MCTS Exam in Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007

[shanPM]

Is there a separate discussion group on the subject above? I would like to
network with people who have recently taken the certification exam.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

shanPM --

No, there is no separate newsgroup for the 70-632 exam on Microsoft Project
2007. I think you will find there are a number of us who have taken and
passed the exam. Short of giving you the questions on the exam, what would
you like to know? Let us know.

 

[shanPM]

Dale,

Thank you very much for your response. I have been using MS Project for 10+
years, but have never taken any certification exam on it. I am used to
Project 2003 but would like to learn & get certified on 2007 version. I am
also a PMI certified PMP. What would be the best way for me to prepare for
exam 70-632?

Regards.

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Read the exam specification.
It covers all the areas that the exam covers.
Once you have read that, make sure you know how all the functions work and
what the various option settings do.

-Jack Dahlgren

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

shanPM --

Because the exam will probably include questions about the new features in
Microsoft Project 2007 and how to use those new features, you should at
least have a copy of Microsoft Project 2007 available for study. Beyond
that, please see Jack Dahlgren's advice. Hope this helps.

 

[shanPM]

Hi Jack,

Thank you very much for your response. From "Preparation Guide for Exam
70-632" in Microsoft Learning
(http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-632.mspx), I get the
following "Skills measured by Exam 70-632":

1. Configuring Tools and Options (13%)
Set up Schedule options.
Set up Calculation options.
Set up Interface options.
Set up View options.
Set up General options.
Set up Calendar options.
Set up Security options.

2. Setting Up a Project (10%)
Create and modify a template.
Select a template.
Enter project information.
Manage calendars.
Import and export data.

3. Estimating, Scheduling, and Budgeting Tasks (29%)
Create a WBS.
Create and modify tasks.
Estimate and budget tasks.
Sequence tasks.
Identify and analyze critical tasks and critical path.
Manage multiple projects.

4. Resourcing Project Plans (24%)
Forecast time-phased generic skill or role requirements.
Create, modify, and use resource pools.
Add, change, substitute, or remove resource assignments.
Predict durations and work calculations.
Optimize resource utilization.

5. Updating and Reporting on Project Performance (24%)
Save and modify baselines.
Enter task updates.
Reschedule incomplete work.
Track project progress.
Analyze variance.
Create, modify, and delete objects.
Create reports.

Is this the most detailed exam specification I can get? If not, please let
me know where to get the most detailed one. Regards.

 

[shanPM]

Dale,

I appreciate your raising this important point. I have downloaded the
evaluation version of Project 2007 for immediate practice needs and have also
ordered a new one. Regards.

-shanPM

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

shanPM --

What you have is the most detailed specifications available for the exam.
Hope this helps.

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Shan,

Take that as your list of things to study/practice.
You should be able to do all of the things on the list.
Note that there are often several different ways to do the same thing and
that the options are not that easy to remember unless you have practiced
with them.

-Jack

 

[shanPM]

Dale & Jack,

Thanks for clarifying Exam Spec. To learn this material, Microsoft
recommends following steps in its "Learning Plan":
Step 1: Learn "MS Office Project 2007 Step by Step"
Step 2: Learn "MS Office Project 2007 Inside Out"
Step 3: Take "Course 5927: Managing Projects"
Step 4: Review "Preparation Guide for Exam 70-632"
Step 5: Register to take Exam 70-632

Is this the best way to practice and learn the material? Since I got laid
off recently from my work, I am tempted to skip Step 3 to save money (about
$2000). Am I taking too much of risk in doing this?

Also, I did not find any practice tests on-line. "Preparation Guide for
Exam 70-632" has practice and review questions. Are these necessary
(must-have) and sufficient (need-no-more) for this test? Are there better
practice questions elsewhere?

Thanks again for your help. Regards.

-Shan

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Shan --

I will give you my personal opinion. Instead of steps #1-3, I would
recommend you purchase our company's "Ultimate Learning Guide to Microsoft
Office Project 2007" as the most cost-effective option of all. After you
purchase the book, you can download the sample files that accompany it.

This book is 922 pages of content that includes two entirely self-paced
courses on how to use Microsoft Project 2007 to effectively manage projects
in the real world. These two courses are our Foundations class, which
includes 12 modules on how to manage projects following the project
management life cycle of Definining, Planning, Executing, and Closing. The
last 10 modules comprise the Advanced course, which teaches you advanced
concepts and advanced ways to use the software. Using the book and sample
files for both courses, you will be THOROUGHLY PREPARED to take the 70-632
certification exam.

Please keep in mind that is is my personal opinion. Since I am the
co-author of this book, I am very biased. To purchase the book, click
on the following URL:

http://www.projectserverbooks.com

Hope this helps.

 

[Werner Markus]

Dale Howard [MVP] schrieb am 29.05.2008 07:13:

... To purchase the book, click
on the following URL:

http://www.projectserverbooks.com

Dale,

When attempting to connect to this address using Firefox, then I get an
error, since the certificate cannot be verified using OCSP.
Using IE, it works.

I recommend to modify this webpage in a way that it works with
standard-settings of browsers that follow html-standards. There are
users who are not willing to use IE.

Regards, Werner

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Shan,

Only you know the best way for you to practice and learn the material.
Personally I think a combination of reading and working with the tool would
be the best approach instead of attending a class. Dale's book is probably
better than those listed below.
Just make sure you know all the features of Project 2007. That may mean
going through all the menus and understanding each item. Having a book like
Dale's puts the features in context which is very useful.

-Jack