70-431 simulations question
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This is an odd question, but I don't think it's been asked yet. And I don't think answering this constitutes brain-dumping. Let me know if you disagree.
On the simulations in the test, I'm assuming they uses object explorer for somethings, but for other things, do the sims allow you to use toolbar buttons or do you have to use the main menu to get to items?
I ask because I've taken a few brief practice sims where it forces you to go through the menus instead of using toolbar buttons. In fact, in the practice sims, you can't even click on the toolbar buttons.
Thanks in advance if you feel you can answer this question. If you would rather not answer, though, I completely understand.
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I don't think it's an NDA violation, so I'll give you my take.
I can't remember using any menus from the top during the simulation. You actually don't have SSMS, you have some type of simulated subsection of SSMS (prob written in VB) to work with.
For example, if you read the question and you thought that you needed to add a user. You see the Object Explorer and can expand and contract, and right click "Logins", but I'm not sure if the menus at the top work. There were definitely limits to what you could do, to keep you focused in one area.
There were questions where I only had one of the dialog boxes (with all the tabs) and I had to figure out what to check/uncheck, fill in, etc. I couldn't move to any other part of SSMS, even though I could see an image of it behind the dialog.
Does this help?
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Thanks, Steve.
I know where to find a lot of stuff on the toolbars and menus, but I don't have either of them memorized and sometimes depend on the tooltips that come up when I hover the mouse over them. I was trying to decide if I needed to memorize all those little bits and pieces for the sims, but given your answer and my experience, I don't think I will.
Your comments help a lot. It certainly lets me know that I don't have to focus my expectations on cosmetic issues. I appreciate it.
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You are welcome and definitely be sure you work through how to add and delete all the objects (users,schema, linked servers, logins, etc.). It helps to just go through it. Do all the exercises you can find: permissions, change options, configure server, etc. They only tested me on what I would consider regular operations, but there are lots of them to choose from. Be sure you know how to do them in SSMS.
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I wrote 431 before the sims were added, so this isn't directly related. I did sims in a Server 2003 exam.
I had 2 or 3 sims on active directory, and for various reasons I was more comfortable with the command line interface to AD than the GUI, but when I tried to use the command line in the exam, it wasn't available.
I presume that for each sim, the exam writer has in mind a specific way for the task to be done, and that's the only way that works.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverabilityWe walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass -
That makes sense. I just hope whichever technique is used is consistant between the various exams.
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I wouldn't bet on it.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverabilityWe walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass -
Yikes!
I'm not personally worried, but I have to wonder how many people fail the exams because the sims are different from each other in the use of menus / toolbars. Does trying to use the wrong toolbar button count against you if you can't activate it? What about your situation when you tried to use the command line utility? I wonder if you got points deducted for that.
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On the server exam, all the sim questions had a 'reset' option, which set the sim back to how it started. So what I did was to fiddle with each sim until I'd worked out how to do the task, then reset the sim and start over, doing it correctly. It takes a bit more time, but I had to spare, so I wasn't worried.
I have no idea if the 431 sims have the same option, but I would imagine they do.
I would doubt trying disabled options would count against you. It's probably more for ease of marking tht only one way is available
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverabilityWe walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass -
Hmm. Very interesting. So the rhetorical question is: if there is only one way available of doing a sim on the exam, how can you possibly get one wrong other than to skip it or reset it?
Very, very interesting.
Thanks for your answers, Gail. I appreciate the insight.
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Forgive me for answering the retorical question...
I would guess by having the end result different from what was required, or not been able to work out how to do the task. The following is just a made-up question..
Say you get a sim question that says to create a SQL login with the username 'Test' and a password of 'Testing1'. to give it backup admin rights. Create a user in the database 'Testing123', call it 'Test2' and map it to the just created login. Grant that user data reader
Leave out the backup admin - partial marks. Leave out the database user - partial marks, etc
From what I recall of the Server 2003 sims, there was definitly room for error. Plus, remember that the sims take a lot of time. I was fortunate to have plenty to spare to reset and redo all the sims
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverabilityWe walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass -
I felt you were fairly constrained in what you could do, though there were definitely multiple steps in each question and if you aren't 100% sure what to do (and you probably won't be), you'll fumble around a little.
Best thing is to practice add/edit/modify various objects in SSMS, so you're familiar with the options (including what they mean) and the actions.
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