Customer Reviews

MCSE: Windows 2000 Professional Study Guide Exam 70-210 (With CD-ROM)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One thing that impresses me about Sybex is the way they put together books. They take a subject, in this case Windows 2000 Professional, and cram more information into 850 pages than any one I know and they make sure that the information covers the exam objectives completely.

In the 15 chapter book you have complete and detailed coverage of the 70-210 exam and all of the objectives. From the installation and all the ways to make the install work to upgrading and what to look for and what to stay away from, and you have only covered two chapters at this point.

Moving to the configuration of the 2000 environment, to managing the desktop and users, to the administration and management of the groups, user and hardware profiles and disks, now you have covered up to chapter 9. Impressed by the amount of information at this point in the book is what made me keep reading.

Chapter 10 gives detailed information about file access and permissions. Continuing with the network section and printing and dial-up and remote connectivity. Finally you have optimizing and fine-tuning of the Windows 2000 workstation making this one of the most complete reference manuals I have ever come across.

As with all Sybex book, there is a cd-rom included with hundreds of practice questions that will compliment the questions included in the book. Even more impressive is the fact the cd-rom has a complete electronic version of the book and the Best selling "Dictionary of Networking" included.

Sybex is tops in the computer/IT certification arena, this book is the perfect example. Costing a mere $49.99, and online you'll find for less, your saving is your opportunity to excel. Don't pass up this book; your money is well invested.

I'm an NT MCSE who has just started taking the 2000 exams. I studied this book and passed the test, but there were a few things on the test that the book didn't cover very well, mainly familiarity with hardware configuration/troubleshooting. Also, the test hammered away on practical situations, whereas the book hammered away on rote regurgitation.

Example book question: What dialog box tab is the feature to adjust X on? Example test question: Jim wants to configure his laptop to do X. He has done Y and Z, what does he need to do next? (You didn't expect *real* questions from the test, did you? :-)

But I won't complain too much, I think it's the best book out there so far, and after all, I *did* pass with a pretty good score. Just be sure that you actually study ON A COMPUTER and not just from the book. (That's obvious, though, isn't it?!?)

The Windows 2000 Professional MCP exam is the 12th Microsoft exam that I have taken and passed in the last 20 months. In the early days, I tried all the publishers I could find but have always found the Sybex books to be the best overall. While many may not be very well written, they have a test engine that reinforces the text and makes it possible to get a toe hold on this material. And that's where these books shine. Go over the test questions time and again after reading the book and you might begin understanding the subject to some depth. Then you will be ready to tackle more advanced material and thus be ready for the test. Can you pass one of the Microsoft tests on this material alone? If your answer is yes, then you probably didn't need this book anyway. If you're like me and need a great place to start, this is it.

The previous Sybex MCSE study guides (for NT 4) were very good. I would have given them four stars. The books of the Win2K series which I've read so far, however, are even more clear, accurate, and contain extensive hands-on exercises. Better than before. The CDs include avi files of nearly all of the exercises from the books, and a test engine with a variety of formats, as well as simulations. The Professional book was very helpful for the exam. I haven't taken the Directory Services exam yet, but the DS book is extremely well-written. Hopefully it maps well to the exam. The DS book seemed a bit thin for the price, although I guess the CD contents made up for it. But, nevertheless, I would say EXCELLENT.

I took an 8 wk. course on Win2K Pro and the course used the Academic Learning Series from Microsoft Press. I bought this Sybex book to supplement the course material. It stressed topics that were not given much importance in the Academic Learning Series and filled in some of the holes, explanation wise, that the course material was lacking.

I passed the test and truly thought that if I had known what questions I had missed I would have found the answers in this Sybex book. I remember reading about certain topics but could not remember specifics, my fault at studying not the books fault.

The only fault I can say is that their "Test" questions, while good at testing your knowledge on specific topics, did not ready me for the type of questions the Certification exam posed. Real world, scenario type of questions that make you pull from several areas of expertise to answer the question. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.

Also a word to the wise. Do not think that a single book, however comprehensive, is going to prepare you for the test. Its almost impossible to learn everything the book has to offer and remember it thourougly enough to pass the test. You need some practical experience with networks, clients, servers, etc. to do well. If at all possible make sure you test your knowledge learned in the book to real world situations.

As a first-time MCSE test taker and novice administrator, I do not recommend this study guide to pass the 70-210 exam. I was very surprised because without any networking experience, I was able to pass the Cisco CCNA exam using the Sybex study guides. This MCSE guide gave me enough information to understand the procedures but it was woefully short on specific details (i.e. file names)that regularly popped up on the exam and never appeared in the Book!! Another complaint is that the study questions in the book and the CD very little resembled what was on the actual exam. I was shocked to find case study-like questions that required very specific knowledge that could not be found in this study guide. After the exam I went to the local bookstore and found that if I had only read the Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Rediness Review by Wilansky (along with the Sybex guide) I would have passed. For the novice administrator I recommend studying for the 70-210 exam using the official Microsoft study guides. More experienced administrators may be able to pass the test with just this study guide.

This is a wonderful book to read. The author has a way of presenting the information to you in a way that keeps your interest. In addition, there are many visual depictions of what is being explained. The simulators, flashcards and tests are an invaluable tool to help you prepare for the exam. The simulator will give you the hands-on experience that Microsoft is focusing so heavily on. This is definitely one book that I would recommend to anyone who wishes to start on the road to Windows 2000 MCSE certification. I liked the book so much I ordered the MCSE Windows 2000 Core training kit tool. I'm a picky person when it comes to getting the most bang for my buck, and the books by Sybex definitely deliver.

I would not recommend this book as the only study guide for someone wanting to sit the 70-120 exam for the first time.

I read the book from cover to cover several times and completed all the exams in the book and on the CD. Feeling confident that I had done all that was needed to pass, I sat the exam only to be stumped by the very first question and went on to fail.

Though the book covered Windows 2000 Professional quite comprehensively (I think) the exam required a good working knowledge of networking fundamentals to a degree that the book did not cover. I also found that questions in the book did not reflect the type of questions that were found in the exam which were mostly scenario based and much more difficult.

Summarising, I feel the book is fine for someone who is interested in just and understanding of Windows 2000 Professional or for qualified MCP-MCSE's as way of updating there knowledge but for us first timers it is definitely lacking what's needed to get you across the line in the exam.

Since I've had my MSCE since 1997, I really can't comment on this book's value to beginners in the IT world. But I found this book perfect for me to pass the Professional exam the first time around with minimal study. The practice tests were great to identify my weak points, and the text had more than adequate information to improve my knowledge of those weakpoints.

I've taken over 15 certification tests - Microsoft, Cisco and Compaq - over the last few years and have developed a standard self-study procedure. I buy the "official" study guide from the vendor (Cisco's are excellent)AND a copy of my favorite 3rd-party study guide. For Microsoft certifications, my favorite has been Sybex for years. Based on my experience with this book, Sybex is still the way to go.

Hi,I successfully passed out 70-210 yesterday.Wouldn't have passed if I had relied only on Sybex book.As my title reveals,this book is good no doubt but only for beginners who just want to know how to use Windows 2000 Professional operating system.But to pass the exam you need to know much more.The questions given at the end of each chapter are very easy and straight forward,none of the questions which i faced yesterday (in the exam) were so easy and direct.

All The Best!!

-Meghana.