Per advice, I bought the Transcender A+ Certification Test software, which I'm told is the one study test that most closely resembles the actual test given by Comptia.
After taking a few of the practice exams, I found the book to fall far short of the information and knowledge base required to pass the exam. Not thrilled with the idea that the actual test does not test one's ability to perform well in the real world, I am looking for a comprehensive book that will offer the information I need. As it's title states it to be a prep for the A+ test, by definition, it will disappoint most readers.
The test is much more focused on troubleshooting scenarios and trickery, and alot of it on very outdated hardware. The book does deal with the types of hardware and software issues discussed on the test, but does not take the information to the level one needs to do well on the A+ Test. I found the software troubleshooting section to be very weak and very general, and the index is so poorly written that it makes the desired information (if available at all) extremely difficult to find.
Perhaps a good book for someone who just wants to learn the basics about PC hardware and software, but it is a poor prep for the actual test if you're someone just getting into the field. The questions in the book are much different than what one will actually find in the new adaptive test for 2001. (Go to Transcenders.com and download free test samples)
Hopefully, a book will come out that properly prepares one for taking the adaptive test, but I haven't found it yet.
David Groth has given us what would appear to be an excellent breakdown for the exam. Being first in this case is a good thing and the material included is more then the objectives and the exam require. As if the expectation would be anything less with Groth.
Just short of 1000 pages, this book covers both the exams and has the explaantion in a easy to comprehend manner without over working the information. The author has gone to great lengths to ensure that everyone and anyone reading this book can understand the material, no matter what the technical level.
One of the most impressive parts of the book is amount of troubleshooting infomration included. Also the practice questions, of which there has to be more than a 1000 in the book and hundreds more on the cd, are excllent and in most case harder then the actual exam.
If that was all you got,then you would have a great start, but the deluxe edition has a second cd with 20 videos that have more hands on exercises. The cds also have bonus exams and flashcards making this one of the best values on the market today.
Overall this one great book and if you add the lab manual, then you just might have the best combination around so far.