Accelerated Learning
This new study guide from Sybex can be a valuable aid in helping you pass the Win2K accelerated exam.
The idea behind Microsoft's accelerated Windows
2000 certification is a pretty good one-provide a way
for experienced NT 4.0 MCSE's to quickly upgrade their
certifications to Win2K. By consolidating elements from
the four core Win2K exams into one, Microsoft does a decent
job of accomplishing this. Great! All you NT 4.0 MCSEs
out there can rush right out and take exam 70-240, and
in a couple of hours or so you can be a duly certified
Win2K expert.
Not so fast! As is typical with a good many of Microsoft's
exams, this one requires a thorough knowledge of the subject
matter. It also expects you to know the "Microsoft Correct"
answers to several questions. Add in the adaptive component
of this exam, and even the most seasoned NT 4.0 MCSE faces
a daunting task.
But fear not. Plunk down $70 or so and pick up a copy
of MCSE Accelerated Win2K Study Guide from Sybex
and arm yourself with an excellent tool to assist you
in your efforts at acing the 70-240 exam.
Weighing in at 764 pages, this hardcover tome is filled
with material. It also comes with a CD, which offers several
study aids (check out the flash cards for your Palm-really
cool!). The CD also contains all the exercises referenced
in the book, as well as a testing engine with hundreds
of practice questions.
After the obligatory introduction comes the Assessment
Test. What a splendid concept! Before you even get into
the meat of the book, you have the opportunity to test
your knowledge with this 44-question exam. Then you can
verify your responses with the answer section. I like
that each answer includes an explanation as well as a
chapter reference to where the question content is covered
in the book.
You've taken the Assessment Test; now you're ready to
take on Win2K. The study guide's 18 chapters are organized
in a linear fashion, making this a straightforward task.
For example, Chapters 1-3 cover the various installation
methods, Chapter 4 deals with configuration of the Windows
environment, and so on.
Each chapter opens with a checklist of exam objectives
covered in the chapter, then jumps directly into the material.
Concepts are presented clearly, with plenty of screen
shots and hands-on exercises to illustrate the material
covered in the text. But keep the CD that comes with the
book handy-you'll need it for the step-by-step details
for all but a few of the exercises presented in the book.
I like the fact that all the exercises are on the CD,
but I'd still like to see them printed in the book as
well.
Another thing I'd like to see is more references to exam
specifics in the text. For example, in Chapter 5, Network
Services, there's a lot of material on DNS. One section
deals with Dynamic DNS and references an RFC. Do I need
to know this for the exam? Or is this information provided
just to be thorough? (I did find a few instances where
specific reference was made to the exam-perhaps one of
the authors was attuned to this need more than the others?)
As I read through several of the chapters, I tended to
forget I was studying to take a test. Rather, I felt like
I was reading a comprehensive how-to book. In fact, the
way the material is presented reminds me of a Microsoft
training class. Three of the book's five authors are MCTs,
so it's no surprise it reads like a classroom curriculum.
Depending on the reader's goal, this can be a good or
bad thing. If you want a soup-to-nuts explanation of installing,
configuring and administering Win2K, while also learning
the information you need to pass the certification exam,
this study guide would be an excellent choice. On the
other hand, if you just want to cram for the exam, you
might get frustrated ferreting that information out.
In either case, the book makes for an excellent reference
guide. I plan on making it a required element for my techies
to have on hand.
About the Author
Kevin Kohut has been involved with information technology in some form or another for over 18 years, and has a strong business management background as well. As a computer consultant, Kevin has helped both small businesses and large corporations realize the benefits of applying technology to their business needs.