Good review before test day!
I would recommend this book to anybody that is about to take 70-270. I would say a word of caution though about this book. It is truly intended to be a suppliment to actual training from either a interactive self-paced class like Test Out or Prep Logic. If you try to pass the 70-270 with this book alone you may run in to difficulty. Also, I would recommend exam insurance from Microsoft if your testing center allows it.
A good start for 26 bucks
This book provides a real good start with less than 500 pages. But you will never pass the test just from the material in this book. Taking the advice of others before me, I obtained all the info I needed from this book, plus the Windows XP resource kit (available free online or in paperback) and "Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2" (Also an online microsoft resource).
Awesome Book!
This book helped me to pass the 70-270 test. It had some information that I did not see anywhere else. I have used cram exam books before and I love the series. I would recommend this book and others for anybody studying to pass any tests. Awesome book!
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.
On the Money!!!
Having passed my MCSE NT 4 exams using the Exam Cram guides, I knew that getting my 2003 MCSE would be no different. This is the first exam I have taken for my 2003 MCSE and I'm glad I picked up this book. It totally prepared me for the exam with the exception of an exam simualtion. I would say, however, that this book gave me 80-90% of what I needed to pass the exam. To sum it up, I will be going to the bookstore tomorrow to buy more Exam Cram books to finish out my quest to get my 2003 MCSE.
(29 reviews)
