A+ Complete Study Guide, Third Edition (220-301 and 220-302) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES ARE COVERED IN THIS CHAPTER: 1.1 Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics, of system modules..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Applications software may get all the glory, but it's the hardware and operating systems that do the heavy lifting in any computer system. Technicians who have earned CompTIA's A+ certification are recognized as qualified to solve complicated hardware and OS problems and can earn a good living doing so. A+ Complete Study Guide aims to prepare you for the two exams that you have to pass in order to become A+ certified, and it does a good job of communicating facts (like the function of a printer's corona wire and the differences among different Microsoft Windows filesystems) and procedures (such as how to install Microsoft Windows 2000 and how to examine a printer queue in Microsoft Windows XP). Though author David Groth uses the published outline of exam topics as a guide, he shares lots of other wisdom, so readers put this book down ready to work, not just pass the test.

Groth's teaching style combines explanatory text--which he writes clearly--with screen shots and procedures. He also makes use of brief sidebars for factoids, and tables for such data as command-prompt commands. Lots of readers will like his inclusion of sample exam questions at the end of each chapter, which come complete with annotated answers. A companion CD-ROM includes test simulator software, as well as a (searchable) copy of the book in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. --David Wall

Topics covered: Those subjects that CompTIA says you must understand in order to pass the Core Hardware (220-301) and Operating System Technologies (220-302). Essentially, this book is all about Microsoft Windows and the Intel-compatible hardware on which it runs.

Product Description

This is the third edition of Sybex's best-selling study guide for the A+ certification, revised for the latest exams. Sponsored by CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association), A+ is the industry-leading hardware-and software-support certification that includes two exams--Core Hardware and Operating System Technologies. Sybex's A+ Complete Study Guide covers both exams in a single, well-organized volume. It maps directly to CompTIA's latest exam objectives, with no fluff or extraneous material. The accompanying CD contains an advanced testing engine with adaptive testing capabilities, four bonus exams, electronic flashcards for PCs and Palm devices, and the complete book in PDF.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 954 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 3rd edition (August 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782142435
• ISBN-13: 978-0782142433
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,702 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great overview but missing key information, September 25, 2004

By	Equisilus (Canada) - See all my reviews

Re: 3rd Edition only

First off, I have to say that I do not work in the IT industry and have never taken a single computer-related course in my lifetime. My experience with computers (hardware or software) comes strictly from my own general interest and use. With only that level of experience and this book as a resource, I passed both Core A+ exams on my first attempt, though I certainly did not score highly. I took the CompTIA tests for my own interest's sake. Using that as a guide, you may judge for yourself whether the book may help in your own certification.

Pros: The book is easy to read, explains important concepts well, and is organized so that you can find what you are looking for quickly. It helps that there is a pdf version of the book included on the CD. It covers MOST of what you need in order to pass the tests. The assessment, chapter, and bonus tests on the CD (also in the text) give you a rough estimate of your progress in understanding the concepts.

Cons: There are a few significant gaps in the coverage at some points, particularly involving newer technologies. For example, Firewire is briefly explained a couple of times, but it neglects to mention the important point of a limit on how many devices can be connected to the system at one time (a question that appeared on the test). Also, the book has a focus on covering facts without providing enough of a resource for troubleshooting, which makes up a good portion of each test. For example, Chapter 18, which makes up 25% of the OS Technology exam (troubleshooting OSs), is one of the smallest chapters (29 pages) and does not often explain how various tools can be used to fix specific problems. If you don't have experience in troubleshooting, this can be a real problem. There are also some errors (in the text and on the CD) so be sure to check the Errata at Sybex's website.

In the end, I'd recommend this book for anyone who plans on taking the A+ Core tests for certification. If you are taking the exams for career advancement, I would suggest making sure you have experience and/or other resources to back it up. Do not rely on this book alone. However, if you happen to be like me and are simply interested in learning about concepts you may not be exposed to in your daily life, this is an excellent read.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A+ is a hard test, June 27, 2004

By A Customer

I passed both A+ exams on the same day. I did not get the best score but it is impossible for a book to give you all the answers. I passed using this book exclusively. I read the book cover to cover 3 times over a period of 2 months, took the exams, and now I am A+ certified.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's OK, but I wouldn't recommend, September 29, 2004

By	Ted Herman (Canada) - See all my reviews

About six months ago I prepared for the Core Hardware exam and got a 579/900 (passing is 515). So I barely passed, and I used a different book (A+ Certification Study Guide, Fifth Edition by Michael Pastore) and I was not satisfied, and I feared that I might not pass the OS technologies exam. So I went out and bought this book because it seemed that Sybex published a book for every certification out there so they have to have pretty decent books.

Well, it's not a bad book, but it's not that great either. I did pass with a 573/900 (passing mark 505), but I did use the questions from the other book as well. I have been using for computers for at least five years, I've been a network administrator at an organization with >400 computers, and computers are basically second nature to me.

I understand that CompTIA is making their A+ tests harder now, however this should only mean that the book has to provide more training so that one can do better than barely pass.

In conclusion, I would suggest that if you are fairly new to computers, try another book, and shop around. Read the reviews of what people have to say, especially the crtical ones, because those are the most helpful. If you already have a lot of computer experience, then this book is alright and will probably help you pass the test.