Introduction

Welcome to the 70-284 Exam Cram 2! Whether this is your first or your fifteenth Exam Cram 2 series book, you'll find information here that will help ensure your success as you pursue knowledge, experience, and certification. This introduction explains Microsoft's certification programs in general and talks about how the Exam Cram 2 series can help you prepare for the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator exams. Chapter 1, "Microsoft Certification Exams," discusses the basics of Microsoft certification exams, including a description of the testing environment and test-taking strategies. Chapters 2 10 are designed to remind you of everything you'll need to know to take and pass the 70-284 exam. The two practice exams at the end of the book should give you a reasonably accurate assessment of your knowledge and, yes, we've provided the answers and their explanations to the tests. Read the book and understand the material, and you'll stand a very good chance of passing the test.

Exam Cram 2 books help you understand and appreciate the subjects and materials you need to pass Microsoft certification exams. Exam Cram 2 books are aimed strictly at test preparation and review. They do not teach you everything you need to know about a topic. Instead, we present and dissect the questions and problems we've found that you're likely to encounter on a test. We've worked to bring together as much information as possible about Microsoft certification exams.

Nevertheless, to completely prepare yourself for any Microsoft test, we recommend that you begin by taking the self-assessment that is included in this introduction. The self-assessment tool will help you evaluate your knowledge base against the requirements for a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) under both ideal and real circumstances.

Based on what you learn from the self-assessment, you might decide to begin your studies with some classroom training, some practice with Exchange Server 2003, or some background reading. On the other hand, you might decide to pick up and read one of the many study guides available from Microsoft or third-party vendors on certain topics, including the award-winning MCSE Training Guide series from Que Publishing. We also recommend that you supplement your study program with visits to www.examcram2.com to receive additional practice questions, get advice, and track the MCSE program.

We also strongly recommend that you install, configure, and work with Exchange Server 2003 because nothing beats hands-on experience and familiarity when it comes to understanding the questions you're likely to encounter on a certification test. Book learning is essential, but without a doubt, hands-on experience is the best teacher of all!

The accompanying CD contains the PrepLogic Practice Exams, Preview Edition exam-simulation software. The Preview Edition exhibits most of the full functionality of the Premium Edition but offers questions sufficient for only one practice exam. To get the complete set of practice questions and exam functionality, visit www.preplogic.com.