Reddit reviews Exam Ref 70-740 Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016

I'm currently studying for my 70-740 and have my exam soon. I was given advice from other users on here and I can honestly say I've come a long way with the resources I used. I started studying on and off in September but I would say 3 solid months would be sufficient in a typical 'full-time work/family life' situation. You could smash it out earlier if you wanted to put in the time, but I personally found that going at a steady pace you will retain the information better. These are the resources I have been using:

CBT Nuggets - IMO this is probably the best resource I used. You sign up to a monthly subscription for $59 which you can cancel at any time (you also get a free week if you want to try it out). With this you get the full range of course videos by excellent trainers. I was able to retain a lot of information from their teaching methods. Very interesting stuff. You also have access to pre-built labs specific for each video and can follow along with the trainer. I'm more of a visual/hands-on learner so this was very beneficial. You also have access to mini quizzes and the Kaplan practice test. Personally I found the test slightly off-topic in some areas and the question styles don't match Microsofts, however it's still useful to benchmark yourself and identify weak areas.

https://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/microsoft-windows-server-2016-70-740-installation-storage-and-compute

EdX Notes - I started off with this. It's basically a collection of notes directly from Microsoft giving you all the information you need to know for the Server 2016 exams. If you go to their website and search for Server 2016, there are around 30 different sections you can use, however for the 70-740 exam I would only focus on Infrastructure, Virtualization and Basic/Advanced Storage. Other course notes such as Networking or Directory services can be used for later exams.

https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=server+2016

70-740 Exam Ref by Craig Zacker - Very in-depth which covers all the objectives in the exam. I felt it was necessary to add a bit of extra theory to the videos. The book is fairly cheap off Amazon and goes into a little more detail on certain objectives that may have been missed in CBT Nuggets. I find that a combination of books/videos helps.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/70-740-Installation-Storage-Compute-Windows/dp/0735698821/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1550575563&sr=8-2&keywords=70-740

Microsoft Docs - Invaluable resource. Their documents cover everything up to date in the current Server 2016 world. If I was ever unsure about anything I would go here and read up on it. For example, a quick google search 'Failover Cluster MS Docs' would take me straight to where I wanted to be and I could go over the areas I was weaker in.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/failover-clustering-overview

MeasureUp Practice Tests - I always use MeasureUp for all of my exams. It's a great resource for testing yourself towards the end of your studies. Their tests are customisable and they give detailed responses to both correct and incorrect answers, so you can actually see why something might be different to what you answered. Recommended by MS and included in their exam bundles.

https://www.measureup.com/

There are other resources but this is just what I used. You can also create your own server labs at home and play around with the stuff if you're new to Windows Server, however I didn't do that just because of my current home setup and where I work uses the technologies anyway. CBT Nugget labs were enough for me. But if you're not experienced with servers then some form of labbing or practical content is a must.

Last point - do not rely on practice tests 100%. MS keeps changing their objectives and not all the tests are up to date. Use them to get use to 'Microsoft style questions' and fill in any gaps you are unsure about.

My test is on Tuesday. I'll let you know how I get on.

Link is on Amazon.ca but same books

https://www.amazon.ca/70-740-Installation-Storage-Compute-Windows/dp/0735698821/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

I just typed the exam reference into amazon and bought the MS branded ones.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/70-740-Installation-Storage-Compute-Windows/dp/0735698821/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539205545&sr=8-1&keywords=70-740

Check these pages https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-70-741.aspx for changes to exam, there is some stuff in the first? book that isn't on the exam anymore.



I read through the books once. Then I used itexams.com to look at old exam questions to get a feel of what I didn't know. Then skimmed through the book again. It only me about 3 days revision per exam.

EDIT: 3 long days!

I got this one:

Exam Ref 70-740 Installation, Storage and Compute with Windows Server 2016 1st Edition

It goes trough basicly everything the exam wants you to know.

Depending on how far you want to go, I used to get the Mastering Windows server books. They are basicly a complete overview/guide of everything Windows Server has to offer. Mastering Windows Server 2016

The Microsoft sponsored books are good for complete beginners. Couple this with a Hyper-V lab at home to get hands on experience and the Exam prep book.

Books to recommend:
Exam Ref 70-740 Installation, Storage and Compute with Windows Server 2016
Published: January 2017
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/exam-ref-70-740-installation-storage-and-compute-with-windows-server-2016-craig-zacker/1124816630?ean=9780735698826

or

https://www.amazon.com/70-740-Installation-Storage-Compute-Windows/dp/0735698821/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496963816&sr=8-1&keywords=0735698821