CompTIA A_ Certification All-In-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition - Michael Meyers [10]
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NOTE Previously, CompTIA offered a basic exam and then a choice of three different second exams. CompTIA reverted to the simpler two-exam format in 2009.
The Basic Exam Structure
CompTIA names the two exams introduced in 2009 as CompTIA A+ 220-701 (Essentials) and the CompTIA A+ 220-702 (Practical Application). It’s common to refer to these two exams as the 2009 exams to differentiate them from older CompTIA exams. Although you may take either of the two exams first, I recommend taking the Essentials followed by the Practical Application. The Essentials exam concentrates on understanding terminology and technology, how to do fundamental tasks such as upgrading RAM, and basic Windows operating system support. The Practical Application exam builds on the Essentials exam, concentrating on advanced configuration and troubleshooting.
Both of the exams are extremely practical, with little or no interest in theory. All questions are multiple choice or “click on the right part of the picture” questions. The following is an example of the questions you will see on the exams:
Your laser printer is printing blank pages. Which item should you check first?
A. Printer drivers
B. Toner cartridge
C. Printer settings
D. Paper feed
The correct answer is B, the toner cartridge. You can make an argument for any of the others, but common sense (and skill as a PC technician) tells you to check the simplest possibility first.
The 2009 exams use a regular test format in which you answer a set number of questions and are scored based on how many correct answers you give, rather than the adaptive format used in years past. These exams have no more than 100 questions each. (Both exams have 100 questions each at the time of this writing.)
Be aware that CompTIA may add new questions to the exams at any time to keep the content fresh. The subject matter covered by the exams won’t change, but new questions may be added periodically at random intervals. This policy puts stronger emphasis on understanding concepts and having solid PC-tech knowledge rather than trying to memorize specific questions and answers that may have been on the tests in the past. Going forward, no book or Web resource will have all the “right answers” because those answers will change constantly. Luckily for you, however, this book does not just teach you what steps to follow in a particular case but also explains how to be a knowledgeable tech who understands why you’re doing those steps, so that when you encounter a new problem (or test question), you can work out the answer. Not only will this help you pass the exams, you’ll also be a better PC tech!
To keep up to date, we monitor the CompTIA A+ exams for new content and update the special Tech Files section of the Total Seminars Web site (www.totalsem.com) with new articles covering subjects we believe may appear on future versions of the exams.
Windows-Centric
The CompTIA A+ exams are exclusively centered on the Microsoft Windows operating systems you would expect at a workstation or home. There are no Linux questions. There are no Macintosh OS X questions. You won’t be asked about any version of Windows Server or Windows Mobile (used on smartphones and PDAs). Objectives in both exams clearly focus on the following operating systems:
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Home
Windows XP Media Center
Windows Vista Home
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows 7
CompTIA has the darndest luck when it comes to the timing