This book does have one shortcoming: it is almost devoid of illustrations--unusual in a book largely about manipulating the physical things that make up a computer. Of the handful of photographs and line drawings that are included, many are blurry or otherwise difficult to interpret.

Exam Cram: A+ deserves kudos for the practice questions that appear at the end of each of its chapters. The answers (which really ought to be separated from the questions to make it harder to accidentally cheat) include brief discussions that substantiate why the answer is correct. This approach integrates exam preparation with the accumulation of reasoned knowledge that will be valuable after the test. The authors use a similar approach (with separate answers) for a full practice test. --David Wall

Product Description
A+ Exam Cram is designed to speed computer repair and upgrade technicians' paths to the NEW A+ certification, expected to go live July '98. Provides a technical recap of all key A+ concepts, including CPU features, memory, disk drives, power supplies, monitors, network adapters, modems, and much more. This book is based on the curriculum objectives of the new A+ exam and is interspersed with specific test-taking advice. This product is for the A+ Test which expires on 03/31/01.

Using these two books together we were both able to pass the exams (and did quite well) and both of us feel that we have a very solid understanding of the fundamentals of DOS, Windows 3.X, Windows 65 and NT. We are very pleased that these two books are on the market and hope they are used by anyone who wants to pass the A+ exam on the first try. The Exam Cram book does not include all of the information covered in both exams so we recommend you purchase at least one other book, preferably the Michael Myers book, and you will have your bases covered. No, we are not getting any money for this, we just did lots of research and many, many, many hours studying and do not want anyone else to waste their time!


A+ Exam Cram the best way to Learn and Pass the A+ Exam   August 28, 1999
Greg Wolff (gwolff@pacifier.com) (Monmouth, Oregon)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

While working toward my A+ Certification I was given and got a lot of other books to study. I took the Test and did not pass. Then I found out about the Exam Cram for A+ Certification. I tried it, followed the suggestions in the book and passed the Test. I also learned more from that book than any other, simply because it was put in simple terms and if you have a little bit of experience of hardware and software it is the perfect tool.

The only bad thing I found was there are a few mistakes in the answers of the practice tests. But if you read the previous chapter(s) you will figure it out and it is actually a good test to see if you are paying attention.


The essential core reference for the A+ exam   February 15, 1999
duggan_john@hotmail.com (Seoul, Korea)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is the primary reference I used to prepare for the A+ exam, and I scored in the high 80's on both. I think that my scores on the actual tests were well reflected in how I did on the book's final quiz. This book is a great value. I found few errors that had not been found and corrected on the errata page - in marked contrast to some of the MCSE study guides I have used. The authors did respond pretty quickly to e-mail.

There are a few additional texts I would use. For DOS, I would check out Van Wolverton's (Microsoft Press) DOS books (check the library or used book stores) and for WIN 95, I would add O'Reilly's "Windows Annoyances."

Finally, the Barron's "Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms" (Business Guides series - another highly rated little book) is useful for modem, microprocessor, and other information.


Five Corrections....Pencil them in before you read!   March 29, 1999
taylor@cvnc.net (North Carolina)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Page 249, number 2, Correct: B,C, and D

Page 255, number 20, Correct: True

Page 300, number 3, The author meant the question to read, "Win.ini," not "Win.com." Win.ini is not required to boot.

Page 400, number 8, Correct Answer: A

Page 412, number 51, Correct Answer A


a+ exam cram   February 2, 2000
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

this book is written very well and easy to understand and to the point topic coverage in a very refined way. keep up the good work. would also like to see this kind of book for all MCSE module in one book. thanks.