Let me tell you, this book was my secret weapon for passing the CTS-D exam. I've got a couple years of experience in AV tech, but without this guide? I would've been toast on my first attempt.

The beauty of this book is how it forces you to actually understand concepts rather than just memorize answers. Yeah, some folks complain the questions aren't 'direct' enough - but that's exactly what makes it so valuable. The test makes you apply knowledge to real scenarios, and this book prepares you perfectly for that.

Now here's the funny part - those typos everyone mentions? They're actually helpful in a weird way because (plot twist) they appear on the actual exam too! Just make sure you read carefully and do all the practice math problems.

What surprised me most was how useful it's been beyond just exam prep. The organization is brilliant - I keep coming back to it as a reference guide for actual projects. Those diagrams and calculations? Absolute gold for daily AV work.

Would I love a color version? Sure. But honestly, even in black and white, this is hands-down the most comprehensive CTS-D resource out there. Just be ready to put in the work - skim it and you'll fail, study it properly and you'll ace that test.