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Rating: 
Summary: Effective means to get MCSA, when used with other materials
Review: I bought these books in April 2003 along with online study guides to get my MCSA:
Passed 70-210 in July ,70-215 in October and 70-218 in March 2004; all on the first try(combining them with my A+ and Network+ Certificatons). Looking on to MCSE I'll be doing 70-216 at the end of April 2004They're very good books to use except that sometimes they go into too much detail on stuff you don't need to know for the exams.... however for the purpose of gong through every task that may be performed in using windows, simply excellent. The labs are straightforward and help you quickly understand what you read . I recommend using Cramsession StudyGuides alongside these books for best results. Also have at least 2 networked PCs to practice with.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't expect to pass the exam!!
Review: I have read the first book out of the four (Windows 2000 Professional (70-210). Studied it inside and out. Took the sample test in the CD-ROM and got 98% on it. I thought I was ready for the exam so I went and took the 70-210 exam. Well, this book did not even come close to what the exam was like. The questions were much, much harder and longer scenerio type. I did not pass the exam. If you are looking to just learn Windows 2000 Professional really well, then these books are good. If you are looking to take the MCSA or MCSE exams then don't count on these books to help you pass.
Rating:
Summary: Don't expect to pass the exam!!
Review: I have read the first book out of the four (Windows 2000 Professional (70-210). Studied it inside and out. Took the sample test in the CD-ROM and got 98% on it. I thought I was ready for the exam so I went and took the 70-210 exam. Well, this book did not even come close to what the exam was like. The questions were much, much harder and longer scenerio type. I did not pass the exam. If you are looking to just learn Windows 2000 Professional really well, then these books are good. If you are looking to take the MCSA or MCSE exams then don't count on these books to help you pass.
Rating:
Summary: Great Guides!!!
Review: I used this set of study guides to study for my MCSA and easily passed the exams averaging 90% in each exam. I read each guide thorougly and played alot with the Windows 2000 OS to get my grades. The study guides were very indepth in its coverage of each exam and the testing engines were very similar to what i saw in the real exam. The books came with alot of detail plus great summary info on each exam objective...unlike other study guides the Microsoft Press has put heavy emphasis on practical use of the OS to study for the exam...if you are looking for an exam cram style guide that will summarise everything for the test then these books are not for you...BUT if you are after something that will force you to do alot of hands on excercises plus give you indepth coverage then get these study guides. I'll recommend these if you want to really learn about windows 2000 not memorise something quick to pass the test.
Rating: 
Summary: Helpfull
Review: Microsoft press its interested in forming, instructing. to pass my mcse exams im using 2 sources for studing.
1rst microsoft books and secons osborne books. the first one gives me the information the second preparsme for the exam, so i wont be another exam passer i be an it profesional.
Rating:
Summary: Some imporvements, still a little more work needed.
Review: Since beginning my quest for the MCSE or MCSA I have been searching for the self paced study guide that will make it easier for me to learn without breaking the bank. Back in April I looked at the initial release of this package, I found it to have several useful features and there were some updates needed. One thing need was a copy of Windows 2000 Professional and it is still not included. While the server is included the time limit of 120 days may not be enough for some and therefore this feature needs to be expanded. I like the updates to the 70-218 book as it has been improved over the last version, but the 70-210 book seems thin as compared to the previous release. I did use the 70-218 book in a class I taught in New Jersey and had fairly good results. Both the 70-215 and 216 books seem to have some updates, but for the most part they remain the same as before. Each book does map to every objective, and each book does have enough work to keep you busy so for the person trying to break into the IT industry this would be a good place to start from. For the more experience technician you might find some of the books lacking but there is still things you can learn from them. The cds included, now there are two, have the 120 license of 2000 Server. The other is practice exams and e-books; again I think that the practice exam should be increased. Overall there is still a few improvements needed, one thing the authors may want to consider is updating the books more like the Microsoft Resource kits or the Inside Out books, which a jammed packed with information that far exceed the actual exams. Finally, these four books do make a good training tool but you do need other resources to help you along the way. If the next release fixes and updates then the kit would become a go to reference set.
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