MCSE TestMaster, by the PC Age Institute

Ahh … at last: Scenario questions to rival Microsoft’s. In some of the other exam simulation products in this review, it seems scenario questions were added only as an afterthought, and they bore only a marginal similarity to those on the actual exam. Well, PC Age has filled that gap with an extensive selection of these questions (as well as many others!). It looks like the big question now is, "Who’s going to be the first to offer adaptive practice exams?" It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if it turns out to be PC Age.

This exam simulation program, which you purchase and download online, includes two modes: Review and Test. Review mode allows you to select specific sections for the questions. These are divided the same way as the Microsoft exam: Planning, Installation and Configuration, Connectivity, Monitoring and Optimization, and Troubleshooting. Each section has a specific number of questions. This can be useful for those who embrace the "practice-exam-as-study-guide" philosophy. You can take the exam in Test mode, review your section scores, then enter Review mode and select only those sections where you scored poorly. Pressing an Explain button provides the correct answer, a brief explanation, and a study guide reference. One added perk of Review mode: The subnetting questions’ Explain box contains the corresponding subnet chart. For example, if the question asked what subnet mask you’d use for x number of subnets in an x class network, the explanation will include the chart for that class of network showing all of the possible subnet/host combinations.

Test mode allows you to specify the number of questions (from 1 to 151) and the time allowed. There are three global settings that you can specify in Test mode: allow use of Previous button, student must answer every question, and force termination of test when time has expired.

One feature notably missing was an End Exam button. The only way to end an exam is to either click Next until you reach the last question or click Exit. The former can take quite a few clicks (depending upon how many questions you originally specified) and the latter exits the software without the chance to review the questions answered so far. I admit that this isn’t that important since you can specify the number of questions, but what if you started an exam with 151 questions, got half way through it, and then Publisher’s Clearinghouse came to your door and you had to exit? I mean, if it were me, I’d want to see how I did on those 75 questions before going to collect $10 million. If you select a 151-question test, then click Exit on question 150, tough luck; you lose your work.

I’d like to see more enhancements in the user interface, as well as a more comprehensive review section.

All in all, the questions did a pretty good job of representing what was on the live exam. Good thing, too, since PC Age offers a "pass in two tries or your money back" guarantee. Now, if only they offered to reimburse me for the $200 in test fees …

From chart, page 49

Reviewers were asked to grade the following:

1. How closely does the product map to exam objectives?
2. Is the product error-free and accurate?
3. Does the product give you good value for its price and quality?
4. Do the sample questions map to the exam or help you prepare?
5. Is it designed for exam preparation, as a technical reference, or both?

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