Re: Microsoft exam #98-381 Introduction to Programming Using Python

Question

Just passed this new exam.
I scored 74% with 70% passing score. Not particularly impressive, but I am glad taking into accout that I started my Python studies just a month ago.
About the exam:
It lasts 45 minutes and contains 40 questions. Time pressure is high as many questions are relatively wordy. I had to scan-n-guess on three last questions.

Answer 1

What sources I used to prepare for the exam:
1) Sololearn Python tutorial;
2) Python course on mva.microsoft.com
https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/introduction-to-programming-with-python-8360
3) any basic level Python book (there are plenty);
4) review types of questions that Microsoft can ask
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/certification-exams.aspx?types=true
5) during preparation bear in mind exam topics
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-98-381.aspx
6) note that exam can overweight any small topic, so study 100% of the syllabus. I had some unpleasant surprises.

Answer 2

Mostly code completion and correction, but also few theoretical questions.
Sololearn games are somewhat useful.

Answer 3

@marvin there were different question formats. I remember several questions where I had to choose the piece of code to complete specific lines, but I do not remember writing the code. It would be too difficult to mark automatically.

Answer 4

Hi Parteek,
In the right side of the screen there is "Resources" where zip file with "All course materials" is. As far as I see there is no transcript for this course available.

Answer 5

@Maxfucktor

Question Type:
1. Drag and Drop to match
2. Drag and Drop in sequence to resolve the given problem
3. Multiple Choice
4. Multi-select

More details:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/certification-exams.aspx?types=true

My experience was - This exam has been made tough by reducing the time - 45 minutes and you need to answer 40 question.

Very less time (in fact no time if you wanted to attempt all questions) to re-visit which you may mark as review hence try to give your best short at one go on your first visit and answering the question.

I was having exactly 50 seconds left when I complete the exam after answering 40 questions.

Answer 6

можно по-русски))

Answer 7

What would you suggest to practice in order to do well?

Answer 8

Hi Volodya, Can you tell how can i download Microsoft cource in PDF/PPT format.
On below link i can see the vedios, can i get whole document at one go.

2) Python course on mva.microsoft.com
https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/introduction-to-programming-with-python-8360

Answer 9

Thanks for all your info on the test, when you say the questions were wordy, how wordy were they? I'm 14, and this is my first test so I am new at this. Im planning to take my exam in a few days... What was the main format of the test, and what topics in Python did they most frequently ask?

Answer 10

Hi Volodya Tikhomirov, how did you prepare for MCQ questions for python certification

Answer 11

Dear Varun, I didn't. I covered all topics from the syllabus and reviewed types of questions MS can ask.
Real exam was very practical and code oriented. Python coding would help. Not being afraid of complex examples and being able to recognise right option is very important.
Good luck.

Answer 12

Hi Volodya, which syllabus are you talking about? you mean the link bellow:
https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/introduction-to-programming-with-JUMP_LINK__&&__python__&&__JUMP_LINK-8360

Answer 13

Thank you, Sololearn!
Today I got MTA by passing this exam and scored 94%.
It was very fast- I gave my exam at local center and checked online at home - It got reflected. Got the badge, certification and transcript.

https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile

Answer 14

so what kind of questions it was generally(practice/theory?
Do you need to write any code?

Answer 15

I'm scheduled to take my exam in February. Are the questions formatted as completion and correction to the given code like Sololearn or do they give a statement and ask you to create a program?

Answer 16

Hi Volodya Tikhomirov, which book you would recommend to prepare for the exam 98-381.

Answer 17

Guys, I reading dive in python 3...any feedback for this book for certification preparation

Answer 18

@Lindevs, I read about 30 first pages of 'Programming in Python 3' by Mark Summerfield. I love the style of the book (although it is not required to pass the exam).
Unfortunately, I stopped there and had to move to something else. Hope, one day I will return to this book.

Answer 19

There are dozens of good books on Python. The best way - to choose one that suits your learning style. Start reading several and very soon you will notice in which you really "dive", and which you begin to hate.

Answer 20

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-98-381.aspx