BlueWolf's Howl

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December 30, 2002

Back on the horse

Now that I have a "win" under my belt, I'm getting back up on the horse that threw me. Yes, I'm back to studying for the Network Infrastructure exam (Microsoft) that I didn't pass.

I've gone over every possible misstep I could have made. I've examined every possibility that could have contributed to the fall, and I've planned a course of action (studying) that should help me through to a better result. This time I will be ready.

The material itself is not that hard. I've been applying these principles and working in this field for long enough to have confidence in my abilities. [Note: the test I just got a 910 on was a harder test and covers some of the same material.] I think the main question is: will I do it fast enough?

It's a long test with not enough time. Whether or not I like it is irrelevant; and whether or not I think it's right is immaterial. Resistance if futile. If I want the certification, I'll have to find a way to pass the test.

1) Read the material.
2) Re-read the material.
3) Practice all the chapter questions and lab simulations.
4) Practice the example tests.
5) Practice getting through the example tests as quickly as possible.
6) Practice skimming paragraphs for pertinent information.
7) Grow a set of brass balls.

I think the hardest part of the entire ordeal will be getting up the nerve to take the test again. It's a pass/fail test. How many do you need to get right in order to pass? That's top-secret information which depends on the "weight" of whatever random questions you end up with on your particular exam. If you get a lot of hard questions, you don't have to get as high. If you end up with a lot of easy questions, you have to get a higher score.

It seems the only sure way to study for this exam is to reach for perfection. I've heard that if you reach for perfection, wherever you fall (short of the mark), it will still put you further than if your aim was lower.

Posted by BlueWolf on December 30, 2002 09:44 PM