One common theme written by people who failed the 70-680 exam is that it asks questions they claim were not covered in their study aids. There is not a lot of specifics, other than I've read there are questions about command lines and the 2008 Server.

The exam coverage includes Win7 deployment and AD DS topics. Thus, I would expect some 2008 server questions, and perhaps even some command line or PowerScript questions. Yet, can anyone who has taken the exam point to other areas of study that I should be aware of?

No need for specifics. Just asking for general areas of study that I ought to be aware of.

yes...it should.

an example... one listed section of the exam mentions DirectAccess. Professor messers videos has it listed.

When you do your off line reading and research you should have come accross the requirements to run DirectAccess.

... At least one domain controller and DNS server that is running Windows Server 2008 SP2 or Windows Server 2008 R2. When UAG is used, DirectAccess can be deployed with DNS servers and domain controllers that are running Windows Server 2003 when NAT64 functionality is enabled

another example ... another listed section of the exam mentions BitLocker. If you research bitLocker, somthing intersting comes up.

BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature available in Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate for client computers and in Windows Server 2008 R2

Most of the advance features of premium clients (Enterprise, Ultimate and Professional) are tied to or share functions which are either available on server 2008 or only available on member servers/DC's running server2008R2.
If you are only skimming basic information on windows 7, just covering whats listed explicitly on the exam sheet... digging deeper may be the difference between 1st time pass or several attempts, Costing several vouchers and suffering additional discouraging setbacks. I've posted on this before, 70-680 is not as easy as many people seem to think. It is an exam which celebrates your ability to work with windows 7... should not treat it as prerequisite to OJT. its not the same (for most people) as a short cut to a piece of paper that says you understand.

The method I think works best for me, is to review the previous exams listed in the pre-requisits or audience profile and combine information with the Next exam listed as "Credit toward Certification". That should give you an idea of what direction things are going - may help guide your studies.

On the other hand... many do pass easily on the 1st attempt. Good prep or luck of th draw?

this may sound harsh, but you asked and I'm just voiceing my opinion on what it takes to pass - studying more than just the minimum listed subjects. Its just not as simple as it appears. It seems to turning into the 294 exam of the MCTIP series (294 was often a heart breaker on the trail to an MCSA/MCSE 2003, which a lot of folks took lightly)

Absolutely! A Windows 7 instance in MS thought is just a node on the network and if you don't know how integrate the node into the network and maintain the node on the network you don't have the essence of W7 in the enterprise.

The exam has gone through several iterations. Saw a lot of 1000s when it first came out and now only see about 20-30% passing, and almost no one passing on the first try. Use lots of resources. I have been told that none of the questions from the MS training kit and the included Measureup exams are on the real exam today. I think MS is trying to let a bunch of folks pass the MTA (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us ... tification) and then make the MCTS (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us ... /mcts.aspx) & MCITP (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us ... mcitp.aspx very tough.

You have to remember the syllabus for 70-680 is not limited to what you will find on the Microsoft web site: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us ... 0-680#tab2

The important words Microsoft use in describing the syllabus are “You may be tested on other skills and topics related to the objective that are not explicitly listed here”. So I do not think you have a right to complain if windows server 2008 or SQL is referred to in a question.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 r2 go hand in hand. You really cannot study one in isolation and then the other.

I started studying for 70-680 about 2 weeks ago prior to which I had just working knowledge of computers. I am currently reading MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-680): Configuring Microsoft® Windows 7.

In chapter 1 it mentioned windows 7 installation in Active Directory Domain Services. I did not know what AD DS was at that point. So I stopped reading the windows 7 book and started reading about windows server 2008 r2. Now I have selective book knowledge and lab experience of domain controllers, DHCP and DNS and I still have not finished chapter 1 of my windows 7 book.

I know in chapter 3 in the above windows 7 book it mentions SQL server and Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007. At that point I will do the same thing stop reading about windows 7 and start selective reading of these 2 topics and do the labs if possible.

By the time I finish the windows 7 book and sit the 70-680 exam I am hoping I will not be phased by any question that happens to mention windows server 2008 r2, SQL server, SCCM 2007 etc.

p.s. if you take it to the extreme the syllabus mentions dual booting, you can dual boot windows 7 with Mac OSX and Linux. So should you have a working knowledge of these operating systems as well??

Appreciate your thoughts and input, @windows7student. My original concern is far in the past, though. @technotari mentioned Microsoft's MOAC Study Guide and Virtual Labs -- which I'm now on a tear with.

For instance I repeat the labs until I can go through them by rote memory. In some instances, the labs require you to execute a command file. In those instances, I push myself to execute the commands contained within the file one-by-one. So now I have some rudimentary knowledge and familiarity with NETSH and NET USE and other commands and their command-line parameters. It is a lot of fun, actually! I feel much more confident and less apprehensive about the 70-680 exam.

I considered purchasing the MCTS Training kit, but was put off by the negative comments regarding the errata/inaccuracies in the material. It would also have required that I incur the expense of buying or upgrading to a new PC.