Customer Reviews

MCSA/MCSE Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment Exam Cram 2 (Exam Cram 70-296)

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

 

 

As a technical trainer with over 16 years of experience under my belt, I know a thing or two about proper training. When searching for a tool to train my MCSE 2003 students, I had high expectations for this book. I've used Exam Cram many times in the past and have even been pleased with the progress of Exam Cram 2. However, this book completely disappointed me. It's evident that Schmied hasn't even taken the time to sit for the exam himself. His gross misjudgments and oversights are too obvious and profound to be ignored. My greatest hope at this point is the Que can salvage this title with a second author rewrite or additional edit. I certainly won't be recommending this book to my students. Shame on you, Will Schmied.

I agree with all other reader/user reviews this is not the book needed to brush up for the 296.

I have experience with all related materials, and this book hits a 0 with me.

Try using the newest Transcender, and Microsoft readiness kit. The testing material with the MS Press book is more geared for this test. This book servers nothing in planning for the test.

Worst coverage of any book I've ever used. I'm a big fan of the Mike Myers Passport books but I guess they don't make a 70-296 book and a colleague recommended Exam Cram. Don't waste your time or money on this one. I don't know if all Exam Cram books are as bad as this one, this was the first I ever purchased. Maybe it was just this author?? I also bought the Microsoft Press 70-296 book. Much better coverage and a far more knowledgeable author.

Generally I avoid using these 'exam preparation aids'.
However in an attempt to save time and possibly money I bought this Exam Cram 2 'aid' for exam 70-296. I already had the Microsoft Press 70-292/70-296 self paced kit as my primary exam prep material . This I had already reviewed fairly thoroughly.

Based on that review I sat and passed exam 70-292 with over 850 without any additional "exam prep" aid.

However for exam 20-96 I bought this exam cram for 70-296 and used it for my final preparations. After scoring 96% on the simulations I took the real exam and failed: My first exam failure in over 20 attempts (since taking my orginal MCSE exams on Windows NT 3.51)

After that experience, I am going back to basics and recommend that everyone does the same :

Focus on studying the material and practising all the recommended labs. Review additional materials such as Q articles, Technet or Resource kits where needed to fully understand the technology and concepts.

Avoid throwing away money on these quick fixes and resulting exam re-sits.

I think it's unfair that the author can submit comments and give herself a 5 star rating (twice!). She is just trying to skew the customer review rating.

This was the second study guide I purchased to help with the 70-296 test (after failing the actual test a couple of times).

The book reading wasn't in-depth as I had thought it might be (MS Press 70-292/296 Training Guide was the first book I used).

I was definately disappointed in the CD-ROM material. If you're looking for practice exams: move on, look at another product because this isn't it. Their practice test contains 65 questions, that's it. Oh, there's a teaser to purchase more questions but 296 isn't on their list.

IMHO, this book isn't for an in-depth review of areas that might crop up in the 296 test. And as I mentioned before, forget the practice tests -- go out to Transcender instead.

A lot of people have a misconception that the Exam Cram2 line is the end-all, one stop resource when it comes to studying for certification exams. This is just not the case. These books are designed for IT professionals who already know the material and just need a quick review. This is an excellent series for people who know the material or for people who are looking to complement another, larger, study guide.

For people who would compare this to something such as the Microsoft Training Kit, you're comparing Apples and Oranges. It's not very realistic to expect that a half-size 500 page book is going to get the same amount of material out as a full-size 1200 page book.

It's worth noting as well that the PrepLogic software is no longer being bundled with the Que books. Look for practice exam software from a large, well-known provider in all new printings of Exam Cram2 books.

As authors of these books, we are charged with putting the most important points into a small, easy to use format. We truly hope that they prove useful to you the reader.

A lot of people have a misconception that the Exam Cram2 line is the end-all, one stop resource when it comes to studying for certification exams. This is just not the case. These books are designed for IT professionals who already know the material and just need a quick review. This is an excellent series for people who know the material or for people who are looking to complement another, larger, study guide.

A snip from the editorial review of this series: "This book is the ideal refresher for readers who are familiar with the exam material or for readers who are in need of more in-depth study material it is the ultimate complement guide for larger training guides, instructor-led classes, and/or CBT training."

For people who would compare this to something such as the Microsoft Training Kit, you're comparing Apples and Oranges. It's not very realistic to expect that a half-size 500 page book is going to get the same amount of material out as a full-size 1200 page book.

It's worth noting as well that the PrepLogic software is no longer being bundled with the Que books. Look for practice exam software from a large, well-known provider in all new printings of Exam Cram2 books.

As authors of these books, we are charged with putting the most important points into a small, easy to use format. We truly hope that they prove useful to you the reader.