Several questions are written using the same set of answer choices, but the list of answer choices is “extended” to include more options than you would see for a typical multiple choice question. In other words, more than four answer choices are presented for each question. The most important piece of information that you need to know about these items is that the same answer choice could be correct for more than one question in the set, and some answer choices may not be the correct answer for any of the questions.

These items appear together on certification exams. They are preceded by a brief introduction and instructions reminding you that an answer might be correct for more than one question or not correct for any. In some ways, this experience is similar to the experience you have when answering case study items–extended matching items with the same set of answer choices appear together on the exam because they are related to each other (i.e., they have the same set of answer choices); however, unlike case study items, these items are not timed separately, and you can return to these items at any point until you submit the exam for scoring.

Microsoft is adding the extended matching item type in order to better assess a candidate’s skills and abilities.  Extended matching requires candidates to understand under what conditions certain actions are correct and when they are not (similar to how a person’s skill would be tested in the real-world). Opposed to traditional multiple choice questions that do not test a candidate’s skill in such a rigorous or practical manner.

Thinking about earning an MCITP certification? PrepLogic offers comprehensive MCITP training in the form of video training courses, study guides, practice exams and audiobooks. Call 1-800-418-6789 to speak with an account representative about affordable, IT certification training.

“In a ‘correct’ answer item, only one answer is correct; in a ‘best’ answer item, more than one answer might solve the problem but there is one best solution. “

Here’s what to expect:

• Best answer items will only appear on PRO level exams where being able to identify the best solution given a set of specific environmental characteristics or constraints is critical to planning, designing, and managing Microsoft technologies in organizations.
• The best answer will be the solution that takes the least effort, requires the fewest steps, and/or is least costly AND solves the problem. Remember with a best answer choice item, more than one answer will likely solve the problem (others might not), but one answer will be the best solution from a resource (budget, time, people) perspective in that particular situation.
• The best answer will be the best answer GIVEN THE SITUATION DESCRIBED IN THE QUESTION. It may not be how you would do it in your organization, but it’s how it should be solved given the situation.
• At this time, only a small proportion of items on any exam will be best answer choice items; although this proportion is likely to increase over time, we are not to the point where every question on a particular exam will be a “best answer” question. Not all PRO exams have best answer questions yet, but we’re working on it.
• You will know these items when you see them. The question statement will include words such as “best” or “most” (depending what is being asked) that make it clear that the question requires a deeper evaluation to determine the best answer. In addition, the following statement appears following the question: “(More than one answer choice may achieve the goal. Select the BEST answer.)”
• Most important, the best answer has been vetted by many SMEs who agreed on what the best answer is. The best answer isn’t what Microsoft thinks is the best answer; the best answer is what many SMEs have agreed is the best answer.

- Microsoft Born to Learn Blog

In the market for MCITP training? Check out PrepLogic’s Complete MCITP Cloud Classroom.

To learn more about validating your skills with Microsoft certifications or MCITP training give PrepLogic a call at 1-800-418-6789 or check out our Microsoft certification training web page.

English Exams Published:

• 4 Microsoft Office exams:
  • MOS: Microsoft Office Word 2010 (77-881)
  • MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2010 (77-882)
  • MOS: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010 (77-883)
  • MOS: Microsoft Office Outlook 2010 (77-884)
• 7 Microsoft Technical Associate exams:
  • Software Development Fundamentals (98-361)
  • Windows Development Fundamentals (98-362)
  • Web Development Fundamentals (98-363)
  • Database Administration Fundamentals (98-364)
  • Networking Fundamentals (98-366)
  • Security Fundamentals (98-367)
  • Windows Server Administration Fundamentals (98-365)
• 14 Microsoft Technical Specialist exams – Including:
  • MCTS: SharePoint 2010, Configuration (70-667)
  • MCTS: SharePoint 2010, Application Development (70-573)
  • MCTS: Project Server 2010, Configuration (70-177)
  • MCTS: Bing Maps Platform, Application Development (70-554)
• 6 Microsoft PRO exams
• 3 Upgrade exams
• 8 Microsoft Certified Masters exams
• 8 Microsoft Dynamics exams
• 21 beta exams (includes TS, PRO, and MOS betas)

Microsoft’s Born to Learn Blog reports the most popular certifications in 2010 were:

• Microsoft Certified Application Specialist on Office Word 2007
• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
• By technology: Office 2003, Office 2007, and Windows Server 2008

A total of 67 exams were published in English in 2010. And a total of 278 exams were published in 2010 in a variety of languages, including Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. PrepLogic offers high-quality training for over 80 Microsoft certifications, including LearnSmart Video Training, Mega Guides, Practice Exams and Audiobooks. If you have any questions about earning an MCITP certification or any Microsoft exam or certification,our career counselors would be more than happy to help! Give us a call at 1-800-418-6789.

As a web-based IT training company, PrepLogic provides high level skills training and IT certification exam preparation to people all over the world. They offer computer-based and interactive training for such IT skills as system administration, networking, security, voice technologies and project management. Individuals and companies can choose from a wide array of well-respected IT certification vendors, including Cisco training, MCITP training and CompTIA training. PrepLogic has helped thousands of people earn IT certifications in their twelve year history.

PrepLogic’s $5,000 contribution will fund five “Big” and “Little” matches. “We are really excited and proud to take part in such a great organization,” said PrepLogic’s President Jay Gandee. “Big Brothers Big Sisters has really made a difference in the lives of children here in Tampa Bay. We are thrilled to be a part of that and help out however we can.”

“The lingering impact of the recession has affected children living with families at or below the poverty level the most,” said Stephen Koch, Big Brothers Big Sisters President and CEO.  “PrepLogic’s investment in services for kids who need it the most is an inspiring example of corporate philanthropy at its best.  We know from our documented outcomes that providing these children with a properly screened and trained volunteer will change their perspectives on life and consequently, change their lives forever.  We applaud PrepLogic for their generosity and focus on the future……our children.”

To find out more about the 2nd Annual Golf Fore Kids’ Sake Scramble, call 813-769-3600 or visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters website.

For more information about PrepLogic, call PrepLogic at 1-800-418-6789 or visit http://www.preplogic.com/.

Microsoft seeks “outgoing, social media savvy individuals” looking to better or advance their IT careers.  Each cast member will have their own story arc, in which he/she will set a specific career goal and work with the Microsoft team to achieve that goal. Microsoft seeks to cast the people for the following story arcs:

• The Unemployed IT Professional
• The Career Advancement Seeker
• The Student
• The Azure Platform Developer
• The Windows Phone 7 App Developer
• The Aspiring Microsoft Certified Master
• The IT Manager
• The DIY Tech person

A few of the benefits a Career Factor cast member will receive include:

• Free training materials to support your goal on Career Factor. This includes training courses, books, and certification exams that would be helpful in meeting your goal.
• Free admittance to all Microsoft Certified Career Conferences (a series of online career fairs)
• Personal attention through mentors and the Microsoft community
• Filming equipment (Microsoft Webcam & Handheld camera) for you to keep

The casting application is due November 13, 2010. The application process includes a written application for each story arc a person is applying for and a short video (1-2 minutes) introducing yourself and telling the Career Factor team why you are the ideal candidate. Every story arc has a few requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for the role.

This a great, fun opportunity for anyone interested in a career in technology and a once in a lifetime chance to gain significant publicity throughout the tech world.

To apply for Career Factor or learn more about this cool, new reality show go to Microsoft’s Born To Learn blog.

PrepLogic offers a variety of Microsoft certifications and MCITP training.

To begin, let’s talk a little bit about the actual Windows 7 operating system.  Windows 7 can be considered the launching pad for many newer technologies.  One of these being the focus on 64-bit computing.  While still able to support 32-bit computing, Windows 7 can also be deployed as a 64-bit operating system.  Windows 7 is equipped with a number of new features that make it the most attractive and fitting operating system for today’s modern environments.   A couple of these new features include the ability to encrypt portable drivers, the ability for users to automatically reconnect if their VPN connection is lost and users can connect to a corporate network from multiple locations without initiating a VPN, but still maintaining a high level of security.

In PrepLogic’s Windows 7 Configuration LearnSmart Video Training course, Windows technology expert Tom Carpenter explains, step-by-step, how to implement, configure and maintain Windows 7.  Whether you want to deploy Windows 7 on a couple computers or an entire enterprise, Tom has got you covered with 14 hours of video instruction.  The Windows 7 video training is enhanced with all of PrepLogic’s new LearnSmart features.  These new features include integrated audio and PDF study guides, which can be sent to e-readers, an expanded video index, IT glossary and a “Personal Trainer” tool that helps you set a training completion date goal and keeps track of your progress through out the course.  The new Content Reader delivers “wiki-style” study guide content related to the video segments, so while you are watching a video on “Managing Network Configurations” the Content Reader displays information about “Managing Network Configurations”.  This information in the Content Reader can then be sent to your iPad, Kindle or Nook.

The Windows 7 Configuration course is designed to teach you the fundamental knowledge base you need to implement, configure and maintain Windows 7 in your work environment as well as prepare you for the TS: Windows 7, Configuring (70-680) exam. Passing this exam earns you the MCTS Windows 7, Configuration certification.  This is a widely popular exam because passing the 70-680 counts as credit toward three MCITP certifications, the MCITP Enterprise Admin, MCITP Enterprise Desktop Admin 7 and the MCITP Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7.  MCITP candidates are IT professionals capable of deploying, building, designing, optimizing, and operating technologies for a particular job role, in this case job roles that deal with the Windows 7 operating system.

Windows 7 Configuration LearnSmart Video Training offers comprehensive, online CBT that is an affordable alternative to expensive, inconvenient classroom courses and dull, tedious textbooks.  Any IT professional who works with Microsoft technologies needs to be up-to-date and proficient with the latest operating system. PrepLogic’s Windows 7 Configuration training ensures that you have the knowledge and high level skills to properly install, configure and manage Microsoft’s latest operating system so that you can efficiently mange your business’s network environment.

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$39 Printables
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$3 Mega Guides
PrepLogic’s Mega Guides are condensed PDF study guides that teach you all the the essential knowledge you need to pass your exam. Why lug around heavy, superfluous texts books when you can use a 100 page Mega Guide that contains the same key material, but in a light weight, concise format.  Save over $30 on dozens of titles, including: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, Microsoft SharePoint, Windows XP Professional and tons more!

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ALL Quiz Me & Lecture Series Audio Training Only $18
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If you want to be competitive in 2011, you need to have certifications like A+, CCNA and MCITP on your resume. PrepLogic will help you do that with our affordable training products that help you learn faster and smarter.  Don’t miss out on this unbelievable sale. Check out our homepage or call 1-800-418-6789 to start your training today!

• MOS: Microsoft Office Word 2010 (Exam 77-881)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Word 2010 Expert (Exam 77-887)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2010 (Exam 77-882)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2010 Expert (Exam 77-888)
• MOS: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010 (Exam 77-883)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Outlook 2010 (Exam 77-884)
• MOS: Microsoft Office Access 2010 (Exam 77-885)
• MOS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010 (Exam 77-886)
• MOS: Microsoft Project 2010, Managing Projects (Exam 77-178)

All of these certifications are still in development and will be available within the next few months from Microsoft. The other part of this story is that everyone who earned an MCAS certification will have their credential switched to an MOS certification. Nothing about the credential will change other than the name. For a more through explanation, check out what the people at Microsoft have to say about the new series of certifications. For more info about Microsoft Office certifications and other productivity training, check back with PrepLogic or give our team a call at 1-800-418-6789.