Solved How likely are binary conversion IP address questions to show up on MCSA Server 2012 exams?

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Hey guys! I'm a reasonably experienced IT guy who has neglected certifications so I'm currently going through your MCSA Server 2012 stuff, starting with 70-410. I'm on the IPv4 Addressing episode and Don is presently going through the binary conversion of IP addresses. As someone who sucks at math, this is rather hurting my brain but I feel I could do it if I practised his method. Here's the problem: Don talks about having a piece of paper or a dry erase board to do the work on but I take Microsoft exams online with online proctoring and they very explicitly do not allow anything like that to be present in your exam environment. Their rules specifically state that if they see anything like that or suspect me of using it, I can get disqualified. Their exam software also locks me out of swapping windows to use things like Notepad and such.

My question is, how likely do you think it is that these questions will come up on the exam? I know you can't guarantee anything but I'm curious if you have a guess. I simply do not have the mental means to do these kinds of calculations purely in my head but with online proctoring, I think that would be my only option. If these questions aren't super likely to come up, then I'm not too concerned. If they are, I'll likely just have to guess at them. Thanks!

@Gerry-Corcoran,

In Microsoft Exams, all things are fair. Usually, at the exam center you will be issued a dry-erase marker and laminated cardstock sheet for scratch or to figure out questions like what Don was addressing. So as long as you don't pull out your own paper and pen then you don't have worry about.

There is a good chance you will get some type of networking binary question. It may not be directly a binary conversion but it may requires you see the binary before you know how to answer. For example, it may be a subnetting question to figure out why your server is not communicating with the rest of network as an example that may be related to IP addressing.

Cordially,
Ronnie Wong
Edutainer, ITProTV

@Ronnie-Wong said:

@Gerry-Corcoran,

In Microsoft Exams, all things are fair. Usually, at the exam center you will be issued a dry-erase marker and laminated cardstock sheet for scratch or to figure out questions like what Don was addressing. So as long as you don't pull out your own paper and pen then you don't have worry about.

There is a good chance you will get some type of networking binary question. It may not be directly a binary conversion but it may requires you see the binary before you know how to answer. For example, it may be a subnetting question to figure out why your server is not communicating with the rest of network as an example that may be related to IP addressing.

Cordially,
Ronnie Wong
Edutainer, ITProTV

Hi Ronnie, thanks for the answer. Unfortunately, they don't permit any of that with online proctoring which is what I use. I don't go to exam centres because there aren't many in my city and they're often twice the price or more of doing the exams online. Being unemployed, I can't afford that extra cost. The online proctoring rules actually state that you have to do a scan of your testing area with your webcam and if they see anything, they tell you to remove it. They literally ask you to empty your pockets and show yourself doing it. It's like airport security level of paranoia. I may contact Pearson VUE (who does the testing) before this exam and ask if I am permitted a scratch paper for stuff like this, as long as I show it as being blank before I start the test. If not, I may just have to hope I do well enough on the rest of the test to guess at this section. We'll see what happens. Thanks for your help.

@Gerry-Corcoran,

sorry to hear about that!

Cordially,
Ronnie Wong
Edutainer, ITProTV

Hi Gerry,

I'm studying for the 70-410 and I will probably have to take this test online too.
I'm not good at subneting either.

I would address your question to liberty Munson from Microsoft, she would be the best bet for an answer to your question. Here is link to her profile at Microsoft and her email address.

https://borntolearn.mslearn.net/members/liberty

Public Email:liberty.munson@microsoft.com

I hope this helps

Good luck on the exam

I have tried to take 70-410 online a bunch of times. I have never been able to complete due to technical issues. I did see at least 1 IPv4 and 1 IPV6 ? each time I took the test. For the IPV4 I could do it in my head and I am not great with math or IPvanything. No real converting more like figuring out what size to make a subnet based on how many computers and or servers were going to be added. I am taking 70-410 this friday in a test center. 72 mile drive each way but only place I could get in based on my schedule

@david-dayton Thanks for the suggestion David! I may fire a question her way. Truth be told, if this is just one or two multiple choice questions, it's probably not the end of the world if I have to guess. I'm also going to do some practice tests so I'll see how they look on there.

@Ralph-Dejesus Thanks for that Ralph! That's helpful information. Figuring out what size to make a subnet is probably something I could manage with my mediocre brain. Thanks!

For subnetting practice, I like the site recommended by another viewer: http://www.subnetting.net/Subnetting.aspx?mode=practice

It's a great way to get into that frame of mind, where you can also verify you can do the easier questions in your head, and how quick your reaction speed and accuracy is. Just read the question fully.

@David-Beem That's awesome! I am bookmarking the crap out of that. Thanks so much!