Oracle8i DBA: SQL and PL/SQL Exam Cram (Exam: 1Z0-001)

Rating:
Summary: Don't rely on this text
Review: Don't rely on this text if you want to pass the exam. The book is difficult to read, and the writer has a tendency to deviate towards performance and architecture issues which are not required for the exam and are likely to waste your time.
On a more positive note, it presents some of the basic rules that will be tested on the exam in a concise way and has some very good practice questions.
To pass the first exam, I used it to complement the Sybex OCP series, and this worked for me.

Rating:
Summary: A waste of money
Review: I can't believe anybody would give more than one star to this awful book. Its not an exam cram it a syntax guide for experienced DBAs'. Its a book written by a man who has only a passing knowledge of the English language and who has no idea how to put across information in an intelligeble way. Don't be fooled by the excellent nature of the other 'exam cram' books. This one is an abberation and should remain out of print forever.

Rating:
Summary: Good one to review before exam!
Review: Its a good book review before giving the exam. Helps in brushing all the important concepts and syntax.

Rating:
Summary: Reduce Your Test Stress
Review: Preparing for any exam is prone to cause a certain amount of anxiety, but with this book one should feel completely at ease going into the test. The book does a marvelous job covering the basics of SQL statements. Some of the hints and tips stray close to being obvious, but do not detract from the book overall. Some of the practice questions are almost too easy, but it's a good warmup to the real thing. This is a very complete, and ultimately useful book.

Rating:
Summary: Not for the someone new to Oracle
Review: This is not a good book for someone new to Oracle and PL/SQL. Many of the examples are too complex. If you have work with PL/SQL this book is probably all you will need. If not, invest in a more traditional text.