Is the 'old' extra class manual still a good study guide?

[KD8IWZ]

I was just given a copy of the Gorden West (July 2008/June 2012) Extra Class study guide. I'm wondering if there were enough changes to the question pool to warrant getting the 'new' study guide, or is the 'old' guide still current enough to get me an upgrade? (golf season is slowing down, decided it's time to move up) I appreciate any response.

73,  Dale

[WI4P]

Congratulations on the decision to continue your study.

The old ( 2008 ) exam had 738 questions and the new exam has only 702.  Forty four questions were removed and eight new questions were added and numerous editorial changes made to make things clearer.  Full words replacing abbreviations, slight rephrasing etc.  Since publication, another three or four questions have been removed.   With that said, if you study the Gordon West book to LEARN rather than to just memorize you will find it to be a great tool.  I also highly recommend Ham Test Online.  It is a great interactive learning tool when used in study mode and is always 100% up to date.

Good luck with your studies.

de John, WI4P   

[K7KBN]

You can probably go even further back and get an Extra manual from the 1970s.  These don't have the question pool answers, but they do have a wealth of knowledge that should help you understand the material well enough to get those questions right.

[WW3QB]

You can probably go even further back and get an Extra manual from the 1970s.  These don't have the question pool answers, but they do have a wealth of knowledge that should help you understand the material well enough to get those questions right.

I disagree. I have the 1970s guide and the 2008 guide, and passed the extra in 2008 (Advanced in 1974). The modern Extra test has many questions about satellite, ATV, EME, new regulations, logic circuits, that are not mentioned at all in the 1970s guide.

[K1CJS]

....if you study the Gordon West book to LEARN rather than to just memorize you will find it to be a great tool.  I also highly recommend Ham Test Online.  It is a great interactive learning tool when used in study mode and is always 100% up to date....

I have to agree with John on this one.  Yes, using the older guide to STUDY, and using the online site to take practice tests will probably do you a lot better than getting a new manual to look at.