CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: (Exams 220-601/602/603/604) by Quentin Docter, Emmett Dulaney, Toby Skandier
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Book Reviews of CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: (Exams 220-601/602/603/604)
Book Review: Good general review, could use some improvement
Summary: 4 Stars
I found that this book, combined with the exam cram test questions book, was adequate for passing the test. I passed the essentials exam with a 780, and the 602 test with a 860.
I read the whole book through over the period of a month or two, along with some other online sources and the things I've learned from my classes. I then went back and re-read a few chapters that I felt I needed a little more understanding in.
The author attempts to write the book in a way that makes the material less... boring, by adding in a little bit of light humor and bring "real world" examples into play. But, computer hardware and windows maintenance aren't the most exciting topics, so the book's sometimes boring feel are not entirely the authors fault.
I do have a few gripes about the book. First of all, quite a few times the book just repeats itself- it doesn't add more to the subject, it just repeats what was said in an earlier chapter, word for word. Second of all, a few of the subjects could use a little more information. I found that the security and "soft-skills" chapters in particular were really shallow. Granted, the soft-skills chapters are for the most part common-knowledge. But there could have been a little more meat in there. The security section did a lot of generalizing.
Overall, this book is very helpful in preparing you for the test. Be sure to completely read through the chapters. I would suggest getting some sort of practice test type book as a companion to this one. Read some chapters, take the related practice tests, and study more in-depth on the sections you aren't as comfortable with.
Good luck to you in your pursuit of certification!
Book Review: A+ Complete Study Guide - Sybex
Summary: 4 Stars
To begin the book is well organized and well written. The flow of the book is easy to understand, and easy to take notes from. The CD-Rom includes an electronic copy of the book (which in my opinion is something that all paper copies should come with these days) which is very helpful for working professionals whom commute.
Cons: Unfortunately the book will miss a thing here or there as it relates directly to the exam itself. As an example: You will find that the study questions, while good at reinforcing the material you just read, do not line up with the flow, format or difficulty of the actual exam questions. They are really there to cement what you've just read and reinforce that to you.
Another example is the Professionalism and Communications section does not go over enough material in detail. It rather uses broad terms and concepts to go over that particular domain.
Conclusion: I feel this is a very good primary study guide. I would recommend however that you use supliments to your studying such as Transcender exams to help prep you for the actual testing enviornment as well as the Exam Cram book to compliment and really drive home the material.
The book is definately worth the purchase and you will be 75%-80% read to take the exam after completetion of studying.
Book Review: enjoyable read overall, but check facts/content!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a good read, for the Comptia/A+ student. I liked it better than the " A+ All-In-One Guide" (McGraw-Hill). Maybe the soft cover, and thinner volume, of the "A+ Complete" (Sybex) book made it seem less daunting.
Anyway, the book reads well, with no filler, no-nonsense. The electronic (PDF) version of the book (included as a CD) is nice, because it allows you to quickly skip to---and review---text relevant to your level of study.
The problems I encountered were not only occasional typos, but also discrepancies in the content---things I thought (or knew) to be otherwise; when confused, I simply cross-referenced these on the internet from other sources.
An example of such discrepancy is Chapter 9, pgs. 509-510, concerning data security models. The *text* is correct, for the Bell La-Padula Model (no read-up; no write-down) and the Biba Model(no write-up; no read down). However, the Bell La-Padula Model's *illustration* (though correct for Bell La-Padula) was repeated in print, as an illustration of the Biba Model (which is incorrect: it should show the Biba Model as "no write-up; no read-down.
Al in all, this book is an excellent start, for getting into studying for the A+ Exams. However, I wouldn't use it as my only info/study/reference source.
Book Review: Good book but not enough.
Summary: 4 Stars
After about 6 years of procrastination I decided to get my A+ certification even though I have been fixing and building PCs for close to a decade.
I decided to buy this book after I read the reviews here. I studied the book for two weeks and also used the questions in Meyers Sixth Edition book to supplement my studying.
I took the A+ certification exam on August 7th, 2008. I passed both the essentials and IT Tech designation with scores 700/675 and 740/700.
My thoughts on this book? It will only prepare you for about 60% of the exams. This book is outdated as well since the questions asked on the exams were part of the 2007 set of questions. There was new material that wasn't even discussed in the book. If it weren't for my experience with computers I would've failed the test just relying on this book alone.
It's a good easy to read book overall. But don't underestimate the test by relying on this book alone. Go out and read more before you take the test.
Book Review: Good value for money
Summary: 4 Stars
Sybex has published quality study guides for years and this book is no exception. The PC hardware and Windows information in this book maps very well to the 2006 CompTIA A+ exams and provides "above and beyond" coverage of printer troubleshooting, networking, and network security. Unlike other books of its kind, this may have value as a reference once you pass the A+ tests, especially if you are considering other related CompTIA certifications. The absence of an introduction, its textbook-like tone, and minor errors on some practice questions are why I withhold my fifth star... the book is not perfect, but it is quite good.
This book is available by itself or as a part of the CompTIA A+ Complete Certification Kit; let price and your own experience with PC troubleshooting determine which is the best value for you.