MCP/MCSA/MCSE qualified people only (in other words; Benn)

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:35 am

Couple questions -
Anyway of doing the exams cheaper than the £88 charged by Prometric ?

What books did you use as reference ?
I'm seriously considering getting officially accredited, and was toying with the idea of the official Microsoft Press books (e.g. - Books like these)

Before I fork out a few hundred quid, I was wondering if anyone had knowledge of where to obtain the books in PDF format (As supplied on the accompanying CDs with books of this nature (Not just the official Microsoft Press ones)).

Note: not looking for books that teach you stuff, but ones that are a reference point and therefore useful for preparing for the official exam(s).

Thanks.

Post by **Benn** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:44 am

Those self-paced training books are really good I found.

And £88 is more or less what you'll pay everywhere; I've not really looked (I didn't pay, the company sorted that out) but it seems standard enough.

I'm sure the PDFs are 'available' on the internet somewhere. (such as here?)

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:27 pm

OK thanks.
I can't find the relevant material on the web easily enough, so I'm going to have to go with ordering the official Microsoft books from the American Amazon site for about £70 (UK Amazon site = £120) - http://www.amazon.com/Self-Paced-Traini ... 735622906/ for the 70-270 book along with the 4 book core set.
$1.949 = £1 - exchange rates for teh win.

Incidentally, what stage are you at in terms of accreditation ? which exams have you taken or are intending to take ?

Post by **Benn** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:40 pm

What's wrong with PMs btw?

I've done most of the training, but only taken 70-284 so far. Currently working out details for a short trip to do a 'crash course', which basically consists of 10 days preparation and exams - doing all the exams in the 10 day span.

Toki · Post by **Toki** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:27 pm

im doing my mcse atm, we could form a hacking crew!?! RADIKAL BANDITS 2K.

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:51 pm

YES.
Though fixing computers and solving user's IT problems wasn't quite what the original ethos of the RADIKAL BANDITZ was all about.

So, Mr Tokistani, how exactly are you going about preparing for your MCSE ?

Noxin · Post by **Noxin** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:58 pm

Conformists

Toki · Post by **Toki** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:13 pm

Villa wrote:YES.
Though fixing computers and solving user's IT problems wasn't quite what the original ethos of the RADIKAL BANDITZ was all about.

So, Mr Tokistani, how exactly are you going about preparing for your MCSE ?

I have recently started a computeach course which has a few of the microsoft certified qualifications built in, aswell as a few others that i cant remember without going downstairs (outside my room lol) to look at my information pack. Basically computeach hold my hand through the whole process and my exams will be in april time.

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:15 pm

Sounds interesting.
Is this something you do online, or is it video/dvd/cd based (via your TV or PC), or do you actually have to go out into the big bad world and sit in a classroom full of nerds listening to an instructor ?

Toki · Post by **Toki** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:18 pm

Its mostly online, with the odd dvd that gets sent to me. For my exams i have to spend a week in birmingham at computeach hq. Though i should probably keep it secret that i know the RADIKAL BANDIT founder. Its probably a lot more expensive than paying for the exams individually but for me its more convenient.

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:11 pm

I just rang Computeach.
Chap named Alex informed me that they are doing the MCSE course for £3900 + VAT (Around £4500 inc).
7 * 2 day modules, covering all 7 MCPs.
In addition, 6 weeks of e-learning prior to the 14 days instructor-led on-site stuffz (at Hammersmith).

I told him this was a bargain and that I was very keen to get started on this and 2 other Microsoft Office courses.
I gave him Joe's new mobile number to contact me upon next week with full details.

Toki · Post by **Toki** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:21 pm

Mine was a lot cheaper than that, also someone has to come round your house to advise you.

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:31 pm

Toki wrote:Mine was a lot cheaper than that, also someone has to come round your house to advise you.

I'll give them Calix's address next time I ring them.
Though I'm secretly hoping Joe will be confused and give his own address when they ring up thinking it's my number I gave them earlier.

Post by **senji** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:39 pm

This is a racialist thread, just because some of us are only (good) AIDZ qualified it shouldn't exclude us from posting in here

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:45 pm

I hear they now sell computers in Finland, but they have to put a little electric heater in place of the fan