Customer Reviews

MCSE Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database Design and Implementation Readiness Review; Exam 7 (MCSE Readiness Review)

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

 

 

For those folks already familiar with SQL Server, this book will fill-in any obvious knowledge gaps when preparing for the exam. It's like the related MSCE Training Kits in that it covers all the required topics, but with less detailed discussions and lab practices. It also costs less and demands less study time to complete.

If you don't know SQL Server and T-SQL quite well this book will not help you pass the 70-229 exam. For example, while the included practice test will get you in the right mind set it does not drill you nearly enough on how to write sound stored procedures, triggers, and cursors.

Questions cover, with excellent difficulty, all areas of exam 70-229. These are the style of questions all Microsoft exams should contain to maintain the credibility of their certifications.

This review is a good heads up on how Microsoft is changing their exams to cover hands on work experience versus fact regurgitation. Very handy sample Exam on CD with Questions randomly generated from the Readiness Reveiw.

A better publication than the 70-229 Study Kit.

I had thought that this book and the sample Exam on the CD would be a realy close reflection of the exam content. But whan I took the exam, it didn't seem like that was the case. The book and sample exam seemed to focus on Admin. stuff while the exam seemed to emphasize SQL, TSQL and database design a lot more. I also don't think the book prepares you for security-related questions very well. But it might still be worthwhile for someone who feels ready to take the exam and just wants some practice.

I bought this book the day before I took the exam because I was struggling with the measure up tests. I read through the book in one day and passed the exam the next day.

I was disappointed that the exam questions on the CD were the same as in the book. I was hoping there would be a different set of questions.

I recommend this book if you're just looking to pass the exam and also have access to the course material. It will help reinforce what I learned in the course material in an exam-type way.

This book has two main flaws that caused me to abandon it after the first few chapters.

First, it spends an inordinate amount of time on theory, compared to giving practical examples.

Second (and a truly fatal flaw) is that during the course of the book, the reader is directed to build a database that is essential to reading the following chapters. The reader is encouraged to think theoretically about the general structure of the database, but is given no specifics. Yet specifics are exactly what the later chapters require! If the reader follows the directions, it will become necessary to make numerous structure changes later.

Worse yet, the "correct" database is not included on the CD, nor is it available online. That makes it impossible for the more advanced user to skip chapters that he doesn't need.

This book has become one of my more expensive doorstops.

This book is just a test book.
If you are able to pass all the tests in the CD, then you will not have problems with the real test. However, as always, some ot the questions are wrong.
The software for the test is not so good, if you just take the test for the third time, half of the questions will be known to you.
Since the main reason you buy this book, is to check your preparation pro-certification, i think i can give it 3 on 5 stars.
If you are italian, you should not take the italian version of the book, it is just written in something different from a language for IT professionals.

If you are currently a Database Administrator or Analyst, this book is good at helping you prepare for the exam. However, if you are expecting an indepth resource on the subject you will be disappointed. The only downfall to these types of books is the fact they give you enough examples to pass the test but not enough real world experience. This book gives you the question, you try to answer and then it gives you Microsoft's correct answer (not necessarily real world). The book does not go into detail regarding its answers. Overall a good book and cd to prepare for the test (rated 3 1/2 stars but not available as a rating). Most likely you will need additional resources to help you prepare.

This book is an incomplete mess.
Throughout the book there are sample questions to "quiz" the reader on the material. BEWARE! many of the answers in the book are wrong.

For the harder topics this isn't even a guide at all. Only a list of study points.
The CD with practice questions repeats many of the questions in the book and had incorrect answers.

A good replacement for this book is a brick wall. Stare at it and you will acheive the same results as reading this book.

There are 6 domains and 20 objective, in those 6 domains, of Exam, so count how many questions are per domain (6!!!). Some topics have only 3 questions, and on Exam you will get 3 or more questions from that objective.

Before every domain there is list of articles (Training Kit + Books Online) to read for that domain, and every time they write how to start Books Online (klik Start menu, Programs, etc.) 3 - 4 line for somebody that goes on 70-229!!!.

1/4 (to 1/3) of almost every page is unused (empty).

If 2 or more answers are wrong for the same reason, they will repeat explanation, several lines, again and again.

Some questions are for total begginers, and for some you need a lot of expirience.

During my web exam expirience I noticed that questions are a little bit easier than the most on the Internet.

So if you are total begginer and you have extra money, buy it, but for expirienced people I recomend something like www.certportal.com or other web sites.

Having passed the SQL Server 6.5 exam, I didn't even find this much help as a review or prep for SQL 2000... Had to get a better book immediately!