Exam Profile: MCSE: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (70-293)

In order to pass the 70-293 exam, you must have the knowledge of Software Update Service (SUS), the four different versions of Windows, the five server roles, security changes, command line utilities, and much more. After you pass the Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment exam, in addition to being on your way to the MSCE certification, you achieve Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) status. You also earn core credits toward the following certifications:

• Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows Server 2003 certification
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003 certification
• Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) on Microsoft SQL Server 2000 certification

In order to get your Microsoft MCSE certification, you will be required to pass seven exams (in any order):

• Four exams on networking systems
• One exam on client operating systems
• One exam on design
• One elective exam

The 70-293 is a core exam that counts toward one of the four networking system exams that must be taken.

Exam Details

• Exam number: 70-293
• Number of questions: Approximately 40-45 questions with 3-5 simulations (Since Microsoft does not publish this information, the number of exam questions may change without notice.)
• Types of questions: This test consists mainly of multiple choice questions, but can also contain drag and drop, build list, and reorder questions. You will definitely see multiple simulation questions.
• Passing score: 700 out of 1000
• Time limit: 4 hours
• How to register: Prometric.com or Certiport.com

Trouble Spots

As with any exam, it will vary from person to person as to what is deemed to be difficult. While one person may have trouble with groups, another will find RAID configurations to be hard to understand. There are no real issues with this exam that you need to watch for other than to know the objectives. Hands-on experience that deals with managing and maintaining a Windows network will be of immense value, especially when it comes to the simulations. Basically, the simulations present a mock-up of the computer screen that behaves similarly to an actual server. In a simulation, you may have to set permissions for a folder, or add users to a group, or some other task.