Author Interview: Mike Meyers
Author of CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide, 6th Edition
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GoCertify:
Is there any way to "overlap" your studying so that you can be learning material that is on more than one of the exams at the same time?
Mike Meyers:
(Again, thinking just Essentials and 602 here) Oh heck, yes! Did you know the "Communication and Professionalism" domains are identical between the two exams? Study one and you've studied for both exams! Plus, the entire "Safety and Environmental" sub domain in the 602 is really just one of the "Safety and Environmental" sub domains in the Essentials exam and I fully take advantage of these overlaps.
GoCertify:
Is there a specific order or a "best" order in which the exams should be taken?
Mike Meyers:
Take the Essentials and then the 602.
GoCertify:
What are the differences between standard and adaptive exams, and how does the fact that CompTIA has moved back to standard exams affect test taking strategies?
Mike Meyers:
I think adaptive was an experiment on CompTIA's part from three years ago and we won't see it again.
GoCertify:
What are some of the extras included with your book, and why did you include them?
Mike Meyers:
The biggest extra, and the one I'm most proud of, is the practice questions. Since A+ is often a first certification, many students have a big mental challenge when taking the exams. I'm convinced test anxiety is the number one reason most people fail the exams. To that end, I designed my practice exams to replicate the look and feel of the A+ exams, making the transition from practice to the real exam much less stressful.
GoCertify:
The book is over 1,000 pages long. Does a reader really have to study every single page in order to pass the exams?
Mike Meyers:
Heck, No! - But you'll have so much fun reading it that you won't mind. I'm first and foremost a PC tech. When I'm done answering these questions I'm going to be configuring my new home theater PC to use my groovy new Bluetooth keyboard. The folks who like PCs and who like to understand how stuff works-really works-love my book. I cover a large amount of concept that are not on the A+, but that make understanding what is on the A+ much easier. I also cover technologies that A+ either skips over or touches too lightly, in my opinion. For example, you won't see a single question on the A+ about PC power supplies use of multiple 12v power rails but anyone who's bought a power supply in the last year knows this is a HUGE deal so I cover it. Personally, I think this is one of the reasons my book is now considered to be a reference work for thousands of techs.
I do make a point to separate my chapters into four subheadings: Historical/Conceptual, Essentials, IT Technician, and Beyond A+ so the reader knows whether a particular topic is on the exam and if it is which exam to expect to see it.
GoCertify:
Which topic do most A+ certification candidates find the most challenging to master?
Mike Meyers:
Professionalism, and Communication. I'm not known as a diplomatic person and if a customer started screaming at me I'd probably scream right back. Luckily, I did a ton of research and learned the right way to handle the types of situations described in the CompTIA domains.
GoCertify:
What sort of study plan and approach do you recommend to individuals who are preparing for A+ certification exams?
Mike Meyers:
I cover this in detail in my book but mainly it's:
1) Determine what you know
2) Determine what you need to learn
3) Determine how long it will take you to learn it
4) Set a date, schedule and pay for the exam
5) Balance your study time
6) Use the practice exams as you complete each chapter
GoCertify:
Do you have any other words of advice for individuals preparing for A+ certification?
Mike Meyers:
Stop sitting on the fence and go schedule your exams!
Mike's new book includes a CD with A+ practice exams, video training, an electronic copy of the book, and useful tools for PC technicians, among other valuable resources.
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