Microsoft 70-410 is one of the three exams that the candidates have to pass in order to obtain the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certificate. This MCSA credential is designed for the professionals working with Windows Server 2012 and those who would like to take up job roles as a computer network specialist or a computer systems administrator. The three tests that must be passed before awarding this certification are Microsoft 70-410 (Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012); Microsoft 70-412 (Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012), and Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 . Earning the credential validates that you have the knowledge and skills required to implement a core Windows Server 2012 infrastructure in an existing environment.
The MCSA credential is perfect for the professionals in IT who want to boost their career and enjoy the many benefits that come with it. In this certification guide, we'll focus on the Microsoft 70-410 exam. Bypassing the test, a candidate proves the ability to configure and implement the core services of Windows Server 2012, including Active Directory and networking services.
The exam is focused on six different topics. They include:
Installing &configuring servers
Deploying &configuring network services
Configuring server roles & features
Installing & administering Active Directory
Configuring Hyper-V
Creating & managing Group Policy
Each theme contributes about 15-20% to the test. The percentage indicates the weight of questions that can be expected from each of the topics. In other words, topics with higher percentage may likely have higher volume of questions in the Microsoft exam.
Details of Microsoft 70-410 Exam
It is important to mention that Microsoft doesn't reveal the number of questions in its exams. However, you can expect between 40 and 60 questions, and the time allocated for the completion of the test is usually about 120 minutes. The exam questions cover different formats, including drag and drop, multiple choice, review screen, active screen, build lists, case study, short answer, hot area, and repeated answer choices. You can register for the exam with Pearson VUE. It is recommended that you have a good grasp of the exam contents before you register for your test.
To schedule your exam, you are required to pay the fee of $165. This fee is valid for only one test. If you don't pass at the first attempt, you will be required to pay another fee to be able to write the exam. This means you pay for every retake. To avoid several attempts, it is crucial that you understand the exam contents, as well as the style and pattern of the questions. Let us look at some of the tips that will enhance your preparation and ultimately your performance in the 70-410 certification test.
Tips for Microsoft 70-410 Exam Preparation
Before you commence your exam preparation, it is advisable that you first go through the official certification webpage. Read through the exam objectives, exam policies, requirements, and every other important information available on the site. This will warm you up to the preparation process and let you know what to focus on when learning.
There are numerous resource materials that are available for you. If you don't know where to start searching, begin from the Microsoft platform. Microsoft recommends different preparation methods that will engender effective study and preparation for the certification exam. They include video courses, self-paced training, instructor-led training, and practice tests. Let's look at how you can prepare for and pass your Microsoft 70-410 at the first attempt.
Start your Preparation at the Microsoft Virtual Academy
The MVA is the official learning platform for all Microsoft certification exams. Therefore, it goes without saying that this is the ideal place to start your preparation. There are various study tools that you can find on this platform. The Microsoft Virtual Academy has recommended video courses, instructor-led and self-paced training, as well as various links to some resources that will be of great help for your exam preparation. The recommended instructor-led training is 20410D: Installing & Configuring Windows Server 2012. This is a 5-day course and it highlights some critical elements of Microsoft 70-410. The course has been developed by experienced Microsoft experts. You can find the link to this course on the certification web page. In addition to the instructor-led training, the MVA also has links to the various recommended books that will enhance your learning. There are also some practice tests that you can use to evaluate your understanding of the exam topics.
Use the Revision Guide
You can't study in isolation, which means you need to use the recommended revision guide for the Microsoft 70-410 exam. This tutorial details everything you need to know to pass your exam. Go through this guide and study it thoroughly. Take ample notes as you read so that you can refer to it later.
Join a Study Group
A study group helps you connect with other candidates going through the process of test-taking. You can learn from them and share your thoughts. There are many online platforms that offer study groups for specific exams. If you are not sure what to choose, you might want to start with the official Microsoft study group. You can find the link to the web page on the official Microsoft website.
Take Practice Tests
This is very critical to your exam success. To make the process easy, you can use different platforms such as ExamSnap to access the exam simulator. This allows you to take practice questions in a real exam environment. This will help you develop your time management skills and also give you a fair idea of what to expect during the certification test.
Conclusion
Earning a Microsoft credential is not so difficult. If you understand the requirements of the exam and ready to learn, you can easily pass it and earn your certification.
