A+ Certification Training Guide (Exams 220-221, 220-222) (4th Edition) [Paperback]

Charles J. Brooks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 22, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0789728443 | ISBN-13: 978-0789728449 | Edition: 4

The A+ Certification Training Guide covers the latest objectives of both exams required to become A+ certified - 220-301 (hardware) and 220-302 (operating systems). The book is organized accoring to the exam objectives and features several features that help you learn better, including Fast Facts for last minute review, study & exam preparation tips, review exercises and practice exams to gauge your understanding of the material, a glossary for quick reference, and much more, making this the most effective self-study book in the market!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The A+ Certification Training Guide covers the latest objectives of both exams required to become A+ certified - 220-301 (hardware) and 220-302 (operating systems). The book is organized accoring to the exam objectives and features several features that help you learn better, including Fast Facts for last minute review, study & exam preparation tips, review exercises and practice exams to gauge your understanding of the material, a glossary for quick reference, and much more, making this the most effective self-study book in the market!

About the Author

Charles J. Brooks is currently the president of Marcraft International Corporation, located in Kennewick, Washington, and is in charge of research and development. He is the author of several books, including Speech Synthesis, Pneumatic Instrumentation, The Complete Introductory Computer Course, Radio-Controlled Car Project Manual, and IBM PC Peripheral Troubleshooting and Repair. A former electronics instructor and technical writer with the National Education Corporation, Charles has taught and written on post-secondary EET curriculum, including introductory electronics, transistor theory, linear integrated circuits, basic digital theory, industrial electronics, microprocessors, and computer peripherals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1168 pages
• Publisher: Que; 4 edition (November 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789728443
• ISBN-13: 978-0789728449
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.9 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,237,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Buy the Others When This is ALL You Need?, May 15, 2001

By 

Warren E. Wyrostek (Pinetta, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A+ Certification Training Guide (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

My first exposure to the A+ certification was 1996. I had no clue what it was. I asked a friend of mine, who managed a training center and associated service department, what A+ was. He told me it was only good if I wanted to work on the inside of computers. Since I was a Contract Novell Instructor and Microsoft Trainer, it had no value. In his words, "Don't bother with it." I ignored his advice, because I saw A+ as a possible arm of my training business. I began searching for a good self-study route and a good curriculum that I could use for classroom instruction. During this period, there were few options. I only wish that the A+ Certification Training Guide was available when I started out. I finally found a text that was available in 1997 and got certified.

Five years later I am still training others in Novell, Microsoft, Prosoft and CompTIA technologies and searching for the best curriculum. A+ is highly regarded today as one's initial certification in the IT arena. Most solution provider companies require their employees to be A+ certified within six months of hire. Without a doubt, the A+ Certification Training Guide is the curriculum of choice for instructor-led training and for those seeking the A+ certification by going the self-study route.

The A+ Certification Training Guide, by Brooks, is a comprehensive, up-to-date text that will thoroughly prepare readers for the latest edition of the A+ certification exams. The new A+ exams test on the Windows 2000, Windows NT and Windows 9x platforms, Pentium II and Pentium III processors, and associated system boards. Upgrade paths and Networking are also emphasized. All of these topics are thoroughly covered in this New Riders Training Guide. This is without a doubt the only textbook one will need to pass the exams required for the A+ certification.

Some other readers have commented that this text is too massive- close to 1200 pages- for this certification. My reaction to this is quite simple, better to be over prepared than under prepared. This text is not only a certification preparation source, but also a fantastic resource for service related issues. One need not read every page, line-by-line, to prepare adequately for the A+ exams. The A+ Certification Training Guide has a Final Review section that offers the reader a synopsis of hardware and operating system facts that one should absolutely know for the exams. Additionally, there are 2 short practice exams in this Final Review section. I am not a fan of Supplemental CDs so I did not even look at the data on the accompanying CD.

The layout of the text is great, graphics are professional in quality, and the organization of testable topics just makes sense. Scattered throughout the text Brooks has sidebars called Test Tips. A reader, with several of years of hands-on computer experience, who wants or needs to pass the A+ exams, can page through Brooks' text and focus on these Test Tips. Combined with the Final Review sections, those with years of experience will find themselves able to conquer the A+ exams. Don't be surprised, however, if while you are focusing on the Test Tips and Final Review you don't find a great deal of useful data and practical information. Tables such as Table 1.1 and Graphics such as Figure 1.107 are practically pertinent and invaluable for the exam.

This is the best and most complete book for A+ certification preparation that I have discovered in 5 years. I know as the ranks of the A+ certified grow, this text will be on the shelves of every certified technician. I am glad that I have it in my library and my students will have it in theirs.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice job., December 3, 2002

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 Training Guide (Exams 220-221, 220-222) (4th Edition) (Paperback)

A+ is the foundation certification for all technicians and I personally think should be required for every technician. You need and want the most accurate and up to date material available and this book certainly has all that. I think the timing is a little late with all the other books already out there.

The manual has over 1100 pages and covers each exam and all domains. The author has put the exam objective map right in the front of the book. Part 1 of the book covers the hardware and part 2 covers the operating systems.

The chapters have a domain breakdown and review before you begin and there are hundreds of exam tips throughout the entire text. Each chapter has review questions and something I found very interesting, exam challenges throughout the chapters. The challenges are not as easy as you might think and they do provide a way to track what you are learning.

Each chapter also include additional web resources to further the study process, another add-on to the book I found useful. Finally there is practice exams in the book for each exam.

Included in the book is the Prep Logic testing engine and the Prep Logic website does have more exams available. While you can take this book into a self study environment, the formal classroom is where this belongs

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive on EVERYTHING a PC Tech Can Know, June 13, 2001

By 

"wiredmike" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A+ Certification Training Guide (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

I purchased this book while just walking through the store and browsing. The illustrations are abundant and detailed. The level of knowledge that this book teaches you is high but it is (similiar to other reviewers) overkill for the A+ examinations. I took both exams after studying with this book and working for around a year in IT and got a 815 on the OS and 831 on the hardware. The book is great to cover everything you would EVER need to know as a PC technician. I found that NT 4 was the majority of the OS questions and this book includes information along with Windows 2000 where other books focus on 2000 primarily. I say that it is a valuable addition to any IT professional's computer library.