Detailed Self Study plan... (Score 1)

I'm a self taught MCSE with other certs as well. I've learned and certified everything on my own. The companies I worked for usually either didn't have the funds or did not make training a priority.

My advice is simple. Decide how far you need to go to be effective in your job. Thay may mean a Server 2003 and an XP Professional certification and that's all. Or it may mean a full MCSE 2003 track. It may also mean Cisco CCNA and/or A+ and/or other certs. Take a good look at your responsibilities and daily issues and decide which tracks make the most sense to be competent in your job.

Then try to find one or more people in your circle (co-workers, friends, family or other interested parties) and put together a short term study group. Keep these suggestions in mind:

• Plan to meet at least once a week for at least 90 minutes each time and go through the material (books, practice tests, examples and exercises).

• You'll need to decide on which material your going to use and each person will purchase their own copy.

• You'll need a quiet place to meet and some equipment to work on, preferably a lab environment with isolated network.

I've been able to use this method to complete the MCSE certification for Windows NT 4.0 SErver and the accerated exam to upgrade to Windows 2000 Server. We've also done Cisco CCNA and Novell CNA with this method. It works and works consistently.

Make sure that all participants are serious about taking the exams, that each person knows they need to purchase their own materials and exam vouchers. Also, set a schedule to complete the material including exam preparation. You'll need to set aside another couple of hours during the week to read through the chapter(s). Treat this like a part time job. It will take between 10-16 hours each week, but you can schedule this and know that you are able to make time for family as well. You can also space out the exams so you get some time in between. Maybe 6 or 8 weeks for the study group and 4 weeks off.

We were able to get through each of the 2000 Server exams in about 6-8 weeks, meeting on Sunday morning from 10am - 2pm. We had to read the chapter(s) on our own, reviewed the material and the exercises and go through the practice exams when we met. We were able to clear up confusion and compare notes during the meetings. It worked very well and got many of us through exams we would have struggled with otherwise. We also compared information when we took the exam. The strongest in the subject sat for the exam first and provided feedback on where to focus for the other students. A sample schedule might be:

• Wk 1: Mon & Thu - 1 hr reading, Sun - 3 hr study grp review (Ch 1-2)

• Wk 2: Mon & Thu - 1 hr reading, Sun - 3 hr study grp review (Ch 3-4)

• Wk 3: Mon & Thu - 1 hr rdng & exam #1, Sun - 3 hr group revw (Ch 4-5)

• Wk 4: Mon & Thu - 1 hr rdng & exam #2, Sun - 3 hr group revw (Ch 6-7)

• Wk 5: Mon & Thu - 1 hr rdng & exam #3, Sun - 3 hr group revw (Ch 7-8)

• Wk 6: Mon & Thu - 1 hr rdng & exam #4, Sun - 3 hr group revw (Ch 9-10)

• Wk 7: Mon & Thu - 1 hr exams 1&2, Sun - 3 hr group revw (Ch 1-8)

• Wk 8: Mon & Thu - 1 hr exams 3&4, Sun - 3 hr group revw (all ch, all exams)

We preferred either SYBEX or the MS PRESS exam materials, but also used EXAM CRAM when available. The Trancender practice exams were best, but also used TestPREP successfully. Do some reading when deciding on the right exam preparation materials to determine if anyone else has had success using the material you are considering.

I can discuss our experience further if you want. Email me at:
[e-mail]

Good Luck and don't put it off. Get through it and get back to feeling good about work.