Customer Reviews

MCSE Training Guide: Networking Essentials (Covers Exam #70-058)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Those individuals who can not/or could not pass the test on the first try must not read very well. This is the only resource I used to prepare for the Networking Essentials Exam and passed with a 751.

My friend and I used this book with a class on NT Essentials (community college). I could follow most of it, with only a little trouble on the OSI model. However my friend having no knowledge of networks period, was lost through most of the book. I would say that you need a general knowledge of networking before using this book. And you definately need to supplement this book with another book before taking exam. For my friend he needs a Beginners Networking Book, this book, another comprehensive book on NT Essentials and a study guide or exam cram book just to have a chance on passing this exam. Definately dont depend on this book alone.

The book is a good place to start, the exposition is clear and simple and also you can get many crucial concepts required to pass the exam, but is NOT enough, it doesn't have explanations applying the concepts to solve specific real world problems. Besides the review questions at the end of each chapter and the questions in the TestPrep software (included in the CD) are too easy and can give a false sense of security. Remember, in the new Adaptive Technology used in the Networking Essentials exam the score is not based on the number of questions answered correctly, but instead it is derived from the level of difficulty of the questions answered correctly. Be sure to practice with scenario and exhibit questions (not included in this book). Some of the questions of the real exam have the same philosophy of the case study you can find at the end of each unit of the Microsoft Networking Essentials book ISBN: 157231527X

I disagree with some of the other reviews. All the information that you need to pass the exam is in this book. The questions on the exam are worded in a way that you must have a good understanding and recall of the chapters. For example, the book gives you the specifications for Thicknet (cable thickness, length, how it's used), but the questions aren't as simple as "How thick is Thicknet cable?". So don't expect those kinds of questions. But I didn't see one question on the exam (which I passed on 1st try) that wasn't based on information available in this book.

YOU CANNOT PASS THE TEST ON THE BOOK ALONE. It doesn't matter what book you read, if you don't have the practical experience or at least some classroom hands-on work, you will not pass the test easily. The book was a great fill in the gaps for me.

I think this book is a good condensed reference guide for studying the major topics for MCSE Certification, but I would rather have another book on Networking Essentials for studying the topics of Networking Essentials with drill exercises on terminology and review like Sybex's MCSE STUDY GUIDE: NETWORK ESSENTIALS, 2ED. I own 3 books in the New Riders' series of Certification books, and I admit that New Riders is a good publisher of CNA/CNE & MCSE Certification handbooks, but I feel their books are more for intermediate/advanced users rather than novice/intermediate users like myself. I find the testprep software is a good tool for studying for the Net. Essentials exam.

This was the only book I read to prepare for the Networking Essentials exam. Although, it was not the only tool I used. I combined this book with the Transcender NetCert exams. After reading the book I passed all Transcender exams. The exams actually filled in the holes the book did not cover. I passed the actual Microsoft Net Essentials exam with an 896 (not too bad). This is the combination I will use to pass all my certification exams.

It got me as close as you can get without passing. I crammed for the test, so I probably didn't retain everything I read. It did not, in any way prepare me for the scenario questions on the exam. It also didn't prepare for many troubleshooting questions. I would recommend the book to learn networking concepts, but not for preparing for the exam

This book clearly explains the basic networking concepts covered on the exam. It does not prepare students for the "scenario-like" questions they will encounter on the real exam, however. Applying the raw information to a real world situation is difficult, and this book does not provide inexperienced students with the tools to answer such questions. The book is a good starting point for an inexperienced beginner, but should be used in conjunction with a quality exam prep engine, such as the Transcender exams, to fully prepare for the test.

This book will not help you pass the exam. You may learn good networking stuff, but I'm sure when you buy this book, you are preparing for the exam. MCSE exam covers a lot more than what the book offers.