A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition

[Pi rules]

After looking for a book on A+ certification, I found this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0072263113/qid=1149956042/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-9082300-1483322?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

but it isn't available yet. I read somewhere that it would be out June 1, 2006, but I haven't seen it selling anywhere (in stock) except for at the publisher's site for $23 more than Amazon.com has it for pre-order.

Amazon also has the 5th edition here (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0072229918/ref=dp_proddesc_1/102-9082300-1483322?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155&v=glance) (hardcover) for the same price, but I'm assuming that I should just wait for the new version to be released.

Does anyone know of any other books? Or, is this one the best?

[casey]

After looking for a book on A+ certification, I found this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0072263113/qid=1149956042/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-9082300-1483322?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

but it isn't available yet. I read somewhere that it would be out June 1, 2006, but I haven't seen it selling anywhere (in stock) except for at the publisher's site for $23 more than Amazon.com has it for pre-order.

Amazon also has the 5th edition here (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0072229918/ref=dp_proddesc_1/102-9082300-1483322?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155&v=glance) (hardcover) for the same price, but I'm assuming that I should just wait for the new version to be released.

Does anyone know of any other books? Or, is this one the best?

My son has three certifications and the first one was the
A+. I remember him studying for it so I'll ask him what books he used. I'll get back to you..

[Pi rules]

Thanks. :)

[photolady]

I have a question on this idea. Why does the A+ by Mike have more info on Laser Printers than any thing else covered on computers?

And I hope the new version is not as laser printer oriented. I have the 5th edition.

[Pi rules]

Is it good other than the laser printer part?

[photolady]

Yeah, it covers everything to do with computers Pi and it's easy to read and understand. Take that back about everything, more oriented to newer systems, though it does explain what a cpu does, how it works, etc. Same with motherboard. If I ever get time to read more than a couple of chapters a day, I'll take my exam.

I just didn't understand why laser printers needed to be covered in such intensity, most computer users don't even own a laser printer.

[Pi rules]

Thanks. :) I have a lot of computer books for older systems (Pentium 3s and earlier) that people gave to me. I'll probably review those as well to know some of that stuff as well.

[photolady]

If you're studying for your A+ I think you'll find Mike Meyers book all you need. What I've found in studying anything, too much info can throw you off course. Course you're a lot younger than me so maybe you retain infomation better. And the Mike Meyers book comes with a CD with practice exams on it which comes in real handy.

[Pi rules]

I have read that it does contain more info. than necessary, but my mind is like a hard drive, especially for numbers. I should give a demonstation with pi on Paltalk, except I'm guessing everyone would leave before the end. ;)

I have another question: would getting a certification help? I know I'd still learn it just as well without one, but I applied for Geek Squad almost a year ago and didn't hear anything. I'm assuming that it's because I had to mark "No" for every question about whether or not I have a certification.

[Pi rules]

I don't think that the new one is coming out until September 1. That's kind of too far away for me; I'll be back in school with a lot of AP classes and I doubt I'll have time. I think I'll go for the 5th edition.

[photolady]

If we had some way of telling what's new in the new one compared to the 5th edition and it wasn't that much difference, you'd be okay to stay with the 5th edition, unless the tests have or will have the extra data from the new one. Basically though I'd stick with the 5th edition cause I don't think they've changed that much nor have or will the tests have changed. Anything that has been added to the new one, you probably already know. ;)

[casey]

PI sorry it took so long but my son went up to Mass, Conn. for an MX Motorcycle race and just got home now.
He told me the Meyers book you are talking about is good and the one he used is http://snipurl.com/rowd.


But you must be on the right track because he mentioned Meyers right away...

[casey]

PI Here are a few more things my son told me about the tests. I'll just paste his remarks for you to read:

There is online testing...I am not sure which to recommend...it has been awhile...he can look for A+ brain dumps as well to give him an idea of the type of questions they will be asking...it helps to give him an idea how the questions are worded.

If he reads that Sybex book and searches the internet for A+ practice tests he will do fine. There were a bunch when I was studying for it.

I am sure he knows this but there are 2 tests you have to pass to get the cert...one on hardware the other on operating systems...they were about $125 a piece to take them...I did study alot for them but they were fairly easy to pass after putting the study time in...

[Pi rules]

There's a pricing list for CompTIA's certification exams here (http://www.comptia.org/certification/a/exam_pricing.aspx). $153 each. That's a bit much for a high school student saving for college. :( It would be worth it if I were guaranteed a job, but I doubt that would happen.

I found this (http://www.studyexam4less.com/ec-aplus.asp). 40% off + 1 practice exam for $27. Saves you about $34.

I may just read the book to help me know more about PCs and be able to help people more.

[Pi rules]

I ordered the book from amazon.com, but I got it with free supersaver shipping so it might take a while to come. Thanks for all the input. :) I'll let you know how the book is when it arrives.

[Pi rules]

I just found an old book (copyright 2000) called "A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, 3rd edition" by Jean Andrews. It looks pretty good, but is a bit outdated. Should be good reading!

Edit: Now I found "Computers Today" (I think I got it at a rummage sale a few years ago). Copyright 1985; it is older than me! It predicted that by 1990-2000, microelectronic implants would restore sight, hearing, and speech; and that "smart" highways with semiautomated driving would appear.