MCAD / MCSD .NET certification book recommendations? 1

[RebLazer]

I'm planning to begin studying for the Microsoft MCAD (and likely the MCSD) .NET certification exams. I plan to take the following (in the following order):

MCAD
305
310
229

MCSD (in addition to above)
300
306

I've spent a significant amount of time @Amazon, Barns and Nobles, and Bookpool in hope of limiting it down to the right book(s) to buy. I cannot figure out a good (first?) book to buy.

I have 8 months of Java experience - and about 3 months of .NET (beginner-level) experience.

I've limited it down to the following - I would *greatly* appreciate feedback on these:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=406AFXDU3N&isbn=0072125802&itm=15

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=406AFXDU3N&isbn=0072131306&itm=16

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=406AFXDU3N&isbn=0789728184&itm=4

http://www.bookpool.com/.x/pchpcw3cnm/sm/0735615845

http://www.bookpool.com/.x/pchpcw6h96/ss/1?qs=0789728184&Go.x=15&Go.y=17

Thanks so much!
Lazer

 

[LesleyW]

Reb, could you stick the titles in too? I don't know whether or not I know of these books from the links you've given us, and to be honest I am not going to click every link to find out!

 

[RebLazer]

Lesley,

Sorry about that! Below are the titles and authors in the same order as the URLs (above).

Thanks so much!
Lazer

*****************************

MCAD/MCSD Visual Basic .Net Web Applications Study Guide (Exam 70-305)
Wayne Cassidy

MCAD/MCSD Visual Basic .Net Certification All-in-One Exam Guide: Exams 70-305, 70-306, 70-310 with Cdrom
Larry Chambers, Michael Jawj Linde

MCAD 70-305 Training Guide
Gunderloy, Mike Gunderloy

MCAD/MCSD Self-Paced Training Kit: Developing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual C# .NET Jeff Webb, Microsoft Press

MCAD/MCSD Training Guide (Exam 70-305): Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Visual Basic .NET and Visual Studio .NET Mike Gunderloy

 

[LesleyW]

LOL I don't know any of them so can't help! Hope someone does respond with information...

 

[RebLazer]

Could you reccommend any titles for the specific exams I mentioned (above)?

Thanks! (I need help...)
Lazer

 

[jjonesal]

Having already passed 70-305, 70-306, 70-315, and studying for 70-310 now, I've got a whole collection of .NET books...The problem with this is I haven't found books that are as comprehensive as the live exams. One book will be really good with ASP.NET but weak with ADO.NET, etc.

In addition to the titles you specifically wanted feedback on, I'd definitely include these in your prep:

1. Programming Visual Basic .NET (Core Reference) - Microsoft Press - If you are new to VB, this will help tremendously.
2. Practice tests - These are usually more comprehensive (and often times focused specifically to the exam). I bought Self Test Software AND Transcender. Self Test Software is the way to go.....much better product and more like the real exam (

http://www.selftestsoftware.com).

I found it VERY helpful to take the practice test once first, to determine the areas in which I needed more work. Then, I used the book(s) that was stronger in these areas.

Here's some feedback on the titles you mentioned:

MCAD/MCSD Visual Basic .Net Web Applications Study Guide (Exam 70-305) - Wayne Cassidy
I have this title and it's actually pretty good. However, it misses the mark for what you can expect on some of the MS objectives.

MCAD/MCSD Visual Basic .Net Certification All-in-One Exam Guide: Exams 70-305, 70-306, 70-310 with Cdrom
Larry Chambers, Michael Jawj Linde
Never used

MCAD 70-305 Training Guide
Gunderloy, Mike Gunderloy
Never used

MCAD/MCSD Self-Paced Training Kit: Developing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual C# .NET Jeff Webb, Microsoft Press
This does cover SOME topics that you can expect to see on the exam, but still there's a lot on the exam that's not covered

MCAD/MCSD Training Guide (Exam 70-305): Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Visual Basic .NET and Visual Studio .NET Mike Gunderloy
This does cover SOME topics that you can expect to see on the exam, but still there's a lot on the exam that's not covered

Good luck on your exams!!!!

MCSD.NET or Bust...

 

[RebLazer]

Jjonesal,

Thank you very much for your thorough reply! I plan to order Programming Visual Basic .NET (Core Reference) and MCAD/MCSD Visual Basic .Net Web Applications Study Guide (Exam 70-305) right after you reply to this post, if you'd be so kind.

I am new to VB, and you mentioned that the "Core Reference" book would be good for a new-(V)B-ie . So do you think I really need to read the entire "Core Reference" book before I begin studying for the exam itself? I really wish there was a way to learn VB from the beginning while studying for the exams...

Any ideas?

Thanks so much, Jjonesal!
Lazer

 

[jjonesal]

I wouldn't say read the Core Reference cover to cover (it's over 1500 pages), but you'll want to begin digesting as much of it as possible (and you'll use it a lot as a reference and to lookup syntax, etc.)

Since you are new to vb, I would encourage you that as you go through the Self Test practice test (and the other book), that you actually try things out....If you are like me, even if I'm looking at a feature that I've never used before, USING IT is the best way to understand it (& hence remember it for the exam.)

Good luck!