Ebook: MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-444): Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Optimizing ... SQL Server(tm) 2005 (Pro-Certification)

I have done all 3 exams. I did this one last, and barely cracked the book. I passed (1000) easily. This exam is a joke. If you can pass the 70-431, you'll have what you need. I actually got the feeling that Microsoft was giving us a 'slider' as a congrats to passing the other 2 exams.

The exam has answers where it is obvious what the answer is, and not because you know Sql. It actually has simplistic Reading Comprehension type questions. Example:

"database 'A' and database 'B' ... 'A' is bad and needs to be fixed ... what to do?"
1. delete 'A' - omg! why would you delete a database???
2. delete 'B' - why is 'B' even mentioned???
3. restore 'A' - obviously.
4. restore 'B' - again, why 'B' ???

My 7 year old could pass these types of questions.

Read the book, but do not sweat the exam. I never even opened the CD jacket.

I would point out that the sections on Query Optimization are very weak. If you really want a good book on understanding how to analyze a query, get Grant Fritchey's "Execution Plans" book.