Rating: 
Summary: Provides solid understanding for ASP.Net programming.
Review: This isn't an introductory book for ASP.Net. You must have a solid understanding of the .Net Framework. It does however provide you with a solid preparation for the exam. If you are not a beginner and have experience with VB.Net or C# then get this book, it will for sure prepare you very well for the exam.
Rating: 
Summary: Average Microsoft Study Guide
Review: What I liked about this book is that it presents concepts and major subject areas quite clearly and without the verbose tedium that characterizes a lot of programming books. Also, the code samples exemplify what each chapter is talking about without a lot of extranneous junk to sort through. I skipped most of the exercises at the end of each chapter 'cause I think I learn more - and have more fun - just making up little apps that do the same things. But the exercises I looked at seemed OK.What I didn't like about the book is that the areas that it emphasizes aren't necessarily what was emphasized in the exam. I didn't even go through the practice exam on the CD because the MS practice exams on the three other MCSD exams I've taken were so unlike the real exams that I don't think they're worth spending any time on. The book did help me pass the exam. But, it is not what I would consider to be a good study guide. From what I've seen, this is pretty typical of MS study guides. They usually have some good information but don't seem to focus on the areas that the exams emphasize. Like other reviewers, I had to use other sources of information to get prepared. I don't mean that I expect to be soon-fed all the answers, or even that all the details should necessarily be spelled out. I just think a study guide should be fairly accurate in terms of telling you what you need to know. That's why I only giver this book two stars.
Rating:
Summary: Average Microsoft Study Guide
Review: What I liked about this book is that it presents concepts and major subject areas quite clearly and without the verbose tedium that characterizes a lot of programming books. Also, the code samples exemplify what each chapter is talking about without a lot of extranneous junk to sort through. I skipped most of the exercises at the end of each chapter 'cause I think I learn more - and have more fun - just making up little apps that do the same things. But the exercises I looked at seemed OK. What I didn't like about the book is that the areas that it emphasizes aren't necessarily what was emphasized in the exam. I didn't even go through the practice exam on the CD because the MS practice exams on the three other MCSD exams I've taken were so unlike the real exams that I don't think they're worth spending any time on. The book did help me pass the exam. But, it is not what I would consider to be a good study guide. From what I've seen, this is pretty typical of MS study guides. They usually have some good information but don't seem to focus on the areas that the exams emphasize. Like other reviewers, I had to use other sources of information to get prepared. I don't mean that I expect to be soon-fed all the answers, or even that all the details should necessarily be spelled out. I just think a study guide should be fairly accurate in terms of telling you what you need to know. That's why I only giver this book two stars.
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