My friend, who is an computer instructor at a local school, recommended that I get this book, Trancender, and the Sybex MCSE Virtual Lab. The combo worked, as I was able to pass the exam pretty easily. This book was my guide, and the Transcender questions showed what I needed to study, with the Sybex Virtual Lab was sweet because it simulated a network so I could do my lab exercises on it. The Trancenders were the most expensive part, so you might want to skip them if you're trying to do it super-cheap. Read the book. Learn group policies. Practice hands on (on the Sybex simulator). Review with Transcender as needed. Worked for me.

I finished up my MCSA cert a few weeks ago. I only used this book to study for the 218 exam. Microsoft has made some changes to there publishing of exam study guides. I think they are trying to compete with the Exam Cram and other study guide books. Previous MCSE study guides didn't give you any insight into the actual exams. This book does. Since it is coming from the people who write the exam it makes for a great study guide. Some of the sample questions in the book were actually on the exam. Kind of pricey, but if you get the cert it's worth it. Good luck.