Customer Reviews

MCSE/MCSA Windows Server 2003 Environment Study Guide (Exam 70-290)

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I passed the first time, and i consider myself very lucky. However, i can certainly say it won't happen if you only read this book. There is a lot of good information in this book, but it is verbose and full of facts irrelevant to the exam. The main problem with most books is that their practice tests and exams don't really help you answer any real exam questions. I also used the exam cram series book to help supplement this book, which is great for reviewing thet material. Good luck.

I have found that each book on the 70-290 has a different perspective on the subject. This one had a section on vbs which was on the actual test the first time I took it but not on the actual test the second time. I didn't pass the first or second time with the second time encountering a very much harder test. The second test was 25 questions longer and 200% harder.I've been looking at other cnadidates' postings on other web sites and that seems to be the case with about 80% of the population that took this test. Microsoft changed the tests drastically the second time making it longer and harder.
The frustrating thing is that I have not been able to locate much of the material in the books and practice tests that I have to compare to the questions that I encountered on the second actual test. I feel like the practice tests border on being useless as Microsoft changes their test questions faster than the practice tests are published.
This book is easy to read and does cover the objectives but don't dare rely on it as a complete means of training.
I really haven't located anything that gave me any indication where about 35 questions on the test came from.

This book is a joke. When you compare the content of the book and the writing style of this author (Anil Desai) with the much more throrough content and superior writing style of an accomplished author such as Mark Minasi, it becomes apparent that some authors (like Desai) write simply to fill pages, while others actually write to fill pages with USEFUL and PRACTICAL knowledge. I'm just getting into Chapter 3 and so far I've learned absolutely nothing. Go ahead and buy this book, study it, and when you walk out of the exam room having failed miserably, you'll think to yourself, "Did I buy the right book?" That is the difference between the questions that will be given to you on a Microsoft exam, and the content of a book like this. Do yourself a favor -- try a different book.

...MCSE/MCSA Windows Server 2003 Environment Study Guide is a classroom-tested study system that helps you prepare for the MCSA/MCSE exam 70-290, providing complete coverage of all exam objectives. It also provides an "Exam Readiness" checklist you can use to track your study progress, as well as lab questions that encourage critical thinking over rote memorization. A companion CD-ROM contains interactive tutorials, lab simulations, and exam simulation software with hundreds of unique questions.

Focusing on what you need to know for the exam and nothing more, this complete guide provides intensive coverage of every official exam objective from Active Directory to Web services. You'll find out what role Microsoft Server 2003 plays in a networked environment, how the various editions serve different purposes, how Microsoft develops their certification exams, and more.

You'll also get solid information on installing and/or upgrading to Windows Server 2003; configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting hardware devices; creating and managing groups and user accounts; and managing file permissions. This book also covers more advanced topics such as backup and disaster recovery, using Terminal Services and Remote Assistance, fine-tuning system performance, and managing basic and dynamic discs.

Every chapter features sections that explore the lighter side of technology and exam preparation with anecdotes, metaphors, lessons learned the hard way, plus advice from the experts. If you're ready to put your knowledge to work, certification is the first step toward an enhanced career, and the first step toward certification is MCSE/MCSA Windows Server 2003 Environment Study Guide. Good luck on your success! ;)