A+ Certification Study Guide, Fifth Edition (Certification Press) [Paperback]

Michael Pastore (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072227664 | ISBN-13: 978-0072227666 | Publication Date: September 29, 2003 | Edition: 5

The only classroom-based integrated study system for professional certification has been fully redesigned throughout--find out not only what to study, but how to study. You’ll get 100% complete coverage of all objectives for the A+ exam, hundreds of practice exam questions, and hands-on exercises. The CD-ROM features full practice exam software with interactive tutorials and lab simulations, plus an adaptive test engine.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get the book that shows you not only what--but how--to study

• 100% complete coverage of all official objectives for the A+ Core Hardware and Operating System Technologies exams
• Exam Readiness checklist at the front of the book--you're ready for the exam when all objectives on the list are checked off
• Step-by-step exercises modeled after classroom labs provide hands-on instruction
• Inside the Exam sections in every chapter highlight key exam topics covered
• Simulated exam questions match the format, tone, topics, and difficulty of the real exam

Covers all A+ exam topics, including:

Component Systems * System Optimization * Power Protection * Motherboard, Processors, and Memory * Printers * Basic Networking * Desktop Components and Interfaces * System Files * Command-line Functions * Disk, Directory and File Management * OS Utilities

The best fully integrated study system available

CD-ROM includes:

• Complete MasterExam practice testing engine, featuring:
• One full practice exam
• Detailed answers with explanations
• Score Report performance assessment tool
• MasterSim interactive task simulation software
• CertCam videos of key A+ related tasks
• One hour LearnKey video training session
• Flash card quick study program for your PC or Pocket PC
• Electronic book for studying on-the-go
• Bonus downloadable MasterExam practice test (with free online registration)

About the Author

Michael Pastore (Bellevue, WA) has been writing computer books for more than 25 years and has worked in roles from network technician to president of an IT training school. Pastore is a regular contributor to Computerworld and Windows 2000 Magazine, and is a columnist for Leap-it.com. Michael is an acting faculty member at several IT institutes, including the University of Phoenix. Pastore’s books include: A+ Test Prep, 1st & 2nd Ed .(Coriolis), A+ Study System (IDG Books), and the Security+ Study Guide (Sybex), among others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 591 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 5 edition (September 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072227664
• ISBN-13: 978-0072227666
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,457,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book has a definite potential, October 29, 2003

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A+ Certification Study Guide, Fifth Edition (Certification Press) (Paperback)

Over the past 15 years the one thing that I have noticed about the A+ exam books is that authors covered one section more than another. Another thing I have noticed is that in order to be a useful guide the book has to be written in a logical order and have plenty of exercises. This book is a good tool for the new A+ exams.

Seeing how CompTIA did not release beta of the exams this time, most books have been release after the exam was out. This book does cover the objectives but in the OS section for example, there is no mention of the ME OS. Also there are over 50 labs, which should provide good material to learn from.

Coverage of Printers and networking is very good and I have used some of the materials in my A+ class that I am currently teaching. Another plus for the book is the color photos, about 25 or so of them, something I have not seen in any other A+ book. The color pictures aid in the understanding as you get to see the actual part.

A couple of small things to add is number conversions, while the book does breakdown hexadecimal a little bit there is nothing on how to convert form binary to decimal or hexadecimal. Also there is nothing on the electronic parts like resistor, capacitors and transistors and what the schematic symbol looks like and this could be added to the 6th edition.

There are a great deal of questions to work with, over 300 in the book and 200 more on the cd-rom that is included. Speaking of the cd, this one comes with LearnKey videos as well as simulation practice questions and flashcards.

Overall a decent reference manual that needs a few minor tweaks. If you are looking for a good starting point, either in self study or the classroom, this might be the place to look.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I have to agree that this book is very poor, March 23, 2005

By 

B. Carney - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A+ Certification Study Guide, Fifth Edition (Certification Press) (Paperback)

I, too, starting working on computers in 1991 and own dozens of computer review books. "A+ Certification Study Guide, Fifth Edition" by Michael Pastore needs to be removed from circulation.

Certainly news to me, and Intel, that the Pentium III is available in Socket 478, a contradiction to author's prior statement that all P2s and P3s were SEC (Slot-1), or that prior CPUS didn't need heatsinks (yeah, maybe the 286).

That's just an example from Chapter 1. I'm sure I'll find a multitude more if I can stomach the rest of the book - there must be something useful in it.