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Epic Fail!

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31 Jul 2009 4:26 PM
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Well, not really. More like ALMOST PASS! but I kind of wanted to see what it felt like to say that.

So I took 70-680 the other day, and came this close to passing… scored 677, which I thought was pretty darn respectable considering:

a) I haven’t been near an IT shop in years,

b) my experience with Windows 7 is based on installing and using it on a single home PC and work PC, and

c) I didn’t even look to see what topics were covered on the exam (was sort of an impulse decision). (Full disclosure: Microsoft employees take exams for free. I don’t recommend that you make this kind of impulse decision without at least looking at the prep guide when you’re paying for the exam!)

Should I have passed? Of course not, since I don’t have enough experience in all of the objectives.

Should I have come this close? I think so—I have a lot of experience supporting Windows clients over the years, and I’m certified in every previous version of Windows.

Will I take it again? Heck yeah, I’m not gonna let an exam beat me now after 16 years. Added to my to-do list while on vacation in August.

So before I head out on vacation, a few words of advice for those of you planning to take 70-680: make sure you know Direct Access and BranchCache. :-)

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  • Wayne
    31 Jul 2009 6:03 PM
    At first I thought the new generation of exams were too easy. But now I realise, I ve actually learned a lot of stuff over the last two years gaining my MCSE. The exams haven t become easier, I just know a lot more about MS technologies than I used to. That s probably what you experienced. I really look forward to sitting 70-680 and I m trying to get our Desktop Support team to join me.
  • Orin
    31 Jul 2009 9:23 PM
    My advice - wait until the 70-680 TK is published by MS Press so you can learn about all those things you might not have had time to use in the real world. Not that I m biased of course ;-) http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-680/dp/0735627088/ref=sr_1_1/187-8701637-7183928?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246305807&sr=1-1
  • Zeshan
    1 Aug 2009 5:17 AM
    Well done, Ken! Excellent score considering that you didn t revise for it. I took the beta and passed! I got to admit though that I did do a bit of revision in learning about Direct Access and Brancache :-) Next on my list is 70-652 and it s one that I failed before, but like you I m not going to let an exam beat me! Good luck with the retake!
  • Stupidboy
    1 Aug 2009 7:35 AM
    Sounds like a good effort with no study. I my self have spent the last two weeks immersed in the Windows 7 experience and managed an 828 on Thursday. I don t believe that the exam is that hard but ensuring you covered off the objectives at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-680#tab2 is well worth it. Good luck to other 70-680 takers.
  • Benjamin S
    2 Aug 2009 9:25 AM
    Sitting down for the 70-680 this Friday. Thanks for the useful information! MCDST, MCITP: EST, CST
  • Christopher Kusek
    2 Aug 2009 10:47 PM
    I feel proud to have passed the win7 exam in beta. Not only because I psased it in general, but because I took it after having not had the opportunity to study, sitting it on the last day, whereas the prior 15+ days I was either traveling cross country by bus, or being on the floor of the TechEd show.. :) Nonetheless, sitting and passing = total win in my world! :) (Getting an 850 didn t hurt either! :))
  • Andrew Bettany
    3 Aug 2009 12:20 AM
    "Sub-optimised" is the phrase you re looking for :-( Of course you don t need the Second Shot offer to re-test, but it would be a great promotion to return for 2009/10 :-) Better luck next time. Andrew
  • Jesse Schuchart
    3 Aug 2009 7:12 AM
    Hey Ken. The line "make sure you know Direct Access and BranchCache" seems to come dangerously close to violating the don t ask/don t tell rule about what is on the exam. With that said, thanks for the heads up!
  • Anonymoose
    3 Aug 2009 10:24 AM
    Jesse, Ken isn t telling you anything that you shouldn t already know from reading the "Skills Being Measured" found here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-680&locale=en-us#tab2
  • epic_fail
    4 Aug 2009 6:37 PM
    epic fail BTW Where are promised digital wallet cards? Is there are chance you will keep at least one promise and make something promised without stupid mistakes on time?
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