strategies for passing certification exams
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Strategies For Passing Certification Exams. by George Squillace Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) MCSE SQL Server 2012: Business Intelligence MCSE SQL Server 2012: Data Platform MCSA SQL Server 2012 Many other previous industry certifications!. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Strategies For Passing Certification Exams
by George SQUILLACE“SQL” is in the name!
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)
MCSE SQL Server 2012: Business Intelligence
MCSE SQL Server 2012: Data Platform
MCSA SQL Server 2012
Many other previous industry certifications!
Special thanks to students:Curt GomulinskiJoe Gajewski Revised January 2015 Rev. 8
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Agenda
What is certification?
Why should I certify?
How do I certify?
How do I prepare?
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My Qualifications… Why Listen to Me?
96 exam sittings in the past 21+ years
Passed almost every exam sitting on the first try (Thank you, dear Lord!)
I’ve taken vendor exams from Novell, CompTIA and Microsoft over a range of products (So, my testing experience is not from only one test vendor’s reference
point)
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What is Certification?
Certification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, assessment, or audit.
One of the most common types of certification in modern society is professional certification, where a person is certified as being able to competently complete a job or task, usually by the passing of an examination.
Passing one or more challenging, computer-administered exams
Credit: Wikipedia
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Why Certify?
Prestige Not everyone can pass these exams Not everyone is a good test-taker
Job opportunities “Those holding an MCSE in the US, earn 17% more, on average, than those
not certified.”
Salary Raise Bonus Confidence Learn the product much more thoroughly Challenge Certification is not a “golden ticket”
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So, You’ve Decided to Certify:Test Registration Details
Determine testing location Some exams are available as “online proctored”
Determine desired timeframe Website
Pearson VUE Can register directly from Microsoft Learning
Fees Amount is $150 for Microsoft exams There may be a free “Second Shot” promotion Voucher Credit Card
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SQL Server 2012 & 2014 Certifications
MTA MCSA MCSE (2 choices)
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Preparation Resources
Exam preparation guide Microsoft Learning website
Test preparation software See upcoming slides
Microsoft CoursesForums, such as TechNetTest preparation “Training Kits”Microsoft Virtual Academy
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Test Preparation Software, Part 1
These products provide a bank of 150 – 300 simulated test questions
Test preparation software can be very helpful… …the harder the exam …the newer you are to testing …the greater the testing anxiety you have …the newer you are to the subject matter
Cost, $100 < x < $150 per prep exam Sometimes prep exams are bundled to save $$$
Transcender SQL Server 2012 MCSA was $370
Preparation exams are almost always are harder than the actual exam
Consider persuading your employer to cover the exam and preparation costs
Abbreviated sample exams are often available
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Test Preparation Software, Part 2 There are at least two test prep software
deployment methodsWeb-based
Connect to a subscription-based website, providing (for example) a six month preparation time window
Self-Test Software MeasureUp Transcender (one of their product offerings)
Advantage: Allows you to connect anywhere, as long as you have a live connection
Local executable Install a program to your local computer
Transcender Advantage: Allows you to prepare anywhere, as long as
you have the computer where you installed the software Tip #1: Take five question tests while preparing Tip #2: Take one test with every question and print the results with
the answers to PDF
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Study Tip: Know Your Target(Exam Objectives, a.k.a. “Skills Measured”
How are the objectives located?
Microsoft Learning website Find certifications
SQL Server Select a certification (i.e., MCSA) Select an exam Observe the “Skills Measured” section
Emphasize study time over newer features
Really…do I have to know ALL of THAT?
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Study Tip: Managing Volume of Material
In regard to each product feature ask, “Is this a feature every administrator / developer should know?”
Concentrate on those features
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Study Tip: You’ll Never Feel Ready Enough
So, schedule your exam now
You can always postpone a day or two (or more), up to the night before, if you’re nearing the test date and you feel you’re not ready
For what it’s worth, near panic always sets in a day or two before a test because I know I need to know more and better.
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What to Expect in the Testing Booth Can’t bring
No pens, pencils, or paper Cell phone Food or drink
Can bring Marker board and pens Windows Calculator Use the restroom during the test
Dress for all temperatures There may be multiple people in the testing room Expect being viewed by camera remotely Expect quiet Expect digitally agreeing to a non-disclosure agreement Required passing score and total points presented at the
beginning of the exam For most Microsoft exams the maximum points is 1,000 and the minimum
passing score is 700 points Calculate points per question to determine the number of questions you must
score correctly
Exam score/outcome is immediately reported and printed
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Test Question Formats Active Screen
(interact with a complex dialog box, make appropriate choices)
Build List (from a list of objects on the left pane need to be dragged into the right pane in the correct order)
Case Studies (lengthy scenario, multiple questions, often include exhibits, often separately timed)
Create-a-Tree Drag and Drop Hot Area Multiple Choice
(sometimes the number of correct answers is provided, other times not)
Repeated Answer Choices (same, large number of answers repeated over several questions)
Simulations (portion wizard walkthrough)
Short Answer Code (type programming code, key word list may be available)
Best Answer (multiple choice, only one correct answer)
Click here for short videos on what each of these look like Found under “Exam formats and question types”
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Test Question FormatActive Screen
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Test Question FormatBuild List
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Test Question FormatCase Study
This is the primary format for design exams Irrelevant information is often included (just like
the real world) Often separately timed Often cannot return to review these questions
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Test Question FormatDrag and Drop
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Test Question FormatMultiple-Multiple Choice
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Test Question FormatRepeated Answer
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Test Question FormatShort Answer Code
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Test Question FormatMultiple Choice - Best Answer
More than one answer may be correct.
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Test Question FormatSimulation
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More on Test Question Formats
On average 40-60 questions, more for CompTIA One of my Microsoft MCITP exams
had 88 lengthy story problems
One test question per screen page Some questions have “Exhibits”,
one or more pictures that provide insight into answering the question
Some tests (most) allow you to return to previous questions, and to review marked questions before ending the exam
Tip: look for opposites, and look for patterns in answers
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Exam Tip: Of Course,
Some of the Test Answers Are Made to Look Legitimate
i.e., a test question may suggest running “CHECKDOMAIN.EXE /C” before running DCPROMO. But there’s no such command!
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Exam Tip: Use the Process of Elimination
My (Corny) Conventions
A no way, can’t be the answerB not sure if it’s the answer
(no mark placed)
C not likely the answer
D very likely the answer
X
/
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Exam Tip: Put Your Best Effort Forth to Answer Each Question
on the First Pass Through the Test
Even though some tests permit review
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Exam Tip: Manage Your Testing Time
Determine the number of questions to be completed by the half-way point
Check your watch a few times during the test, especially at half-way and maybe hourly
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Exam Tip: Aim to Pass the Exam on the First Try
Plan on visiting each question only once
Make your first answer your best answer
Remember, “P” is for “Pass”
Certifications don’t include your test scores
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Exam Tip: What time of the day to take the exam?
It depends on your biological or body clock
Not usually at the end of the day
Not right after lunch
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It’s Not a Perfect Testing World…
Expect the Following:
No Correct Answer on a Question
More Than One Correct Answer
Not Enough Detail Provided
Remember, Select the Best Answer
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Testing “Old Wives Tales”
Lots of rumors circle around the test scoring process.
If the testing vendor doesn’t state something as fact don’t believe others’ rumors about it. Examples
The vendor tries to trick you The tests are “adaptive”
The testing vendors don’t explain the exam scoring methodology Partial credit? Adaptive tests?
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Totally Obvious Test-Taking Suggestions,
Part 1 Know Your Product Well
Re-read your courseware Hands-on practice with the product is
mandatory to obtain product mastery Aiming to do the work in the field is aiming
higher than passing the exam!
Be Calm, Try to stay calm
Come well rested, don’t pull an “all-nighter” the night before the exam
As you answer a question, in general, go with your first impression
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Totally Obvious Test-Taking Suggestions,
Part 2
Read the question very carefully, and answer the specific question. Don’t rush!
When permitted to return to previous questions, leverage previous questions to answer future questions.
When you have >1 test to take for a certification track consider taking the easiest exam first to build your confidence
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Some Tests Allow FeedbackMark questions during the exam
Provide feedback (comments) on marked questions at the end of the examExamples
This question was ambiguous because…This question had no correct answers
because…This aspect of the diagram made the
question confusing because…
For example, some test questions have no correct answers; they’re “lab” questions
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Testing Trends
Much harder exams
More clever exam questions
Broader variety of test question formats
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Upon Completing Certification(What to Expect)
Expect email
Expect mail
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Go Get ‘em!
I love to hear about your successes. Let me know via email
about your test experience!