Subscribe to the TST RSS Feed
Certification Series: Exam 70-620 Configuring Vista Client
Hello everyone and welcome to the Certification Series!
Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting articles pertaining to some of the new certification exams that are available from Microsoft and the newer certifications that have released as part of the Vista and Windows Server 2008 learning tracks.
I’ll provide you with a mainstream overview of the exams, the audience profile and an overview to the topics and the skills being tested (at a really high level).
I’ll also be outlining the certifications that particular exams give direct credit for, and in the situation where the exam counts toward another credential, I’ll offer that information as well.
Today we’ll focus on 70-620 Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client which was first released in January of 2007. Here’s what we’ll be looking at:
- The details of the 70-620:Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client exam
- The profile of the skills you need to pass the exam (both practical and theory)
- The credit towards certification that is granted for passing the 70-620 exam
[NOTES FROM THE FIELD] -– We’ll go beyond the 100,000 foot level of information that is generally out there — but this is not a substitute for study before taking the exam.
When I deliver technical training and a student asks “how much should I study” or “how will I know when I’ve reviewed enough” or “how can I be sure I’ve reviewed the correct material that will be on the exam” I will generally respond that every person is different.
Some people remember facts and figures and test well and others don’t. And there is no “silver bullet” of material to focus on as you never know what questions you might get on the official exam.
I usually say that if you learn the product and understand the technology (what does what and why) then you have a fair chance to pass the exam.
You might only need:
- to work with the product to get the needed level of understanding
- to read a study guide
- a professionally taught class
- or a combination of some or all
It really depends on the individual and their aptitude to learn.
The Overview of Exam 70-620: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
If you’re looking to take the 70-620: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client exam you should have at least 1 year of experience in the IT field (or the equivalent) working directly with the different versions of Vista. Your experience should include:
- Base operating system functionality and configuration
- Customization of the client OS
- All types of problem troubleshooting
- Dealing with customers
- Understanding business needs (aka enterprise readiness)
This would generally include networked environments with at least a few machines that you’re directly responsible for, like a small professional office, or a larger environment such as a corporate enterprise where your responsibility is shared with other technology professionals.
You should also be skilled and experienced at offering both phone support (often referred to as tier 1) as well as remote session or desk side direct support (often referred to as tier 2).
[NOTES FROM THE FIELD] — Note that having the suggested amount of practical experience “or the equivalent” is relative to the person.
I studied for my 70-073 Windows NT Workstation 4 exam while working in a Windows 95 shop. I studied for three months by reading two books and taking two different practice exams and passed without really using the operating system outside of my own lab environment.
Also, it may matter what type of work environment you’re employed in. If you’re working in a highly structured and/or in a specialized role, it may be that even over a couple of years you may not have had enough detailed exposure to all of the skills being measured in the exam.
Achieving Your MCTS Cert and Beyond
When you pass Exam 70-620: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client you meet the requirements for Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Vista – Configuration and earn the certification.
Here’s where you can get additional details on the MCTS: Vista Configuration Certification.
Passing the exam and earning this certification counts towards additional certification tracks as well:
• MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician
Exam 70-620 counts as the prerequisite MCTS certification towards Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Support Technician. The additional exam you’ll need is 70-622 PRO: Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Enterprise Support Technicians.
• MCITP: Consumer Support Technician
Exam 70-620 counts as the prerequisite MCTS certification towards Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Consumer Support Technician. The additional exam you’ll need is 70-623 PRO: Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Vista Client for Consumer Support Technicians.
• MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Exam 70-620 counts as one of the required MCTS exams for the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) Enterprise Administrator certification. You need either 70-620 TS: Windows Vista, Configuring or 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops.
In addition to either of these exams, you would also need to take and pass:
- Exam 70-640 TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring which earns MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
- Exam 70-642 TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring which earns MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
- Exam 70-643 TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring which earns MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration
You would also need to take and pass Exam 70-647 PRO: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator.
• MCSA & MCSE
Exam 70-620 also counts towards Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certifications on the Windows 2003 tracks.
It can be used as one of the core exams for the client operating systems prerequisites for Windows Server 2003, for both of the tracks.
- More info and details on MCSA on Windows Server 2003 Certification
- More info and details on MCSE on Windows Server 2003 Certification
Exam 70-620 — Profile of Skills Needed
Every certification track, Microsoft or otherwise, has a body of knowledge that you must have a solid understanding of in order to have the best chance of passing the exam.
These will often be termed as “skills to be measured,” “prerequisite knowledge,” “profile of skills” or something to that effect but it means the same thing — these topics are the needed knowledge to measure your ability to accomplish the technical tasks that are aligned with the exam and the certification.
Outlined below are the prerequisites for 70-620 as defined at Microsoft Learning:
Installing and upgrading Windows Vista
- Identify hardware requirements
- Perform a clean installation
- Upgrade to Windows Vista from previous versions of Windows
- Upgrade from one edition of Windows Vista to another edition
- Troubleshoot Windows Vista installation issues
- Install and configure Windows Vista drivers
Configuring and troubleshooting Post-installation system settings
- Troubleshoot post-installation configuration issues
- Configure and troubleshoot Windows Aero
- Configure and troubleshoot parental controls
- Configure Microsoft Internet Explorer
Configuring Windows security features
- Configure and troubleshoot User Account Control
- Configure Windows Defender
- Configure Dynamic Security for Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
- Configure security settings in Windows Firewall
Configuring network connectivity
- Configuring networking by using the Network and Sharing Center
- Troubleshoot connectivity issues
- Configure remote access
Configuring applications included with Windows Vista
- Configure and troubleshoot media applications
- Configure Windows Mail
- Configure Windows Meeting Space
- Configure Windows Calendar
- Configure Windows Fax and Scan
- Configure Windows Sidebar
Maintaining and optimizing systems that run Windows Vista
- Troubleshoot performance issues
- Troubleshoot reliability issues by using built-in diagnostic tools
- Configure Windows Update
- Configure data protection
Configuring and troubleshooting mobile computing
- Configure mobile display settings
- Configure mobile devices
- Configure Tablet PC software
- Configure power options
Next time we’ll take a look at some of the details regarding the first two subsections of skills that are needed for the exam which include identifying hardware requirements and performing a clean installation.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and I am looking forward to any feedback you have on it as I work on additional sections in this series and on other topics.
I would like to try to continue to build out different series of articles on different technologies so your input is welcomed. Please feel free to contact me and let me know your thoughts.
Best of luck in your studies.
Continue Learning about Vista Exam 70-620:
Related Posts:
- Certification Series: Exam 70-622 Vista Support & Troubleshoot
- 70-620 MCTS Exam Prep: How to Install & Upgrade Vista
- SBS 2008, Configuring (Exam 70-653) Certification Overview
- Windows 7, Configuring (Exam 70-680)
- Windows 7 Certification Overview
- 70-620 MCTS Exam Prep: Mastering Vista OS Installation
- 70-622 MCTS Exam Prep: Deploying Vista
2 Responses to “Certification Series: Exam 70-620 Configuring Vista Client”
Leave A Comment:
Subscribe To Our eNewsletter
Melinda Says:
September 1st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
When someone KNOWS the material inside out and has actually successfully configured Vista numerous times however has difficulty taking tests what do you recommend?
What is the best way to conquer the actual testing issues when the content and material is not the problem, it’s the ability to test well?
Please advise.
Ahmed Ibrahim Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Hello Jason
I just wanna say Thank you for your artical,it`s really helpful, it open my mind of many thing I did not know before,
I really would like to read more artical of you.
best regrads and thanks again
Ahmed