MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536): Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Application Development Foundation

Product Details :

Author :Tony Northrup, Shawn Wildermuth, Bill Ryan
Hardcover: 1088 pages
Publisher: Microsoft Press; Bk&CD-Rom edition (June 5, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0735622779
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.0 x 2.1 inches

Book Description:

Announcing an all-new MCTS Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on Exam 70-536, a core exam for the new Microsoft Technology Specialist and Professional Developer certifications. This kit packs 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 a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Focusing on the .NET Framework version 2.0, this official study guide covers topics such as .NET Framework fundamentals, I/O, graphics, collections, serialization, application domains and services, application and user security, threading, instrumentation, reflection, and installing and configuring applications.

Ace your exam preparation and ramp up quickly on the .NET Framework by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD features 300 practice questions and pre-assessment and post-assessment capabilities. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get a 90-day evaluation version of Microsoft Visual Studio® 2005 and a 15 percent exam discount voucher—making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

From the Publisher
Key Book Benefits: - Comprehensive study guide written by exam-certified authors - Deeper, more focused coverage of exam objectives and suobjectives—plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios to enhance your performance on the job - 300 practice questions on CD, wita test engine that enables customized testing, pre-assessment and post-assessment, and automated scoring and feedback - Complete objective-by-objective review section, plus a tear-out exam-mapping grid - Exam tips based on real-world test experience - 90-day evaluation version of Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition - 15 percent exam discount voucher from a leading authorized testing center (limited time offer) - Microsoft Encyclopedia of Networking, Second Edition, eBook - Practice files on CD - Entire study guide in searchable eBook format



Spotlight Reviews :

Reviewer: Robert A. Blinzler (Spokane, WA United States)
I bought this book in preperation for my first MC exam. It does a good job of getting across what material will be covered on the exam, but that's about it.

Much of the material lacks context and is poorly written. I spent more time on the internet looking up material that was in the book in order to get an understanding of it adequate to answer the sample questions than I did in the book itself.

This book, like many I've bought from Microsoft Press, has many editing errors, but I found many of the exercises, labs, and sample questions contained errors, making study for the exam very frustrating.

The practice tests and lesson review application that shipped with the book is also disappointing. You can't choose, for example, which lessons or Chapters you want to practice, instead you have to choose groupings of topics that include topics scattered throughout the book and that aren't necessarily related. The menu and interface layout is difficult to use, I mention this only because I find it ironic that such a poorly thoughout app is shipped with a book essentially about application design...

Reviewer: KG "KG"
The book is too long, with irelevent information for the reader. The book covers all samples in both Visual Basic and C Sharp, making the volume twice the size (and probably price). However, the exam lets you pick one language. Why spend time covering the differences between VB and C#?

The authors completely ignore C++. This is a valid language choice for exam 70-536. (Look at the microsoft website, under 70-536). So if you are a C++ developer, you need to reintepret the C# samples. However the authors have no problem giving every example in both VB and C# to make their book bigger.

I gave this book two stars instead of one. This is only because of the 90 day 2005 Professional edition, and the Exam discount.
The discount runs all the way to 2010.

After reading their book I am considering writing my own. I can give examples in all three languages. That way I can charge one third more money!!!