TXP1 passed on first try!!!! TXC1 started.

Whoot!!!!!!!!!!! TXP1 down, TXC1 started.

My first Java programming attempt submitted and passed on the first try. It took me about 5 weeks, which could have been shortened if I had only listened sooner to a fellow student who suggested “just start coding and work it from there".
 

I only have 5 classes left till my degree. My term ends Dec 1^st of this year. I have already knocked out my assigned courses this term, plus 2 more. I am going to pull in TXC1 (Objective Java test) before this term ends. It consists of a 76 question, multiple answer test with 3 hours to take it. The advice given to us from the course mentor is to think like a compiler (I.E look for syntax, spelling, brackets errors etc.)  I am going to take the pre-assessment this weekend which will give me an indication if I am ready to take the real exam.

Once I knock this exam out, I will have another Java programming course, and one last exam. After that, it is writing my technical paper and my capstone.

Hope everyone is well and thanks for reading!

All the best,

Stephen

Every word

“What if every word you said was a wish to the universe? Would you still say the same things that you did yesterday? Your thoughts and words echo through-out the universe. Make sure to only put out ones that you want back!”

Some light reading for the weekend!

Getting my Java On!
Might need another Starbucks for this!

DJV1 Passed! TXP1 (JAVA Programming) started.

Passed DJV1 (MTA-98-361 Software programming fundamentals)!!!

I am still wrapping my brain about the programming concepts, but it is slowly sinking in. I scored a 78 which is a bit low, but still a pass. I read the scoring report and I scored the highest on the server/web and database questions. I scored the lowest in the understanding of object oriented programming and programming concepts.

My next 4 courses are all to do with Java programming. One way or the other programming is going to sink into my head!

TXP1 - Project in Introduction to Programming is up next. This will introduce me to Java and includes coding and a test. I am hoping that since this is the first of the  four Java programming classes I have left, that once I grasp the fundamentals I can accelerate and knock out the remaining three relatively quick.

Thanks for reading and I hope everyone is doing well.

DlV1 (MTA 98-365 Server exam) Passed! DJV1 started.

DlV1 (MTA 98-365 Windows Server exam) passed with a 90%! The exam was fairly straight forward with questions that included basic SAN configurations, folder permissions, Active Directory and backup strategies. It also touched on Hyper-V, dynamic disks and RAID setups.

As with the previous test I took, it was only 36 questions and I was out of there in 20 minutes. I have completed all the classes in this term, and have 4 months left. So I will grab a class from my next term; it will be the last of my MTA exams, DJV1, (MTA 98-361 Software Development Fundamentals). I would like to knock it out within a couple weeks, but programming is not one of my strengths.

I suspect that my programming knowledge will vastly improve because my next 5 classes all deal with Java programming. After that I just have my technical writing and capstone. Almost there! Woot!

Hope all is well with everyone and thanks for reading!

All the best,

Stephen,

DHV1 (MTA 98-349) Passed!

DHV1 (MTA 98-349) Passed!

 

Yeah me! I am now a Microsoft Certified Professional! This is the first Microsoft test I have taken and proud to have earned the title MCP.

MTA (98-349) is OS fundamentals, given as I have been in I.T for 10 years; it was not as difficult as I had thought. 35-50 questions with an allotted time of 45 minutes. My test was 36 questions which I knocked out in 20 minutes. I had quite a few questions about RDP and disaster recovery scenarios, how to create system image, repair disk, etc.

I read quite a few of the schools forum on this test, and some students had 50 questions others 40 or so. Some were on GPO’s and file permissions, while others had more on upgrades and which version of Windows supported clean installs or upgrades.  It appears that Microsoft likes to keep you on your toes.

Next up is DIV1 (MTA 98-365) Windows Server administration. I would like to knock this one out in a couple of weeks, just like the previous test.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have 8 classes left until my degree. I have learned quite a bit and have enjoyed the journey.

Thanks for reading, and I will talk to you soon.

All the best,

Stephen.

TPV1 (CompTIA Project +) passed!

Sat down at the test center exactly at 9:00am this morning, and 50 minutes later was greeted with a "Congratulations you have passed the CompTIA Project + exam".

100 questions and you are allowed 90 minutes. My particular exam pool had a lot of formula questions regarding CPI, EV, CV, and the like. Some of it is common sense, but if you don’t know the Project vernacular or formulas, then you will be struggling.

Needless to say I am glad this one is done and in the books for 6 credits. Next up is DHV1 "Windows OS Fundamentals". (MTA 98-349). I have already submitted to have it scheduled. From what I have read it is basic Windows questions. I took a sample quiz and passed with no problem.

Thanks for reading! Talk to you soon.

TPV1 Comptia Project + started.

TPV1 Started-kind of.

I decided to wait until the start of the first term (June 1^st) before I scheduled the TPV1 (Comptia Project +) exam. I took a sample test and did not fare so well. Studied some Project + flash cards from www.Quizlet.com/  and retook it and did better. There are a lot of acronyms and formulas and I did not feel comfortable cramming for a week, then taking this 100 question test.

 I decided to be cautious and study for this exam and schedule it for the first week of June ( my next term). This class is 6 credits and I wanted to be better prepared before sitting this exam.

I only have 7 classes left and after speaking with my mentor, we’ve decided to review my COS (Course of Study) and change the track slightly. There are only a couple minor changes, fortunately because I have already passed the CIW 1DO-541 Database exam; I won’t have any more database classes. I will have 4 programming classes, and a MTA software class. I won’t have to take the MS Windows 7 exam, or the server or OS exam due to the classes I have already passed. I’ll still have my capstone and technical writing course, along with the Project Management I am currently studying for. Essentially I will have 8 classes left (instead of 7), but will be able to accelerate (hopefully) on them.

Thanks for reading and I wish all of you the best of luck!

Stephen,

MGC1 (Principles of Management) Passed

MCC1 (Principles of Management) passed! Took the pre-assessment and scored well enough over the cut score that my mentor said to go ahead and schedule the exam. I scheduled it for a week later, and started to review my weak areas. Sat down promptly at 5pm on Wednesday, logged into the web-assessor and 30 minutes later had completed the exam.

As usual after an exam, I will get up to stretch and walk around pondering the questions in my head and hoping I chose the right answers. Only then will I sit back down and log onto the WGU portal to see how I did. I was excited to see another course had dropped to the bottom of my COS (Course of Study).

The test itself wasn’t too hard, most of it common-sense. You really have to read the questions because some of the answers are quite ambivalent.

Well now I have a decision to make; only 26 days left in the term. I have 7 classes left and none of them are a cinch to knock out in the time I have left. After speaking with my mentor, she feels  

that of the remaining classes only TPV1 (Project +) might be doable.

She opened up the course so I could take a look at the course material. This exam will be the last of the Comptia exams I have to take. Project + consists of 100 questions with a time limit of 90 minutes.  I will take some demo exams and see how I do. If all goes well, I may schedule within a week or two.

I will keep you posted, and thanks for reading.

Wishing everyone all the best!

Stephen.

WDV1 (CIW 1DO-541-Database) Passed!!!!! MGC1 (Principles of Management) started.

May 1st at 9:00am I sat down to take my WDV1 (CIW 1DO-541) Database administrator test, and 30 minutes later received a Pass!! I Scored a 90%, and was surprised I had done so well, as Database is not one of my strengths, but previous Point of Sale experience with 2 and 3 tier systems paid off.

I still have 30 days left in my term and after talking to my mentor decided to schedule a pre-assessment of MGC1. I scored a 77% with a cut score of 57% without studying. I scheduled the test for May 8th. If all goes well and I pass this exam, it will mean I have passed 7 classes this term.

I will take a break after this last class, till June 1st when my new term starts. I will only have about 7 classes left till my completion of my Bachelors of Science degree! Some of these include Intro to programming and building a Java program. Don’t' know if I will be able to accelerate through these like did this current term. I know the capstone will take a month or so just by itself.

Regardless, I can see the light at the end of tunnel. I stared this journey Dec 1, 2010 and I am close to realizing a lifelong goal!

Thanks for reading this and best of luck to all.

IWT1 completed. WDV1 Started.

IWT1 is done. Had to present a Power point slide show analysing 3 works one of which was offered, the other two I could choose. I selected Invictus (one of the offered) as I have always liked that poem by William Henly. It was written from his hospital bed in 1875 and just resonated with me. I chose a chose a photograph called Winter Trees by Ilona Wellman and the song "A Day" by Styx. I was able to tie in all three with Information Technology. I thought it was a simple concept, the need to balance technology and our fast paced life, with taking time out for ourselves and let nature recharge us.
I was surprised when my mentor said I was the first one to ever do that, and she was proud of my work she shared it with her fellow mentors. Needless to say I was very flattered.
I still have about 61/2 weeks left in my term and all of my required classes are complete. I decided to take pull another class from my next term and attempt to knock it out. It is called WDV1 or CIW 1D0-541. Database, not exactly my strong suit, but I need to tackle at some point. It is 6 credits and consists of 50 questions with a cut score of 75%. I will have 90 minutes to take it. From what I understand it is a vendor neutral exam with alot of SQL questions.
I will use the same method as I did with the Javascript exam, study the basics and sample tests and rely on my excellent memory and a "sense" of which sentence looks correct and has proper syntax.
Depending on how long it takes me to feel comfortable enough with the information to schedule the exam, I might take on another class GTT1 (Introduction to programming). This class includes writing a Java based GUI program. I am not looking forward to this class either.
Although I am fascinated with the software programming side of technology, it is not something I see myself doing. I enjoy the Systems Administration side of things including hardware/diagnosing/ Group Policy's and Server administration. Along with Networks and Printer management, I enjoy being on call 24/7 for my area.
I am so excited I am in single digits for classes left. The end is almost in sight!
Thanks for reading. Talk to you soon.

ORC1 passed, Term complete.

ORC1 was a breeze. Scored 81% and most of it was common sense. Took me about a half-hour to answer the 45 questions. This completes the classes in my current term. I still have 2 1/2 months left, so I will grab IWT1 (Literature, Arts and the Humanities) from my next term. IWT1 consists of  a term paper contrasting different art periods and a multi-media presentation on a story or poem from the selected choices. Got 4 pages written this morning at Starbucks, hope to finish  task1 within the next couple days. The second task appears to be a bit more involved, so we will see how that one proceeds.
Hard to believe  I only have 10 classes left including this one. I won't get too far ahead of myself, I have a couple tough ones coming up. One class at a time though.....................
Talk to you soon.

LET1 done, ORC1 scheduled.

LET1 is done! Four papers written about different management scenarios and styles. My first 3 submitted to Taskstream came back with no revisions. Task 4, (10 pages) came back with 2 minor revisions. Submitted it the same day and it came back 3 days later Passed!
While I was waiting on Taskstream to grade my paper, I decided to take the pre-assessment for ORC1 (Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior and Leadership). 43 questions took me about 45 minutes. I received a 76% with the cut score being 56%. I have scheduled it for this Wednesday. I will study up a little more on Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, and theories on teams, groups and conflict management.
This is my last class for this term, I still have 2 1/2 months left in this term. I will grab IWT1 (Literature< Arts and the Humanities). from my next term and try to knock that out.If I can knock this one out fairly quick, I will  grab GTT1 (Introduction to Programming)  from my next term and give a go.
If all goes as planned, and I finish the above classes this term, I will only have 8 classes left to complete my Bachelor of Science Degree!
Talk to you soon.

IWC1 Passed, LET 1 in progress.

Took the IWC1 on Feb 1, scored a 69%. Felt good with this since I had only scored 66% on the intial pre-assessment. One of the things I like about WGU, is the ability to take the pre-assessment which mirros the actual assessment. Afterwards you receive a coaching report which tells you where your weaknesses are along with hyperlinkss to the chapters that can help you. This has really helped me accelerate my progress. Why study something you already know?
Rested over the weekend and jumped into LET1 Leadershop concepts and applications. This include 4 tasks each based on different leadership examples or scenarios. You are tasked with writing a paper 2-5 pages on your impression or suggestion of how to handle the issue at hand. The end task is a cumulative paperon yoru overall imporesson of employee evluations and management styles. Passed task 1, 2, and 3 on the first try. Just submitted 10 pages for task 4, keeping my fingers crossed this passses on the first try.
I only have 1 more course for this term (ORC1), Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior and Leadership. From what I understand this one is somewhat common sense and builds on the terms and ideas you learned in LET1. I plan on starting this one shortly if Task 4 passes on the first try. I will follow my same procedure; take the pre-assessment, work on my weak areas, (if needed), then schedule the assemssment.
I still have 3 more months in this term, so I will bring over my final Humanities class when I have completed LET1 and ORC1. After that I will delve into a Programming and Database class.
Hope all is well with everyone. Talk to you soon.

AKV1 (1D0-635) Javscript passed! IWC1 next.

I apologize for the delay in posting. The holidays were extremely busy, and as my new term started Dec 1st, I did not get much studying done during that month. I made up for it in January, as I crammed for  the Javascript exam by using the course materials and code academy to practice. I also used notepad++ to test my scripts. Pretty useful and informative class.
I scheduled the exam and suprisingly passed with a 96%! Lots of code, so know your syntax and basic rules of Javascript. I have always been pretty decent at spotting grammar and spelling mistakes, so this exam reminded me of that. Some of the just code did not look right, and others had obvious mistakes like firstname instead of FirstName.
Next up is IWC1, Humanites. It is a 73 question test on the disciplines of the humanities. Took the pre-assessment and scored 66%, cut score is 55%. Going to study my weaker areas and schedule this exam. Feeling somewhat confident, but I passed the test with hunches and lucky guesses. Just want to brush up on my knowledge before taking the exam.