MCSE 2003 Study Recommendations!

[paulovey]

Hi all,

Ok, so having just got my Citrix PS4 CCA. I guess its about time to start on the MCSE route. Im looking to squeeze in the 2003 MCSE before the next generation of Windows comes out. Im thinking i have at least 2 years before I will have to take any skills updates. And as our current customer base is mainly 2003 it will help.

I used the Exam Cram books for my CCA, but have seen mixed reviews when it comes to the MCSE espically on the 70-294 exam.

So does anyone out there have any good recommendations for books and other study aids. Im already aware of the great range of stuff at test king.

Cheers,

Paul
If aint broken, dont try n fix it!!!!!


If aint broken, dont try n fix it!!!!!

 

[schase]

I'd personally stay away from msPress stuff except for the eval software and the labs.

CBT Nuggets was great for 70-290 exam (only one I used them on so far).

Benchristian put this in an earlier thread on this topic.

I've never been too impressed with the MS Press books.  I found that dispite the amound of words and pages, they don't actually prepare you for the exam.  I am fortunate enough to have access to a variety of books: MS Press, Sybex, Exam Cram 2 and the Mike Myers' Passport series.  I've found that depending on the exam their content and quality vary (I guess because each book is usually written by different authors).  I found Sybex to be quite good for 290, passport to be the best for 291, exam cram to the best for 284 and 294, and sybex to be the best for 293.  

I would also recommend getting a hold of some CBTs; I've ofund LearnKey to be the best so far.

"Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?"

Stuart
A+, Net+, Security+, MCP

 

[wasisnt]

I would use the MS book. I use CBT nuggets and like them. They show you first hand how to do things so you can see it rather than just read about it. They dont cover 100% of the test material though. I also use Trancender and MeasureUp practice tests. MeasureUp seems to be closer to the real test questions judging by what Ive taken so far.

MCSE NT 4.0, A+ & Network +

Free Computer Help and Tips:

http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/

 

[HutchHutchison]

I use the MS Press books and "TestOut" CBT. I like the test out CBT because it give you practical simulations. I have used the series for 70-284 and the CCNA. I also have the Exam Cram series that is good.

Best advice is to have multiple resources and a test environment (install the server and play around with it).

 

[wasisnt]

Another vote for CBT nuggets

MCSE NT 4.0, MCP (2003, A+ & Network +

Free Computer Help and Tips:

http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/

 

[paulovey]

Hi,

Thanks everyone. I have got myself the cbt nuggets, as I have used them before, and as always they are up to the normal high standard.

And have got a few other books. The exam cram for exam 70-270 looks very good.

I used exam cram for citrix and it was a huge help.

Paul

If aint broken, dont try n fix it!!!!!

 

[schase]

I took the plunge and got the MCSE kit from turbocert.com - cbt course.

The attraction is of course the price - 199.00 for cbt courses on 70-270, 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294, 70-297, 70-298, 70-299. in comparison - cbtnuggets is 199.00 per course (if bought individually).

But how's the quality - well you can return the turbocert stuff if you view the first cd of any of the above courses - and do not open the disk 2 sets. - each course is 2 cd's. the first cd has about 9 or so lessons - example 70-291 has first 9 on CD1, then 10-28 on cd2.

If I were to continue the comparison and say I'd give cbtnuggets about a 9 on a scale of 1-10. I'd give turbocerts about an 8. I like the instructors voice better on cbtnuggets, and cbt seems to go more on physical examples while discussing things where turbocerts discusses and has much fewer physical examples. But then you have to figure - how good are the physical examples. whenever I use a cbt, I take notes like a classroom - look up every now and then, and at the end of each turbocert course - they do do a physical example of what they just went over. So for me it works, I take notes, then look up when they do the example.

I find I pause a bunch less on the turbocert ones rather than the cbt - perhaps because of the fewer physicals examples giving myself more note taking time.

So that's my review - it's a decent source, not quite up to par with cbtnuggets - but a big bang for the buck factor.


Stuart
A+, Net+, Security+, MCP

 

[paulhthomas]

I'm in total agreement with "wasisnt". I've only ever used the MS-Press books and the cbt nuggets video's to study from and then the measure-up and transcender practice tests.
A lot of people of forums tend to slate the ms-press books because of lack of content but I am yet to have a question in an exam that wasn't in the books.
Also, in some circumstances where there's "the real life way" and "the microsoft way", and in the exam they'll expect you to answer their way not the way you do it in work every day!

Paul Thomas
Network+ - Passed
70-210 - Passed
70-290 - Passed
70-291 - Passed
70-293 - Working towards