Certification can be a bit stressful in varying ways. Though for some it can be a light breeze, for others sweaty palms and heart palpitations are just a part of the territory. However, the key to preparing is long term learning and not the cramming sessions. Though, cramming sessions may seldom give you high-grade results. Still, there is no denying that it’s a risky and stressful strategy. So, to make it a light breeze for you as well, we’re going to provide you with an elaborate preparation guide. So, stay with us till the end, and we’re sure it will be worth it. And, before you get all pumped up to have a look at all the learning resources. Let’s first get your mind a little warmed with all the details about the 70-740 exam.
Why is the exam popular?
It is a general knowledge within the IT industry that the credentials regarding the infrastructure path and Cloud Platform of Microsoft come with numerous advantages. These are the certificates that act as a springboard in your career pursuit. Irrespective of your current experience in the field of IT, the MCSA certification can position you in a great light to jumpstart your IT career. The entry-level professionals can begin a rewarding career in the field of IT with this credential. Besides, those who have been in the industry also want to enhance their knowledge and skill levels, as well as increase their job opportunities.
Another important reason why the certification is so popular is the financial rewards that come with it. Individuals who earn MCSA: Windows Server 2016 have better salary potentials than their non-certified colleagues. There are many organizations today that have moved to Windows Server 2016. The implication of this is that there will be more demand for the professionals who have the skills, knowledge, and experience to function optimally with the features inherent in this product. Therefore, having the certificate puts you in an advantageous position to be considered for job appointment in such organization.
Everything you need to know about the 70-740 Exam
Studying for a certification exam is a broad topic, and it can’t be covered in just one article. In fact, it could fill a whole book, although it might not be the most exciting read. But there are some important truths and things you must do when preparing for a certification exam, and every candidate should know about them. So, in this article, we’ll guide you step by step. First, let’s start by getting you acquainted with the exam details and what the exam is all about.
70-740 Exam Overview
Microsoft 70-740: Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016 is designed to validate one’s knowledge and skills in implementing High Availability, maintaining and monitoring server environments, implementing Windows Containers and Storage Solutions, as well as Hyper-V.
The professionals planning to take this exam are expected to have competency in the process of carrying out general installation projects. It is also crucial to have expertise in local and server storage solutions. Additionally, the candidates should understand how to configure disks and volumes, as well as have skills in disaster recovery. The knowledge of data de-duplication, High Availability, and Storage Spaces Direct are also very critical to excellent performance in this certification test.
Must-know Exam Details
The Microsoft 70-740 exam is made up of around 40-60 questions. The candidates are allotted a total of 120 minutes for the completion of the test. When you take this certification exam, be ready for various question types like multiple-choice, drag and drop, and scenario-based questions. Even though the exam is challenging, earning this certification comes with several advantages. It’s a lifetime certificate, meaning you don’t need to renew it after a certain period. Plus, the exam is available in seven different languages, making it accessible to candidates worldwide. These languages include:
- English,
- Chinese (Simplified),
- Chinese (Traditional),
- French,
- German,
- Japanese,
- Portuguese (Brazil)
In addition to this, the examination fee for the same is USD 165. Lastly, the passing score, one has to achieve 700 or more to pass the exam.
Course Outline
The Course Outline is like a roadmap for the exam, ensuring you understand what to study. It’s crucial for your preparation. Each module in this outline contains different subtopics, adding to its importance. Also, Microsoft provides the course outline with a certain percentage. Further, this percentage indicates the percentage of exam it actually comprises of. So that you can have a better idea, which module is the most important of all. This, in turn, helps you to focus on each module according to its percentile value. So, let’s look up the course outline.
For the 70-740 examination, Microsoft has four main modules. Here is a list of the following-
- Firstly, Install Windows Servers in Host and Compute Environments (10-15%)
- Secondly, Implement Storage Solutions (15-20%)
- Subsequently, Implement Hyper-V (20-25%)
- Also, Implement Windows Containers (5-10%)
- Moreover, Implement High Availability (30-35%)
- Lastly, Maintain and Monitor Server Environments (10-15%)
However, one must also view the subtopics of all the modules mentioned above. Therefore, now we’re going to provide you with a descriptive module list.
Install Windows Servers in Host and Compute Environments (10-15%)
- First of all, installing, upgrading, and migrating servers and workloads
- Secondly, creating, managing, and maintaining images for deployment
Implement Storage Solutions (15-20%)
- First thing first, configuring disks and volumes
- Secondly, implementing server storage
- Subsequently, implementing data deduplication
Implement Hyper-V (20-25%)
- Firstly, installing and configuring Hyper-V
- Secondly, configure the virtual machine (VM) settings
- Subsequently, configuring Hyper-V storage
- Last but not least, configuring Hyper-V networking
Implement Windows Containers (5-10%)
- Firstly, deploying Windows containers
- Subsequently, managing Windows containers
Implement High Availability (30-35%)
- First of all, implementing high availability and disaster recovery options in Hyper-V
- Secondly, implementing failover clustering
- Subsequently, implementing Storage Spaces Direct
- Not to mention, managing failover clustering
- Further, managing the VM movement in clustered nodes
- Lastly, implementing Network Load Balancing (NLB)
Maintain and Monitor Server Environments (10-15%)
- Firstly, maintaining server installations
- Secondly, monitoring server installations
This sums up the course outline. Don’t be intimidated because we’re going to provide you with a step by step preparatory guide to qualify the examination.
Preparatory Guide
Having established the background overview of the Microsoft 70-740 exam, it is time to look at how you can prepare and pass your test at the first attempt. First, understand that there is a lot of resources available to you for your exam preparation. As a matter of fact, you have much information and tools to get you ready for the test. The only problem is in locating the right resources.
Download the Exam Objectives
Microsoft aims for you to succeed in their exams and earn their certifications. They value IT professionals holding their certifications. It’s a cycle: getting certified makes you more valuable, and certified professionals enhance the importance of certifications.
To assist their candidates, most certification providers offer a comprehensive list of the topics that will appear on the exam. This list, which we previously referred to as the course outline, also specifies the percentage of the exam dedicated to each topic. It’s crucial to download and use this course outline to guide your study efforts. These outlines are not created arbitrarily; they are designed to ensure you focus on the most relevant subjects for the exam.
Use Microsoft Preparation Learning Resources for 70-740 exam
Since all certification vendors want every candidate to qualify for the exam. Therefore, they provide you with various options as learning resources to choose from. So, in this section, we’re going to various learning resources.
Instructor-led Training: The Gold Standard
About this course: Course 20740C: Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016
This five-day course is meant for IT professionals who have worked with Windows Server before. It’s designed for those who will be in charge of handling storage and computer resources using Windows Server 2016. The course helps them grasp the different situations, needs, and choices for storage and computing that Windows Server 2016 offers.
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Set up Nano Server, Server Core, and upgrade plans.
- Explain storage options like disk types, file systems, and how to handle them.
- Choose the right enterprise storage for specific needs.
- Use Storage Spaces and Data Deduplication effectively.
- Install and manage Microsoft Hyper-V and virtual machines.
- Work with Windows and Hyper-V containers.
- Understand high availability and disaster recovery.
- Create and manage failover clusters for added reliability.
- Configure Network Load Balancing for better performance.
- Handle deployment images.
- Monitor and maintain virtual machines efficiently.
Study the traditional way with BOOKS
Books are a great way to learn and gain knowledge. Microsoft even has its own book store. So, don’t restrict yourself and explore these recommended books:
- Exam Ref 70-740 Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016 1st Edition by Craig Zacker
- MCSA Windows Server 2016 Study Guide: Exam 70-740 2nd Edition by William Panek
Join the Community
Using online forums and study groups can be a helpful method to get ready for the MO-200 exam. You can connect with fellow candidates in these forums or groups to ask questions about topics you find challenging. However, it’s optional, and you’re not obligated to join. It’s a personal choice. These online groups also let you stay updated with others who are on a similar journey. Plus, you can seek help for any tricky topics.
Practice Sets for 70-740 Exam
And, finally, it’s time for practice sessions. Take it from us, Self Evaluation is the only step you need in the end. The more you’re going to practice, it’s better for you.
Not only does it helps you understand the areas where you lack but also, ensure you’re strengthening your skills as well. So, go through as many practice tests as much you can. FOR MORE PRACTICE TEST, CLICK HERE!
Use More than one strategy
This must-do is related to the three classic learning modalities, or the ways in which we learn. These include the following-
- Visual (reading, pictures)
- Kinesthetic (physically doing something)
- Auditory (listening to lectures)
Many of us have a preferred way of learning, but research shows that using multiple learning methods improves results. While some can study from a textbook alone, most of us benefit from more than that.
Video study materials are great because they provide both visuals and sounds, making learning more engaging than just reading. If video materials are not available or are too expensive, there are audio-based study products that you can listen to on your computer or a portable device.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can even create your own audio study materials. Record yourself explaining important ideas from your study materials. If you have a study guide with practice questions, record yourself reading the questions and answers out loud. This has an extra advantage because speaking the information out loud helps most people remember it better.
Get a Study-buddy
Mix up your exam preparation routine by studying alone sometimes and other times with a study partner or group. This helps you learn in different ways and makes studying more interesting than doing it alone. It can also make your study sessions longer and more effective.
If you’re shy and don’t like the idea of a study group, that’s okay. You can choose to study with just one other person, like a family member, roommate, or even a friend online. They can ask you questions like they’re hosting a game show, and you can answer through a chat window.
Use Good Study Habits
Getting ready for a standard test is something we’ve all experienced. The same effective study habits that worked for school and college can help you prepare for certification exams too. Here are some important things to remember:
- Study during your most alert hours, based on your body clock.
- Make a study schedule and do your best to keep it.
- Approach studying with a positive mindset.
- Keep hydrated and fed during study sessions.
- Turn off your phone.
- No seriously, turn off your phone.
- Moderate caffeine intake is good; caffeine jitters are not.
- Give yourself a small reward after study sessions.
Expert’s Corner
The MCSA certification is like a step up for professionals who want to do more at work. When you’re new to IT, you might start with the MTA certification, which teaches you the basics about Microsoft products and services. It’s a good way to begin an IT career, but you can go further. That’s where MCSA comes in. With MCSA, you can take on more challenging tasks at your job and earn the respect of your colleagues and boss.
After getting this Microsoft certification, you can even go for MCSE, which is for experts who want to boost their knowledge and skills to the highest level. In this article, we’ll focus on MCSA: Windows Server 2016 and the Microsoft 70-740 exam.
