Solid Content for Passing the A+ Exam

My experience level: 2 years in IT consulting, 5 years of off/on tech support - for the most part self-taught knowledge. Random server/network support knowledge. Never had a job that directly and consistently applied the knowledge for this test, but the subject matter was by no means foreign to me.

Materials used: all Mike Meyers' - this book and A+ Passport, 2nd Ed. Also used the 1200 test questions that came with the voucher I got from Totalsem.com. I was a Mike Meyer's bitch boy for this exam. I will likely get a second opinion if I go for Network+.

First, the test questions are very helpful, not only for content but also for preparing you to think like you will during the test (minus those rare questions that are in direct conflict with the text).

For the A+ hardware exam, this book is perfect. Nearly aced the test after almost 2 weeks of studying. Good pictures, clear writing.

For the A+ OS exam, which was WAY more specific than I thought it was going to be (passed easily but only a midrange score), this book is probably pretty good but I would study up to twice as long as you did for the hardware. I think I felt this book gave me the impression that was I well prepared for the test, when really I was only adequately prepared. There was actually one point in this book that said "the A+ exam does not cover EFS, but just know what it is blah blah blah". There was an EFS question on my test. Maybe it was one of those "feeler" questions they throw in but aren't counted - not sure. These discrepancies are few and far between but it may be just enough to make you doubt other stuff you have read. I have my doubts that you could ace the OS exam with just this book, but I think you can easily pass both exams using only this book and it's probably a great resource for later.

A+ Certification Guaranteed

I purchased this study guide a month ago. The book is well written and easy to follow. It offers helpful hints and shortcuts for on the job use. It made passing both the Hardware and OS exams easy. The practice exams on the enclosed CD are very helpful as both a refresher and practice for the exam itself.

Great book

Um, I don't know what test Melvin (below reviewer) took after reading this book, but this book is the very best A+ self trainig has to offer. Get this and "Faster, Smarter A+ certification" (Microsoft Press), and you'll do just fine.