Exam Prep 2 [Electronic resources] : Windows XP Professional نسخه متنی

How This Book Helps You

When anyone embarks on a certification track, the first thought is to get certified, put some letters after your name, strengthen your resume, and move on to the next step. Selecting a method of study for that certification often is a choice between a hands-on laboratory class of a few days, or a self-study method pieced together with books and your own lab environment that is not bound by any time limits. Your choice depends on how you study best and what type of reference material you want available to you after you have passed the exam.

People study in a combination of different waysby doing, by seeing, and by hearing/writing. This book's design fulfills all three of these study methods. For the kinesthetic, there are hands-on study strategies listed at the beginning of each chapter. You will also discover Challenge exercises and Step by Step instructions that walk you through the skills you need to master in Windows XP Professional. The visual learner can find plenty of screen shots explaining the concepts described in the text. The auditory learner can reinforce skills by reading out loud and copying down key concepts and exam tips scattered throughout the book. Finally, the Fast Facts section enables everyone to brush up on the essentials and be wholly prepared when walking into the test center to take the exam. While reading this book, you will realize that it stands the test of time. You will be able to turn to it over and over again.

This book gives you a self-guided tour of all the areas that are covered by the "Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional" exam. The goal is to teach you the specific skills you need to achieve your MCSA or MCSE certification. You'll also find helpful hints, tips, examples, exercises, and references to additional study materials.

Organization

This book is organized around the individual objectives from Microsoft's preparation guide for the "Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional" exam. Every objective is covered in this book. The objectives are not covered in exactly the same order in which you'll find them in the official preparation guide (which you can download from www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-270.asp), but they are reorganized for more logical teaching. We have also tried to make the information more accessible in several ways:

• This introduction includes the full list of exam topics and objectives.

• The Study and Exam Tips section helps you develop study strategies. It also provides you with valuable exam-day tips and information. You should read it early on.

• Each chapter starts with a list of objectives that are covered in that chapter.

• Each chapter also begins with an outline that provides an overview of the material for that chapter as well as the page numbers where specific topics can be found.

• Each objective is repeated in the text, where it is covered in detail.

Instructional Features

This book is designed to provide you with multiple ways to learn and reinforce the exam material. Here are some of the instructional features you'll find inside:

• Apply Your Knowledge" section, the exercises include additional tutorial material and more chances to practice the skills that you learned in the chapter.

Extensive Practice Test Options

The book provides numerous opportunities for you to assess your knowledge and practice for the exam. The practice options include the following:

• Apply Your Knowledge" section at the end of each chapter. They allow you to quickly assess your comprehension of what you just read in the chapter. The answers are provided later in the section.

• Exam questions These questions appear in the "Apply Your Knowledge" section. They reflect the kinds of multiple-choice questions that appear on the Microsoft exams. You should use them to practice for the exam and to help determine what you know and what you might need to review or study further. Answers and explanations are provided later in the section.

• Practice Exam The "Final Review" section includes a complete exam that you can use to practice for the real thing. The Final Review section and the Practice Exam are discussed in more detail later in this chapter.

• MeasureUp The MeasureUp software included on the CD-ROM provides additional practice questions.

Final Review

The "Final Review" section of the book provides two valuable tools for preparing for the exam:

• Fast Facts This condensed version of the information contained in the book is extremely useful for last-minute review.

• Practice Exam A full practice test for the exam is included in this book. Questions are written in the style and format used on the actual exams. You should use the Practice Exam to assess your readiness for the real thing.

This book includes a valuable appendix, which includes details about the content of the CD-ROM (Appendix A), and a glossary of terms and definitions used throughout the book.

These and all the other book features mentioned previously will provide you with thorough preparation for the exam.

For more information about the exam or the certification process, you should contact Microsoft directly:

By email: mcphelp@microsoft.com

By regular mail, telephone, or fax, contact the Microsoft Regional Service Center (RSC) nearest you. You can find lists of RSCs at www.microsoft.com/learning/support/northamerica.asp (for North America) and www.microsoft.com/learning/support/worldsites.asp (worldwide).

On the Internet: www.microsoft.com/learning/default.asp