Hello, everyone. My name is choco963 (username). I'm studying for the current 2009 version of A+ exams on my 2nd attempt. I took the exams first time last year when I was in senior in high school. I failed on both parts (however the first part had higher points than the second). So far, I have been writing some terms, like floopy drives, CD-ROM, six steps of laser printer, etc on index cards and that helps me a lot. I also read the CompTIA A+ exams Study Guide book for the current version. I want to know, am I doing this ok? If you guys and gals who are A+ certified, post any reply on tips. Although, I know that doing my best as I can is the best way to be successful.

That's a difficult question to answer as I don't know the full extent of your experience or knowledge.
I can only suggest you watch the professor Messer's videos on the A+ and also consider getting some practice exams on the Mike Meyer's website. If you can do the Meyer's exams and pass these with scores about 90% then you are ready for the real thing. If you are still needing more help then you could try CBT nuggets A+ video series or another A+ book.

Dear A+ CompTIA Worrior Friends.
This what it takes to prepare for the A+ CompTIA Certification.
I took two semesters at the college with Percy Ellis, which was a great INTRODUCTION to Computer Technology.
In the class we studied using Jean Andrews book.
The college was good but only half the efforts required for the A+ Certification.

After the two semesters it was time to study on my own. This what it took:
I bought :Mikes Meyers : CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition (Exams 220-701 & 220-702) [Hardcover]
CompTIA A+ 220-701 and 220-702 Exam Cram (5th Edition) [Paperback]
and
31 Days Before Your CompTIA A+ Exams (2nd Edition)
When I felt that I had enough from the books for that day I watched and listened to Professor Messer Videos and Pod casts.

Then on my own for 3 months, 5 to 6 hours a day I read, and reread the knowledge. Watched the videos and listened to pod casts. Said no to all distractions, made some of my friends angry.
Some of the knowledge is not organized, and part of my job was to organize the information.
I had a notebook where I summarized the information, organizing and reorganizing the info again and again.
I also had flash cards, each piece of information on a different card. So when I took walks or exercising I was studying the flash cards.
Both Exam Crams and Mike Meyers book had practice exams on a CD at the back of the books. Start using the practice exams from day one.
I found the 702 exam more challenging then the 701. The Exam Cram 702 CD practice was the most useful preparation for the 702 exam.

Few tips:
Studying, reading and rereading takes dedication, avoid distractions, and make your friends unhappy.
In the exam room : Some of the questions in both tests I have not seen before. Since I had to choose between 4 choices I used the process of elimination to get to the right answer, Just stay cool under time pressure.
Try to understand the question the best you can before answering.
DO NOT TAKE the exams on the same day, preferably two weeks apart. The 702 exam is more difficult and requires different kind of preparation.
Bring ear plugs to the tests room in case there is too much noise around you.

Good Luck
Jonathan

Do I have to read the book 5 to 6 hours straight or say for example, I read the book one hour at this time, then 2 hours there, and then 2 hours at night?

All good advice there. Do what you feel confident in doing. The best way I have found throughout my life is to combine theory with pragmatism. Get yourself a baseunit and pull it apart while going through a Meyers book. I am an Overclocker so Hardware for me, gets the juices flowing. Do that and the fundamentals that flow through the software, become second nature in a way.