Other Sources
Even though I recommend using TechNet as your primary source of information, it is certainly not the only source of free information that can help you to pass a certification exam.
One often overlooked source of free information is the public library. Libraries have a reputation for having outdated computer books, but you might be surprised by what you find. I have donated countless IT certification books to the libraries in my area, and I know of other IT professionals who have done the same.
There are also a lot of websites that have articles on various IT-related topics. If there is a particular exam objective that you are having trouble with, you might visit such a website to see if you can find an article that explains the objective.
Earlier, I cautioned you about using technical material from dubious sources on the Internet. While that still holds true, some sites are better than others. My advice would be to always use TechNet first. If you can’t find what you need on TechNet or if you don’t understand the TechNet article, try using some of the more reputable IT sites, such as Tech Target and Windows Networking.
Finally, this website is a great source of free certification assistance. The site is accumulating an ever-growing collection of articles that are specifically designed to help readers pass Microsoft certification exams.
Conclusion
I will be the first to admit that it can be difficult to pass a certification exam using only training materials that you can get for free, but it can be done. If you can afford to invest a little bit of money into your training, then I recommend purchasing a certification guide or a video-based training product. Such products will teach you what you need to know, but are much cheaper than a live training class. Pearson offers a wide variety of training products on this website.