Study Methods

[derkit]

I try and get 2 or 3 books per exam, and normally revise like this:

- flick through a chapter of book 1
- create mind maps (or at least my derivative of one) for everything in that chapter
- repeat for the rest of book 1
- create complete mind maps based around individual ideas (ie, for my MCDST, I had maps on IE, Outlook, Office, security etc.)
- repeat the above process for book 2 etc. adding points to my now printed-out mind maps
- repeat the process again for book 3 (in this case MS Press book as it contains more details) and add into the mind maps.

Each map is compared against the exam objectives

If work/friend has a video of the course I'll have a go and watching that but most of the time give up because I've learnt it anyway by creating the maps.

Try test exams, Transcender normally.

Take the exam

- the only note I would say is that I don't write everything on the maps, only the things I don't know/not sure of, or things that I feel are important to link topics together even though I already know it.

[sunn]

Originally Posted by BosonMichael

Only thing better than saying it and writing it is DOING it.

Fair point...
But I meant in addition to doing it. There are always things that need to be remembered (i.e. OSI Model; respective differences in OSPF/EIGRP; IPv6 capabilities; etc...)

[dmarsh26]

Also, is it just me, or are the MS Press books extremely dry... like order a large coffee before you start reading dry.

Gee... I guess you've not read many traditional computer science books, the Microsoft books are a joy to read in comparison ! Dry...they make you feel like you're eating sawdust !

[onoski]

Originally Posted by dmarsh26

Gee... I guess you've not read many traditional computer science books, the Microsoft books are a joy to read in comparison ! Dry...they make you feel like you're eating sawdust !

I personally find the MS press book more interesting to read and learn especially the MS way for the exam without too much waffles Each and everyone to he's of her own I suppose

[Methodman85]

Cool, thanks for all of your responses.
When I was studying for the 271 I watched training videos and took notes. Although this was enough to pass that exam, I doubt it will be enough for future ones. And since it seems like no one else has used this as their sole method of preperation, it looks like I'll have to open up those Giant MS Press books I bought very soon *shutters*
I'm studying for the 270 right now which already seems much harder than the 271. Since I have the second shot, I'm going to go for it with just the videos as my guide. If that doesn't work I'll give into the books.

[Methodman85]

Originally Posted by derkit

I try and get 2 or 3 books per exam, and normally revise like this:

- flick through a chapter of book 1
- create mind maps (or at least my derivative of one) for everything in that chapter
- repeat for the rest of book 1
- create complete mind maps based around individual ideas (ie, for my MCDST, I had maps on IE, Outlook, Office, security etc.)
- repeat the above process for book 2 etc. adding points to my now printed-out mind maps
- repeat the process again for book 3 (in this case MS Press book as it contains more details) and add into the mind maps.

Each map is compared against the exam objectives

If work/friend has a video of the course I'll have a go and watching that but most of the time give up because I've learnt it anyway by creating the maps.

Try test exams, Transcender normally.

Take the exam

- the only note I would say is that I don't write everything on the maps, only the things I don't know/not sure of, or things that I feel are important to link topics together even though I already know it.

Hey Derkit,
I'm unclear of what you you mean by mind map... sounds like some Vulcan method of studying.
What exactly is your process, sounds interesting!

[Methodman85]

Originally Posted by dmarsh26

Gee... I guess you've not read many traditional computer science books, the Microsoft books are a joy to read in comparison ! Dry...they make you feel like you're eating sawdust !

Are you serious, I guess I should quit my whining. When I read the press books though my mind just keeps wondering, and I keep having to re-read what I just read.
How many hours would you say it takes you to get through an MS Press book chapter?

When I didn't know what I was doing and ordered the self study core pack 290, etc. I only read 3 chapters before I realized I needed to re-evaluate my approach.

But it seemed to me it would take at least 3 or more hours per chapter. That's pretty bad isn't it?

[sunn]

Originally Posted by Methodman85

... When I read the press books though my mind just keeps wondering, and I keep having to re-read what I just read.

Try reading out loud to yourself. Loud enough that you hear it!
Mind stays more focused (and less wondering) when it has to read, pronounce and listen.

[dmarsh26]

Are you serious, I guess I should quit my whining. When I read the press books though my mind just keeps wondering, and I keep having to re-read what I just read.
How many hours would you say it takes you to get through an MS Press book chapter?

Thats nothing I've got C++ computer books I've read 3+ times. When I was starting out sometimes a single page would take me 10 minutes to get through.

The Microsoft books are pretty easy going in comparison, large fonts, lots of pictures, its like a kiddie book.
If I'm studying full time I can do around 100-150 pages of a M$ book in a day, say about 15-20 pages an hour on average including exercises. This sounds slow but you need to try stuff out and practice and I find in general I can't skim read tech books, for new subjects you have to really grasp the concepts and think about the implications.

[Methodman85]

LOL like a kiddy book?
Alright no more complaining for me. I haven't read a book since highschool (And it was a Novel for an assignment) so it's no wonder. I have to get into the reading spirit.

I will try reading outloud, thanks for the tip sunn.

[greenbrucelee]

Originally Posted by dmarsh26

Thats nothing I've got C++ computer books I've read 3+ times. When I was starting out sometimes a single page would take me 10 minutes to get through.

I was like that when I did C++ at uni, I was like WTF does <conio.h> mean and why should I care, it took me nearly a whole term to read that book and I still didn't get it. I was the same with ASP

I think if its something your really interested in then you wull study and learn well but if its something you don't like or don't have an interest in then you might struggle.

[Gibby]

I generally read a book (used sybex, mspress and exam crams so far) and make notes on each chapter as I go, I then use these notes and practice exams (transcender and the free ones with the books) in the last week to 10 days before the exam.

worked well enough for me so far