SAVING TIPS
You have to spend quite a bit of money and time in the certification process. If you add up all the costs involved - books, exams, exam fees, software, and hardware - it can add up. If you're going through the classroom, then the costs can really run up.
Some of the best study resources I've found are the resource kits, which you can obtain from Microsoft and other third-party resellers. However, there are some ways to cut back on costs. For example, the Windows 95 Resource Kit sells for about US$50. Most people, however, don't know that the Win95 Resource Kit is free. If you have the Win95 CD-ROM, you can find the Resource Kit in the directory ADMIN\ RESKIT\ HELPFILE. I've always found the resource kits and TechNet to be the definitive sources of information for Microsoft products. It's too bad that resource kits don't come free with all Microsoft products. I guess Bill Gates needs more cash. ;)
Another feature that most people underestimate is the Help Wizard that's so readily available from the START menu of Windows 95 and Windows NT. The Help topics are condensed, but they give you a very good starting point to troubleshoot any problem you might have. Some Help Wizard tips even show you have to accomplish the task with hyperlinks.
Now, for the de facto source for all your study needs: Microsoft TechNet. This monthly series of CD-ROM includes EVERY resource kit, service pack, and every other piece of information on almost all Microsoft products. Anybody who's implementing Microsoft products or is in the process of getting certified should have TechNet. You can get a year's subscription of TechNet for about $500 Canadian. It's worth every dime. The price is LESS than the cost of all the resource kits if purcahsed separately, and the Resource Kits are included free with TechNet. Even the updates are free.
One way to get TechNet really cheap is to pass one MS operating system exam. Once you pass an MS operating exam (Windows 95 or Windows NT), then you become an MCP. Once you become an MCP, Microsoft sends you an offer for one year's subscription of TechNet for 50 percent off the regular price. It's a great deal if you're a network administrator.
There are many book companies out there that publish MS exam guides. Some are very good and some are very bad. I've found (it's my opinion only) that the best source for study guides is directly from Microsoft itself. Although study guides from MS PRESS are a lot more expensive, I think they're worth every dime. I've just finished the SQL 6.5 study guide from MS PRESS and was really impressed with it. Sybex also puts out a few good guides which you should look into if you're serious about certification. The Sybex books cost a lot less and they'll do the job most of the time.
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