A+ Core Hardware Exam: Under the Hood
Think you know hardware like the back of your hand? Think you know what to expect on the CompTIA A+ hardware test? Think again.
by Jeff Durham
7/10/2001 -- You might think you know what's on the A+ Core Hardware Exam from listening to the guy in the next cube who took the test two years ago. Think again. With a new set of test objectives comes a new realm of understanding to pass the A+ Hardware Exam. In this month's column, I go through the typical questions you might have regarding the new test, discuss some of its new features, and provide some sample questions.
The Bottom Line
A+ certification is a CompTIA-sponsored testing program that ensures the understanding and competency of entry-level computer technicians. CompTIA defines "entry-level" as someone with fewer than six months of experience. The A+ Core Hardware exam consists of 70 standard (as opposed to adaptive) questions. (Note that starting August 31, both A+ exams -- Core Hardware and OS Technologies -- will use the adaptive format. Click here for more information.)
The scale used to score the Core Hardware exam is between 100 and 900; the minimum passing score is 683. You have 90 minutes to complete the test. You can skip a question and come back to it later, if you have time. Other certification exams, such as Cisco's CCNA, don't offer this option (and it's not available with adaptive exams), so be happy it's here for now. This allows you to get through the questions you know and then spend time trying to work through the more difficult questions.
The price for the test for non-CompTIA members is $132. For corporate members, the price is $82. If you live outside of the U.S., visit www.comptia.org for pricing information. The Fees section breaks down the cost by various countries. You can register for CompTIA exams through either VUE (Virtual University Enterprises) or Prometric testing centers. The exam code for A+ Core Hardware is 220-201.
One note before we proceed: Suppose you took the A+ Core Hardware exam before March 30, 2001, and then got busy with work and said to yourself, "I'll just take the other part later." Can you do that? Unfortunately, no. If you took the Hardware exam on the 1998 objectives, you must retake the test in order to become certified per the new 2001 test objectives.
Poking Around Inside the Objectives
A few things have changed in the new objectives that make them different from the old ones-nothing tremendously earth-shattering, but it's important to know what you're up against before getting into your studies. Here's a quick rundown.
IEEE 1394 and USB Ports
Probably one of the most significant additions to the new objectives is the information about USB ports and IEEE 1394. Many people consider the terms FireWire and IEEE 1394 to be interchangeable, but IEEE 1394 is actually a development of the FireWire port created by Apple for the Mac. You'll need to know such aspects as port and cable configurations for IEEE 1394, as well as all the various compatible devices available.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a relatively new external bus standard, available since 1996. In the long run, it will most likely replace such things as RS-232 and LPT parallel ports. USB supports data transfer rates of anywhere from 1.5 to 12 Mbps. The maximum cable length is five meters. You'll need to know that USB can support up to 127 devices by daisy-chaining them together via hubs. Make sure you memorize the requirements for USB operation and how to troubleshoot USB problems.
Portable Requirements
The old A+ exam format included a complete objective devoted to portable systems. The new format, however, disperses questions about portable systems throughout each objective, where applicable. Under peripheral devices, for example, is a section devoted to such aspects as docking stations, PC cards, port replicators and infrared devices. In addition to the peripherals section, there's a portable system section under the Upgrading Hardware objective. Here, you need to make sure that you're up-to-speed on laptop upgrade components such as batteries, hard drives, Type I, II, and III PCMCIA Cards, as well as memory upgrades.
IDE and SCSI Interfaces
Finally, the new A+ Core Hardware exam features questions about the IDE and SCSI interfaces-something the previous exam didn't include. IDE was first created to connect hard drives, but with its growing popularity, it's now used for several other types of storage components. To be successful with this objective, you need to know such things as IDE cable standards and how to configure the BIOS to support IDE.
On the other hand, SCSI is a more useful drive interface because it can accommodate various devices that aren't solely hard drives. You can use SCSI cabling to connect devices such as scanners, printers, removable media (Zip and Jaz drives) and optical drives (CD-ROM and DVD). Make sure you've learned the various SCSI standards, which include Fast, Fast-Wide, Ultra, Ultra-Wide, Ultra2, Ultra2Wide, and Ultra3. You should memorize the speeds for each type, as well as the signal type (either SE or LVD). Also, make sure you know the number of devices that each type can support.
Let's Play 20 Questions
Here are some sample questions I've written to give you a taste for the ones you'll see on the A+ Core Hardware exam.
1. With regard to a hard disk drive, what might a Missing Operating System error message indicate?
A. That the HDD's CMOS configuration information is incorrect.
B. That the system boot files are not located in the root directory of the drive.
C. That the controller cannot find a recognizable track/sector pattern on the drive.
D. That the disk's master boot record has become corrupt.
2. Which area of the exhibit below contains the BIOS chip?
A. H
B. G
C. F
D. E
E. D
3. You want to install a non-PnP device on a specific COM port, and avoid any device conflict that might result from that installation. What step should you take first?
A. Run Device Manager.
B. Check the device driver's documentation for a list of possible conflicts.
C. Activate the port in the system's CMOS settings.
D. Disable the port in the system's CMOS settings.
Answers to Sample Questions
1. D. A Missing Operating System error message indicates that the disk's master boot record is missing or has become corrupt.
2. A. Area H holds the BIOS chip.
3. D. To install a non-PnP device on a specific COM port, and to avoid a device conflict from such installation, you first need to disable that port in the system's CMOS settings.
Wait a minute -- didn't I say 20 questions? Well, this is three of 20. For the other 17, go to my Web site at www.certificationcorner.com/ems.html#aplus and you'll find the rest with my compliments.
Jeff W. Durham, MCP, A+, i-Net+, Linux+, is the recent co-author of the Security+ Short Course. E-mail any questions or comments to .
|