Features of This Book

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This book has two parts. Use Part 1 to learn at your own pace and practice what you've learned with practical exercises. Part 2 contains questions and answers you can use to test yourself on what you've learned.

Part 1: Learn at Your Own Pace

Each chapter identifies the exam objectives that are covered within the chapter, provides an overview of why the topics matter by identifying how the information is applied in the real world, and lists any prerequisites that must be met to complete the lessons presented in the chapter.

The chapters are divided into lessons. Lessons contain practices that include one or more hands-on exercises. These exercises give you an opportunity to use the skills being presented or explore the part of the application being described.

After the lessons, you are given an opportunity to apply what you've learned in a case scenario exercise. In this exercise, you work through a multi-step solution for a realistic case scenario. You are also given an opportunity to work through a troubleshooting lab that explores difficulties you might encounter when applying what you've learned on the job.

Each chapter ends with a short summary of key concepts and a short section listing key topics and terms you need to know before taking the exam. This section summarizes the key topics you've learned, with a focus on demonstrating that knowledge on the exam.

Real World
Helpful Information

You will find sidebars like this one that contain related information you might find helpful. 'Real World' sidebars contain specific information gained through the experience of IT professionals just like you.

Part 2: Prepare for the Exam

Part 2 helps to familiarize you with the types of questions you will encounter on the MCP exam. By reviewing the objectives and sample questions, you can focus on the specific skills you need to improve on before taking the exam.

See Also 

For a complete list of MCP exams and their related objectives, go to http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/default.asp.

Part 2 is organized by the exam's objectives. Each chapter covers one of the primary groups of objectives, referred to as Objective Domains. Each chapter lists the tested skills you need to master to answer the exam questions, and it includes a list of further readings to help you improve your ability to perform the tasks or skills specified by the objectives.

Within each Objective Domain, you will find the related objectives that are covered on the exam. Each objective provides you with several practice exam questions. The answers are accompanied by explanations of each correct and incorrect answer.

Note 

These questions are also available on the companion CD as a practice test.

Informational Notes

Several types of reader aids appear throughout the training kit.

Tip 

Contains methods of performing a task more quickly or in a not-so-obvious way.

Important 

Contains information that is essential to completing a task.

Note 

Contains supplemental information.

Caution 

Contains valuable information about possible loss of data; be sure to read this information carefully.

Warning 

Contains critical information about possible physical injury; be sure to read this information carefully.

See Also 

Contains references to other sources of information.

Planning 

Contains hints and useful information that should help you to plan the implementation.

On the CD 

Points you to supplementary information or files you need that are on the companion CD.

Security Alert 

Highlights information you need to know to maximize security in your work environment.

Exam Tip 

Flags information you should know before taking the certification exam.

Off the Record 

Contains practical advice about the real-world implications of information presented in the lesson.

Notational Conventions

The following conventions are used throughout this book:

• Characters or commands that you type appear in bold type.

• Italic in syntax statements indicates placeholders for variable information. Italic is also used for book titles.

• Acronyms appear in all uppercase.

• Monospace type represents code samples, examples of screen text, or entries that you might type at a command prompt or in initialization files.

Keyboard Conventions

• A plus sign (+) between two key names means that you must press those keys at the same time. For example, 'Press ALT+TAB' means that you hold down ALT while you press TAB.

• A comma ( , ) between two or more key names means that you must press each of the keys consecutively, not together. For example, 'Press ALT, F, X' means that you press and release each key in sequence. 'Press ALT+W, L' means that you first press ALT and W at the same time, and then release them and press L.

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