MCSE Database Design on SQL Server 7 Exam 70-029

This book is a good resource for the exam and it's great as a desktop reference. They are some minor annoying typos and the very first sample test question has the wrong answer provided. Most of what is on the exam was covered in this book but one thing missing in great detail was the SQL Server Profiler. The sample test is as disapointing as the rest of the Exam Cram books, but use this book and the Transcender and you'll be in good shape for the exam.

Today I passed the exam and this book was my main instrument during preparation.The book gives right directions and touches all the topics that you may encounter on exam. No unnecessary topics, and no topics missed. It is of a comparatively moderate volume and allows to focus on exam preparation.Of course, nothing is ideal in this world, this book isn't too. Not everything is covered with a depth necessary for exam. Sample test in the book is noticeably easier than a real exam. I also noticed some minor errors.BTW, it was my 8th MS exam (previous were 4 MCSE core exams, TCP/IP, IIS 4, Proxy 2) and I found it the most difficult. Before reading this book, I had read Special Edition Using SQL 7 (QUE) and played with MS SQL 7 for a couple of months (but I had an experience with other DBMS).SUMMARY: I recommend this book for the exam preparation but I don't recommend to rely on it as the only source of information, use at least SQL Books Online as a supplement, and of course play with SQL Server, trying and checking all unclear moments on a test database.

This book is helpfull summary of key concepts needed for 70-029. It does not waste time describing Enterprise Manager, that is great! However there are too many typos and you will get frustrated if you do not buy a reference book because details are sometimes lacking. The questions themselves do not look like the real exam ones but they are good brain-shakers. By the way, can you change the FILL_FACTOR of a primary key index?

First, I read the New Riders book, then read the Exam Cram to fill in the (many) holes. I sailed through the [3-hour!] test with flying colors. Since I have found numerous typos in each of the 9 MCSD books that I've read (from New Riders, Syngress, and ExamCram), I can rate this one among the better edited of the lot. Since this series is not intended to be your sole resource, you should be able to spot the occasional errors with little difficulty. I guess the deadlines on these exam books preclude all but the most cursory proof-reading.

After these same author's truly worthless "SQL 7 Administration Exam Cram", it was a pleasant surprise to see that this book is at least in the right neiborhood.Although I haven't taken the test yet and can't verify it first hand, the material in this book seems fits well with what brain dumps and other info I've seen.Now if I could just get my money back on their first book...