Customer Reviews

MCSE Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Exam Cram 2 (Exam Cram 70-297)

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First thing you need to remember with this book - it's a cram session for the exam. While it does cover all of the material, it does so in a very brief, "here's a reminder" manner. This is not a full-scale 900 page study resource. So, if you have little to no experience with Server 2003, this is not the book for you. If you are experienced with Server 2003, and/or you've already studied a full-fledged 900 page resource book, then this is the book for you to use 2-3 days before the exam as a refresher of the subject matter and as a practice test resource.

The first 25 pages covers the test itself. What's covered, how to prepare, how to register for it, what the test looks like, how the question formats work, etc. If you've never taken a Microsoft cert before, this section gets you ready so you know what's going to happen before actually sitting down & doing it for the first time.

The chapters are all about 30-40 pages, but that isn't as imposing as it sounds. The pages are smaller than 8.5x11 and there are a lot of pictures & side-notes. I had no problem skimming through each chapter in about 15-30 minutes (there are 6 chapters with "study" content.)

At the end of each chapter, a scenario is presented and is followed by 10 review questions. The correct answers are provided underneath, as is an explanation of why each wrong answer is wrong. I hate study books that don't tell you why the wrong answers are wrong, so I'm glad they were provided here.

Following the Q/As is a brief "need to know more" section with links to relevant third-party content in case you want more review than is provided.

The end of the book has 2 practice exams with 60 questions each. Again, the correct answers are provided as is an explanation of why the wrong answers are wrong. I found the format of the questions to be similar to those on the actual exam (some study guides have review questions that don't even come close to what you'll find on the real exam).

Overall I really enjoyed the book. It's well written, not dry or boring, and is quick enough for a cram session a day or two before the exam. Assuming you've already prepared yourself for the exam or already mostly know what you're about with Server 2003, this is a great book to use immediately before the exam for a quick cram/test session.

The book is well-written and edited. Content seems a bit 'thin' in areas (as with a similar book for prep for this exam), but that is probably due to the nature of the exam and its material. The practice exam included with book may be helpful, but there are others that are much better.

The exam covers quite a bit of material and skills, so plan to include other study materials in addition to this book.

Even with its weaknesses the book is a good value.

Pete

I like the exam cram books I use these for any ms exam that I take and recommend it. It quick and easy to read not to much detail I like the summary sheet also.

After reading both this book and the 70-297 Sybex book, there is no comparison. This book does not cover anything that you don't already know if you are on the MCSE track. It seemed to be more written for someone that is just taking this exam... and hasn't studied anything for the other 6 exams in the MCSE track. My advice, spend the extra $ and get the Sybex book by Brad Price... it will be money well spent, and you may actually learn something you don't already know... I know I did!