MCSE/MCSA Windows XP Professional Study Guide (Exam 70-270) (Hardcover)

by Curt Simmons (Author) "Welcome to Microsoft's Windows XP Professional and Exam 70-270..." (more)
Key Phrases: new fax console, existing user environments, toggle between languages, Control Panel, Active Directory, Self Test (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Microsoft is in the process of migrating its Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification to the Windows XP and .NET environment, which means you need to be prepared for the new material if you're coming up for renewal or want to earn your MCSE ab initio. Curt Simmons, the author of MCSE Windows XP Professional Study Guide, has applied his well-known tutorial skills--he wrote a couple of this book's predecessors--to the latest material (exam 70-270, specifically). As is typical of books in the Osborne-McGraw Hill Study Guide series, this one has headings that correspond to sections on the Microsoft outline of tested subjects. It'll be reassuring to test-preppers that the author has covered the complete set of requirements.

As for the coverage itself, it tends to go into more detail than do the actual exam questions. This is commendable, both because it makes the test go easier (unless you tend to "think too much" and interpret questions as more complicated than intended) and because it makes the book a useful reference after you've passed the test. Explanatory material combines conceptual prose with a lot of illustrations and quite a few procedures. Almost every page has at least one graphic, though they're almost exclusively screen shots. Conceptual diagrams would help clarify subjects like Active Directory. --David Wall

Topics covered: Everything Microsoft says you need to know in order to pass its Windows XP Professional exam (70-270) on your way to an MCSE or another company certification. This includes installation, hardware management, disk and file administration, networking (including remote networking and routing), and troubleshooting. There's also a CD-ROM containing exam-simulation software and some instructional video segments.

Product Description
Prepare to pass the Windows XP Professional exam using the only classroom-based study guide available. Containing 100% complete coverage of all official exam objectives, hundreds of practice questions, hands-on exercises, plus a CD-ROM containing a realistic practice exam, this is the ultimate self-paced learning system.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 717 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (October 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072222972
• ISBN-13: 978-0072222975
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #924,947 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a good value for anyone, September 21, 2002

By A Customer

Whether you are an experienced admin or a new MCSE candidate, you should avoid this book. The sample questions presented here do not in any way resemble the actual exam questions and will lull you into a false sense of security. Look for an exam guide that has highly detailed questions. The included CD-ROM is also not helpful in that it contains a mere 60 questions - none of which resemble the actual exam. Don't waste your money.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars 100% coverage in very general terms, August 21, 2002

By	Matthew R. Embury (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Test preparation in a VERY general sense. If I wanted a book that simply told me "what I should know" I could have written it with 30 pages in paperback. Don't let it's size fool you. Even its included tests are easy and nothing even close to that you'll get have on the exam. The material on the CD makes it look even better. But its just more vague material. This book is also not the detailed reference that you by with the smaller book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for general overview, July 21, 2002

By	John Whitaker (Boynton Beach, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This is a good book to use as an introduction to Windows XP. The book is easy enough to read (unlike some computer books/sleeping pills) with decent explanations of the concepts, however, it is not comprehensive enough to use as the primary source of info to pass the exam. The sample test questions are not even remotely like the type of questions asked on the 70-270 test. If you buy this book just be ready to purchase others as well before you take the test. This book used in conjunction with the Examcram book, and with online resources was enough for me to pass the test.