Hi Apprentice.
I can empathise a lot with the difficulty of stating a purpose in regard to these certificate exams.
Personally, I think your stated purpose is ok, but it could be more specific, in my opinion.
I usually turn the title of the book into my purpose.
For example, currently I am studying a book titled:
"Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment"
Therefore, I state as my purpose:
"My purpose for reading this book is to make me an expert at managing and maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment"
Sure, add in the benefits that come from being an expert, ie: better job prospects, more money, imagine how you'd feel once you're an expert (virtual reality) etc, as the extra motivation.
Just don't forget to specifically focus on what the actual book is about, to get a more specific purpose, rather than just the wider side effects of learning it.
Afterall, first and foremost, you must have an interest or arouse an interest in the subject, otherwise save your time and do something else.
As for the preview question:
Personally I would preview and then PR the first book, then preview and PR the second book, and so on.
PLAY! with it though, go with what feels right, and you'll never fail 
quote:
Can I use the test preparation/Simulator softwares (Questions/Answers)for these subjects for my Activation Step ?
Yes that is a excellent way to draw the information out of you.
Only the other day I PR a mass of linux articles on a website.No preview, no activation, just PR.
I haven't really done much with linux, so I was testing myself here, testing the PR step.
After I had PR the articles, I then went and tried the sites test questions.
As their is no pressure on me to learn linux technologies at present, yet because I have an interest to learn it, this was an excellent frame of mind to approach this test with.
Anyway, let's just say, I did very well on the test 
going with my feelings and with what felt right.
Sure, I got a few questions wrong, but you know what, I WENT EASY ON MYSELF 
Apprentice, I have just started my own IT forums for people who are studying IT and for anyone else interested, so you might want to check it out.It'd be good to see you there, and keep track of your progress.Check it out, here: www.oghma.net
Cheers! and good luck 
[This message has been edited by flex22 (edited May 22, 2005).]