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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.
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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 .
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More articles by Jeff Durham:
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Post your comment below, or better yet, go to our Discussion Forums and really post your mind.
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Current  user Comments for "A+ Core Hardware Exam: Under the Hood "
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| 7/17/01 - wpmercer says: |
That diagram for question two was as bad as the one that was on the actual test! It looked like section A had the BIOS chip (Award actually) and section H had parts of the chipset in it. |
| 8/1/01 - LeeAnn says: |
Hi Jeff- Thanks for the article. I've been asking around work about the "new" A+ exams, but everyone I talked to had passed on the previous version. Your article really helped me to get the info I needed, instead of having to wade through the CompTIA website. I also downloaded your complete A+ TestPro and used it for the Hardware test. I passed last Thursday with a 783! Thanks again for the article, and nice picture! |
| 10/6/01 - Anonymous says: |
Does that Motherboard still run? Shouldn't it be in a museum? |
| 10/18/01 - LISA says: |
I TOOK MY A+ CORE TEST ON OCT11, AND FAILED. THE PICTURES YOU GAVE WERE AWFUL. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS TO IDENTIFY THE CPU. WELL IN THE PICTURE THERE WAS NO CPU. I FEEL I WAS CHEATED OUT OF MY CHANCE TO PASS. THAT WAS THE LAST QUESTION ON THE TEST AND I COULD HAVE PASSED. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONCE BACK ON THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF THE PICTURES WERE CLEAR I MAY HAVE PASSED. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK AT THIS ADDRESS AND SEND ME SOME SORT OF INFORMATION ON THE TEST I TOOK . THANK YOU LISA DECOSTA |
| 11/15/01 - Becky says: |
Lisa -- We (as in CertCities.com) don't administer the exam. Neither does Jeff or his employer. The company that puts out the A+ exam is CompTIA. You can reach them through their Web site at www.comptia.org. -- Becky Nagel, Web Editor, CertCities.com ([email protected]) |
| 12/17/01 - Anonymous says: |
if you were not able to pass you have more than picture problems.. |
| 3/13/02 - FRED from COLUMBUS, OHIO USA says: |
THE PEOPLE WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE GRAPHICS WERE RIGHT.WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF!!!IF YOU MAKE US PAY THE AMOUNTS THAT YOU DO WHY DONT YOU GIVE US OUR MONEYS WORTH???I WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT I JUST CANT AFFORD THE TEST PRICES AND RAISE A FAMILY. THIS TEST HAS TOTALLY STRESSED ME OUT!!!! |
| 3/13/02 - FRED says: |
TO THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED THE TEST.PLEASE DO NOT BERATE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE NOT.YOU MAY HAVE ALL THE INTELLECT BUT YOUR ATTITUDE SUCKS.WE ARE ALL STRIVING FOR THE SAME GOAL.WHY NOT OFFER US SOME HELPFUL TIPS INSTEAD OF YOUR EXTREME SARCASM.NOT EVERYONE IS AS GOOD AS YOU ARE AT TEST TAKING.BUT WE KNOW OUR STUFF!!!I HAVE TEST ANXIETY SO IT TAKES ME A LITTLE LONGER.SO BACK OFF OF US WHO HAVE NOT ARRIVED BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE WAY.GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE STUDYING.I PRAY THAT YOU PASS THE EXAMS.HAVE A GREAT DAY. |
| 4/28/02 - Chris from Australia says: |
Comptia A+ exam. I have failed twice.. Questions are full of sh*t... the first time i had like 70% network questions, by the way they say its only suppost to be 10%. second time all the questions were just pick 3 of the possible 5 answers. and they are all possibilities.. You dont get the questions that u got wrong so u know what to study.. i think its a load of sh*t, just a money making scam. |
| 5/2/02 - Spiro from Australia says: |
hey chirs. its spiro man. hehe i got exam in 15 min. im fuked for it. i hopr i dont fkn fail man. hehe i know some of the questions are fkn bullshit, and ill propably go bankrupt before i pass hardware alone. :) anyways. if i fail i know im gona start going to church. |
| 6/10/02 - opaluwa, M from Georgia, USA says: |
I have taken the A+ (Core) two times without success. The book which I read for the first attempt seemed inadequate and I went and bought another one only to find out that they contradict each other (what a helpless situation!). I make a call on all those who have passed this exam to make recommendation as to what material(s) I can use to fight this 'war. |
| 8/7/02 - Dragon from New Orleans, LA says: |
The people at Comptia purposely put black & white and hand drawn pictures on the test to make it harder to pass. The point is the more test people have to take the more money they make. I will be taking the test for the 2nd time and I only missed it by 34pts. It is unfair what they do but I guess we will just have to deal with it. |
| 8/13/02 - Anonymous from Hawaii says: |
Damn, you gouys got me all nervous now... I take my test in 2 weeks and I'm totally stressed out as it is... |
| 8/26/02 - Rich from Blue Lake, CA says: |
About question 3, if you knew the device you were installing used a COM port other then any currently on the system then no COM ports would need to be disabled. So couldn't "A" be the right answer? Personally speaking, whenever I install a none PNP device I always start by checking the device manager to see what I may need to do to avoid any conflicts. I think your answer is based on a condition not specified in the question, that you already know that there would be a conflict with an existing port. |
| 8/28/02 - Mike from Louisville, Kentucky says: |
I have also taken this test two times now and failed both times. I agree that this test is a load of bs. How can someone use 3 of their authorized training products. Know all of the information in these products. Pass all the practice tests in these and on the internet and then go and fail the test. Its all a money making scheme to me. |
| 10/1/02 - Anonymous says: |
Expose yourselves to more questions. Become resourceful and success will be guaranteed !!! Quit Whining !!!! |
| 10/2/02 - hype says: |
hi currently I'm studying comptia service technician core exam and I'm using smartcertifys cd package. I have now completed this and I'm due to take my exam shortly. I'm a little concerned as some of the practice tests I have taken are asking questions about memory codes and beep sequences amongst a few other things. I'm hoping some of you certifed gurus out there can advise me on some things firstly from what I have told you do you think my course may have not covered all the exam criteria and should I buy other study materials although the course I have taken is supposed to be comptias authorised training material also can you pass this test without any experience just studying. As some practice test I do well and others not so. Or should I stop delaying and just take the exam any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks [email protected] |
| 10/10/02 - ankitpatel from india says: |
any exam for study in usa pleas reply me |
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