83-640 versus 70-640: How do they calculate my score if it’s virtual? and other desperate questions
September 28, 2009 at 7:55 am | In Microsoft | Leave a CommentTags: 83-640, Performance-Based Testing
There’s been a steady trickle of comments and customer emails on our post 83-640 versus 70-640: Which MCTS: Windows Server 2008, Active Directory Configuration is which? since we published it in February. The actual 83-640 exam went live in May. Since then, people have been writing to say they can’t find the new objectives online, that they can’t find the exam offered at a local testing center, or that they don’t understand how the virtual lab is scored and don’t want to lose points by clicking around to find the right command.
First, I want to point out that we’re not affiliated with Microsoft, and so we can’t help you directly. But we’re more than happy to help you find the right place to go. Most of the information you need has been published in the last year on Microsoft’s Born To Learn blog, and the blog team is very responsive to comments and questions.
As a first step – and this sounds dumb, but believe me, sometimes our eyes trick us – if you don’t see 83-640 listed on Prometric’s web site, be sure you’ve scrolled to the bottom of the list of tests. As James Seymour points out, 83 falls below 70, so you’ll have to scroll past all the other tests first.
If it’s not listed in your area, try contacting your test provider by phone and asking if they’re currently administering the 83-640 test. Microsoft is working region by region to ensure that test providers have the ability to run it in their labs. If your region isn’t supporting it, you may have to take 70-640 instead. Again, this post in Born To Learn is the place to find that answer.
The way that Microsoft scores tests is proprietary. However, Liberty Munson (Microsoft’s psychometrician) has specifically stated that the number of clicks or commands you enter in a scenario on your way to the goal do NOT affect the score. Only the configuration that you submit affects the score.
There is no per-simulation-item time limit. There is an overall time limit for the exam, and for some exams the simulations are grouped in a separately timed section. However, you will not be penalized for spending a long time on one simulation. Either you complete the task successfully and you earn the point or points associated with that simulation, or you don’t. The only disadvantage to spending a long time on one simulation is that you are eating up time you could be spending on another item.
Finally, you don’t need to find the “new” exam objectives, because there aren’t any. The material being tested, and the objectives, are unchanged from 70-640. Only the way in which the test is administered has changed. You can see our team member’s comments on the pilot version of this exam for a preview of the experience.
We hope this helps. Keep the comments coming!
Transcender’s own Performance-Based Testing lab goes live for 83-640
February 3, 2009 at 12:50 pm | In Microsoft, Performance-Based Testing, Transcender news | 3 CommentsTags: 70-640, 83-640, MCTS, Performance-Based Testing
As you may have heard, Microsoft has rolled out a new certification test that uses emulations, rather than simulations, to create a live lab environment inside the test. (Read the full story here.) Although it’s not yet released in the U.S., the new emulation test (83-640) is scheduled to replace 70-640 completely in 2009 as testing centers support the format.
We, the Transcender staff, are thrilled to roll out our very own performance-based lab product. 83-640: MSCert: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring is now available. The product is divided into two sections: Part One, the virtual lab, and Part Two, the more traditional question-and-answer format.
Because of the unique nature of this product, the format is a little different from our other practice tests:
- Part Two, the standard test form, is a downloadable product that comes with a 3-year license. It features 160 multiple-choice items and 230 flashcards.
- Part One, the virtual lab, is an online-access product that comes with a 60-day license. It features 8 timed scenarios. Each scenario consists of 6 to 10 tasks that can be completed in any way; you can use the command-line interface, the GUI, Power Shell, or any other method.
For the virtual lab scenarios, you create a connection to a Windows Server 2008 virtual server dedicated to your use, and interact with the virtual server online. However, you are not limited to the lab scenario tasks on the virtual machine. You can perform any task in Windows Server 2008,** which makes it ideal for self-study and hands-on practice. Each virtual machine session lasts for 1 hour, after which you will re-connect and build a new virtual machine.
The Transcender practice tests emulates the actual Microsoft test experience. On the right side of the screen is a list of the scenario tasks; you can scroll through the tasks as you complete them. Your task may require you to configure settings on multiple computers. On the top of the screen, you can navigate between multiple virtual computers by clicking Machines.
Once you finish with each scenario, you will be scored for accuracy (partial answers are noted). You can then study the scenario in one of two ways:
- Read a step-by-step description of the correct actions.
- View Flash media files that visually demonstrate the correct actions.
Passing exam 83-640 earns you the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credential; it also counts toward the MCITP Enterprise Administrator for Windows 2008 and the MCITP Server Administrator for Windows 2008.
Transcender will continue to sell both 83-640 and 70-640 for as long as Microsoft supports both test formats. If you already purchased 70-640 from us and would like to upgrade to 83-640, contact our customer service department and you will receive a discounted price on the 83-640 product.
As Microsoft continues to roll out this exam globally, they are also planning emulation exams for the other Technical Specialist (TS) exams for Windows 2008 – 70-642 and 70-643. We will be developing our test prep products for these exams as well.
– George Monsalvatge and blogmistress Ann
**Including blowing up the server, erasing the OS, accidentally raising the domain functional level, etc. Any mistake that can be made in real life can be made here, except that mistakes will be wiped out when your session resets and a new virtual machine is built, hallelujah and pass the cookies. - blogmistress Ann
It’s Alive! Microsoft rolling out performance-based testing for 2009
November 26, 2008 at 3:06 pm | In CompTIA, Oracle | Leave a CommentTags: 70-113, 70-640, Performance-Based Testing
After the lengthy pilot period, Microsoft has announced a limited rollout of the performance-based lab version of 70-640: MCTS: Windows Server 2008, Active Directory Configuration for 2009 (formerly 70-113).
Read the full story here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/simulations/default.mspx
Right now it’s only being made available in English. And I can’t find this info on the website at the moment, so don’t quote me, but someone-who-heard-it-from-someone-who-heard-it-from said that it will debut in Ireland, Singapore, and Canada. (No word yet on when it will be released in the rest of the world, or in non-English languages.)
Word is that Sun and Oracle are developing on their own performance-based lab tests. Cisco, of course, has offered simulation exams for years, but they might be adding some emulation environments as well.
It’s very exciting, y’all.
See you on the other side of Turkey Day!
Does Certification Prove You’re #1?
August 11, 2008 at 8:56 pm | In Performance-Based Testing, Vendor news | 2 CommentsTags: Emulations, Microsoft Office Specialists exams, Performance-Based Testing, Simulations
It’s that time of year when the football talk begins at the office. Recently a friend told me that his team was ranked #1 in the nation. What I want to know is, how is this possible? The team has not played a single game yet, so that team has not proven itself worthy to be #1. I feel the same way about tech job candidates. When applying for a job, you have to have a lot more going on than your tech recruiter’s hype. You have to prove that you are the #1 candidate. A certification is great, but the certification has to prove that you know your stuff.
If you have taken any certifications for Microsoft Office, you might be familiar with the Microsoft Office Specialists exams. These exams incorporate “Live-in-the-Application” technology. Test candidates are graded solely on their ability to perform tasks within Microsoft Word, Excel or Powerpoint. If you know how to do the tasks, you swim and pass. If not, you sink and fail. This is a great idea for testing – but it’s only implemented for the Office exams. It wouldn’t be feasible to give a candidate, say, a server farm to manage in order to administer a Windows Server 2008 exam.
Recently the friendly folks at Microsoft started to “kick it up a notch” with some of their exams by including simulation questions. Keep reading…
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