MCSD Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures Exam Cram 2 (Exam 70-300) (Paperback)

~ Randy Cornish (Author), Thomas Moore (Author), Don Pavoni (Author), Eric Rockenbach (Author), Ed Tittel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

MCSD Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures Exam Cram 2 (Exam 70-300) helps you pass the 70-300 exam, which is a core exam in the MCSD .NET track and measures the ability to analyze requirements and define Microsoft .NET solution architectures. This exam is extremely tricky, widely considered the most difficult of any MCSD exams because of its emphasis on case studies as well as its demand that candidates have at least two years of hands-on experience. This book is not intended to teach new material. Instead, it assumes that you have a solid foundation of knowledge but could use a refresher on important concepts, as well as a guide to exam topics and objectives. The book features test-taking strategies, time-saving study tips, and a special Cram Sheet that includes tips, acronyms, and memory joggers not available anywhere else! The Cram Sheet is especially useful for last-minute review before the test begins.

The CD features PrepLogic™ Practice Tests, Preview Edition. This product includes one complete PrepLogic Practice Test with approximately the same number of questions found on the actual vendor exam. Each question contains full, detailed explanations of the correct and incorrect answers. The engine offers two study modes, Practice Test and Flash Review, full exam customization, and a detailed score report.

The best-selling Exam Cram 2 series is supported online at examcram.com, offering industry news, study tips, practice questions, and discussion forums. Each book is published under the direction of Series Editor Ed Tittel, the leading authority on IT certification. This book has been subjected to rigorous technical review by a team of industry experts, ensuring content is superior in both coverage and technical accuracy, and has earned the distinction of Cramsession™ Approved Study Material.

From the Back Cover

MCSD Analyzing Requirements and Defining .NET Solution Architectures Exam Cram 2 (Exam 70-300) helps you pass the 70-300 exam, which is a core exam in the MCSD .NET track and measures the ability to analyze requirements and define Microsoft .NET solution architectures. This exam is extremely tricky, widely considered the most difficult of any MCSD exams because of its emphasis on case studies as well as its demand that candidates have at least two years of hands-on experience. This book is not intended to teach new material. Instead, it assumes that you have a solid foundation of knowledge but could use a refresher on important concepts, as well as a guide to exam topics and objectives. The book features test-taking strategies, time-saving study tips, and a special Cram Sheet that includes tips, acronyms, and memory joggers not available anywhere else! The Cram Sheet is especially useful for last-minute review before the test begins.

The CD features PrepLogic Practice Tests, Preview Edition. This product includes one complete PrepLogic Practice Test with approximately the same number of questions found on the actual vendor exam. Each question contains full, detailed explanations of the correct and incorrect answers. The engine offers two study modes, Practice Test and Flash Review, full exam customization, and a detailed score report.

The best-selling Exam Cram 2 series is supported online at examcram, offering industry news, study tips, practice questions, and discussion forums. Each book is published under the direction of Series Editor Ed Tittel, the leading authority on IT certification. This book has been subjected to rigorous technical review by a team of industry experts, ensuring content is superior in both coverage and technical accuracy, and has earned the distinction of Cramsession Approved Study Material.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Que (May 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789729296
• ISBN-13: 978-0789729293
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #684,863 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Best Book for 70-300, August 13, 2003

By	vbguy "vbguy1" (Springfield, VA United States) - See all my reviews

First, I totally agree with the reviewer who said this book isn't for you if you're not trying to pass the exam. It's all about the exam and is not intended to be anything more than an exam study guide.

I read this book, the Microsoft Study Guide for 70-300, and most of the Osbourne book for this exam. I'm totally convinced that this book is the best of the three. Having recently passed the exam, I can say without hesitation that this book was a big help. The other two books overemphasize the Microsoft Solutions Framework, which is a Microsoft System Development Methodology. While you will need some perspective on the MSF to pass the exam, this overemphasis is very misleading.

If you need to pass the exam, my suggestion would be to use this book as your major source of study. For any areas that you don't feel really well-versed in, read applicable MSDN articles to get the Microsoft spin on security, layering, deployment strategies, requirements analysis, design, globalization/localizaton, etc. I do recall that the test had a few questions on ORM and not many on UML.

I would be inclined to rate this book more positively were it not for two things. First, the sample test that came on the CD really bore almost no resemblance to the real rest. It was laden with typos and got into some really esoteric things that the exam didn't deal with at all. Secondly, the book delved into some areas, like Yourden/DeMarco-style Data Flow Diagrams and some organizational theory, that I think are not relevant to the exam. These topics not addressed in the exam nor in the Microsoft Study Guide. Further, I don't think there's anything in the MSDN Library that would imply that they would be covered. I also think that Exam Cram isn't extremely accurate in how the MSF is represented.

But, it does seem to be your best option for this particular certification exam.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book prepares well for the test., May 23, 2003

By	Andre Abramenko (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just passed the 70-300 exam and used this book to study for it.

The book is a comprehensive review of everything that you may need to know for the exam. However, some sections are repeated without any good reason. The questions at the end of each chapter are similar in nature to the ones that I saw on the exam.

It took me 12 days, spending about an hour - an hour and half per day, to get through the book. I did pass the other .Net tests before I read the book, so majority of the material was a review.

Although I do have many years of experience as an architect, I found a lot of useful information in this book that will help me design better products and solutions in the future.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the One to Get, June 25, 2003

By	Daniel K. Stern (Glendale, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is a pleasure to study for a Microsoft Exam and actually learn something along the way. This book is well conceived and well written. It covers all of the material necessary to pass the .NET Solution Architectures exam. In fact, it includes enough real-world knowledge and background information that I would suggest it for learning about Microsoft architectures even if you aren't planning to take the exam.

Other reviewers have written about the execellent references that the book provides, so I won't repeat all of that here, except to say that the book was published after the exam came out and that some of the material in the book is more up-to-date than what is being tested by Microsoft. This will not pose a problem for the person taking the test, however.