I purchased this book solely for the ratings obtained from other readers and because I wanted a quick MCP. I must warn you: For my Networking Essentials test I used two study guides, each with sample questions at the end of each chapter and final sample tests to prepare for the real test. This method helped me pass on my first attempt with 900. For this test I tried taking the short path of cramming this study guide with all the information required to pass the test and it didn't work for me, period. I passed the test with 866 on my second attempt (the first was a 633, passing was 700), and I only passed because I reinforced in 3 days my weak spots using a borrowed Exam Prep study guide (which, by the way I found out later it had terrible reviews). It doesn't mean that this book is not worth it, on the contrary, this book is worth more than its price, but it is only a review book, you can not expect to obtain all the necessary tools for the real test with it (or any guide of this type)only. This book should be a supplement to a formal study guide or NT Administrator's book and you need to test yourself using one of those CD practice tests (like the Exam Prep or Sybex's).
Excellent areas of this book: Test taking hints (specially for scenario questions), sources of information for the test, the "cram card at the end of the book", share and NTFS permissions (excellent), policies and profiles.
Acceptable chapters: Troubleshooting, Users
Weak chapters: Installation (the test requires more detailed knowledge here), Hardware configuration, RAS (the information was there but in an disorganized fashion, I got confused), Netware, It doesn't tell you which objectives are being covered (you don't know where to read to reinforce knowledge on a particular objective area)
To all candidates: Being an MCP requires experience, total mastery of the Microsoft test objectives, a detailed study guide, practice tests and a review (cram) guide. This book is an excellent review (cram) guide only. Out of the possible five stars, one star was taken for claiming to be the only tool for passing (read the back cover of the book section here in Amazon), the other for the weak areas for the real test.
