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Tips
for choosing MCSE Test Prep Software
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good test prep software package will prepare you for the real
exam by providing questions that accurately depict the questions
and scenarios on the real exam - without using the exact
questions. The catch-22 is that it is impossible to asses the
quality of the software unless you have already taken the exam.
Well never fear, we have taken the exams, and we've seen a lot
of test prep tools. Here's our guide for separating the
worthwhile tools from the rubbish. |
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> MCSE > Test
Prep Software |
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Look
for the Microsoft Certified Practice
Test Provider Logo
Microsoft actually certifies
certain vendors who provide test
preparation tools, and recommends only
using these test prep software products. To be
approved by Microsoft, a practice test
provider must do the following: |
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- Submit
practice tests to Microsoft for quality
reviews
- Offer products
that provide automatic feedback on all
correct and incorrect answers with detailed
explanations and reference sources for each
answer (MCP exams are not designed to
provide feedback)
- Cover all of
the exam objectives as specified on the
Microsoft exam preparation guide
- Provide a wide
range of practice test titles to cover the
content of most Microsoft exams
- Include a
variety of questions and question types
- Provide
technical support for its products
- Include
real-world, complex scenarios that are
similar to those in MCP exams and discourage
rote memorization of exam items
- Support the
integrity of MCP exams and the value of the
credential
Incidentally,
only two vendors meet this criteria: Kaplan Self Test Software
and MeasureUp |
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Stick
with the established players
While we don't want to see just a
handful of the big guys rule the market, there
is a reason why they're at the top. Smaller
companies may offer cheaper products, but the quality of
the test software varies and you often get what
you pay for. In addition to the quality of test
questions, the established vendors often
have a larger support staff, better customer
service, and are more likely to stand by their
product guarantees. |
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Download
their practice tests first
Most companies offer a demo practice
test that is available for download. It pays to
check these out before forking over your hard
earned cash. Just to be safe, always scan these
demos with AntiVirus software, and be aware that
some may be spyware that sends your e-mail
address back to the vendor. |
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Look
for companies that are based in the United
States or Europe
The market for test prep tools has
become so lucrative, it has attracted a number
of fly by night operators who will be happy to
bill your credit card and send you questionable
products. (These are often simply a reworked braindump from one of
the many free sites that offer them). Since they
are outside the jurisdiction of the United
States, they use a variety of deceptive business
practices including false claims and testimonials,
ripping off other company's products, and
outright theft of your funds. If you never get
your product, or it turns out to be just a
reworked braindump, you may have an impossible
time getting your money back. For companies that
don't list their address, look for subtle clues
on their websites. These sites often have very
well designed and visually appealing websites,
but horrible grammar and spelling
is one clue. Here's an actual sample: "This
product has been developed by a strong base of
IT professional who are recognised by Microsoft
and Cisco with some or the other certification." Also,
a large number of user testimonials from unnamed
or impossible to check resources in remote
countries is another flag. |
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Check
the newsgroups
Do your own research when choosing one
company over another. A quick search of the
company's name on Google
or Deja.com
should reveal a number of discussion threads
regarding the quality of the questions and how
well it prepped the candidate. Be warned: A few
less scrupulous firms have their employees (or
principal partners) post bogus testimonials on
discussion groups as well. Use your best judgment
when deciding if an endorsement is genuine or
not. |
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Look
for a guarantee
Most quality test prep software runs
around $100 per exam, which is quite expensive
considering it costs $125 to take the real test.
So if it doesn't do a good job of helping you
pass the test you should get your money back.
Not all guarantees are created equal, so buyer
beware. It's easier to get a refund from the
larger vendors, and from vendors based on the
United States. Again, check the newsgroups for
horror stories. |
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Avoid
software offering "real exam"
questions
There have been a number of vendors that have
either paid their employees to copy the
questions from the real exams, or formulated
their test questions from braindumps and turned
this into a questionable product that they are
willing to sell to you. This is flat out
cheating and buying these exam questions will
only hurt you in the long run when you get out
in the real world. But beyond the ethics issue,
Microsoft has been aggressively pursuing these
vendors for copyright infringement. As part of
the settlement, Microsoft has required a few
companies to turn over their client lists so
they know which candidates cheated on their
certifications. Under the new MCP guidelines, if
you're caught cheating you'll be stripped of all
of your current certifications and will be
barred from taking any future Microsoft
exams. |
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Beware
of fake testimonials
We often take it for granted that if a
company includes a testimonial for their
product, it is legitimate and they can back it
up. One new company (based in Pakistan) approached us looking for a partnership in March
2002. We asked them for evaluation copies of
their test software, but they told us their products were still in
development and were unavailable. What they did send us was a half
finished braindump (that is available for free
on the web) with the answers filled in. When their web page was officially
launched a few days later, it included over a
dozen testimonials of how great their products
worked in helping them pass the exam. It seems
doubtful that 50 people received the recently
completed product on Monday, then took the exam
on Tuesday, and then immediately forwarded testimonials,
which were subsequently posted in less than 24 hours. Another
company claims that "a recent survey ranked
[their product] among the best ones in this
business", but fails to link to the survey
or provide any details. Look for legitimate
e-mail addresses when reading user testimonials.
"Bob" from Seattle may be a bit tough
to track down. |
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Look
for free alternatives
Many of the printed MCSE Study guides available
have begun bundling test prep software with
their books as a value added bonus. While not
"top of the line", many of these do a
great job of preparing you for the exam and will
save you a few bucks. In addition, there are a
number of free practice questions available on
the web for each exam. |
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Talk to your peers
If at all possible, find an MCSE in your
organization or user group and ask them what they used
to study for the exams. In the event you can't find one,
here's our top 3 recommendations for exam prep software.
(In alphabetical order) |
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Exam Simulators
Exam Simulators claim a 99.79% pass rate and offer a
passing guarantee to back it up. Their exam software looks and
feels a lot like the actual Microsoft exams, including the new
interactive drag and drop questions. Free demos and screenshots
are available on their website.
Kaplan Self Test Software
Kaplan has been in business for over 10 years, and are a Microsoft
Certified Professional Test Provider Self Test Software
practice tests are realistic exam simulations packed with study
tools and resources based on the Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC)
that help candidates prepare for the real exams. Standard
features include learning and certification modes of study,
in-depth tutorials, test history, and score reporting by
objective. Advanced features found in online practice tests
include live instructor mentoring and flash cards. They offer
free demos and a passing guarantee.
Transcender
One of the leaders in the industry, Transcender has built a
solid reputation for the quality of their products and their relevance
to the actual exams. Although a bit costly, their software does
come with a passing guarantee and they offer free demos.
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