Review of OCP Oracle Database 10g: New Features for Administrators Exam Guide (Osborne ORACLE Press Series) (Paperback)

I previoulsy reviewed this book back in December 2004 (see below my previous opinion on the book). The book is good for the certification exam and has some relevant information you need to know for the exam. I was just disappointed about the amount of errors in the book. If you notice those errors you are fine.

I took my exam today (Tuesday January 25, 2005) and score 51/61. The reason I came back to update my review is to give some credit to this book. I would admit that I learnt from this book. But I did not rely on this book alone. I also used the Sybex study guide and the OOD (Oracle Online Documentation). All of three provided me a valuable assistance in studying for the exams. The practice exam questions in the Oracle Press Book and the Sybex Study guide were helpful and I did not have to buy a practice exam software.

My advice for the exam: make sure you understand clearly the following concepts: ASM, Datapump architecture, Materialized Views, Security Policy,Index with partitions, and Advisory Framework. I was heavily tested in those areas.


December 24, 2004 (review)
I agree with most of reviewers about the amount of errors in the books. Only people who read without paying attention to the contents and not following the logic will have a hard time finding those errors. I bought this book because of the author reputation since I read one of his books before. I would say that Sam Alapati is an expert in Database area, not doubt about it. But the book was written in a hasty approach with the goal to grab the market share before the competitors. I strongly believe the book is still useful. Beside the typos and some misleading errors, the book has very important information you need to know for the exam. It just gives you a lot of work to double check every thing.

I will admit that I was surprised by the first two reviews written back in November 2004. At that time I already went through about 3 chapters of the oracle press book and started seeing those mistakes in the book. I was struck by the fact that they were praising the book without mentionning those mistakes in the book.

As I always do, I don't use one source to prepare for the exam. I bought both oracle press books and sybex study guide at the same time. I have to switch to the sybex book due to those frustating mistakes you have to check all the time. So far I feel pretty comfortable with the sybex study guide. I already went through the entire sybex book and going through it for the second time.
I am planning to go back to the oracle press book too before I go take the exam. The exam questions in the oracle press are OK but not the best.

I don't know if I will recommend this book to anyone but it is just matter of choice. I don't regret buying it and I am planning to keep it around.

I give 3 stars.
Good luck!!!

Product Description
The only study guide in the market for those taking the Oracle Database 10g: New Features for Administrators exam!

From the Back Cover

A Comprehensive, Fully Integrated Study System

Prepare for the Oracle Certified Professional Oracle Database 10g New Features for Administrators exam with help from this exclusive Oracle Press guide. Get complete coverage of all topics on the upgrade exam, including installation, configuration, application tuning, database management, backup and recovery, security, and more. In each chapter, you'll find examples, practice questions, lab questions, a two-minute drill, and a chapter summary to highlight what you've learned. This book and CD-ROM package is the most comprehensive preparation tool available for this OCP exam.

• Ideal as both an exam guide and an on-the-job Oracle Database 10g DBA reference
• All official Oracle OCP objectives for exam 1Z0-040 are covered in detail
• Exam Readiness checklist at the front of the book--you're ready for the exam when all objectives on the list are checked off
• Two-minute drills reinforce knowledge
• Inside the Exam sections highlight key exam topics covered
• 300+ simulated exam questions match the format, topics, and difficulty of the real exam

CD contains two interactive practice exams that simulate the actual OCP exam questions and include detailed answers and explanations. Score report performance assessment tool and ebook are also included.

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