Best A+ Cert book with 2003 objectives? 2

[cdp14]

I know this might be an exercise in futility but is there a general consensus on which book or books is best for the new A+ Cert exams (220-301, 220-302)? Money is an issue so I would rather not buy a poorly written book or one that is not comprehensive enough for the exams. I realize that maybe no one book will be all inclusive but am still in search of the the best prepartory book if you could only choose one. I would pretty much expect any decent study book to include a CD with a practice test engine of some sort.

I know each book will have its advantages and disadvantages and most people will only be familiar with 1 or possibly 2 of a book such as A+ but I am having a hard time finding what I would deem quality information in the form of reviews or comparisons. I even tried to utilize CompTIA but they would not comment on the quality of any of the specific books as they are to remain "nuetral" and only directed me to their list of books that have passed a sort of minimum standard. Considering the cost of the study materials and tests it's kind of frustrating that I can't find very conclusive information to base my decision on.

Thanks in advance for any comments, advice or info!

 

[schighway101]

Michael Myers Books on A+ hardware and OS's and transcender practice exams are the best, I think. There are many things out there that won't help you that much. The test is based on a lot of theory...JMO

 

[tcat]

Very interesting data on this thread. Pretty much accurate too.

Want to blow away the remaining fog, TIA.

The project was immense by any book standards (my 30th).

If this was a civil trial, CompTIA itself would be found the most guilty of guilty parties (and they had co-conspitors of guilt, including my own).

In my summary judgement:

1) CompTIA is the most guilty by creating an impossible test yet claiming it is an entry-level test. They seem to have fixed that with the latest Server and Network tests.

2) The claims that Security Speaking and others we're not properly credited are in part, accurate.

The deal is that the print book has errors. Hundreds of them. I counted at least 50 places where a header is left as a (in print termology) a "widow" on a page. Bummer.

My napkin math revealed over 1,000,000 "change-orders" over the life of the production. Some fraction of of 1 percent we're dropped. Please, go compete with this work and do better.

Happily, some dropped change-orders are not print and have had change ordered (like Security Speaking) re-issued.

People who we're dropped in print... Too bad. I did follow up on that. Your work was not used, end of story. Did my best given the resources I had. No, getting on a plane and tracking you down over a graphic wasn't in the cards.

The work is excellent, not perfect. It fits you, or it doesn't. Hey. It's just a book. If it doesn't fit you well, great news. There are over 200 other options at amazon.com

If any reader of the Internet involved in the work feels like they we're left on the cutting room floor, well 2nd chance sunday is coming. This is not an auto-magic promise of acceptance. And a new game has been put into play with some serious backing on the marketing side. I do belive that all functional players from the last game are pretty happy. That means we did OK on the 1st round, and will be even better on games 2 and 3.

I really wish I had more time. And like you, I only get 24 hrs in a day... I am in charge of more than just getting A+ done... 2 new fish are on my request list from high-up. I already said no to Server+ for now or it would be 3.

This isn't saturday morning pond fishing to fill these requests. Each one is more like the perfect storm. The Army and SE Asia pretty much confirmed to me that if everyone works as a team, you don't get too many on the floor. Some yes, and you do what you can. Non-team members tend to burn themselves and that the way it works. CompTIA changing A+ like it did really burnt its own cheerleading teams, including mine.

Tcat

 

[Kaycek]

well, as long as everyone learned something, and securely speaking get credit since he gave away resources he could have gotten money for then all's well. I think that is the most important point.

The other point I learned was to use Microsoft project, and stick to it. I won't ever make that mistake again

kaycek