For all you MCSE's out there....please help me find which publisher is best...

[loosbrew]

hey all...i had a chance to purchase the MS press MCSE windows 2000 training kit for 99 bux new...but i read some reviews on the MS site that said they werent that great. I wasnt too impressed with Sybex's CCNA book, or thier Netwrok + book, so my question is...If i were to try and tackle the MCSE on my own, without paying 10 g's on classes, which books would you buy? Im still thinking that MS press might be the best but I havent really had a chance to look into other publishers.

TIA
loosbrew

 

[Tripleshot]

MS press has alot of fluff,but they are good. Follow up with Transcender or Exam Cram and you should do OK. Set up at least 2 computers,one running server and the other Pro so you can do the exercises and get "hands-on experience" It is a must. MCSE NT4 certs are having trouble with this Win2k stuff. Previous experience is not a garuntee you will have it easier grasping the knowledge or passing the tests.

You can go to MCSE Braindumps.Com to get an idea for what you are in for.

Good luck. See you at the Top.

 

[wnied]

Transcenders or ExamCram I agree are your best bets. Transcenders are great for studying and readying yourself for the actual MS exams. They have almost the same exact wording as the MS tests do.

wnied

 

[loosbrew]

Wow, thanks for the speedy replies.. i will definitely look into what you guys suggested. i do have a lot of experience with win2k pro but not server. i studied for the ccna for a few months but i lost interest as soon as it got into the actual cisco routers configs, i do have the virtual lab, but i find it harder to learn it if i dont really have a router to set up. I think my first bet will be to pass the first test, The win2k pro setup and config test, and get my MCP and go from there....one more question... i heard something about 7 tests being required to get the official MCSE cert, but i always see the "core four". does it mean ill bee MCSE if i pass the "core four" or do i have to take the other electives as well. i figured if they were elcetives, they wouldnt be mandatory.

thanx again, i really appreciate you guys helping me get on with my life

loosbrew

 

[Tripleshot]

The MCSE track for Win2K is 7 tests. You must pass the 4 "core" tests,then 1 "elective core" test,then 2 electives. I highly recommend instructor lead for learning this especially for someone new to the industry. My instructor is MCSE NT4 and he is even having trouble with the testing. When you know NT4,you bring that baggage with you,and in someplaces it helps,but in others, it hinders. The termonology has changed and the functunality is different. Active directory is very robust and is not a component of NT4,and that can through an NT4 MCSE off track when testing out on the modules.

This is the track I am on;
70-210
70-215
70-216
70-217
70-219
70-220
70-221

I have passed 70-210 and I'm close to taking the 70-215 now. I begin class study on 70-216(the hardest of all tracks) today.

You can find info on all this from the microsoft website under training and certification.

I wish you well! Good luck!

 

[Junior77]

The best path for me was, Exam Crams and Transcender tests. You can't go wrong.