As for the MacBook, I image the day-to-day OS and install my test OS onto the MacBook and then I just blow that environment away after I am done with my labs and reinstall the day-to-day image back onto the MacBook. I have an external T-bolt LaCie drive that I have partitioned and use that for my OS X Server environment. I have a Mac Mini and a MacBook Pro that I have been using for my certification training.

Too many internal server configurations are just not easily backed out from. In fact, the best thing to do once you have completed those labs is to delete and reinstall OS X on the device, or just delete it if you never plan on using it again. However, if/when you go down the road for the Server Essentials exam, you will be making changes to the server box that are in some instances, not easily backed out of. You can run Server within a wireless environment with no problems and complete pretty much all the labs for Support Essentials with no concerns. And furthermore, if you want to avoid messing with your current home use set up, you really need to install the test framework on external drives or at least partition your current devices with about 128Gb (you could get by with 64Gb) of space and install the test () environment onto those partitions. You really do need at least two Apple devices.

To you question, it is really hard not to have at least two machines and do the exercises in the PeachPit book. Greetings fellow Apple Certification seeker! I have a hard time finding other people within this forum that are actively seeking their Apple Certifications.

Mac integration basics 10.11 exam