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35 of 35 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
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.
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by Mike Harwood
by Ron Gilster
by James G. Jones
