Passing MCTS 70-536 :- What I Did...

[merrsh1]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd post back here after originally coming here about a month ago to ask a lot of questions about certification, whats involved etc. People were helpful to me so...

Took the 70-536 exam today and passed.

To prepare:

I bought the Microsoft study guide and read it cover to cover, twice.
Bought a practice test from Measure Up, drilled all the questions till I could recite them backwards.
Bought a practice test/application thingy from UCertify, see above comment.

Unfortunately, probably quarter to half of what was in the exam is never mentioned or explored in detail in the study guide. This seems to be a common complaint.

I would say that the best preparation is doing the mock tests to really get a feel for what the exam is like. In this regard, the Measure Up questions are much more realistic, accurate and thought out than UCertify; but the UCertify does have more questions.

Of particular help whilst studying were the MS webcasts, use your favourite search engine and type "MSDN WEBCAST + {topic}" you can usually find something.

And the 'nugget' series from Microsoft are good too:

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/msdn/scr...s/default.aspx

Anyhow, good luck to anyone else whose doing the cert, I wish you well. 528 next for me, I shall report back!

Shaun.

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by merrsh1

I would say that the best preparation is doing the mock tests to really get a feel for what the exam is like. In this regard, the Measure Up questions are much more realistic, accurate and thought out than UCertify; but the UCertify does have more questions.

UCertify may have more questions... but they're known for their unethical behavior, particularly on forums.

[merrsh1]

Didn't know that. To be honest the package they sell wasn't that good. Measure Up was better, use them.

[wagnerk]

Originally Posted by merrsh1

...Unfortunately, probably quarter to half of what was in the exam is never mentioned or explored in detail in the study guide. This seems to be a common complaint.....

That's normal, the study guides don't cover everything you need to know - experience should cover it.

Congrats on the pass

-Ken

[johnny_q]

Hi guys

I have been developing using.NET for close to two years. Around 5 days ago I started studying for the 70-536 exam using the MCTS 70-536 Application Development Foundation second edition book.

I am around 250 pages in to it. I plan on going through it twice and then practising using mock exams.

I am curious to know how long roughly measured in weeks did you guys take to study for the exam from start to when you first sat the exam. I know it all depends of the amount of effort you put in but just as a guideline I would like to know. For example were you ready in 3 weeks or 6 weeks?

Thanks

[Modey]

Is it just me, or does it seem that merrsh1 and jonnyq are the same person? Seems almost like an advert for ucertify, very fishy ....

[Fergal1982]

Originally Posted by Modey

Is it just me, or does it seem that merrsh1 and jonnyq are the same person? Seems almost like an advert for ucertify, very fishy ....

Merrsh1 did say:

Didn't know that. To be honest the package they sell wasn't that good. Measure Up was better, use them.

So probably not.