Microsoft 70-270 study guide.

This was my first Microsoft so it was a steep learning curve for me. I found it tough to get used to the way the questions are worded.

Study time: 3 Months (2 hours a day)

Lab setup: 2 XP pro clients and 1 Server 2k3 (configured as a domain controller, DHCP and DNS) All running on VMware workstation.

Study materials used: MS Press Book, Sybex Book and ExamCram Book. Also you can use CBT videos to further reinforce the material.

Practice Exams: MeasureUp Exam with the MS Press book. I also recommend the Boson.com ExSim for the 70-270 exam.

Exam objectives: Check here for the up to date objectives on the Microsoft website.

Study techniques: The first piece of advice i can give is to do some everyday, to keep the momentum going.

Read a chapter of the MS press book, make notes on the chapter, then do the lab work in the book associated with that chapter. Once you have done that a couple of times, read the corresponding chapter in the Sybex and ExamCram book to reinforce and to hit home the subject matter.

Once you have done this for every chapter in the book and you feel comfortable with all the exam objectives, it is time to do some practice exams. Use the MeasureUp exam CD included with the MS Press book. Start off by doing 10 questions at a time, you want to be aiming for 80%+, increase the number of questions to around 20-30 and again aim for 80%+. Then do a full practice exam. Be careful not to do the exam questions to many times as you will start to get the questions repeated. Once you are getting over 80% then it is time to use the Boson ExSim, these exams are in my opinion a bit harder than the actual exam, so if you pass these, it is time to book the Real thing.

Exam test centre: Prometric.com

Useful info: The Exam cost is £88, but in the MS press book you have a 15% discount voucher. It is a good idea to sign up for Microsoft's free second shot offer (just in case), Sign up here.
Check out this link for some free RIS videos.