does not limit your use to 12 months. Mind you, most people will complete their MCSE within a year, so it's a moot point.
  • IMHO the TCP/IP version might be OK for some, as a learning aid. IMHO it is NOT an exam aid.
  • rated 0.5 out of 10 - for me it was a waste of time.
  • IMHO you DO NOT need any exam prep software to pass this exam - I just tried the above because we were given disks by Trios, for free.
• http://www.iwaynet.net/~ryans/mcse/mcp-tcp.html
  • this is the great CRAM Session Web site
  • I found it helpful with the Net Essentials exam and was pleased to find TCP/IP info actually if one just prints out the 6 pages of material for TCP/IP (from this site) then one does NOT need any Brain Dumps. Just make a TOPIC list
  • again main focus DHCP, WINS and DNS. With a TOPIC study list, you can easily pass this exam, WITHOUT spending money on any exam prep software.
  • rated 10 out of 10 - if you know the material IN DETAIL, that is mentioned on this site, the exam is an easy pass.

Final remark about exam:

• keep an eye on the time - it can sneek up on you.
• don't get too smug if you get 3 or 4 easy questions, especially near the end, because they can hammer you with multi page/exhibit questions. You should have no problem finishing but may not have much review time.
• If you review, watch what you change. I changed 2 answers which I now feel were originally correct

I took the exam at Trios and they now use these eraseable markers with a sheet of plastic to write on during the exam. I was handed a marker with the cover off. The colour was like a yellow highlighter and smugged. I tried to create a subnet charts, but got mad and gave up. Found out "at end of exam" that the marker also had a fine tip BLACK marker on it's opposite (capped) end.

Not having the chart was not a big deal, in a large measure due to the way that Robert Koniuszy (he's also on this list) showed me how to figure out subnet masks, Net Ids and Host Ids.

The chart would only have confirmed what I quickly did in my head - so did not really need it. (hey Robert - you'd make a great MCT)

Don't be scared of this exam. I felt that the Net Essentials exam was unfair, in that it tested for material not covered in the Microsoft Self Study Kit. The TCP/IP on NT4 exam is FAIR, as it did not throw any surprise questions at you. All the questions were from material in the MOC and on the CRAM SESSION WEB SITE !!!

Enjoyed lots of Dr. Bourbon's great elixir, after taking the exam. Next exam will be IIS and then Proxy Server, and then I do the 3 NT4 Core exams. As always, may SATAN continue to be by your side, to help each and everyone with their MCSE trek.

Vince