Binding: Hardcover
Isbn: 9780735623903
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Publication Date: 2007-05-09

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-620): Configuring Windows Vista(TM) Client (Self Paced Training Kit 70-620) ( Digital )

Product Description
Book Description

Announcing an all-new Self-Paced Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on 70-620, the required exam for the new Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Vista Client certification. This 2-in-1 kit includes the official Microsoft® study guide, plus practice tests on CD to help you assess your skills. It comes packed with the tools and features that exam candidates want most--including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and customizable testing options. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Work at your own pace through the lessons and lab exercises. Focusing on configuring a Windows Vista client, this official study guide covers topics such as installing the client software, migrating from previous versions of the Microsoft Windows® client, and configuring systems settings, security features, network connectivity, communications and media applications, and mobile devices.

Then assess yourself by using 425 practice and review questions on the CD, which features multiple customizable testing options designed to meet your specific needs. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers--including pointers back to the book for further study.

An excellent resource for understanding the concepts/technology and prep for the test
I was recommended the MS press kit books when I started studying for my MCSE and I am very thankful I took the advice.
Each book in the series (this one included) serves as an excellent resource for a thorough understanding of the concepts presented and technologies involved.
It also covers specifics, provides tips and enough details that it is helpful for knowing how to apply the knowledge in the "real" world (as opposed to the somewhat warped MS testing view.)
The only downside is that if you're looking for a reference book expecting very granular coverage of specific technologies covered, you will be somewhat disappointed.

If you are simply prepping for the test, this book (as well as the rest of the MS press series) is an excellent tool for that. Every objective required for the test (and more) is covered thoroughly enough that this should be the only resource that you need. There are very good labs in each section that if you go through, will give you a solid understanding of the theory and the practice. If you are looking for a cram type book, this isn't it. If you are looking to actually know the information and want to learn it rather than just cram your way through the test then this is the book for you.

Three nice things related to testing with the book. There is a 15% off the test voucher in the back that just about pays for the book. On the CD that comes with it is an excellent set of practice tests using the measure up engine. The questions are written by the authors and are in general, more difficult than the actual exam questions. If you can honestly get 70+ percent on the prep questions, you should be fine on the test. There is also an electronic copy of the book on the CD which is very handy to keep on screen while going through labs or testing in study mode. Using search in a PDF is a lot easier than reading through an index and flipping through pages.

All in all, a very good book for the intended audience.

Great book to pass the 70-620
I never used Vista until reading this book and within 2 weeks I passed the exam with a 884. If you want more active dir. information I think that the 70-622 and 70-623 covers more of that but not sure and the books arent even out yet.
THANKS ORIN

great book, for this exam
The book covers enough detail for this exam (its main purpose). I found the book concise and to the point. I was able to pass using this as my main study tool. If you have passed the 70-270 exam you find this easy reading, as this exam is closer to the MCDST 70-271. i.e.

+ no requiremnts for automated installs
+ AD or group policy etc

Basically it is an easy read if your familiar with the previous XP exams.

All you need to Pass
I have no real complaints about this book, provided you are purely using it to pass the 70-620 exam. EVERYTHING you need to pass the exam is in this book. It fully covers the entire objectives, and will rarely miss out on required details.

The book is a decent read as well, and the writing isn't overly dry like in some other MS Press books. I had no problem getting through the entire book and was consistently able to read several chapters in one sitting without dozing off from boredom. Its also very clear and concise, so I never found myself confused and wondering what the author(s) were saying.

For those of you who want to "learn" Vista, or become better at using Vista.. I'd say that there are much better books for that. This book is meant to help you pass the 70-620 exam, and the material involved is in some nebulous region in between "average user stuff" and "power user stuff". Regular users will find this material a bit over their head, while IT pros will get very little out of it.

Also, its worth noting that this is one of those rare cases where you don't really need more than one source of information. I didn't use any other books. The only thing you might want to do is set up a virtual machine and play around with Vista's control panel.

Take your time reading through this book, perform the examples, and use the test questions. If you don't rush it and have thoroughly explored the control panel, you will pass.



ABOUT THE TEST:

The 70-620 exam has got to be one of the easiest exams I've ever taken in my entire life. The scope of the objectives is about as deep as a puddle, and the material covered is not exactly rocket science. Its almost like a test for power users, not IT professionals. I'm sort of shocked that they allow this to be used toward the client portion of the MCSA/MCSE. The 70-270 is MUCH more difficult and requires knowledge of things like deployment, permissions, and the NT bootloader.

The questions were all well written and clear, without the verbosity found in some other Microsoft exams. The distractors, or wrong answers" some times bordered on ridiculous. Anyone who has simply used the operating system (as a power user) could probably get about half the questions right.

This test appears more reliant on simulations, which is a refreshing change. The only problem with the simulations is that they often only allow you to complete the task through specific menus. A lot of times you can configure or set things up from the start menu or command line, but these are often inaccessible. Some people may not be used to doing things a specific way, so they may be thrown by this.

Overall, anyone who puts a decent effort into this test should pass.

Effective book, a little repetitive though
Took and passed the exam last week scoring quite well. This book touched on all topics that i saw on the exam with the exception of unattended and zero-touch/SMS installs (which I saw probably 6-8/64 questions on. Like the other books in the MS Press collection, the book almost seems that it is written to the basic user audience. Acronyms that everyone in the industry should know (DNS, TCP/IP, etc) are spelled out and then explained. Good if you need it, words to skim if you don't. Hands on examples are informative, if you get the book and plan to take the test, DO THEM! I got my MCSE 3 years ago, and in the whole run probably saw maybe 6 simulations over 9 tests. In the Vista exam however i had to do about 10-12 simulations. They loved to ask UAC questions where you had to go in and modify local security policy, saw one or two on parental controls and IE settings changes.