Server Kit

Is there someone out there wh have completed the MCSE for Windows Server 2003 studying on their own?

i am in the process of purchasing the :
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MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294): Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Core Requirements, Second Edition

is 50 hours of study a week anough time to get certified in 3 months?

are this good books to study, are they easy to understand?

i just graduated with an AS degree in computer technology, but i have no certifications and this sscare the hell out of me.

i have a few months to decide what i am going to do, mean while i would like to get certified.

i dont have any mony for boot camps and stuff, so i am thinking on doing the training on my own.
i have a few questions.

1. more or less, how long does it take to get certified
2. i have 3 months of free time, would that do
3. onse the first test is completed, how long do i have to complete the others

4. i have 3 computers at home i would like to network, is this anough for a lab?

5. any tips, or sugestions

thanks!

Yes, it is possible to get certified for MS by doing self study. I did it myself and so have others. I'm an MCSA. I could go for my MCSE but I'll talk more about that later.

You said you have 3 months and you want to be an MCSE in that time? I highly doubt you can pull it off. I got my MCSA in 8-9 months. Of course different people learn at a different pace. I usually took 1 month to read 2 books for the same test. The second month I took practice tests and skimmed over the books I had read. Third month I took the test. This worked for me for the first 2 tests. The last 2 test I failed the first time and had to re-read the material to get a better grasp of it. You HAVE to factor failing into your time. It's very rare for people to pass all MS certs without failing at least 1 test.

I forget what the 2nd books were that I used to study but the first ones were from Thomson Course Technology. You should read 2 different books for each test. That way what one book skimmed on or wasn't very clear should make sense in the second book.

Forget about getting your MCSE. Go for your MCSA. As a matter of fact, the first 3 tests are the same for each cert. If you're smart, you'll take the 4th test that is required for MCSA and also counts for MCSE. Take the Exchange Server test and you'll be good. Careful because not all the optional tests count for the MCSE and vice versa.

I don't recall there being a time limit as to when you need to complete the others by. As a matter of fact, MS certs don't expire like other certs do. They last until MS stops supporting the product. Windows 2000 MCSA/MCSE just expired this year! However, I think with server 2008 they are going to start expiring every 3 years like other certs do.

3 pcs are just perfect for your training environment. I only had 1 when I was studying for it. You can run 2 servers & 1 client or vice versa.

My other tip is to take other tests as well besides MS. I would say bypass Network+ and study for the CCENT. It's the new entry level cert for Cisco. That way you have both MS certs and networking certs. Cisco is a better cert than Network+.

Last but not least, don't stress so much about getting the MCSE. Like I said, I got the MCSA in January 2008. It's now June and I haven't taken any other tests to go for my MCSE. There's 2 reasons for this. One, like yourself I also graduated in June 2008 with an AS degree. Having no real job experience and yet having an MCSA I have no administrator job. I was unemployed for 6 months because I refused to get a desktop support job. I wanted to be an admin but that is not going to happen if you have no experience. So be prepared to take tech support jobs because admin jobs require experience. Desktop support is what I have been doing for the last 6 months. My MCSA is not being really used and it didn't open doors for me.

That said perhaps where you live people are begging for MCSA certified people. Around where I live, no one is. Of the very few jobs that are looking for an admin, they want someone who's been doing it for at least 8 years. So by the end of this year I will be moving to another state and see if I can find something better. Good luck.