Customer Reviews

MCDBA SQL Server 7 Administration Study Guide (Book/CD-ROM Set)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

I prepared myself with this book, I read all the book, I did all the tests, I ran the CD Test and I still think is not good enough. I realized that when I comfront myself with a good book called "MCSE Readiness Review for 70-028 Exam" that book showed me I was not in good shape for the exam. I Use another book called "SQL Server 7.0 Administrator's Companion" I was able to address 80% of the issues for the exam which BTW I happend to passed very well. The exam is very loaded with questions on 3 main areas: Replication, Backup & Recovery and Security. I think the MCDBA book does not address the cases, details of those areas to prepare you for the Exam.

After reading a few of these reviews I almost passed on buying this book, but finally figured that the more study aids I had the better. After reading this book (as well as others) and taking the exam, I've realized that this book is a good one. Seems like one of the potential dangers of the review process here is that those who have a bad testing experience can really sway a book to bad reviews... Sure, there are some errors (and that's why it's 4 stars here instead of 5) but I've never seen a study guide that doesn't have some. The book maps to objectives well, and has a few great chapters (especially regarding security). Syngress has added some sections (such as From the Classroom and On the Job) that provide hints to us readers that tend to pinpoint areas that we should really know well. Don't get me wrong- the test is a difficult one and people should use as much study help as they can- but in my opinion this book should be part of what you use. And don't discount experience- if you don't have considerable SQL experience, it's going to be real tough.

This might make a good 'for dummies' book but did not do a good job achieving it's stated purpose.

After reading the Fast Track SQL 7 admin guide (fantastic summary!) over a weekend and failing the exam by only one mark I decided to pick up this book to fill in the gaps. Needless to say the second time I wrote the test after reading this book I got the same mark AGAIN. I found that the Syngress book distracted me from some of the key concepts covered in the exam and filled my brain with fluff that didn't help clarify anything.

If you're looking to pass the exam I would recommend picking up the Fast Track guide and using books on line. You'll be miles ahead and a few bucks richer!

This is definitely a difficult exam and almost impossible to pass without a significant amount of hands on study with a couple of test systems.

Good luck!

This book lacks of in-depth tutorials and too much "copy and paste" sentences. However, this book is useful if you only need to concentrate to the test topics and objectives. Do not expect anything 'close to the exam questions'. Use Exam Cram for that. Find at Books On-Line for more detail knowledge.

I failed my first test out of the six that I have taken thanks to this book.

I have read most of this series for MCSE, MCDBA and MCSD and this book is average. If you are comfortable with SQL Server administration then this book will help you review the A-Z's of the exam. Don't expect this to be your only source for SQL7 administration though. It has some errors in it, as do most of the others, so try to find them and make yourself feel better about your SQL7 Admin skills. As with any of these books, they are not designed to teach a novice everything they need to know to pass the exam. I have read some comments about how none of the questions were like the test. Come on, why don't you just send someone else in to take it for you! They are REVIEW and preparation guides. Try working with SQL7 for a while in a production environment before you think you can pass the exams, then this book will be helpful in reviewing the necessary information.

I came across this book for the exam. I found a lot of errors even on basic oncepts. It seems to me that the writer has no solid knowledge(at least some parts), however understand and explain in his own way, but in a wrong way.

Here is the several example.

1. explain DB objects with DB elements

2. total number of DB that one server can hold 256 (The correct should be 32,767)

3. still use the device term

I stop reading after the first chapter and return the book to the retail book store.

Typos galore! The review questions are nowhere near the level of detail of those on the actual certification exam. Many screenshots in the book are based on the Beta version of SQL Server 7, and are different from the actual production release of the software.

Waste of time & Money. After using this guide, I failed my 1st out of 9 exams (all others successful on 1st try). The Books Online in far more useful and even easier to read. The practice questions had no resemblence to the actual test at all, and whole areas of importance were glossed over.

This book has lots of errors. It will not help you pass the exam; it may only serve to confuse you. Especially after communicating with the publisher, I've vowed to never buy another Syngress book again.

Once I bought the Sybex Study Guide, I really learned my stuff and was able to pass this very difficult exam. Stick with Sybex--you'll really learn from them!