It seems somewhat strange to study Microsoft Psychology while you are preparing MCP/MCSE exam. Many people think there are no relationship between the Microsoft's psychology and MCP/MCSE exam. In a Chinese idiom, they are like the relationship between the wind and the bull-- You cannot find the relationship between them at all. Some guys may think that it just wastes his time to study the Microsoft psychology. They found many people that had no idea on Microsoft's Psychology can also pass exam. It is true people can pass the exam without studying Microsoft's thought, but on the other hand, people can also get benefits by studying Microsoft's Psychology.

In fact, people may have no intention on analyzing other people's psychology in real life. For example, if you guys want to purchase a used car from another guy, you may have below deduction. If you tell that guy that his car is in a good condition, he will raise the price. If you point out some flaws of the car, you get the good deal! Same thing happen for the MCP/MCSE exam, you definitely can get a good deal if you analyze Moft's psychology.

Before we study Microsoft's psychology, let's study the psychology of the people who will take MCP/MCSE exam first. Although the reason why people take MCP/MCSE exam is totally different, (some people want to find a good job, some people want to improve their computer skills, some people take it for the company or government may pay for them� ) the goal is the same -- passing the exam. It is obviously that no one would like to waste his time and money. You can also find another psychology for the people, they just want to pass the exam. They do not have much intention on getting the very high score. It is true if you spend 20 hour can pass the exam with 800, it will double your time to get the score like 900. What they thought is with the minimum effort to pass the exam. Hence, if a guy can pass the exam by 20 preparation hours, he doesn't want to spend more.

I also have the same experience. In fact, I didn't get very high score in my MCSE exams. I passed most of my exam with the score between 800 to 900. The only thing I am proud of is that I passed all the exams within the first try. In my opinion, pass is everything.

Now people may ask the following question, 'learn how much can I pass the exam?' For the criteria pass or not pass the exam are from Microsoft, we need to analysis Moft's psychology now. First, Moft know MCP/MCSE exam is good for Moft's products. It is people's psychology, if they know something well, they will prefer to use it. I found some UNIX or CNE guys against NT a lot. They are focus too much on the bugs of NT. However, the reality is wherever there exists software, there exists bugs. No one dares to claim UNIX or NetWare is bug free. If you analysis their psychology, you will find the only reason they against NT is that they already knew UNIX or NetWare a lot, they don't want to discard their knowledge.

The MCP/MCSE exams are the same. Moft is using this kind of psychology to let people familiar with its products. Finally, only use its products. Don't feel disappointed when you know the reason why Moft provides MCP/MCSE exams. However on the other hand, Moft's technology is very important now. You guys also can use Moft's certificate to find a better job or get a promotion. You can also use Moft!

It is easy to understand why Moft offers the very good deal to attract people taking MCP/MCSE exam in the beginning. Can you believe about three years ago when I was in China, it only cost me $15 dollar to take one MCP exam. Please note $15 is not just the examing fee. Within $15, you can get a heavier textbook; a week's training with unlimited use of NT machine. They also provide a week's free lunch!! Before that training, many people have no trend on NT or NetWare. However, after the training, what the people talked about is NT, NT and NT� One of my classmates told people, 'Who said there is no free lunch, we ca get it from Microsoft!'

According to the above analysis, you should know that Moft wants you pass the exam. Let's call Moft's above psychology MP1 (Moft's psychology 1). According to MP1, the MCP/MCSE exams should be easier. For Moft know if you guys have a chance to take the training on Windows NT, you may be the people prefer to use NT. If you pass the exam, you will become the NT fan!

However, this is not the whole story. In fact, MCP/MCSE exams are VERY VERY tough! I had several years' work experience on Windows NT, Windows 95 and networking. Still need a deep preparation on the exam. There comes a contrary now. One thing is Moft wants you to pass the exam.(MP1) Another thing is that the exam is tough. Whats' wrong?

If you look at the definition of MCPS (Microsoft Certified Product Specialist), you will know what Moft really want is the product specialist. Moft's psychology is to find more specialists to work as its technical support. (MP2) There are too many people using Windows 95 or Windows NT. It is impossible to let Moft support everyone. Some specialists are required to guide people or troubleshooting the problem. Many people may complain the software just because they have no idea on how to use it properly. With Moft's MP2, if there are thousands of Microsoft produce specialists distributed in the world, it will help Moft solve the big support problem.

By analyzing the MP1 and MP2, you know Moft's psychology is complicated. However, we are not interested in how complicated Moft's psychology. We are only interested in that 'With MP1 and MP2', What kind of useful conclusions can we make for the preparation?' With the analysis of MP1, we can get the most exciting conclusion -- You can pass the exam with only the exam fee. Generally, people cost a lot besides the exam fee. They go to ATEC, buy lot of books and assessment exam tools. However, they may forget one thing. The best preparation materials for MCP/MCSE exam are from Moft! You can get this conclusion easily if you know the MP1. If Moft want to you pass the exam, she will put everything for free in their website. ( I don't think Moft will get much on $100 exam fee, most of them are go to exam center) Let's take a look of Win95 exam now, you can pass the example with three things. Windows 95 Resource Kits, Windows 95 exam outline, Microsoft's Website. They are all free!!! Windows 95 Resource Kits can be found in Win95's CD; Windows 95 exam outline is located at http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/Exams/E_70_63.htm . Moft's website http://www.microsoft.com is free for all.

I am not against to read other books and use assessment exam or FTQ. There do have lot of preparation tools or books can help you pass the exam. What my real intention is don't forget to study the most important thing from Moft!

I break down the new version of FTQ according to Moft's win95 exam outline, for I found sometime people have no idea on their weakness. They may know the weakness after they saw the statistic in the exam or assessment exam. However, this kind of conclusion is too broad. Even you know you need to improve your knowledge on troubleshooting, you still don't know which parts you need to improve. Many people prepare MCP/MCSE exam in this way, reading the book from beginning to the end; practicing the assessment questions from begin to end. After reading or practicing, they may get more skills and knowledge, but they never know when they can pass the exam.

When I preparing my MCP/MCSE exam, I labeled Moft's exam outline as what I did for FTQ_7063.

1.Planning and Installation

----------------------------------------

1.1 Identify appropriate hardware requirements for Microsoft Windows 95 installation

1.2 Maintain program groups and user preferences when upgrading from Windows 3.1

1.3 Determine when to use Windows 95 and when to use Microsoft Windows NT Workstation

1.4 Configure a Win 95 computer on a network using the following protocols or operating systems: IPX/SPX protocol, TCP/IP, NetWare, Windows NT, Banyan VINES, PC-NFS

1.5 Customize user access

1.6 Set up user-level security with Windows NT Server computers and NetWare servers as security providers

1.7 Change from one security level to another (user versus share)

1.8 Use Dial-Up Networking �

I read the above outline to start my MCP exam preparation. And try to find any materials related to the corresponding outline. For example, while I am preparing

1.1 Identify appropriate hardware requirements for Microsoft Windows 95 installation.

I search the Moft's Website first. I went to Moft's Win95 Site at http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/ You can find the information there:

o486/25 MHz-based system recommended

o8 MB of memory (RAM) recommended

o40 MB of available hard disk space

oVGA or higher-resolution display

oMicrosoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

I write it down below the 1.1 Identify appropriate hardware requirements for Microsoft Windows 95 installation.

Now I have some confidence now. For I know if moft test the installation requirement, I have the answer.

However, while I read Win95 resource Kit. I found more information, Moft also mentioned 8 MB are required for using Microsoft Exchange and The Microsoft Network, or for running multiple Win32®-based applications. This is also very important, I wrote it down again. Moft may test it. If you know the above knowledge, it is a piece of cake for you to answer FTQ_7063 1.1.1 ~1.1.3. Actually, I don't think Moft can test more than this in their real exam regarding outline 1.1

You can schedule your time from 1 installation to 12 Troubleshooting. If you prepare everything from 1 to 12, you can't miss the exam!

I do find some FTQs may not suitable for any outline. But there are very few of them. You should know, missing several questions you can also pass the exam. You should have very confidence after you finish study all the outlines. With MP1, you can find everything free. With MP2, you should prepare carefully. Many people think MCP exam is tough because they didn't prepare carefully.

Now let's have a rest and switch to MP3. MP3 regarding the psychology how people develop questions. In my opinion, any questions are developed from the answer.(MP3). No one can develop the MCP questions from scratch! For example, if Moft want to test you 5.7 Configure a Windows 95 computer as a client in a NetWare network.The guy who provide MCP questions may also read the resource kits or other books. He may find some thing like this,

In order to set up Windows 95 on a NetWare-Based network using batch script, you need to use netsetup to start Server-based setup.

First , he add some people's name in stead of you. The question becomes,

Robert wants to set up Windows 95 on a NetWare-Based network using batch script, he needs to use netsetup to start Server-based setup.

Second, he needs to remove the answer netsetup to the answers and change this sentence to question. The new question as below,

Robert wants to set up Windows 95 on a NetWare-Based network using batch scripts. What command should Robert use to start Server-based setup?

a. Netsetup

Some people like the answer A a lot, when they wrote questions, they may put netsetup in answer a, but some people may put it in B. One answer is not enough, he need to add more answers. Finally here is the FTQ 5.7.2,

5.7.2 Robert wants to set up Windows 95 on a NetWare-Based network using batch scripts. What command should Robert use to start Server-based setup?

a. Netsetup

b. Netsetup /n

c. Netsetup /a

d. Setup

So in the exam, you will see the above question. If you guys know the answer, it is good, but if you don't know the answer. May MP3 give you some clue or good luck?

For the MCP/MCSE exam do not deduce your score if your guess a wrong answer. So if the people are good luck, he can guess out 50% questions he don't know, plus questions he know the answer, he can pass the exam. Of course if the people are not good luck, his guess may 100% miss.

Now our question becomes how can I improve my guess out rate in the real exam?

Here is my analysis on the basis of the MP3. According to MP3, people develop questions from the answer. We can change the MP3 to a new statement -- The wrong answer comes from the correct answer. People just modify the correct answer and try to confuse you. For the above question, for in a b c all has netsetup, so the answer should within a b c. While how the answer d comes? If d comes from b or c, it needs two steps. Netsetup/n or netsetup /a -> netsetup -> setup. So the correct answer should be a.

@@ If you guys know the answer, pls don't use above method.

Please note this skill only can be used when you have no idea on the answer. If you know the answer of the question, doing so may only less your exam score.

MP4 --people only develop their own MCP exam questions. They don't care what other people developed. As I mentioned in the beginning of this writing. Everything seems no relationship may have some relationship. Sometime in the real exam, if you don't know the answer , you can find some clue from other questions. Let's read FTQ 6.3.1 first,

Diana's hard disk access speed has gradually decreased. Which utility should Didier use to fix this.

a. Scandisk

b. Disk defragmenter

c. System agent

d. System Monitor

If you don't know the answer, you may mark it and keep on doing other questions. At last, you may find FTQ 6.4.1,

You want to use disk defragmenter to maximum continues space on your hard disk to increase disk access speed, Which defragment method is the quickest?

a. Full defragment

b. Consolidation of free space only

c. Defragment of files only

d . Surface Scan only

How about FTQ 6.3.1, can you answer it now?

Further research

Now you alreayd have some skill on the exam by studying Microsoft's psychology. Hope it does some help on your real exam. Let's give you some examples to end this writing.

1. Remember Moft's exam outline

Look at FTQ 1.3.1,

One's Windows95 computer cannot run OS/2 1.X character-based application.

A. Reinstall the OS2 based application from within Windows95

B. Install Microsoft Windows NT workstation

C. Install NTFS

D. Run the OS/2 application from within a virtue machine that is configured for OS/2 emulation

When I first read this question, I cannot figure out the answer for I have no idea on OS/2. From MP3, I have some idea it should test some regarding NT and win95 because of answer b and c. Because of MP1, I almost remember everything in the exam outline. So when I figure out this question is testing 1.3 Determine when to use Windows 95 and when to use Microsoft Windows NT Workstation I got the answer b.

2. Be careful of Moft's trap

Generally, people develop MCP/MCSE questions according MP3. But sometime they may also setup trap and remove the correct answer at all You'd better read all the answers before you choose the correct answer if the question is complicate. Look at FTQ 8.2.1

You upgraded your computer to Win95 from MS-DOS with NetWare network client. You cannot upgrade the existing real mode network driver for the driver is not available yet. Which connectivity restrictions may apply for the Windows 95 computer while it is using real-mode drivers?

a. The Windows 95 computer can use only command-line utilities to view resources on NetWare servers.

b. The Windows 95 computer is not able to obtain a list of users and groups from a NetWare servers for user-level security

c. Only MS -DOS based applications are able to use the NetWare network

d. There are no connectivity restrictions in effect

At first, the guy offers the exam questions want to test you 8.2 Predict potential problems when configuring 16-bit Windows-based applications, but at last version, the question become the above one. You must be careful if you find the answer like d.

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This page is designed by Wang Wei, last update Sept. 14,1998