STUDYING - This entry level computer servicing technician certification is composed of two exams, Core Hardware & Operating System (O/S) Technologies.

Changes incorporated in the 2003 upgrade are not major. The certification content continues to validate important knowledge and skills necessary to competently install, build, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot and repair PC's.

Mike Meyer's A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide (5th Edition) at $39 (34% discount) covers ALL of the current requirements to pass both exams and obtain the A+ certification. Written by Mike Meyers, the industry leader in A+ certification training, this authoritative reference offers complete coverage of all material on the A+ Core Hardware and Operating System Technologies exams.

You'll find exam objectives at the beginning of each chapter, helpful exam tips, end-of-chapter practice questions, and photographs and illustrations.

The CD-ROM contains a testing engine with questions found only on the CD. This comprehensive guide not only helps you pass this challenging exam, but will also serve as an invaluable on-the-job reference.

This is definitely the definitive guide for the A+ exams with the format being very clear and easy to understand. Best option for studying is to devote 4 weeks to Core, and 5 weeks to O/S.

EXAMS - The A+ Core Hardware Exam: 220-301
and A+ OS Technologies Exam: 220-302 can both be taken on the same day or anytime (note the 90day rule no longer applies). Of the two the Core is seen as being the easier, so a little more effort on the O/S will pay dividends.

The exams are now linear having previous been adaptive, and thus now contain approx 80 questions. The usual time taken to complete each the exam is less than 60 minutes, with 90 available.

The estimated passing score for both is 52%, this is arrived at by using the following formula:

The maximum is 900
The passing score is 515
The starting score is 100
Thus (900-100)=800
(515-100)/800 = 52%

Also an important note is that the certificate is still valid for life, i.e. recertification is not required.

A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, 5th Edition
by Michael Meyers (34% off)

STUDYING - The Network+ covers knowledge required to configure and operate a variety of networking technologies.

The Network+ 2005 In Depth book at $26 . (34% discount) Covers all of the necessary requirements to pass CompTiA's revised 2005 exam objectives.

With over 880 pages, Muska & Lipman has made short work of the exam and the exam objectives. Beginning with the fundamentals of topologies, hardware and basic network elements. Then spends the next 50+ pages on the OSI model, the key element in networking.

When you are finished, you will be prepared to select the best network design, hardware, and software for your environment. You will also have the skills to build a network from scratch and maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot an existing network. CoursePrep Exam Guide available on Companion Web Site!

The Network+ test is a relatively harder exam than the preceding A+ exam, and does require a little more concentration / commitment to study than the A+ did.

Network+ 2005 In Depth (34% off)

EXAMS - The Network+ comprises 72 questions, where test takers can mark questions for later review, i.e. go back and check / change any questions. Normally the test takes approximately 60 minutes to complete out of the maximum of 90 minutes available.

The passing score is 69% - Calculated from (649-100)/900-100), where 100 is the starting score, i.e. the exam starts at 100 instead of 0.

The exam was last revised in May 2005 and was first released in 1997.

CONCLUSION - The Network+ builds on the A+, covering all of the necessary background networking knowledge required by students to embark on the subsequent certz routes.

STUDYING - The i-net+ covers basic understanding of the Internet, Intranet, Extranet and e-commerce technologies. It is geared more towards spread of topics rather than depth. The latest version of the i-Net+ exam was released on April 12, 2002

Having passed the A+ & Network +, all that is needed to cover the remaining areas is the Sybex i -Net+ Study Guide , at $33 (34% discount), 672 pages, updated March 2002 and priced at $35, is a great resource for learning all about how Internet works! The topics match the exam objectives perfectly. This is not just a good study guide however. Anyone interested in knowing how Internet technologies work should read this book. Complete with a CD-ROM which contains sample tests with many of the test questions very similar to exam questions.

No other resources will be required to pass the i-net+

EXAMS - The IK0-002 i-net+ comprises 74 questions (multiple choice). Normally the test takes approximately 25 minutes to complete out of the maximum of 90 minutes available.

The passing score is 73%

Sybex i -Net+ Study Guide (34% off)

CONCLUSION - The i-net+ extends the spread in knowledge, and in that respects covers a lot of topics that will crop up in much more depth in many of the subsequent networking certz routes. Up until feb 05 a major benefit was the automatic accreditation towards the CIW Foundation certificate.