Re: Question on which books to study with?
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Michael D. Alligood [CertGuard, Inc.]
message news:6172687D-15D9-4067...@microsoft.com:
> I've been doing some research and I have found many opinions on which self
> training books are the best to prepare for the exams, both the core MSCE and
> elective exams.
>
> I've read bad opinions about the microsoft self paced training kit and
> average opinions on sybex books among a few others.
>
> I don't want to go spending some $100, $200, etc on exam books or materials
> and need some recommendations on a training book that will help me pass the
> exam if I take my time and read through the materials properly.
>
> I currently have textbooks for 70-270 and 290 from microsoft IT academy
> used in a couple of my college courses.
Fortunately there is no exclusive, guaranteed training kit on the market
for these exams. The trouble with opinions is that they are opinionated
:-) I would guess that half the people who give reviews about training
kits failed the exam after using it. Is this the kits fault? Perhaps.
But I bet that is all they used to try to pass the exam. I have been
thinking lately if training kits or study guides are a great idea to
have on the market. I am leaning toward no. The reason is that
certification exams by default are based on recommended experience. What
good is there in having a training kit or 5 day class if the
certification program recommends experience in passing the exams? There
are tons of resource kits and other books on technology. Why do we need
a specific book on exam content when this content is available online
and in printed form in other books (resource kits and such). Answer:
MONEY. Nothing wrong with this, it is what makes the world go around and
what we all work to achieve. But to me, training kits or certification
prep guides are fading fast with me. I do not need a book outlining the
exam content -- the Microsoft learning site informs me what I will be
tested on for any particular exam. I do not need the kit to learn about
the technology that I will be tested on -- my experience with the
technology, other resource kits I own for research about the covered
technology, and http://www.microsoft.com/technet assist me with that
part. I do not need the training kits for the evaluation software -- I
should already know it, or at the very least worked on it before if I
plan on testing out on it! And I sure don't need the training kit for
the practice exams. In my personal opinionated view, practice exams are
a waste of time. They are riddled with errors, give the person a false
sense of security or worse, make them afraid to take the real exam and
doubt their abilities.
So again I ask, why do we need training kits or exam preparation guides?
--
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP, MCTS, MCSA, MCDST
The I.T. Classroom - http://www.theitclassroom.com/
CertGuard, Inc. - http://www.certguard.com
UWRFREPORTER04
learned from Server 2003 is by doing it and learning things with group policy
and permissions as I go along and getting numerous help from technet and
various 2003 newsgroups. I know a little bit about everything, but not an
expert on any. I know enough about exchange server to create and manage
mailboxes, recipient policies, installing exchange, basically the things I
needed to do to set up exchange and server 2003 for my organization. Most of
this stuff I did by reading online and learning as I go.
I agree with the opinions is based on they passed the test or not. If you
haven't had actual experience and read a book for all your knowledge, I'm
going to assume it's going to be very hard to pass a test.
With that said I would like to use a book to further my knowledge and help
me understand some areas I'm confused on. I may have set up DNS, Wins,
Active directory, but I don't understand the fine details or understanding of
why it works.
I took a free practice exam from preplogic and discovered I know nothing
about shadow copies and dymanic disks, which may not even be on the exam.
So to make a long story short, I'm looking more for a book that will fine
tune the areas I understand and go into some detail the areas I don't.
Considering I work on (actually designed myself) a server 2003 network should
help.
I was considering a MS press book, mainly for the material and maybe see how
the questions might be laid out on the exam.
If you think is a good or bad idea I would like to hear your thoughts after
you know a little bit of my background.
Michael D. Alligood [CertGuard, Inc.]
message news:3DDCB747-7793-4FB9...@microsoft.com:
I find the Microsoft Resource Kits to be very concise. However, I
recommend browsing thru your local bookstore and choosing several
different publishers/authors on a technology (Microsoft Windows Server
2003). Take note how the books are laid out, worded, and detailed. Your
mind will immediately adapt to a certain style it is comfortable with.
The hard part is not necessarily to go with that book however. Let's
face it, these books are not cheap. You have to decide what you are
looking for in a book. Here is a homework assignment for you: Pick 3-4
books on Windows Server 2003. Pick a topic such as DNS or a technology
that you are unfamiliar with. Read the different approaches in the 3-4
different books concerning the subject and see which book is more
concise. Make your own decision. And remember that all books are not
perfect. Whichever publisher you chose, remember to visit the company's
website to download corrections to errors. Good luck!
Syed Shah
i passed all exams with them but its always useful to know everything there
is in the software and so use some other materials too
"UWRFREPORTER04" <UWRFREP...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6172687D-15D9-4067...@microsoft.com...
catwalker63
prattled ceaselessly in news:eAFXWXs4...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:
I agree that no one should attempt to gain the certs without experience.
That said, I don't think they will have every experience with everything
being examined in the real world. Training kits give you a framework to
learn a new version and to learn all about it. That's their value. If I
have a year or more experience administering and building with Windows
2000 Server and I'm about to be supporting 2003, I have the experience to
attempt to certify because it's just a new version. The Training Kit
will get me up to speed quicker than reading the whole resource kit and
if I actually do in a lab what I'm learning, I should have sufficient
experience to work in the real world.
The experience does not have to be with a specific product. I could go
from Novel or Linux Server OS's with the training kits. It doesn't mean
I'll get a job or that I should attempt the certification until I have
some on the job experience but the training kits are designed to get me
through the technology fairly quickly and efficiently.
The longer I'm in IT and the more varied my experience, the less I have
to have in one specific item in order to get up to speed quickly. Lots
of what I know already will transfer. The people I'm concerned about
with regard to experience are the hobbiests or the career switchers.
They will find it impossible to really get any value from the
certification or training kit process until they have some experience.
--
Catwalker
MCNGP #43
www.mcngp.com
"Definitely not wearing any underwear."
Neil
@discussions.microsoft.com> say in news:6172687D-15D9-4067-830F-
204F3F...@microsoft.com:
> Question on which books to study with?
books on-line? (the help file? you know, like using the product...)
--
The InterNeil "V2 w/tabbed browsing & decreased verbosity" MCNGP Triple X
- This space for rent.
UWRFREPORTER04
slim at best and found more options through amazon. I was going to do all my
studying through a program called Testout, but my college isn't continuing
the program.
LRM
news:Xns99927F6A8D285...@207.46.248.16...
> did you hear =?Utf-8?B?VVdSRlJFUE9SVEVSMDQ=?= <UWRFREPORTER04
> @discussions.microsoft.com> say in news:6172687D-15D9-4067-830F-
> 204F3F...@microsoft.com:
>
>> Question on which books to study with?
>
> books on-line? (the help file? you know, like using the product...)
>
No, I don't get it.
--
LRM
MCNGP 7^2
www.mcngp.com home of the bogosity singularity.
Neil
@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl:
> No, I don't get it.
>
come closer, I'll give it to you...
--
The InterNeil "V2 w/tabbed browsing & decreased verbosity" MCNGP Triple X
- What do you mean? You actually read this Tagline?!?
Jeff Dempsey
the MCSE core classes. I have found the Microsoft Curriculum excellent for
the test objectives (at least for CRM they were), and you may have luch
there.
Also, with Amazon, you can get them used, which could help you save $$$
My test experience (70-290) was odd, at best. I took the practice tests,
and used them to hone my weak areas, and lo, and behold, the test covered
very little of that, but something I was pretty well skilled on. I did do
well on the test, and it was due to a combination of:
1. Knowing Windows Server 2003 (via SBS 2003)
2. Taking practice tests and using that to determine where I was lacking,
and
3. Using the books to study the material where I was weak.
#2 was key for me. A saying that I like to live by is "the best way to deal
with a weakness is to make it a strength."
A couple of things to help...
1. Download virtual PC from Microsoft. It's free.
2. Download Windows Server 2003 180 evaluation version. Guess what? Free.
3. Do the samples in the books until you understand them.
Understand that the tests are designed to weed out the people that don't
know what they're doing, hence usually 2 answers are totally bogus. Two are
close, but one (and only one) is right for the "pick one" questions, and the
other is "mostly right".
Understanding that point is helpful.
i.e. (If this is on the test, then they copied it from me...)
To convert disk volume D: from FAT32 to NTFS without losing your data, which
command do you need to type in:
A. format D: /FS;NTFS <---Almost right (don't try this at home,
though...)
B. NTFSConvert D: <---- You have never used Windows Server 2003 to
convert volumes to NTFS
C. convert D: /FS:NTFS <--- correct
D. You cannot convert volumes from FAT32 to NTFS without losing data. <---
Again, you haven't used WS2003 to convert volumes.
All in all, I did pretty well on 70-290, but as always, I was nervous going
in, and excited coming out...
I hope this helps you out, and good luck!
Jeff
"UWRFREPORTER04" <UWRFREP...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EB40668A-1399-4231...@microsoft.com...
rebdd
my server environment cert i studied from 6 differnt books and passed
vubinhlunel
What I want to say today is that if there is any way to shout out to the
world that preplogic.com is the biggest liar and stealer on earth.
They didn’t stop sending me email for their practice exams and on September
11 I have ordered the 70-236 practice exam. Right after my order, they called
me on the phone to convince me to buy the package including the video, audio
and practice exams for full access for 2 years at $99. I said yes then let
Kyle Corpin to take care of all. 10 days after I have received the dvd and
the first invoice that I have paid $116.95 of $1,612.95. I have contacted
Kyle and told him that I didn’t want to pay for more than $99 that he has
confirmed me. He said that the $116 and I wouldn’t have to pay any penny
more. On October 11 I was charged a second time at $187. I called them again
and have obtained the cancellation after days of negotiation. I have a refund
of $187 then I asked them that I have paid $116.95 for the practice exam that
they sell at $49 at first. Then the explanation is that $116.95 is for 30
days trial. I mean that preplogic continue to steal from us again and again
if we don’t have any way to warn people.
Vu Binh LE PHAM VIET
"Michael D. Alligood [CertGuard, Inc.]" wrote: