Introduction

If you're picking up this book, there's a good chance that you want to pass the CompTIA A+ exam. It means that you're likely either an IT professional looking for certifications or someone who has a bit of computer knowledge and wants to start an IT career. The A+ exam is entry level and is often the first certification test IT technicians will take.

While still considered an entry-level credential, the exam has become more challenging compared to what it was a few years ago. The newest exam puts a slightly higher importance on operating systems, security, mobile devices, and troubleshooting. New topics include long-range fixed wireless, Wi-Fi 6, the newest USB ports, cable categories, and Windows 11. Overall, our opinion is that the industry will understand this exam to be more practical and vigorous and the credential will be even more valued. The time to gain this credential is now.

While we're confident that if you can answer all the questions in this book you can pass the exam, we encourage you to take time to read the explanations and go beyond memorizing questions and answers. One reason is that the questions on the actual exams will be different than the ones written for this book. Another (better) reason is that life isn't a multiple-choice exam. When you're in the field and trying to fix a computer, you won't have possible solutions given to you-you need to have a solid base of knowledge to work from.

CompTIA® A+® Complete Practice Tests, Third Edition, combined with the Sybex CompTIA® A+® Complete Study Guide, Fifth Edition (and also the Deluxe Study Guide), will help give you the foundation you need to pass the exams. Study them well and they will also give you the tools you need to navigate a myriad of technical topics and make you more valuable to prospective employers.

What Is A+ Certification?

The A+ certification program was developed by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) to provide an industrywide means of certifying the competency of computer service technicians. The A+ certification is granted to those who have attained the level of knowledge and troubleshooting skills that are needed to provide capable support in the field of personal computers and mobile devices. It is similar to other certifications in the computer industry, such as the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) program and the Microsoft certification programs. The theory behind these certifications is that if you need to have service performed on a certain vendor's products, you would prefer to use a technician who has been certified in one of the appropriate certification programs rather than just the first "expert" that pops up in a Google search. The difference with A+ is that it's an industrywide certification and vendor agnostic. That means by passing it, you're capable of handling different issues regardless of the software or hardware vendor.

Everyone must take and pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102). You don't have to take the 220-1101 exam and the 220-1102 exam at the same time, but the A+ certification isn't awarded until you've passed both tests.

Tests are administered by CompTIA's global testing partner, Pearson VUE. For more information on taking the exam, visit the CompTIA website at www.comptia.org. You can also visit Pearson VUE at www.pearsonvue.com.

Who Should Buy This Book?

If you want to pass the A+ exam, this book is definitely for you. This book is an exam prep book. If you're an experienced computer professional, a book like this may be all you need to pass the exam.

However, a book of exam questions isn't designed to give you all the background you need to truly understand the basics of personal computers, mobile devices, and virtualization. If you're newer to the industry, we encourage you to buy a study guide as well, such as the Sybex CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide Fifth Edition. The study guide will provide more depth and context to help you acquire the skills and knowledge you need to be successful. This book then becomes a great companion as you prepare to take the exam.

How to Use This Book and the Interactive Online Learning Environment and Test Bank

This book includes 1,500 practice test questions, which will help you get ready to pass the A+ exam. The interactive online learning environment that accompanies CompTIA A+ Complete Practice Tests, Third Edition provides a robust test bank to help you prepare for the certification exams and increase your chances of passing them the first time! By using this test bank, you can identify weak areas up front and then develop a solid studying strategy using each of these testing features.

The test bank also offers two practice exams. Take these practice exams just as if you were taking the actual exam (without any reference material). When you've finished the first exam, move on to the next one to solidify your test-taking skills. If you get more than 90 percent of the answers correct, you're ready to take the certification exams.

You can access the Sybex interactive online test bank at www.wiley.com/go/Sybextestprep.

Like all exams, the A+ certification from CompTIA is updated periodically and may eventually be retired or replaced. At some point after CompTIA is no longer offering this exam, the old editions of our books and online tools will be retired. If you have purchased this book after the exam was retired or are attempting to register in the Sybex online learning environment after the exam was retired, please know that we make no guarantees that this exam's online Sybex tools will be available once the exam is no longer available.

Tips for Taking the A+ Exams

Here are some general tips for taking your exams successfully:

• Bring two forms of ID with you. One must be a photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. The other can be another ID with your name or a recent photo. Both IDs must have your signature. These requirements sometimes change, so be sure to check for updates on the Candidate ID Policy page of www.comptia.org before scheduling your test.
• Arrive early at the exam center so you can relax and review your study materials, particularly tables and lists of exam-related information.
• Read the questions carefully. Don't be tempted to jump to an early conclusion. Make sure you know exactly what the question is asking.
• Don't leave any unanswered questions. Unanswered questions are scored against you.
• There will be questions with multiple correct responses. Be sure to read the messages displayed to know how many correct answers you must choose.
• When answering multiple-choice questions you're not sure about, use a process of elimination to rule out the obviously incorrect answers first. Doing so will improve your odds if you need to make an educated guess.
• On form-based tests (nonadaptive), because the hard questions will eat up the most time, save them for last. You can move forward and backward through the exam.
• For the latest pricing on the exams and updates to the registration procedures, visit CompTIA's website at www.comptia.org.

Exam Objectives

CompTIA goes to great lengths to ensure that its certification programs accurately reflect the IT industry's best practices. Exam content comes from surveying and receiving feedback from companies and people currently working in the industry, as well as input from subject matter experts (SMEs). This ensures that the test objectives and weightings truly reflect the job requirements.

The SMEs' work in focus groups to write and review hundreds of test items. The process is estimated to take over 5,000 SME hours to develop a single exam. And, in many cases, they must go back to the drawing board for further refinements before the exam is ready to go live in its final state.

CompTIA also uses a trained psychologist/psychometrician to ensure that the test and test development process exceed the certification industry's standards.

CompTIA ensures that their tests are developed with impartiality and objectivity, and they take security of the exam contents very seriously. By maintaining exam question confidentiality, the certification retains its validity and value in the computer industry.

So, rest assured, the content you're about to learn will serve you long after you take the exam.

A+ Certification Exam Objectives: Core 1 (220-1101)

The following table lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented on the exam: