CompTIA A+ Exam Study Guide (Core 1 – 220-1101 and Core 2 – 220-1102)
The CompTIA A+ certification is a globally recognized credential that validates essential IT skills and serves as a stepping stone for individuals seeking to enter the IT industry. It's particularly suited for roles such as IT support specialist, help desk technician, and technical troubleshooting expert.
The certification is well-regarded because it covers a broad range of topics, from hardware and networking to operating systems and security.
To earn the CompTIA A+ certification, candidates must pass two separate exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102). Each exam consists of up to 90 questions, which include multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions (PBQs). The PBQs test your ability to solve problems in a simulated IT environment, making them more challenging but reflective of real-world scenarios.
In this study guide, we will break down the content of each exam and provide study tips to help you prepare effectively.
For those who want structured preparation, consider taking QuickStart’s CompTIA A+ course or enrolling in our 12-Week IT Technician Bootcamp for comprehensive career preparation.
The following are some important things to consider while preparing for your CompTIA A+ certification exam:
Core 1 (220-1101) Exam Breakdown
The Core 1 exam is made of several cornerstone components.
Mobile Devices (15%)
Mobile devices play a pivotal role in modern IT support, and this section of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam focuses on the installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of mobile devices and laptops.
Understanding both the hardware and software aspects of mobile devices is crucial for professionals aspiring to work in IT support roles, particularly as businesses increasingly rely on mobile technology for day-to-day operations.
Understanding the installation and configuration of laptops requires familiarity with various hardware components, such as RAM, storage types (SSD and HDD), and display types (LCD and OLED). You should also know how to handle peripheral connections, including USB, HDMI, and VGA.
This knowledge extends to upgrading and replacing essential components like memory, storage, and batteries, which are crucial in troubleshooting and repair. Additionally, configuring and troubleshooting external devices, such as monitors, printers, and docking stations, are vital skills, as many exam questions focus on resolving issues with these peripherals.
When working with mobile devices, particularly Android and iOS, it’s essential to understand how to configure settings, manage permissions, and utilize security features like remote wipes, encryption, and multi-factor authentication.
Mobile device management (MDM) is especially important in enterprise environments, where protecting sensitive data is a priority. You'll also need to grasp cloud syncing technologies like iCloud and Google Drive to troubleshoot issues related to syncing data across devices.
Study Tip: Focus on learning how to troubleshoot mobile devices, especially hardware failures and mobile OS configurations. Use hands-on experience with laptops and mobile devices where possible.
Networking (20%)
The networking section of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam covers foundational concepts essential for IT professionals. One of the key areas of focus is understanding basic networking protocols such as IP addressing, DNS (Domain Name System), and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
These concepts are crucial for managing and configuring network environments, including assigning and troubleshooting IP addresses and resolving domain names to IP addresses.
Additionally, subnetting, which involves dividing a network into smaller sub-networks, is another important topic, as it helps manage traffic more efficiently within a network.
Networking hardware is also a major focus, including the function and setup of routers, switches, access points, and network cabling (such as Ethernet and coaxial cables).
Wireless networking standards, like 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, are equally important, as they govern how devices connect to networks. Understanding wireless security protocols, such as WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, is critical to maintaining secure network environments.
Lastly, troubleshooting techniques like using pings to diagnose connectivity issues are vital skills that candidates should master for effectively resolving common network problems.
Study Tip: Understand the OSI model and its layers, and get comfortable with IP addressing and configuring small networks.
Hardware (25%)
The hardware section of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam emphasizes a deep understanding of essential computer components such as motherboards, CPUs, power supplies, RAM, and expansion cards. Knowing how these components work together and how to install or replace them is crucial for troubleshooting and repairing systems.
This section also covers different types of storage devices, including HDDs, SSDs, and optical drives, and how to configure these drives, often in RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) setups, to enhance performance, redundancy, or both. Mastery of these concepts is vital for building, maintaining, and troubleshooting computers in a variety of IT environments.
Additionally, the exam includes knowledge of peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, monitors, and input devices like keyboards and mice. These peripherals are often used in various business settings, so understanding their installation, configuration, and troubleshooting is key for IT support roles.
Another important aspect of the hardware section is configuring custom PCs for specialized use cases like gaming or graphic design.
Study Tip: Gain hands-on experience with assembling and disassembling computers, and familiarize yourself with different storage and peripheral devices.
Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)
The virtualization and cloud computing section of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam focuses on foundational concepts in modern IT infrastructure, covering cloud computing models like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).
Understanding these models is crucial for supporting cloud-based environments, where services like storage, applications, and platforms are delivered over the internet.
Additionally, virtualization technologies play a significant role, particularly the use of virtual machines (VMs) and hypervisors, which allow multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine.
Study Tip: Understand how cloud services are structured and how virtualization is used to create VMs for testing and deployment.
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (29%)
The Hardware and Network Troubleshooting section of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam covers diagnosing and resolving a wide range of hardware and network-related issues, which is essential for IT support professionals.
Candidates need to understand how to troubleshoot common hardware problems such as system failures, overheating, slow performance, or complete boot failures. This involves identifying faulty components like RAM, hard drives, or power supplies and implementing the correct solution, whether it be replacing, upgrading, or reconfiguring parts.
Network troubleshooting is key, focusing on addressing connectivity issues, slow network speeds, and IP address conflicts. Knowing how to isolate network issues and resolve problems with routers, switches, and cabling is a fundamental part of this exam section.
Study Tip: Practice using diagnostic tools and reviewing common hardware and network troubleshooting scenarios.
Core 2 (220-1102) Exam Breakdown
The CompTIA A+ Exam also includes a variety of foundational concepts.
Operating Systems (31%)
The Operating Systems section of the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam focuses on a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile operating systems.
Candidates must be proficient in installing, configuring, and managing these systems, with particular attention to features like user accounts, file systems, and security settings.
This ensures that IT professionals can efficiently set up and maintain operating environments that meet the security and performance needs of users and organizations.
Study Tip: Practice using different operating systems, particularly the Windows Control Panel and command-line tools. Familiarize yourself with administrative functions in all major OS environments.
Security (25%)
The Security section of the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam covers essential security concepts, such as the use of firewalls, VPNs, anti-malware tools, and secure password policies to protect systems and networks.
It also emphasizes the implementation of both physical and logical security measures, including badges, security tokens, and authentication protocols like multi-factor authentication (MFA), which add layers of protection against unauthorized access.
Understanding security best practices is critical, including techniques like data encryption, regular backups, and safeguarding against social engineering attacks, which aim to exploit human vulnerabilities.
Study Tip: Focus on learning best security practices, encryption protocols, and basic threat management.
Software Troubleshooting (22%)
The Software Troubleshooting section of the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam focuses on diagnosing and resolving software-related issues, such as application crashes, operating system errors, and system performance problems.
This includes identifying the root causes of slow response times, system freezes, and malware infections, and implementing appropriate solutions like updating software, reinstalling applications, or running antivirus tools.
Mastering these troubleshooting techniques ensures that IT professionals can effectively maintain software functionality and optimize system performance.
Study Tip: Practice troubleshooting common software errors, such as slow system performance and application errors, and explore malware removal methods.
Operational Procedures (22%)
The Operational Procedures section of the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam emphasizes the importance of professionalism and adherence to best practices in an IT environment. Key elements include effective communication, where IT professionals must engage with clients and colleagues in a clear, professional manner, ensuring they can explain technical issues in a way that non-technical users can understand.
Proper documentation practices are also critical, as maintaining accurate and detailed records of troubleshooting steps, system changes, and incident resolutions is essential for creating an organized and accountable work environment.
In addition, delivering excellent customer service helps build trust and ensures that technical issues are resolved with minimal disruption to users.
Study Tip: Focus on learning IT professional soft skills, safety protocols, and how to maintain comprehensive documentation.
Study Tips for the CompTIA A+ Exams
Let’s explore a few ways that learners can prepare for a CompTIA A+ exam.
Create a Study Plan
Creating a study plan is essential for effective exam preparation. Break down your study sessions by focusing on one domain at a time, such as dedicating a week to hardware and another to networking, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all exam topics.
Set a clear timeline to complete all topics well before your exam date, allowing time for review and practice tests to reinforce your understanding.
Use Practice Tests and Flashcards
Using practice tests is a great way to familiarize yourself with the exam format and identify areas that need more focus. Flashcards can be especially helpful for memorizing important details like key terms, port numbers, and command-line tools.
Incorporating these tools into your study routine will reinforce your knowledge and improve your confidence before the exam.
Hands-On Practice
Hands-on practice is crucial for mastering the practical aspects of the CompTIA A+ exam. Set up your own virtual lab environment to practice OS and network configurations, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Additionally, assembling and disassembling computers will strengthen your hardware skills and troubleshooting techniques, ensuring you're prepared for the hands-on challenges in the exam and in the workplace.
Join Study Groups
Joining study groups can significantly enhance your exam preparation by allowing you to collaborate with peers who are working toward the same goal. Engaging with others in study groups or forums provides diverse perspectives, helping you gain insights into topics that might seem challenging when studied alone.
Additionally, study groups can offer valuable resources like practice questions, notes, and tips that others have found helpful, increasing your understanding of complex subjects.
Additional Study Resources for CompTIA A+
To supplement your CompTIA A+ exam preparation, start with official CompTIA study guides that offer detailed outlines of exam objectives, ensuring you understand what topics to focus on.
Utilize virtual labs to gain hands-on experience with hardware, networking, and security, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.
To help you out, here’s an article on how to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam.
Additionally, consider enrolling in online courses or bootcamps, which QuickStart offers as part of our online IT training programs, that provide structured learning and expert guidance to walk you through each topic step by step, enhancing your overall exam readiness.
Your Path to CompTIA A+ Success
The CompTIA A+ certification is a crucial step for any IT professional aiming to enter or advance in the industry.
With a well-structured study plan, hands-on practice, and commitment, passing both the Core 1 and Core 2 exams will pave the way for a successful IT career.
This certification validates your expertise in key IT support skills, positioning you for roles such as IT support specialist, help desk technician, or computer technician.
Ready to pass the CompTIA A+ exams? Enroll in our A+ Certification Course for expert-led training and comprehensive resources tailored to help you succeed.
For a more focused approach, join our IT Technician Bootcamp, where you will gain the practical knowledge and experience to not only pass the exams but also excel in IT roles in just 12 weeks.