My library bought two kinds of books in both hardcopy and ebook format for studying for the Microsoft Office Specialist exams: some MOS Study Guides and some Step by Step books. After using both for personal study, I've come to decide that the Step by Step books are best suited for those who want a broad and useful knowledge of the programs in question.

The MOS Study Guides are very targeted to helping the reader understand how to exactly fulfill learning objectives and measured skills for the exams, but, in my opinion, don't go far enough in providing context. They are organized by learning objective, but don't do much to explain the whats and wherefors of a procedure. Oddly, this is despite being structured in, almost entirely, a lecture format. When it comes to practicing skills, discussed, however, I find that I have difficulty using the provided exercise files, despite knowing the programs involved pretty well.

The Step by Step guides do seem to do a better job of explaining procedures. While they aren't organized by objective, it's not particularly hard to identify things that meet each requirement.

Overall, I think I like the Step by Step guides better, because I feel that the way the material is presented, combined with the ability to use the exercise files effectively to reinforce reading, leads to a more educational and longer-lasting experience. If you just want to cram, the Study Guides might be the way to do it.

My selection of the Step by Step books is actually a little counterintuitive, because the MOS Study Guides each cover four exams, while the Step by Step books cover one program (with no differentiation for the expert exams in Word and Excel). After all, why not get everything you need for four exams in one book? That's why I think the Study Guides are best for cramming and targeted study, while Step by Step are best for overall knowledge and understanding.

Furthermore, I have an opinion on ebook versus hardcopy!

My personal preference is hardcopy. I have no doubt this is at least partly due to my background. I'm definitely not a digital native, although I play one on TV.

If you intend to use the ebook versions, I recommend reading them on the computer rather than on an ebook reader. You'll want to work with the exercise files, and it's easier to do this through clicking between programs on the computer than it is to read on one device and operate another. I would strongly recommend you not try this on a tablet, and a smartphone would, I think, be counterproductive because you can work with so little information at a time. ( )