Recently started preparing for A+ certification. I'm looking for a help desk job while I study for college. How much time it takes to prepare for A+ and which books are recommended for A+ preparation?
Checkout A+ Certification Guide by Michael Meyer
http://books.google.co.in/books/about/A_plus_certification_exam_guide.html?id=N8NaAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y
It is a widely used book for A+ cert.
You may also want to checkout some practice tests here:
http://www.certexams.com/comptia/a+/a+essentials-exam-details.htm
http://www.certexams.com/comptia/a+/a+practical-application-exam-details.htm
Checkout the references made by BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
http://academic.brcc.edu/richerson/ITN107W.htm
http://krebner.com/APLUS.html