CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Ninth Edition (Exams 220-901 & 220-902)

So having just passed both the 220-901 and 220-902 exams today I feel I should write a review of this textbook as study material. My background is currently an Bachelors in IT from a fully online institution with no real industry experience. When i say no real industry experience i mean that i do not work within the IT industry nor have i ever. IT has always been an interest of mine since i was a child yet never went deep into learning much of what this textbook covers. My method of study i chose to read this textbook cover to cover, taking all practice tests at the end of each chapter, along with the included practice exams on the disc. In addition to this text i went further to find online practice exams and Professor Messer videos on Youtube as free self studying material. This textbook, as stated, works perfect for self studying in passing the exam and would make a great reference for any IT support technician toolkit as the on-the-job reference. The material covered everything included within the stated objectives CompTIA provides on their website. The practice tests at the end of each chapter included 10 questions with answer keys. The disc included helped me very little. I took maybe one practice test for each exam and that was all that was included within the disc. Some videos were included but no where near helpful as Professor Messers videos. The book covered the objectives and even went beyond which is why this makes a great on-the-job reference. I was able to finish reading cover to cover within a month. I then crammed the 901 objectives ( which were highlighted throughout the book by the author ) then sat for the exam. A week later i sat for the 902 and within that week crammed all the 902 objectives ( which were also highlighted throughout the book ). Good luck!

The old saying is true; you can't judge a book by it's cover... but reviews sure can help. Finally decided to go after a few certifications and decided that CompTIA A+ was the most logical starting point. However, after realizing how "heavy" the material is, it seemed like a more entertaining style of writing would be more preferred. I'd come across a few older versions of the Dummies and Idiot's Guides and found they were plenty conversational in their style of writing yet also enjoyable to read. Most importantly, I was looking for a book that could not only keep me engaged yet also provide the necessary educational materials. For a time, I did judge some of these books by their covers and the All in One books certainly seemed the most "grown up". The deciding factor for me was several other reviews posted positive results and I'll be glad to add my voice to the wind tunnel. Presently I'm over a hundred or so pages in (the book is Bible thick) and have purposely slowed myself down at times to ensure lesson absorption but honestly could read this book like it was a spellbinding work of fanciful fiction. The best part is; I'm actually learning and enjoying it. It really helps to have an actual, honest interest in the subject matter and there are times where you'll want access to several different operating systems. At the very least, have 1 computer of your own but pick up another cheap working one from the flea market or swap meat that you can experiment with. Its possible I can finish this book in about a month, since certifications aren't cheap I'll probably re-read it over a 2nd month just to be sure. For the sake of science, I'll update this review after testing. Best of luck to you! 01-22-2016

I have never waxed poetic about a text book before, but I'm about to do it now. I am taking a CompTIA A+ class online in an attempt to get an IT degree. While I have a lot of experience with computers, I didn't have nearly the knowledge I thought I did. My online class has been ok but oh so very boring. After a full day of work and taking care of young children, I was having difficulty concentrating on my online coursework/reading. I will admit that the online reading made for a fantastic sedative that could lull one to sleep pretty much anywhere. After 2 weeks of trying to drudge through a swamp of technical jargon, I decided it was time to find something else to aid in my educational pursuit. The reviews for this book were really good, so I purchased it. I am grateful I did. I have not finished the book so I cannot confirm how well it will help with actually getting my certification; though I will attempt to update in the future. I am a few hundred pages into the book so far, and it is actually entertaining. Yes, there are sections that are a little bogged down with data, but the author has a whit that he has woven throughout his writings. His explanations are so simplified that one could understand even without a rudimentary background in IT. I think I love this book and I haven't even used all the tools it comes with. I like it so much that I've bought the Kindle version too so I don't have to lug around this massive tome. In short, this book has been entertaining (especially for a text book about computers), easy to read, makes the subject understandable, and has kept my attention. 5 stars!

I purchased the book for my son and we just received it a few days ago. At this point, I have only spent a couple of hours flipping through the book to review the content as well as to read a few sections. The book looks very good, and I think it was a wise purchase. I spent quite a bit of time researching other popular A+ study guides, websites, and video courses. It seems as though Mike's book is one of the most popular choices, and for good reason. The table of content, and the organization looks very good. I have read several small portions, and they were all equally good. As many have stated before me, Mike's writing style is very good in that it is simple to read, which is a good thing when an individual is trying to learn new technical content. As much as I think the book is very good, I felt it was fair to give it 4 out of 5 stars for one reason: the fotos are only black and white, yet it is a very obvious no-brainer that they should be in full color. Even though I understand the content well, many of the black and white fotos are simply not helpful enough. Color fotos would be an enormous help. An image that includes several color cables doesn't do much good when the cables appear as several shades of gray. I don't know how much more the book would cost with color fotos, but it currently sells for $45. Surely, it wouldn't cost more than a few dollars more to have it printed with color content, and I would gladly pay an extra $10 or $15 for such an option. Why cheap out over something that will take a few months or a year to accomplish? As far as the current black and white screen shot images, some of them are quite difficult to read. The black text on light gray is pretty hard to read. As a side note, I will offer the following: - The A+ certification is merely that...it is only a "certification". It will not in *any* way, replace the value of a college education (I share this for the computer enthusiasts in high school or who have been out of school for a handful of years. Although I very much understand that a college degree isn't for everyone, it's important that everyone accept that an A+ "is what it is" (this is even the case with the much more difficult MCSE and Cisco certs). - I've always criticized the A+ because it seems like such a sub-standard shortcut to a more robust education, but I've come to accept the following fact: There is TONS of knowledge to be gained when studying for the A+ cert. True, some of it is embarrassingly idiotic and outdated knowledge, but 90% of it is not. I have a 4 year degree, I worked in the corporate world as a developer at a somewhat prestigious company, and I have been a full-time independent computer/network consultant for over 15 years. However, there is a LOT in that book that I do not know...things that would be very helpful for me to learn and that would help me make more money from my clients. The point is that the A+ tech knowledge would be the *icing on the cake* for me...not the cake. The "cake" is a combo of my degree as well as my non-tech experience. The cake is more valuable. : ) - My teenage son wants to learn a lot more about hardware, software, networking, etc. He was somewhat all over the map with what he was studying, learning, watching, and doing. He had no way to chart his course...no "end destination"...no way to measure his progress. - That's what the A+ will be for us. A guide that will help to encourage him by allowing him to track his progress on the way to a measurable goal. For that, the A+ is wonderful. - It would be wrong to discount the A+ knowledge (like I have done for the past 20 years). Instead, accept it for what it is. If you are 25, you can make $10-$15/hr working as a tech. If you are 25, and pass the A+ cert, then perhaps you will make a bit more (probably not too much more). Even if you don't make much more money with the A+, you will likely get hired quicker than the guy *without* the A+. : ) Back to this book: If you don't think you'll stick to the book for more than a few chapters, then don't waste your time, money, or mismanaged aspirations. Yet, if you really think you can stick to a worthy goal over a period of 6 months to a year, then it will be $45 well spent, and you will never regret it. If you can't make your $45 bucks back by doing side work after a few months of reading this book, then you are doing something very wrong, and it's not likely any book can help you. lol Enjoy. ...and Mike...print the next one in color. : ) -Spikeman

I just received my copy of both this book and Mike Meyers book on Network+ and his UDemy courses on both subjects....I am completely geeen in the computer tech department other then your average iPhone owner type individual. I've always been a gizmo gadget lovin nerd with a love of tech and amazing capabilities that it brings to our lives. It is my dream to learn and become a Network Engineer and specialize specifically in the security aspects of things and everyone that I express this to just gets this glazed over look like ummm ok...lol I love how technology can bring people from around the world together and understanding how it is done just takes that appreciation to the next level. This is the first step in this journey and from what I've started reading and in taking Mr. Meyers courses I have no doubt that this time next year I will not only be certified but neck deep in this world. Meyers speaks and teaches his students and breaks the most technologically crazy stuff down in such a way that you don't feel completely out of your depth and gives it to you straight without all the fluff and mumbo-jumbo. He tells you right away in the beginning of the book that no one should pay full price to take this certification exam. I truly get the sense that he more than anything wants those he is trying to teach to succeed I couldn't be more thankful to have come across all of his invaluable information, courses and books thank you Mr. Myers!! Once I've dove a little deeper into his book I'll update with any other useful tidbits. Good luck to all of you wherever your journey may lead! :)

Hi everyone, As of yesterday I took both the 901 and 902 exam and passed them both on my first try. I read this ENTIRE book. In addition to this book I suggest checking out Professor Messer on Youtube and looking at his study material. Some background, I am new to the IT world. I have never had an IT job and my only experience is being a mid-20's adult who grew up with a Windows PC. The book can be overwhelming at first but it seems to build upon concepts to where it will eventually click. It is a lot of reading but there are great graphics and the author makes it relateable and easy to read. The book has practice quizzes that were great. I did not use the DVD it came with, though. As for the exam itself, it is hard and you pretty much need to know everything in order to be able to rule certain answers out. A lot of it is troubleshooting but knowing everything else only helps with breaking down the questions. It will have a few answers that are all right but you need to pick the BEST answer which means you need to have good comprehension of concepts. Good luck!

I have read good and bad reviews about this book, some saying how this is not a good book because its content its a little outdated and how they knew most of the information already, i think that this is comming from people that have been working with computes for quite a while but let me give you my personal opinion as well as a lottle background about me and maybe that will make my review make more sense. I have been intwrested in compiters since i was 8 years old, but i never had a chance to fully discover the amazing things that can be done with them until i had a little taste about it by pursuing and completing my associates degree in science of information technology, however i am still years away from becoming a technician. I bought this book because obtaining the compTIA A+ certification greatly increases the chances of making it into the IT field and let me tell you that this book is worth every last penny that i paid for it, it is full of useful information not only about computers, but it also helps you realize that this field is not only about being the best at fixing computers but it also will train you on the way that you have to present yourself in order to provide excellent service. Bottom line, if you are a beginner and want to pursue a carreer on IT this book would prove to be an amazing tool to help you reach out your goal, after this i am aiming for my network+ certification and u can bet that i would return and buy this book from mike meyers as well. For those that decide to buy this book and are also pursuing to get A+ certify i wish you good luck and hope everything goes well for you. Fabian Fuentes

I feel I must first state that my less than stellar star rating is NOT due to the books content, rather the books format. I purchased this book as study material for the 901 and 902 exams. As I wanted to get started on this ASAP, and to have the luxury of taking the book with me anywhere, I purchased the Kindle version (I first sent it to my "Kindle for PC" as I planned on doing the majority of my studying at my home computer taking notes). However I regret my decision immensely. The book is full of pictures, graphs, diagrams, etc... that on the Kindle for PC are completely unreadable. They pictures and the accompanying text are so tiny (and often times extremely blurry) that I simply cannot read them at all. And sadly the Kindle for PC does not allow you to increase the size of the pictures, only the actual font of the text (which is not applied to text that is "part of the picture"). I have viewed this book on an actual Kindle and it is absolutely perfect. You can touch a picture to enlarge it and use all the standard pinch-zoom features. Based on my experiences I would not recommend that anyone purchase this book (or probably any other book of a similar nature and not just a novel) with the intent to read it at a PC. I am surprised that Amazon would allow this obvious functional problem to persist and has not corrected this issue. I have included a picture of a page from the book with an image on it. No matter how much you try to zoom in, or increase the size of the picture, the text within the image never becomes legible. All that being said, the book and its content are great. Extremely informative and very well put together in a relaxing manner that makes it much easier to read that the text books I can remember from school. As long as you are not planning on reading this on a computer I strongly recommend this book.