2006 updated materials

bighornsheep

Seems like Sybex is about to release materials:

http://www.sybex.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-292275.html

They're also giving out free sample chapters.

Plantwiz

Meyers book is scheduled for Dec 20, 2006 and at least in the description it looks as though it is geared toward CORE and OS again??

http://doi.contentdirections.com/mr/mgh.jsp?doi=10.1036/0072263113

I wonder if they'll change it...probably no time to at this point??

Plantwiz

Well for grins, I've pre-ordered the Sybex book. I'm curious to see how it is setup

freestylejay

if you know of any other study materials for the 2006 exam please post it here. This will help everyone who plans to take it. I know CompTia has its own student study guide on the CompTia website, not sure how effective it is.

SirDrago

At amazon.com you can get the Sybex books at lot cheaper. For example:

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-%2b-Complete-Study-Guide/dp/0470048301/ref=sr_11_1/104-2678089-8731935?ie=UTF8

Plantwiz

Yep, that's where I ordered mine

Nice to mention good sources

Amazon.com
Alibris.com

two of my favorite when my local stores don't stock items...which is most of the time

arnevikm

Very curious to see how the new book is layed out. Are there 4 different sections for the essentials and each of the other 3 exams? Or is is still just OS and Hardware. Thinking of ordering, but would love some feedback from anybody that has actually seen it.

meadIT

arnevikm wrote:

Very curious to see how the new book is layed out. Are there 4 different sections for the essentials and each of the other 3 exams? Or is is still just OS and Hardware. Thinking of ordering, but would love some feedback from anybody that has actually seen it.

I would assume it wouldn't just be OS and Hardware since it states that it is for the new 2006 objectives. I pre-ordered my copy last month and it shipped yesterday, so I should have it in the next couple of days.

Plantwiz

arnevikm wrote:

Very curious to see how the new book is layed out. Are there 4 different sections for the essentials and each of the other 3 exams? Or is is still just OS and Hardware. Thinking of ordering, but would love some feedback from anybody that has actually seen it.

Check out the objectives on the CompTIA site. This will give you an idea as to how things are broken down. 1 - essential exam and 3 - 'other'. I'd bet the book is pretty similar, but if it is a good book....everything will be integrated and not separted.

Plantwiz

Well, the book FINALLY SHIPPED...so I hope to see it by Wednesday

Plantwiz

The book arrived!

While it seems to be the typical...good-very good Sybex book.

This book, their 4th edition, is not broken down by exam objectives, but instead a more logical approach with the material covered in as a working system. I LIKE THAT!! To me that makes a good and useful tool and not a cram book.

SO, while some may be disappointed, I think they are right on-track! I hope to get through this tonight. Being that it is an easy read, and very familiar material...that should be doable.

bighornsheep

Plantwiz wrote:

This book, their 4th edition, is not broken down by exam objectives, but instead a more logical approach with the material covered in as a working system. I LIKE THAT!! To me that makes a good and useful tool and not a cram book.

dang, are you series?....I have always liked Sybex's way of material break down...I find that books (or authors) that try to make things "flow" in a "logical approach" tend to just write and present their information all over the place. Though following the domains sometimes isnt the best way, it is the safest way to not be confused, especially if it's not a new topic.

Webmaster

bighornsheep wrote:

Though following the domains sometimes isnt the best way, it is the safest way to not be confused, especially if it's not a new topic.

I agree that's the case when the exam objectives are logically grouped and ordered. Unfortunately that isn't always the case. The Security+ is the best example I can think of. It does look like CompTIA is taking it a bit more serious for the A+ 2006 exams.

Plantwiz

Ok, I'm through the first half of the book....ran out of time and also was getting a little annoyed at things that I felt were skipped or not presented as well as they could have been.


Overall...this is a good book, though at the moment...not the 'best' I could have imagined.

I think it's too light. Light in content descpriptions and component use. I think Sybex missed the boat and maybe I should have a previous version of their A+ to compare it to, but I don't.

First thing I did was take the assesment exam. Too easy. However, I did like how they reference where they 'discuss' the answer. I.e. topic discussed Chapter 3 etc..

They have presented incorrect information in a couple cases and yes I'm nit-picking, but it's my review :P
USB 2.0 Cables are NOT always translucent and were NOT initially translucent because I've purchased MANY for clients and initally they were available from my vendors in Black/Beige and occassionaly White. NOW there are many more colors available....but to assume that USB 2.0 cables are 'ALWAYS' Translucent is about as dumb as CAT5 is ALWAYS 'blue'. Grey was a very commonly available color until all the cable colors hit the market....I digress.... While this won't make or break a tech, it's a silly way in this day to 'identify' components unless it is an actual standard that IS followed.

Second thing that bugged me:
The state that AGP slots are 'small' or 'short' then PCI. While the AGP slot is about 2.75" and a PCI is close to 3.25"...it is 'shorter', however they show it via photo and since the Photo is not shot full-screen...the reader can only assume one is larger then the other. With the slots being offset from each other...an AGP slot may or may not immeditaly be noticeable smaller to a newer student.
Fact is correct.. Poorly shown in the book.

Another thing I ran across in my 300+ review... They skipped 200Pin So-dimms. Come on...these have been out long enough to be covered on the exam, and certainly they are worth the mention even if they didn't have time or space to say much about them....they exist and I sell quite a few, so it should have been covered.

My last beef at this point....is that I cannot BELIEVE they didnt' have time to discuss Intel-Based Macs. And no I'm not miffed because I'm a Mac owner, I think this is a critical miss on a 'newly' released tech book. They only cover up to G5s and state that ALL Macs have the Motorola processor and will not be able to run Windows because Windows cannot run on Macs....HELLO, McFly!

****

Couple other weak areas: Mobo styles; Power Supplies; Chassis'....though I'm not going into each specific detail...the content as it is written is true, it is just missing GOOD real time working facts to someone who desire to learn the material and not just answer exam questions correctly.

Grant it, compared to my 1st Edition Meyers Book, it contains a fair amount of information. I do think Sybex could have done a much better job, and while I do appreciate how much work needs to go into writing a tech book....this isn't their first book.

At this point, I say Stick with Meyers. Sybex will give you a more detailed review then a cram book and it isn't a complete 'waste' I just think they are missing some key information....then again, they are probably writing to the exam and not writing to educate the technician.

The book is claimed to be an 'intermediate' level tech book. I disagree. It's definately a beginner book.


I'll see how the rest of the book reads and update you on that as well.

jdredd

Does anyone have any thoughts about how the study guide that comptia offers for A+ Essentials will compare to the other guides? Would this guide be enough for the test?

Plantwiz

jdredd wrote:

Does anyone have any thoughts about how the study guide that comptia offers for A+ Essentials will compare to the other guides? Would this guide be enough for the test?

If you are refering to the materails from Thompson....ah...historically they are 'thin' on material. So, no they don't get my recommendation. Others may have differing views.

SirDrago

Hm what about the official CompTIA books?

https://store.comptia.org/product.aspx?product=CP_A_ES_54394

https://store.comptia.org/product.aspx?product=CP_A_602_54416

They are pretty expansive. Are they worth it?

jdredd

Sorry Plantwiz, I did mean the Comptia Books (isn't being clear one of the requirements?). I have an older A+ book that I have been studying from, but might as well take the A+2006 exams instead since I am only about 50% ready. I assume there is considerable overlap in the materials (new test and old), but wanted to study in the most directed manner possible.

I am trying to decide whether to buy the Sybex book or the two Comptia books. Comptia is more expensive by quite a bit, and maybe not worth while. Too bad it is so new and there isn't a lot of info available.

Is anyone aware of any other study materials for the new exam besides these two books (Comptia and Sybix)?

Plantwiz

SirDrago wrote:

Hm what about the official CompTIA books?

https://store.comptia.org/product.aspx?product=CP_A_ES_54394

https://store.comptia.org/product.aspx?product=CP_A_602_54416

They are pretty expansive. Are they worth it?

jdredd,
These are the Thomson books I was thinking of. I have not found them to be good resources. Thomson books are typically too light on material and do not prepare a candidate well IMNSHO. You may find otherwise, and it's been a while since I had a copy to review...I didn't like it.


UPDATE on Sybex:

Ok, as I'm finishing up the book last night, and I'm still disappointed on the coverage and the level of coverage....I did like their exercises they offer new users. If someone didn't have a clue how to open a screen then they'd likely be to be helped by Sybex 'mini-lab's (forget what they called them).

While the book is all inclusive of the 4 exams, they do reference which sections/chapters cover which exams. The bulk of the book is Essentials and the balance is made up of the three elective exams.

Their reasoning and I tend to agree, since the three electives overlap, it's nearly impossible to repeat everything 3 times for the sake of it being unique to one set of objectives. I still stand by the philosophy that a candidate should prepare for the exam as a 'whole' and even take the exams the same day. Unlike the MCSE exams, A+ exams cover material that if you don't know how to pull it together during a real live problem, then there isn't much beyond board swapping that can be done. MCSE electives require a fair bit more knowledge and specialty and the candidate is expected to have worked several months with each discipline. A+ is targeted to a tech with 500 hours (not 500 on hardware and 500 on software...total). I digress...

Anyway, aside from my few peeves, I'll upgrade from 'good' to 'pretty good' book.

I'll likely be writing them with comments regarding what I thought was missed and see how they reply. Historically, Sybex books have been very good, and considering the volume of information they needed to include...it's not their best, but still a very good resource for anyone preparing for their A+.

FWIW

SirDrago

jdredd wrote:

Is anyone aware of any other study materials for the new exam besides these two books (Comptia and Sybix)?

No, i'm planning to start studying for the A+ exam in January 2007. I hope until then there is more information available on which books are good for studying.

Tcat

After reading this tread so far, please don't blame Sybex! I have worked with them before and know they do their best, given the data they have.

For other material, you can find my own work for free @ http://www.certiguide.com or a bunch comes from http://www.getcertify4less.com with you voucher. Other stuff is from studyexam4less.com either free or pay. And this is not meant to be an ad for SE4L. So my impressions are so far:

The feedback I have been given from other instructors is passing students of Cisco and Microsoft are failing A+. The issue is not do they know their stuff. The issue is what is the question? I have called BS on "how long is a rope?" questions before. Seems to be working for CompTIA, and not for the industry.

Total Recall Press will be putting out CST and CNST work as an alternative to A+ and Network+ soon. I know because I have been working it. Yes, you can still roll over your CompTIA and get more letters. I can say that the CST and CNST books are well above and beyond the actual tests. Know the stuff in what my team is creating and you are golden in the real world. I hope Certiguide will work out for free distribution with TRP.

I applaud anyone who gets A+ and Network+... Go rollover to ETA

ivnj

I've preorderd this one at my local borders.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=159863352X&itm=78

Thanks,
ivnj

oldgamer

hello, new guy here. i ordered mike myers A+ book last year in April 06 from Amazon and it finally came in two weeks ago. talk about a long wait. rewrite maybe ?

he talks about the new way they are testing and the requirements are the same as listed on the Comptia website. i think it is a good book, but i am a machine repairman by trade and this computer building has been a hobby for a few years.

so my experience and thoughts are based on parts illustrations, blue prints, trouble shooting etc. and not any of the other manuals for this type of training. computer repair and related i mean.

congrats to those of you that have taken it and passed recently and good luck to those of us yet to walk down that road.

Plantwiz

oldgamer wrote:

hello, new guy here. i ordered mike myers A+ book last year in April 06 from Amazon and it finally came in two weeks ago. talk about a long wait. rewrite maybe ?

he talks about the new way they are testing and the requirements are the same as listed on the Comptia website. i think it is a good book, but i am a machine repairman by trade and this computer building has been a hobby for a few years.

so my experience and thoughts are based on parts illustrations, blue prints, trouble shooting etc. and not any of the other manuals for this type of training. computer repair and related i mean.

congrats to those of you that have taken it and passed recently and good luck to those of us yet to walk down that road.

8 months? Yikes

You may wish to try www.alibiris.com Was the book you selected a PRE-Order?

oldgamer

i ordered it the same time i ordered the network+ book by the same author. that came first. i think i was caught up in the rewrite period for the updated exam. either way it got here and i'm going through it as i order new parts for a new build i want to do.