Mcse_FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we start on the list of questions let me show you excerpts of some emails I received from people. Some of these are getting old but are still useful to read. Here is someone who just completed taking his first exam.
"I took my first MCSE exam today, Win95, passed (very poorly but still a pass none the less). I don't think I studied as hard for anything as I did for this exam only to get a barely passing grade.

I've read close to 2500 pages, accumulated close to 600 test questions-which I practiced daily for over a month, could reap such a low grade. I am ecstatic, but I am left wondering about the road to come.
It really makes me laugh about how hard these tests were. I felt I knew the material. I had the Transcender tests. Yet when you get a similar question that you know the answer to, and find that none of the possible choices are among those given I grew more panicked than what I was.
I found that I had built the actual test up in my mind that was similar to Mt. Everest. Pretty, Looks like a long walk, reasonable goal, then when you get close to taking it its a vertical wall 3000 feet high smooth and greasy. Except with Microsoft the Sherpa's are pouring more grease down the side."

If the above explanation doesn't say it all then read the following from another frustrated emailer:

"Can this really be happening to me? I have 35 years experience in the defense, space, and computer industry. After trying "early retirement" for two years, I decided to go back to work. My wide area, host based, networking experience was broad, but old and somewhat obsolete. So, I chose to go after the MCSE.
I took the NT3.51 Workstation course first and took the test after the class ended on a Friday. I missed passing by about 4 questions and was shocked. I'm not used to failing tests! I have a Technology diploma in Aeronautical Engineering/Electronics, a B.S. in Math with a Physics minor, and a Master's degree in Engineering Administration, so I have taken my share of tests. I graduated with honors (cum Laude) in all 3 cases.
Multiple choice tests? Piece of cake! You betcha! A couple of weeks later, I took the Win95 exam. Same results - failure! So, I said, let's focus on the easy stuff, Networking Essentials. Yeh, sure! I have studied my guts out, taken 10 different practice tests until I got 100% on all of them and still got just over 700 (you need 793 to pass) on the "real" test - three times in a row, October, November and December of 1996. After that I almost gave up, but was able to swing a deal with the school to audit some classes a second time, free, and take some new classes (NT4.0) for the cost of the kits. So, here I am, trembling with fear and a lump in my gut just thinking about these tests. Is this scary, or what? "

Yet another emailer with formidable advice:

"My name is Eric, and I just completed my MCSE last night. This is something that I've been working on for just over four months, and I have never done anything as difficult. My current job allowed me to spend my days studying, and that is the only reason I was able to pass so quickly. I have some comments that some of the readers on your site might find helpful.
If you are going entirely self-study like I did, know that no one book company has good study guides for all products. There are even some products that have only one or two very poor study guides available. Prepare to buy two or three books for each test. Be ready to spend over $2500 on books, plus the $600 minimum for tests. Microsoft's Official Curriculum books are generally good, but they are very expensive and they only exist for the very popular tests.

The TCP/IP on Windows NT 4.0 exam has just become easier. Microsoft released their official curriculum study kit in late July, and it is very good. I passed that test on my first try, and only spent about 60 hours preparing for it. However, I HIGHLY recommend passing NT Workstation, Server, and Server Enterprise (4.0) before attempting it. Those three tests will give you the necessary background for WINS, DHCP, and DNS that you will need. I would also recommend passing Networking Essentials prior, but it wouldn't be necessary.
The two tests I failed (only once each, thankfully) were NT Server 4.0 (Core) and Internet Information Server 3.0/Index Server 1.1. The Server (Core) test is just plain difficult, and I tried to rush through it. Something that all candidates should remember while taking the tests is to relax, take your time, and think everything through before you answer.
I also found it best to know the answer before I look down at the choices. If you don't know, look for the obviously wrong choice. Almost every question on the tests had one answer that was ludicrously wrong. Then look at the other three choices, and two should be similar. Chances are good that it is one of those.

The test that bit me the hardest was Internet Information Server. There are no good preparation guides (I even bought the official Microsoft book), and I wasn't able to find any sample tests. You need it to acquire an Internet Information Systems specialty, and I suggest taking it, just be careful. There are more questions about Index Server than you would think, and there are subnetting questions as well. You will have to know how to do the math without a calculator, so be ready."

Here is a warning from someone who was not pleased with the "Dummies" books:

"To Whom it may Concern...

I am a candidate for MCSE, and thought you might be interested in my experience with the MCSE Windows NT Server 4 for Dummies book. The following is an e-mail that I sent this morning to IDG, publisher of the series...
Last weekend I purchased your MCSE Windows NT Server 4 for Dummies (ISBN 0-7645-0400-2) from my local CompUSA store. Since I'm sitting for my Server exam on Monday, I thought it would make for a fun review before I take the test. I am appalled at the number of errors and incorrect information that is given in this book. I can't believe that it has the MCP Approved Study Guide logo on the front. Microsoft must not have bothered to read the book before it went to print, either. Let me give you just a couple of examples of what I'm talking about...
On page 67, your answers to the quick assessment on page 66 do not match the questions (take a look at 3, 4, and 5).

Another good one...
Page 407, in response to the first troubleshooting scenario, you respond "The user has not been the system right on the remote computer to 'access this computer from the network'" Now what the heck is that supposed to mean? And the straw that broke the camel's back?
In the answers to your Sample Test 1, #7 reads, "When you copy a file to a new folder on the same partition the file inherits the permissions of its new parent folder. When you move a file on the same partition it keeps its original permissions." Now look at your answer to #32 - "When moving a file on the same partition it will inherit the permissions of its new parent folder. When copying it will retain its original permissions." Both questions refer you back to moving and copying files (Chapter 15) which has nothing to do with moving and copying files.

I also had questions about several other answers you gave, but you've got me so confused that I have to go back to my MS curriculum to find out whether you're wrong or I am.

Today I am taking my book back to CompUSA and demanding my money back. I am sending a copy of this e-mail to the powers that be at Microsoft, as well as CompUSA, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and anyone else that I can think of that might possibly be selling this book.

I can't believe that you published a book without proofreading it. I'm sorry that I bought it to review from, because now I'm confused on several points on the day before my Server test."

Of course there are a few people out there that don't think these exams are anything to worry about as expressed by the following email:

"Stumbled on your MCSE page. Don't you think maybe you are making the whole thing out to be harder then it is and more comprehensive then it is? I decided two months ago to get my MCSE so I could make a few more bucks. I have passed three tests none of which I spent more then 10 hours studying for.

MCSE represents a truly knowledgeable and skilled individual able to function in a computer networking environment. Is this not a bit of melodrama I mean lets be honest you can pass these tests and still have no real world knowledge when thrown into a real world situation. Pretty web page for sure but if it was all that hard there would not be more then 30,000 MCSE's already. "

Anyway there are always two sides to every coin, but I will tell you that he had experience in networking and was good at taking tests. You can tell how long ago that was with only 30,000 MCSE's out there compared to about 470,000 now.
There you have it. It explains it all very clearly. People have a lot to say about these Microsoft exams so I thought best to pass them on. I will try to update this list with Win2K experiences and questions as soon as I get some. If you have an experience that you would like to share or advice to give feel free to email me the story. Now -- finally on with the questions

1.

Is the field going to become oversaturated with MCSE's and lower income potential?
Some day maybe long in the future. Microsoft made the exams very difficult to weed out the men from the boys. The growth factor of MCSE's will be there but not at a fast rate. Four years ago we had 15,000 MCSE's worldwide and this year it has risen to 470,000. This influx of new MCSE's has brought the income down approximately $5000 a year to $62,500. This is mostly due to the fact that a good portion of the new MCSE's had no experience when they were hired thus coming in at a lower rate and decreasing the average. The demand for MCSE's is still very high.

2.

Is the job market for MCSE's as good as I hear it to be?
It's better. When I was first studying our placement office at the school had openings for MCSE's and not enough certified people to fill them. It comes and goes in waves. The starting salaries range anywhere from $35,000 to $60,000 depending on your background and experience. Check out the Salary Survey for a more complete answer to the above question.

3.

Am I a student or am I working in the computer industry?
Neither. I am a stockbroker who chose to become a student full time to change careers to the computer industry. I was looking for employment but was hired shortly after becoming certified. You can get a more thorough look at my background by viewing my resume.

4.

What are the exams like?
Tough !! They are not easy but passable if enough study is devoted to the material. Hands on with the software is very important also. The Win2K exam questions are very wordy. You will spend a lot of the exam time just reading the question.
Easy !! To a very small percentage of people who have experience in the field and are good at taking tests and have good memories.

5.

How should I prepare for the exam?
Study until you can't stand studying anymore. Work with the software. You must know the material and software very well. Take as many practice exams as you can to let you know what you do know and what you do not. Email me - let me give you an opportunity to obtain good practice questions.

6.

I understand most people fail when taking the exams. Did you find this to be true?
You bet !! I have heard there is around a 70% fail rate when taking the test the first time. Many students I know failed the first time but passed the second time. I know one person who failed one exam three times. The proctor at my testing center told me that some people are failing the same exams 5 or 6 times. I quess they are not meant to be a MCSE, at least not too easily.
A recent Win2K instructor of mine said that half the current NT 4.0 MCSE's will be gone in a year because of the difficulty of the Win2K MCSE track.

7.

Do you ever consider the possibility of failing any of these exams?
Yes. I have taken all six (NT 3.51 track) and did not fail any of them, but I was fighting the odds all the way. I was always thinking that my time for failure can come on the next test. I have passed some of these exams by very small margins meaning a couple of questions answered the wrong way, and I would be a fail statistic. Just be well prepared and do your best.

8.

How do you know when you are ready to take the exam?
This is a million dollar question. It is different for each individual. How can I tell you when you are ready. I don't know you and how fast you can learn. You take as many practice exams you can get a hold of until you score in the 90's and keep studying. Contact me if you are interested in getting practice questions that will do you some good.

9.

I was getting 95% on the practice exams but when I took the test I failed. What happened?
Microsoft got you. Ha ! Ha!. Just getting in the 90's on the practice exams doesn't guarantee anything. It gives you familiarity with how the test questions might be asked. Transcender gives the closest approximation of the actual exam questions. You must know why the answer is the answer. Memorizing the answers to the questions will do you no good. If you get a question wrong go back to the books and find the correct answer and learn it and find out why the wrong answers are wrong.

10.

How much studying outside of class do you do?
A lot. I can't begin to tell you how many hours I have spent on each subject. You spend enough time till you hate it. You must love it to begin with then hate will take a long time in coming. I wished many times that it would be all over. It eventually was but with exam retirements you never get a chance to rest too long from studying. It was almost as big an accomplishment to me as graduating from college with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.

11.

Do you have Windows NT workstation or server on your computer?
When I was going through my studying phase the only computer I had was a 386 - 25 Mhz with 8 Mb of ram running Windows for Workgroups. I had it fine tuned to perform many tasks. I had to do most of my hands on at the school. The 386 has recently stopped functioning. I now have 3 fast Pentiums networked together, one dual booting NT Server 4.0/Exchange 5.5,Terminal Server 4.0, the second Win2K Advanced Server/Terminal Services and SBS 2000, and my client is a quintuple boot WinXP Pro,Win2K Pro, NT 4.0 Workstation, Win98 and Dos.

12.

If I fail an exam and take it again the same day, will I get the same questions?
I was told by someone that this is true. You will get the same exam again if you take it the same day. I do not know this to be a fact. The questions on the exam come from a pool of questions that the computer picks from when you start the exam. The server and workstation questions come from a pool of about 250-300 questions. When you take the exam the next time you may get some repeating questions but don't count on many. Some of the exams may have smaller pools to pick from and your chance of getting the same questions are better.

13.

Should I do Self-Paced Study or use a School ( classroom )?
Self paced training vs. classroom. That's a hard one to answer not knowing each of you individually. If you are self sufficient, then set up a small network at home, load the software and go for it. Learn the software inside and out and study everything you can on the subject.
If you would like the interaction of fellow students and a bigger network environment found at schools along with being able to ask a ton of questions of the teacher as I did then the classroom route is better. The classroom route can be expensive. Just shop around and balance cost vs. what the school has to offer such as extra lab time and a Placement Office to help you get a job after you are certified.

14.

Where can I find a school in my area?
As far as location I would recommend the link on my MCSE page to the Sylvan Testing Centers or call their toll free number. Find who tests in your area and ask them who teaches courses for MCSE in that same area. Contact each school and find out the details. Also some local computer magazines may have ads of the schools in your area.

15.

What if I am changing careers and don't have much background in computers or networking, how do I know if I can do this?
This is also a hard one to answer not knowing each individual's ability to understand technical material and think logically. I would suggest that you go to a large book store to their computer section and find some books on Windows 2000 Pro, Server, Active Directory, Network Infrastructure that are titled specifically as MCSE Study Guides. Page thru them and see the kind of material that you will need to study and know. Then get a hold of some practice exam questions and take them. See how it goes. Sounds like a lot of work and it is. You can do this initial work part time at your own leisure and find out if it is something you can pursue to the end.

16.

What kind of chance do I have if I am a woman?
It's not your gender but if you can do the job. If you are a woman and like working with computers and software then get certified. I am sure you will have no trouble finding a job. The MCP Magazine Feb '98 Salary Survey shows women getting paid about 7-8,000 less than the male counterparts but what else is new.

17.

How important is having a B.A or B.S. degree when applying for a job if you are a MCSE? ( I dropped out of college in my junior year)
I think a degree from college of any kind helps sell the fact that you started something and went all the way to completion. I don't think that dropping out of college will hurt you much if you have a MCSE to wave around, but if you and another MCSE that has a college degree are in competition for the same position then the other person might have a leg up on you. You will just have to sell yourself even harder to the potential employer.

18.

What are the reasons for taking MCSE rather than Novell certification?
Novell networks are out there still in good numbers but Microsoft wants to be the dominant player in the network arena. Microsoft has the money and the advertising to promote itself whereas Novell as a company is struggling not to be eaten by the Microsoft shark. Novell has been doing better lately, but the network of the future is going to be more and more Windows 2000 so therefore the place to be is Microsoft Certified (MCSE).

19.

How do you calculate the IP address ranges for the different subnets when the subnet mask is not the standard?
Address subnetting can be pretty tricky and there appears to be hardly any material available to explain it in any understandable detail. Since I have received a few questions concerning this subject, I have included a brief explanation and calculation on the TCP/IP tables page in this website. I hope it helps anyone who has an interest in this area.

I plan to add to this list of questions as new ones come in so check back if you are interested.

Back to the MCSE page

Frequently Asked Questions
	Before we start on the list of questions let me show you excerpts of some emails I received from people. Some of these are getting old but are still useful to read. Here is someone who just completed taking his first exam. "I took my first MCSE exam today, Win95, passed (very poorly but still a pass none the less). I don't think I studied as hard for anything as I did for this exam only to get a barely passing grade. I've read close to 2500 pages, accumulated close to 600 test questions-which I practiced daily for over a month, could reap such a low grade. I am ecstatic, but I am left wondering about the road to come. It really makes me laugh about how hard these tests were. I felt I knew the material. I had the Transcender tests. Yet when you get a similar question that you know the answer to, and find that none of the possible choices are among those given I grew more panicked than what I was. I found that I had built the actual test up in my mind that was similar to Mt. Everest. Pretty, Looks like a long walk, reasonable goal, then when you get close to taking it its a vertical wall 3000 feet high smooth and greasy. Except with Microsoft the Sherpa's are pouring more grease down the side." If the above explanation doesn't say it all then read the following from another frustrated emailer: "Can this really be happening to me? I have 35 years experience in the defense, space, and computer industry. After trying "early retirement" for two years, I decided to go back to work. My wide area, host based, networking experience was broad, but old and somewhat obsolete. So, I chose to go after the MCSE. I took the NT3.51 Workstation course first and took the test after the class ended on a Friday. I missed passing by about 4 questions and was shocked. I'm not used to failing tests! I have a Technology diploma in Aeronautical Engineering/Electronics, a B.S. in Math with a Physics minor, and a Master's degree in Engineering Administration, so I have taken my share of tests. I graduated with honors (cum Laude) in all 3 cases. Multiple choice tests? Piece of cake! You betcha! A couple of weeks later, I took the Win95 exam. Same results - failure! So, I said, let's focus on the easy stuff, Networking Essentials. Yeh, sure! I have studied my guts out, taken 10 different practice tests until I got 100% on all of them and still got just over 700 (you need 793 to pass) on the "real" test - three times in a row, October, November and December of 1996. After that I almost gave up, but was able to swing a deal with the school to audit some classes a second time, free, and take some new classes (NT4.0) for the cost of the kits. So, here I am, trembling with fear and a lump in my gut just thinking about these tests. Is this scary, or what? " Yet another emailer with formidable advice: "My name is Eric, and I just completed my MCSE last night. This is something that I've been working on for just over four months, and I have never done anything as difficult. My current job allowed me to spend my days studying, and that is the only reason I was able to pass so quickly. I have some comments that some of the readers on your site might find helpful. If you are going entirely self-study like I did, know that no one book company has good study guides for all products. There are even some products that have only one or two very poor study guides available. Prepare to buy two or three books for each test. Be ready to spend over $2500 on books, plus the $600 minimum for tests. Microsoft's Official Curriculum books are generally good, but they are very expensive and they only exist for the very popular tests. The TCP/IP on Windows NT 4.0 exam has just become easier. Microsoft released their official curriculum study kit in late July, and it is very good. I passed that test on my first try, and only spent about 60 hours preparing for it. However, I HIGHLY recommend passing NT Workstation, Server, and Server Enterprise (4.0) before attempting it. Those three tests will give you the necessary background for WINS, DHCP, and DNS that you will need. I would also recommend passing Networking Essentials prior, but it wouldn't be necessary. The two tests I failed (only once each, thankfully) were NT Server 4.0 (Core) and Internet Information Server 3.0/Index Server 1.1. The Server (Core) test is just plain difficult, and I tried to rush through it. Something that all candidates should remember while taking the tests is to relax, take your time, and think everything through before you answer. I also found it best to know the answer before I look down at the choices. If you don't know, look for the obviously wrong choice. Almost every question on the tests had one answer that was ludicrously wrong. Then look at the other three choices, and two should be similar. Chances are good that it is one of those. The test that bit me the hardest was Internet Information Server. There are no good preparation guides (I even bought the official Microsoft book), and I wasn't able to find any sample tests. You need it to acquire an Internet Information Systems specialty, and I suggest taking it, just be careful. There are more questions about Index Server than you would think, and there are subnetting questions as well. You will have to know how to do the math without a calculator, so be ready." Here is a warning from someone who was not pleased with the "Dummies" books: "To Whom it may Concern... I am a candidate for MCSE, and thought you might be interested in my experience with the MCSE Windows NT Server 4 for Dummies book. The following is an e-mail that I sent this morning to IDG, publisher of the series... Last weekend I purchased your MCSE Windows NT Server 4 for Dummies (ISBN 0-7645-0400-2) from my local CompUSA store. Since I'm sitting for my Server exam on Monday, I thought it would make for a fun review before I take the test. I am appalled at the number of errors and incorrect information that is given in this book. I can't believe that it has the MCP Approved Study Guide logo on the front. Microsoft must not have bothered to read the book before it went to print, either. Let me give you just a couple of examples of what I'm talking about... On page 67, your answers to the quick assessment on page 66 do not match the questions (take a look at 3, 4, and 5). Another good one... Page 407, in response to the first troubleshooting scenario, you respond "The user has not been the system right on the remote computer to 'access this computer from the network'" Now what the heck is that supposed to mean? And the straw that broke the camel's back? In the answers to your Sample Test 1, #7 reads, "When you copy a file to a new folder on the same partition the file inherits the permissions of its new parent folder. When you move a file on the same partition it keeps its original permissions." Now look at your answer to #32 - "When moving a file on the same partition it will inherit the permissions of its new parent folder. When copying it will retain its original permissions." Both questions refer you back to moving and copying files (Chapter 15) which has nothing to do with moving and copying files. I also had questions about several other answers you gave, but you've got me so confused that I have to go back to my MS curriculum to find out whether you're wrong or I am. Today I am taking my book back to CompUSA and demanding my money back. I am sending a copy of this e-mail to the powers that be at Microsoft, as well as CompUSA, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and anyone else that I can think of that might possibly be selling this book. I can't believe that you published a book without proofreading it. I'm sorry that I bought it to review from, because now I'm confused on several points on the day before my Server test." Of course there are a few people out there that don't think these exams are anything to worry about as expressed by the following email: "Stumbled on your MCSE page. Don't you think maybe you are making the whole thing out to be harder then it is and more comprehensive then it is? I decided two months ago to get my MCSE so I could make a few more bucks. I have passed three tests none of which I spent more then 10 hours studying for. MCSE represents a truly knowledgeable and skilled individual able to function in a computer networking environment. Is this not a bit of melodrama I mean lets be honest you can pass these tests and still have no real world knowledge when thrown into a real world situation. Pretty web page for sure but if it was all that hard there would not be more then 30,000 MCSE's already. " Anyway there are always two sides to every coin, but I will tell you that he had experience in networking and was good at taking tests. You can tell how long ago that was with only 30,000 MCSE's out there compared to about 470,000 now. There you have it. It explains it all very clearly. People have a lot to say about these Microsoft exams so I thought best to pass them on. I will try to update this list with Win2K experiences and questions as soon as I get some. If you have an experience that you would like to share or advice to give feel free to email me the story. Now -- finally on with the questions
1.	Is the field going to become oversaturated with MCSE's and lower income potential? Some day maybe long in the future. Microsoft made the exams very difficult to weed out the men from the boys. The growth factor of MCSE's will be there but not at a fast rate. Four years ago we had 15,000 MCSE's worldwide and this year it has risen to 470,000. This influx of new MCSE's has brought the income down approximately $5000 a year to $62,500. This is mostly due to the fact that a good portion of the new MCSE's had no experience when they were hired thus coming in at a lower rate and decreasing the average. The demand for MCSE's is still very high.
2.	Is the job market for MCSE's as good as I hear it to be? It's better. When I was first studying our placement office at the school had openings for MCSE's and not enough certified people to fill them. It comes and goes in waves. The starting salaries range anywhere from $35,000 to $60,000 depending on your background and experience. Check out the Salary Survey for a more complete answer to the above question.
3.	Am I a student or am I working in the computer industry? Neither. I am a stockbroker who chose to become a student full time to change careers to the computer industry. I was looking for employment but was hired shortly after becoming certified. You can get a more thorough look at my background by viewing my resume.
4.	What are the exams like? Tough !! They are not easy but passable if enough study is devoted to the material. Hands on with the software is very important also. The Win2K exam questions are very wordy. You will spend a lot of the exam time just reading the question. Easy !! To a very small percentage of people who have experience in the field and are good at taking tests and have good memories.
5.	How should I prepare for the exam? Study until you can't stand studying anymore. Work with the software. You must know the material and software very well. Take as many practice exams as you can to let you know what you do know and what you do not. Email me - let me give you an opportunity to obtain good practice questions.
6.	I understand most people fail when taking the exams. Did you find this to be true? You bet !! I have heard there is around a 70% fail rate when taking the test the first time. Many students I know failed the first time but passed the second time. I know one person who failed one exam three times. The proctor at my testing center told me that some people are failing the same exams 5 or 6 times. I quess they are not meant to be a MCSE, at least not too easily. A recent Win2K instructor of mine said that half the current NT 4.0 MCSE's will be gone in a year because of the difficulty of the Win2K MCSE track.
7.	Do you ever consider the possibility of failing any of these exams? Yes. I have taken all six (NT 3.51 track) and did not fail any of them, but I was fighting the odds all the way. I was always thinking that my time for failure can come on the next test. I have passed some of these exams by very small margins meaning a couple of questions answered the wrong way, and I would be a fail statistic. Just be well prepared and do your best.
8.	How do you know when you are ready to take the exam? This is a million dollar question. It is different for each individual. How can I tell you when you are ready. I don't know you and how fast you can learn. You take as many practice exams you can get a hold of until you score in the 90's and keep studying. Contact me if you are interested in getting practice questions that will do you some good.
9.	I was getting 95% on the practice exams but when I took the test I failed. What happened? Microsoft got you. Ha ! Ha!. Just getting in the 90's on the practice exams doesn't guarantee anything. It gives you familiarity with how the test questions might be asked. Transcender gives the closest approximation of the actual exam questions. You must know why the answer is the answer. Memorizing the answers to the questions will do you no good. If you get a question wrong go back to the books and find the correct answer and learn it and find out why the wrong answers are wrong.
10.	How much studying outside of class do you do? A lot. I can't begin to tell you how many hours I have spent on each subject. You spend enough time till you hate it. You must love it to begin with then hate will take a long time in coming. I wished many times that it would be all over. It eventually was but with exam retirements you never get a chance to rest too long from studying. It was almost as big an accomplishment to me as graduating from college with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.
11.	Do you have Windows NT workstation or server on your computer? When I was going through my studying phase the only computer I had was a 386 - 25 Mhz with 8 Mb of ram running Windows for Workgroups. I had it fine tuned to perform many tasks. I had to do most of my hands on at the school. The 386 has recently stopped functioning. I now have 3 fast Pentiums networked together, one dual booting NT Server 4.0/Exchange 5.5,Terminal Server 4.0, the second Win2K Advanced Server/Terminal Services and SBS 2000, and my client is a quintuple boot WinXP Pro,Win2K Pro, NT 4.0 Workstation, Win98 and Dos.
12.	If I fail an exam and take it again the same day, will I get the same questions? I was told by someone that this is true. You will get the same exam again if you take it the same day. I do not know this to be a fact. The questions on the exam come from a pool of questions that the computer picks from when you start the exam. The server and workstation questions come from a pool of about 250-300 questions. When you take the exam the next time you may get some repeating questions but don't count on many. Some of the exams may have smaller pools to pick from and your chance of getting the same questions are better.
13.	Should I do Self-Paced Study or use a School ( classroom )? Self paced training vs. classroom. That's a hard one to answer not knowing each of you individually. If you are self sufficient, then set up a small network at home, load the software and go for it. Learn the software inside and out and study everything you can on the subject. If you would like the interaction of fellow students and a bigger network environment found at schools along with being able to ask a ton of questions of the teacher as I did then the classroom route is better. The classroom route can be expensive. Just shop around and balance cost vs. what the school has to offer such as extra lab time and a Placement Office to help you get a job after you are certified.
14.	Where can I find a school in my area? As far as location I would recommend the link on my MCSE page to the Sylvan Testing Centers or call their toll free number. Find who tests in your area and ask them who teaches courses for MCSE in that same area. Contact each school and find out the details. Also some local computer magazines may have ads of the schools in your area.
15.	What if I am changing careers and don't have much background in computers or networking, how do I know if I can do this? This is also a hard one to answer not knowing each individual's ability to understand technical material and think logically. I would suggest that you go to a large book store to their computer section and find some books on Windows 2000 Pro, Server, Active Directory, Network Infrastructure that are titled specifically as MCSE Study Guides. Page thru them and see the kind of material that you will need to study and know. Then get a hold of some practice exam questions and take them. See how it goes. Sounds like a lot of work and it is. You can do this initial work part time at your own leisure and find out if it is something you can pursue to the end.
16.	What kind of chance do I have if I am a woman? It's not your gender but if you can do the job. If you are a woman and like working with computers and software then get certified. I am sure you will have no trouble finding a job. The MCP Magazine Feb '98 Salary Survey shows women getting paid about 7-8,000 less than the male counterparts but what else is new.
17.	How important is having a B.A or B.S. degree when applying for a job if you are a MCSE? ( I dropped out of college in my junior year) I think a degree from college of any kind helps sell the fact that you started something and went all the way to completion. I don't think that dropping out of college will hurt you much if you have a MCSE to wave around, but if you and another MCSE that has a college degree are in competition for the same position then the other person might have a leg up on you. You will just have to sell yourself even harder to the potential employer.
18.	What are the reasons for taking MCSE rather than Novell certification? Novell networks are out there still in good numbers but Microsoft wants to be the dominant player in the network arena. Microsoft has the money and the advertising to promote itself whereas Novell as a company is struggling not to be eaten by the Microsoft shark. Novell has been doing better lately, but the network of the future is going to be more and more Windows 2000 so therefore the place to be is Microsoft Certified (MCSE).
19.	How do you calculate the IP address ranges for the different subnets when the subnet mask is not the standard? Address subnetting can be pretty tricky and there appears to be hardly any material available to explain it in any understandable detail. Since I have received a few questions concerning this subject, I have included a brief explanation and calculation on the TCP/IP tables page in this website. I hope it helps anyone who has an interest in this area.

	I plan to add to this list of questions as new ones come in so check back if you are interested.

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