Customer Reviews

MCAD Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Visual C#(TM) .NET and the .NET Framework Exam Cram 2 (Exam Cram 70-320)

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This is a great review and is full of good content.

Remember that Exam Crams are written with the expectation that you thoroughly understand the material. Since there's always something new to know even when we "thoroughly understand the material," seeing the material again, in another form, helps in gaining mastery.

I suggest reading the following IN THE ORDER stated:
70-315 Training Guide and Exam Cram (internet)
70-316 Training Guide and Exam Cram (Windows)
70-320 Training Guide and Exam Cram (web services and server components)
70-300 Exam Cram (architecture)

If you're new to C# but have Java, C or C++, read Weekend C#.

Use this book as a supplement. I read at traffic lights. The larger books are too large for that kind of "quick fact" absorption. Use the 70-320 Exam Cram for a pre-test review and after you've mastered the Training Guides.

I used this in conjunction with the Training Guide. In hindsight, I could have gotten by with just this book for exam preperation but the Training Guide is a better long-term resource.

I used the Exam Cram books for 316, 315, and 320 in that order. I was pleased with all 3 books. I particularly like the questions at the end of each chapter and the two practice exams at the end of the book. After taking them, I always felt prepared for the exam and passed all 3 with ease.

I skipped reviewing the Microsoft study guide and used this book as my primary reference in passing the exam. Each component on this exam (web services, windows services, enterprise services) has its own architecture and interface. This book did a great job of distilling that information in a way that was easy to understand. I especially liked how the chapters were organized to introduce a concept, and then show you the code for implementing it. I simply wrote my own example for each chapter and did well on the exam. I didn't get much use out of the study guide or CD, but the practice tests in the book are very useful.

I have used Microsoft Press books in the past and they usually contain extraneous information that is misleading or a digression from the actual exam material. This book does exactly what its name implies. It gives you all the information you need without fluff. It also gives you small example projects to develop that really help you get hands-on experience. I remember things best when I actually do them and this book goes a far way in doing that. The only downfall this book may have is that it does its job too well in getting straight to the point of subjects. A beginning developer would probably want a more comprehensive book.

This certification study-resource from Author Amit Kalani, served as a rather indispensable part of the revision portfolio for Exam 70-320 (XML Web Services and Server Components with C# .NET ).

Simply put, it is a very useful & sound comprehensive reference for Exam 70-320. It served me greatly in gaining both an overview of all the elements that would appear on the 320 exam, but also served well in my overall review and revision endeavours for the 70-320 Exam.

using this resource got me to the place where i felt i had covered the core objectives for the exam and was ready to move on to the next phase ie: having a go at tackling past question scenarios.

i was glad i bought it.

what i liked about this book :
- it is a comprehensive read at 344 pages -(ie: the 2 Testing chapters non factored)
- there are exam questions after every chapter, relating to that chapter and the exam objectives the chapter tackles
- Answers with explanations are provided with every question featured in the book.
- there is a CD with questions set in an application that simulates the exam room scenario
- The CD also comes with a .pdf, e-version of the book.

I purchased the book in question as a pair with the companion Exam Training guide -(equally written by the same authors: Amit Kalani + Priti Kalani) from Que press ISBN: 0789728249; and i basically have'nt looked back one second since taking that decison.

the two books complement each other very well and provide a very fine balance between the need to train & equip the reader with the strong hands-on .NET XML Web-services development skills he/she will require in order to thrive as a C#.NET web developper; whilst at the same time fully framing these necessary hands-on expertise , in the context & framework of the exam the reader probably seeks to take at the end of working/ploughing his/her way through the book.

Amit Kalani is a very good author. he is well known in the C#.NET world. and he has a way of making a typically difficult material to teach, clearly explained, and he reinforces this with ample examples and practise, so it sinks in and becomes proper knowledge. So for those starting out on C#.NET or others looking for a place to start the preparation for the MCAD.NET with C# or 70-320 exam, these Books could easily serve as the spot to take it from.

However, i would add but the small proviso that depending on where you are along the previous "C#" programming-experience scale, i'd say you'd do well to buy yourself a good companion C# programming language text to accompany you on your journey.

There are lots of books on Amazon that would serve you well in this function/capacity . the text i used to give me a helping hand is called the: "C# Bible" by author: jeff ferguson (et al); it has for ISBN:0764548344.i found this easy to read and got through the first 20 chapters of concise, easy to follow, C# language basics, with relative ease.

After working through the 70-320 ExamCram resource in question and using the Training guide counterpart to acquire deeper hands-on practise to cement the interface between :( knowledge of the .Net Framework1.0 XML Web-services development concepts as treated in the books), with that of proper programming competence;(ie:knowing your stuff); I was ready for the next phase ie: going on to tackle past exam questions

using Transcender and the Testking more than sufficed to ensure & assure success at the exam;

Take & Ace the exam with ease: 150minutes & 43 questions.

Success at the exam-level is assured by appropriate preparation; ie: tackling past questions regarding .NET programming & C# XML Web-services development related problem scenarios in order to sharpen your wits about choosing the right solution in any given problem scenario. this is the crunch of it. do that ,and u pass.

End of.

The passing mark is 700 ie: 70%. i sat the exam on Tuesday (31st October 2006); scored 98% ie: 984.

MCAD.NET requirements accomplished!

Good luck.

cheers :-)

I used this book together with the corresponding Training Guide, by the same authors (this was redundant because the two books essentially repeat each other - I could have just used the Training Guide.) I think these authors are amazing - they have ability to present everything in such an easy understandable way, that I didn't just memorize the stuff for the exam but actually understood it. Now my next one is 70-229 - SQL server exam, I wish Kalani had a book for that one as well...

This book is pretty good at explaining the needed topics. I only used this book to pass the exam and found it compact and accurate.

Two bad notes are since coriolis was bought out it is tough to get errata for this book and there are a few problems. The securit section is a bit weak so read some online stuff to fill it in.

Good luck ZoOnI

This was my second exam (I passed this one and previous from the 1st shot, with ExamCram book only).

All what I can say about this book, is it's really great for this exam preparation. It's very easy for reading (almost forcing you to read type). It explains all aspects of the test, and it was easy to pass it. Later can be used as a reference book.

As any other book of this type, and good advice, any previous experience with .Net and C# is welcome.

The book got to me in a timely manner. I'm very pleased and hope to do well on the exam.