Customer Reviews

MCSA/MCSE 70-291 Exam Cram: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought the book and went through it in just over a week. The text did a great job breaking down the exam into sections and giving you the key information with regards to that section. I would not suggest this book to someone with little or no server experience because it does not go into great detail about any one topic, however if you've been working in a Server 2003 environment for a while and are used to using and administering DHCP, DNS, RRAS, and IPSec than this book is great for learning the intricacies that Microsoft asks on the test. The exam questions offered in this book are by no means brain dump questions but they did a great job covering everything I saw on the exam today and then some. The only thing it doesn't give you is practice with the simulations but I guess that's the whole point of the sims.

I see negative comments on the Exam Cram series as a whole from time to time, and I feel that people are missing the point - they are for people who already have a solid understanding of the material involved, and just want to brush up on the major points for an exam. They are NOT intended to teach you the material from scratch if you are just starting out.

That said, I just passed 70-291 to earn my MCSA a few weeks ago with this book as my main study source. Though this test has the reputation of being one of the hardest in the MCSE track, I felt adequately prepared. It is, for the most part an easy read as far as certification guides go, with clear, concise language.

All in all, this is a good review study guide if you already have a good foundation of the topics covered.

I typically steer away from any "Cram" guides in favor of learning from an established book. However this guide was very informative and helped me prepare and pass the then Beta exam. It defiantly was worth the investment.

This book is a solid entry into the Exam Cram series. Good, concise information with just enough info needed. There are some printing errors in the sample quizzes that omit complete multiple choice answers in some cases, which should have been caught in the proof process. I used this plus a CBT and passed the exam.

I found that the book is a great study guide. I would not recommend it for someone who does not have any experience with the server software, but I found it beneficial as a refresher course and to help me in some of my weaker areas. Several people noted that the unique registration code is expired, mine was too, but all I had to do was send an e-mail to MeasureUp support and just explain the situation and they unlocked the code for me.

I was a little disappointed to discover the unique registration code had expired 8 days before I had received the book.

This book is more of an outline and review of the materials covered on the 70-291 exam. I believe this book would only be beneficial to individuals who have experience with managing a Windows Server 2003 network and who need a quick review prior to taking the exam.

If you are inexperienced with managing DNS, DHCP, or RRAS, this book would be of little value: It is not a reference book.

Another compliant I have is the practice questions in this book are not similar to the questions on the exam. The questions on the exam are much more difficult.

The only positive comment I have about this book is it's format is well organized. Each objective is laid out by chapter. This book is definately better organized than the MSCA Self Paced Training Kit from Microsoft Publishing.

Overall, I am giving this book a rating of 3 stars.

The practice exams are just printed in the back of the book. There is no CD or download, all you get is a registration code for their website that has already expired; but, their website will gladly sell you the practice exams. This is inexcusable. The book is okay on it's own, but I don't see anyone passing 70-291 with just this guide.

As the title of the book says, this is an Exam Cram book. Its intent, it's sole intent, is to teach you how to pass the Exam 70-291 test on Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure. It is probably best suited for a person with some experience running Server 2003 already but who wants to pick up all the messy little details that are going to be asked on the exam.

To help you along, there are two practice exams, with answers and explanations. The book also has a Registration Key so you can go on line to MeasureUp and go through their on line questions as well. If you then want to take their test on line, there is a 20% discount off of the price.

Don't start here if you've never worked with Server before, it isn't enough of reference book to do that, it's purely an exam cram, just like it says.

I used this book and read it cover to cover. I got to the point where I was able to answer all practice exam questions correctly and even took the measure up test and scored a 98% on that. Then I took the REAL exam and found that this book did not prepare me well enough. Almost, but not quite. I scored a 551, just shy of the 700 I needed to pass. If you are thinking about using this book, it is good enough to teach you enough to know what Microsoft is talking about in the questions on the real test, but it will not teach you exactly what the right answer is. I felt that it was not in depth enough...no examples didn't help matters much. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are using more material as well. Unless you do Active Directory, SUS, configure RRAS & VPNS, DHCP, and DNS every day for your job, you pry won't pass just using this book. Good luck!