MCSE NT Server 4 in the Enterprise Exam Cram

Rating:
Summary: Some real review
Review: I didn't like this book at all. Just read it and tried couple online tests. Some subjects not covered at all. Provides some very basic info about some basics. I already had a bad experience with ExamCram NetEss (see my review) and would give no another chance for ExamCram series. Sorry Ed. Now I have to buy more books to prepare for 70-068. Wish me good luck !

Rating:
Summary: Rebuttal to: "HOLD ONE WAIT A MINUTE" (his grammar not mine)
Review: I don't want to be drawn into any sort of "jihad" here, but I really have to respond to "[e-mail] from Greensboro." First of all, I find it somewhat ironic that your "review" is "riddled" with more errors than the Exam Cram book that you so passionately complain is "flawed!" Second, did you read ANY of my review past sentance two?!? More importantly, did you UNDERSTAND any of my review past sentance two?!? NOWHERE in my review do I advocate purchasing ONLY the Exam Cram book! In fact, I clearly recommend purchasing Sybex' Study Guide IN ADDITION TO Microsoft's own NT Server ResKit. Furthermore, I go on to recommend purchasing Transcender's practice exam material to further prepare one for Microsoft's examination procedures. Moreover, if you--"andy"--had, in fact, read the Exam Cram book, you would know that the authors CLEARLY do NOT recommend using their book as your sole study material! In fact, at the end of each chapter, they reference other sources that a reader would do well to look in on for elaboration on a particular subject. (The book's claim is "the first and last book you need to read before taking your certification exam." I don't take this at all to mean that this is the "only" book you need to buy.) The fact that you have "students" speaks volumes to me about your possible motivations for being so critical of such study material. It represents an obsticle to your profession in the sense that these types of books empower the average individual to go out on their own, study, prepare, and take MCSE exams without ever having to step foot in your "classroom" or any other classroom, for that matter. At least my review offers some valid suggestions for potential MCSEs on how to achieve their goals ON THEIR OWN. I don't see any such suggestions in your review. That said, let me say that I think that "training classes" are great if you have the $1,500 per class that many "technical schools" are charging for instruction on MCSE certification! The more preperation the better if you can afford it, I say!!! But there has to come a point where the average working stiff like myself has to say, "how can I justify paying all that money for a $100 dollar test???" Finally, to answer your question, "no," I would not "WANT an SAT or a GRE prep book riddled with errors." Who in their right mind would "want" such a book?!? But the reality is that books are man made artifacts and as such they are subject to errors like any other artifact. Use the Exam Cram book only as an additional tool in your test preperation arsenal--NOT as your ENTIRE exam prep arsenal!!! Hope this helps somebody go out there and CRUSH those MCSE exams.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent test prep (despite a few technical "inaccuracies")
Review: Yes! Alright already!! The book has ERRORS!!! Okay! Are you nay-sayers happy now?!? (Probably not, I realize, or else you wouldn't be called "nay-sayers.") But seriously folks, this is an excellent tool for MCSE preperation that some "DOGBERT-esque" NT Sys Admins will rifle through and immediately dismiss as "trash" because of its "technical errors" and "depthless writing!" (Picture an up-turned nose with a "humph" thrown in for good disdain after that last quote.) My reply to those who are truly concerned about passing the MCSE tests is to get the "errata" from Coriolis; buy the SYBEX study guide for the Enterprise exam (Sybex is CONSISTENTLY rated well in terms of readablity and technical credibility), and pick up Microsoft's "NT Server Resouce Kit, Supplement 2" to use as a cross reference. Try reading the study guide first (cross referencing the ResKit), take a practice exam or two (Transcender's if you can afford them), apply the errata to the Exam Cram book, READ the Exam Cram book (definitely cross reference here), take a couple more practice tests, read your "cram sheets" and review notes, and, finally, go CRUSH that test! Pass all six MCSE tests this way and you too can become a pretentious "DOGBERT-esque" NT Sys Admin.