Customer Reviews

A+, Network+, Security+ Exams in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

O'Reilly books are known for their quality and this one (despite a few inaccuracies) is no exception. Anyone interested in adding entry-level networking and PC repair knowledge to their skill set should add this book to their library. That, however, is not the reason for this review.

At the time of this writing, the CompTIA exams referenced by this book either have been updated or are in the process of being updated. While students and shoppers hoping to purchase one book to pass four tests and earn three certifications are bound to be disappointed by this news, there is a silver lining: the information is still valuable, both on the revised exams and in the real world. As such, I still highly recommend the book.

I used this guide to study for my A+ exams. It was a decent guide, but there were some pretty large technical errors in the book. This wouldn't be such a big deal, if it weren't for the fact that the most glaring of the errors is in there *twice* (once for the A+ Essentials exam, and once for the A+ 602/603/604 exam), and the reader is advised to *memorize* specific voltages which are obviously wrong. Other errors include a few practice questions with wrong answers (including one that directly contradicts an earlier warning in the book), and a couple of errors with regards to inputs commonly found on the back of computers.

It's also worth mentioning that I haven't yet read the Security+ or Network+ portions of the book, and obviously, since I bought the book, I definitely am not intimately familiar with everything it covers, yet I have found 6 major technical errors. If this weren't a book written as a test prep guide, this wouldn't be such a big deal, but as it stands, I recommend against purchasing this book.

Like most of the other O'Reilly exam study guides, 'A+, Network+, Security+ Exams in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference' by Pawan Bhardwaj is another great source for better preparation and RESULTS. Nearly 800 pages of material are combined within, broken up into 12 chapters:

A+ Essentials

01. Overview of A+ Essentials Exam
02. A+ Essentials Study Guide
03. Prep and Practice for the A+ Essentials Exam

A+ Exams 220-602, 220-603, 220-604

04. Overview of the A+ Exams 220-602, 220-603, 220-604
05. Study Guide for A+ Exams 220-602, 220-603, 220-604
06. Prep and Practice for the A+ Exams 220-602, 220-603, 220-604

Network+

07. Overview of the Network+ Exam
08. Network+ Exam Study Guide
09. Network+ Exam Prep and Practice

Security+

10. Overview of Security+ Exam
11. Security+ Exam Study Guide
12. Security+ Exam Prep and Practice

I find the exam books to be the hardest to review but the material is so good inside these O'Reilly ones. Pick this up to improve your results!!

**** RECOMMENDED

Yes must agree with Brett. The A+ section of this book is woeful and extremely boring! Many Factual inaccuracies which make it impossible to use this book as a passing guide for the A+ exam. For instance the Power connectors to the MB in the A+ section are totally wrong! (it lists most of then as +1v connectors and does not list any 12V connectors) Also the 2nd A+ guide practically repeats the First section of the A+ guide. Don't bother reading it, my biggest mistake!

However the Networks+ guide seems to be far superior. I have not seen as many errors (yet still one or two). But the content is quite interesting. It is also on the ball in discussing IPSEC PAP, Chap, MS-Chap, Routing, etc. Most of what you want to know about in Network technology and communication. My recommendation if you know what you are doing forget A+ (saving you $600 in examination fees) go straight to Network+ and security+ Will update when I pass Network+

To best describe this book, I would classify it as a "Good Book for Quick Study". I would not use it to solely study for the 3 exams. It's the type of book you would pop out to read for a short study session during a work break, or the like. As mentioned, there are a couple technical inaccuracies in the A+ section - but I can attest that the Network+ section seems relatively solid. I have yet to go into the Sec+ section.

Bottom Line: Good book. Straight to the point. Good for quick study. Do not use it as the only study material for these exams.

While I've written about O'reilly "Nutshell" books before, and have had nothing but compliments, I offer a caveat with this one: make sure you know your stuff before getting this book and taking the CompTIA tests. I bought this book with about 10 years of computer knowledge behind me - I did reasonably well on the A+ portion, but blew the Network+ right out of the water...

This text hits all of the points with good categorization and logical flow... but it will not give you all of the "nuts and bolts" required by technical job knowledge. Make sure you have the recommended time and experience before you take the test - O'Reilly's "Nutshell" book will help you with the days leading up to the test, but it should not cover any "new" topics you've never seen.

For those with the appropriate background, this book is awesome. The review sections are clear and concise, and the coverage is amazing. I like how they packed three test subjects into one book (saving you valuable $$$!)

Great as a review/reference, not a "first-timers" instruction book.