On the 2nd of May after an intensive review, code practice and following some tutorials on DNRTV, I finally passed 70-561 TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development. A few things to note that made my experience in this taking test a slightly more interesting story.
1. I first took the test on the 15th of May 2008 while this exam was still in beta. I failed. I did not study. I just quickly browsed the preparation guide for this exam. I paid in full for this exam beta exam. I relied purely on real life working experience and raw guts. I came from an hour drive prior to taking this exam. My pending 17-hour flight was on the next day so my mind wasn’t fully into preparing for the exam.
2. The beta exam was an exhausting 80 item test allotted for 190 minutes. I became complacent with the thought of since having availed of the 2nd shot promo; I may still have another chance at it. I received my exam results already sometime September.
3. I later learned second shot promo does not apply to beta exams.
4. I later learned beta exams can be taken for free.
5. My score in the beta exam was 651/1000, 49 points short.
6. After months of accepting my fate in my first attempt, I made another last April of 2009. I again paid in full. Fortunately, the exam was no longer in beta so I was 110% sure this time that second shot would now apply.
7. I did not again study and relied purely on working experience. Something must be wrong with my brain.
8. I failed again in the 2nd attempt, but I now improved my score to 675/1000.
9. Then it hit me. May be I should study? Oh hell yeah, that’s what I will do!
10. Day for the 2nd shot came. Now or never. I would have banged my head against the wall for failing the third time. The second shot was wise enough to repeat the difficult questions. Half-way through the exam (I was in item 26 of 50), I power tripped and there was a black out. The test administrator doesn’t assure me when the power will be back, unfortunately for me they didn’t have a generator yet. My head was spinning, a fourth attempt?! God help me.
11. Power came back after 30mins of doing nothing and staring at the street; the system recovered my answers and I finish the remaining half of the exam in less than an hour. My heart was pounding like a beaver on crack waiting for the results.
12. After a year and new job later, I finally pass the exam. I got 713.