Customer Reviews

MCSE Core-Four Exam Cram Pack

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

First the BAD NEWS. It's hard to believe that a bookset that's had as many as 9 revisions can still contain so many errors. (Check out www.examcram.com and look at errata info) I spent several hours cutting and pasting the errata updates into my books. After spending 5 hours on NT 4.0 WKS, the first book in the core-four set I worked on, I got mad and emailed Coriolis. One woman blew me off saying "if I purchased the books directly from Coriolis (at full retail price) then she'd be glad to ship a free replacement set". A second woman was more helpful and sent a free replacement core-four set. However, I looked at those books in the new set and one of them was currently in need of updates. Within 6 months they all needed more updates.

THE GOOD NEWS ! Once you get the errata in the books updated, they are one of the finest study guides out there. I especially like their ALERTS and TRICK QUESTIONS throughout the book.

These books are great!! They do a great job of reviewing the subjects (most likely to be on the test) and they train you to take the test right the first time. If you have ever failed any of the tests before, you will notice that most of the mistakes you have made would have been mentioned in these books (some as warnings). The key is that they teach you how to attack the test not only with knowledge but with a keen eye for trick questions. Definitely worth your money (these books are cheaper than failing one test)!!!

If you cannot pass the test with these books as your guide/resource, then you are one of the 70% that Microsoft does *NOT* want as an MCSE! These books are direct and to the point for *ANYONE* with limited knowledge of networking Microsoft products. I passed 6 tests within 6 weeks, thats 1 test per week with these books as my guide to further my education of MS products. Paper MCSE's need not apply!

Certainly not the ONLY resource needed for those trying to pass just by reading books, but overall an excellent first or last book to read on the subject. I used the MS Press books (very heavy and technical) then got a break with the lighter style of this book that helped clarify a few things that the MS books confused me on.

You should not consider buying only this book for the exam, but it is a must-have supplement. Read it before you start on the main exam book, then read it again. You will know the subject backwards, and pass the exam. I'm due in 10 days on the exam, and feel quite confident that I will pass the test.

Yes, I used this book for my certification, but do yourself a favor (along with everyone else) and learn NT with hands-on experience, not from books.

These books should be used as a supplement and not a substitute for real world experience. The laws of Nature will always prevail in the long run and that is, we reap what we sow.

I bought and was very impressed with the Exam Cram series and passed all six tests on the first attempt. The best feature of the CD, however, is NOT the practice tests (html based, terrible review/printing options, and no feedback on correct or incorrect answers [For this you need the Trancenders]) but the fact that each book is included in its entirety in PDF format on the CD. I wish this had been an option for the TCP/IP and IIS single books I bought later on.

I just took my Networking Essentials exam, passed with no problem. Even though at first I was sweating bullets, my mind took over and everything seemed like common sense. Maybe about five questions on the test were similar to the review questions in the Exam Cram book. The rest was up to me. I read that book more than eight times and it just seemd like notes after a while. You won't have to study, it will be called reviewing. It helped me, so I know it will work for others. Thanks!!!! (to the Aurthors)

and I'm damn good at what I do and my consulting firm loves me. End of story.

The people who buy this book will really and honestly use ONLY this probably along with the Transcender to pass the exam. While it is good for that (FINALLY after 5 billion printings and all of the readers technically editing it for free) where will it get you after the fact. Can you use it as a reference - NO? Can you really gain knowledge to help you perform your job and troubleshoot from this book - NO?

Now the people against me will say this - Well we only use this to review for the exam - we have other outlets for studying and practicing. But in this day and age where we are hard pressed for time to get these certifications - the truth is simply this - Get the book - Pass the exam - Get the job - JUMP IN THE FIRE! Wise - No. And the community colleges and training companies know this. But they usually get the people after they have been employed and this costs companies money they shouldn't have had to pay.

But we live in a capitalistic society. This book has a right to be here. The same way Credit Card Companies like Sears, VISA, and Check Exchange have the right to gouge users with interest and inflict financial penalties on people that pay off debts. What they have in common is a total disregard for consequences and ethics.

Their initiative: To play on the weaknesses of people desperate to better themselves through certification.

Purpose: MAKE MONEY (That's it)

End Result: The MCSE becomes heavily diluted. It no longer carries weight. People get jobs but then may lose them due to incompetence scarring their work records. Time is wasted cramming for the sole purposes of regurgitating information when it could have been spent learning the processes.

It is the same lesson many of us did not learn in High School when it came time to do our book reports. The one who actually "read" the Catcher in the Rye benefited the most.