Hit or Miss but ultimately Useful
Overall, I find this particular book useful in combing through a lot of intricate details of the Windows XP operating system. Though given that, I don't think this resource alone will help you adequately prepare for the exam, which is something the authors themselves note. This book I feel tries to strike a middle ground, but fails in a few regards:
(1) As many topics like IPP printing is inadequately covered, readers will not be able to install and configure, IPP for example, with the scant coverage.
(2) There is over emphasis on tools like that are not apart of Windows XP, like USMT and RIS. I have never come across such questions in the exam.
(3) Material is not aligned with the actual Microsoft study material, and as such important topics are inadequately covered, omitted, or over covered.
The bottom line is that you might be spending more energy studying unnecessary material, while at the same time, not studying key concepts and topics needed to pass the exam. One definitely needs additional material to study and pass the exam, but still despite my grief this book did actually help me, and rigorous relentless study combined with actually tinkering with Windows XP on material related to the book, did help me pass the exam. I am now a Microsoft Certified Professional.
This may be the best resource, but that's not saying much
If you're looking for a good resource to study from for the Windows XP Pro exam this most likely isn't for you. Unless you're an expert in Windows XP already good luck trying to learn many of the concepts in this book.
Nearly every topic feels rushed and provides little to no explanation. It simply says here's this topic, here's how you do it, NEXT! I realize that this is an exam "cram" but it doesn't work if they don't explain themselves at all. In comparison I found the A+ passport (a competitor's "cram" series) to be just right. Briefly detailing the topics with not too much but most importantly not too little information.
Second, their first chapter is entirely devoted to the half dozen or so different types of questions you'll encounter on the exam. For example, a type of question that requires you to drag and drop objects into their proper places on a diagram, or multiple choice or another type. Despite this chapter long warning, every single practice question in this book is multiple choice.
When all is said and done I still feel very unprepared for this exam. Even with the help of Self Test Software's practice questions AND study guide, as well as the certtalk.com study guide and even a home lab set up with server 2k3 and windows xp.
Unfortunately this is the best book I have encountered thus far for studying for this exam. Despite it being a cram book it actually goes into a lot more detail than the aforementioned study guides.
All in all, if you want to make some serious cash then write a *good* resource on the Windows XP exam. Once the word gets out, you'll start raking in the cash as you would have no serious competition. Believe me, I've looked.
Excellent study resource!!
I have used the Exam Cram series and the Exam Prep series of books for A+, Network+ and Microsoft 70-210 exams. They have provided more than enough training to pass these exams plus learn much more. So far I have found this book to be in the same high caliber that I would expect from this fine company. Thanks Que Publishing for the great resource for learning!!
(3 reviews)