Training Kit Exam 70–462 – Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases + CD (Microsoft Press Training Kit)

I am currently working my way through this book in preparation for exam 70-462. I have just passed the equivalent 2008 exam using the previous MS Press Training Kit and it's difficult not to compare the two books. I am finding the 2012 version to be a welcome and much needed improvement. The much derided "real world" stories have been discarded and instead the book takes a more structured approach to each subject, explaining the important concepts concisely and covering the basic commands more thoroughly. I can't yet say that this book alone is enough to pass the exam... but in my opinion it is an excellent Training Kit.

Passed the exam first time round using this as my main source.I have been working with SQL Server (mainly 2005) on back end development for several years but was unfamiliar with 2012 until purchasing this book.After installing the evaluation edition as directed by the book and working diligently through the lessons I was able to pass the exam.I would say that the tests included are not as hard as the exam ones and not as good as some others available. My secondary source of SQL 2012 info was a different set of tests I downloaded and paid for (also well worth it).Be aware that the format of the exam is different from the exam questions you get here or are likely to download from elsewhere. Some to the actual exam questions have dozens of answers to select from and others involve dragging and dropping the correct instructions or script segments in the correct order.You should be getting near 100% on these sort of tests provided with this kit before you consider taking the exam.SQL 2012 is represents a major upgrade of Microsoft SQL and although some of the features may seen daunting at first, they have the potential to make a developers job much easier once familiarity with them has been gained. I think that, for most SQL developers, especially those of us who have not received structured training, it is fair to say that this book, if worked through diligently, will make you a better SQL developer not only in regard to the new features of 2012 but in general.This book will remain a valuable reference source and aide memoire long after passing the exam and is a very good guide to getting the most out of some of the very impressive features available only in SQL 2012.

Used it and passed it and I'm not even a DBA

I've recently bought this book and I'm currently wading through it.I've worked with various versions of SQL server for about 7 years as a by-product of the job I do, so I thought it was time to get certified. I don't class myself as a beginner, but I'm not a pro either. Put it this way, I don't often come unstuck with regard to implementation or maintenance of a SQL server; certainly nothing that I can't solve by going online for 10 mins.Firstly, this book seems quite dry. I find myself losing focus every couple of pages. Now, I don't like the style of certain have-fun-learning textbooks e.g. 'Head First' guides, but there has to be a happy medium between those and this in terms of delivering content. This book doesn't strike the balance for me.Secondly, I've noticed a few mistakes. It's knocking my confidence in the material - if I can see some mistakes with my level of knowledge, what haven't I spotted which a pro might?Next, the author is open about the fact that you won't find all of the material needed to pass the test within the pages of this book, resulting in frequent links to the Microsoft website. I find this a bit annoying as I can't just sit and read the material, I've got to off and do some alternative research. For £27 I expected a bit more.The testing environment requires you to implement 6 or 7 virtual machines, or a test lab full of machines to enable you to set up a DC and various member servers. I obviously understand the reasons why but unless you've got access to these resources, you might struggle. They don't all need to be running at once so you might get away with running a few VMs on a server or a powerful PC. I point this out because it isn't obvious until you start reading the book.This book assumes that you possess knowledge that you mightn't have - such as configuring a domain with a domain controller and various other member servers (including Sever Core!). You'll get the briefest of guides on how to do so, but you'll have to figure the rest out for yourself. I understand that Microsoft Certifications aren't for people who are brand new to the material, but come on! My skill set is software oriented - I manage a product which uses SQL server as its database platform. As such, I'm expected to 'know about SQL' but I'm not expected to know about server o/s configuration and implementation.You'll probably need more than one book to learn everything you need for the exam. I'm already shopping around for additional material.I really like SQL Server (ok, I'm a geek, I know) but this book seems to suck all of the fun out of it. I find it really dry and it has made the subject boring.Aside from all of the above, most of the content is quite good. I am learning from it, slowly, and I've already picked up on things that I can use in my day to day role.Consider this book to be more of a lengthy syllabus with a few exercises and some practice tests thrown in for good measure and you won't be disappointed.You will be disappointed if you think you're going to enjoy this book, that it is a 'bible' type textbook containing everything you need to know or that it will make learning the material straight-forward. In short, it doesn't.If you're an absolute beginner, think twice before buying this book. You'll probably think the learning curve is very steep, and the book itself might put you off unless you're determined to learn the content.This isn't the first MS Press book which I've found to be like this. I wonder if it is a deliberate ploy by Microsoft to encourage you to go on the official course.

Great book, exactly what is was looking for. If you are seriously into SQL, you should get this one for sure.

Todo correcto

good one

I read it from top to bottom. I am a SQL Server veteran and this was a great review for my exam. There are LOTS of features that SQL Server has that I don't use but need to be prepared for when I walk into the room. Easy to read, I zoomed through it.

Suficiente para passar na prova. Especialmente pelo CD que acompanha o produto, mas não server como aprendizado para trabalhar com SQL Server.

It's not training kit, missing vaucher. This is copy of the training kit. Beware