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MCITP Administrator Study Guide for Exam 70-443

About.com Rating 3.5

by Dori Reuscher
for About.com

MCITP Study Guide

MCITP Study Guide

The Bottom Line

If you simply need to know what will be on the exam, and have a working knowledge of SQL database design, this book will certainly help you prepare. You might need more resources to be entirely sure of a passing grade and I would recommend using Microsoft's online resources as well as additional study guides and/or practice tests.
Pros
  • Written by experienced industry pros.
  • Good use of examples and scenarios.
  • Very exam-specific information.
Cons
  • Writing can be confusing in some places.

Description

  • 12 Chapters & 466 pages.
  • CD includes test engine, book in PDF and electronic flash cards.
  • Objectives covered in each chapter are listed at the beginning of the chapter.

Guide Review - MCITP Administrator Study Guide for Exam 70-443

Microsoft's goal in creating the MCITP certification was to offer a robust, yet technically targeted credential for database administrators and developers. There are two exams required for the MCITP Administrator and this study guide by Sybex covers exam 70-443.

Overall, the book is very focused on the exam and even offers a pull-out page at the beginning that lists objectives. There also an an "Exam Essentials" topic at the end of each chapter. Some type of exam tips, like those that pepper the pages of many certification books would be welcome, but the case studies and examples are good and help make up for this. There are review questions following each chapter and on the CD. I like how the experience of the authors is evident in the authoritative tone. It is obvious that they have 'been there, done that'.

Things that did not impress me with the book are the occasionally clumsy writing style and the way small but potentially important exam topics are buried. One example is the objective to "Define Consistent Synonyms". In Chapter 9, where this is covered, the information on using synonyms is buried in a "Tip" rather than defined in the text. In another place, the terminology used in the text differs from that in the screen print to which it refers. However, these are minor complaints and don't interfere with the overall quality of the book.

Used in conjuction with training or other self-study materials, depending on your level of experience, this is an effective tool that will help you get the MCITP certification. Good luck!

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