What to Study for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 Exams

Earning the CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Together, the exams measure the foundational technical and support skills needed for entry-level IT roles.

The objectives cover much more than identifying computer components. Candidates must be prepared to install and configure equipment, support multiple operating systems, troubleshoot hardware and software, secure devices, work with cloud technologies, document technical work, and communicate effectively with users.

CompTIA recommends approximately 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist role before taking the exams. This experience is recommended, not a formal prerequisite.

This guide breaks down the official objectives for both exams and explains how to organize your CompTIA A+ study plan.

CompTIA A+ Exam Format

Core 1 and Core 2 are separate exams. You must pass both to earn the CompTIA A+ certification.

Performance-based questions require you to apply technical skills to a simulated situation. You might need to configure a system, identify the cause of a problem, choose appropriate components, or determine the correct sequence of actions.

What Is on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam?

Core 1 focuses primarily on devices, networking, hardware, cloud computing, virtualization, and troubleshooting.

Core 1 Domain 1: Mobile Devices

Exam weight: 13%

This domain measures your ability to support laptops, tablets, smartphones, and mobile-device accessories.

Be prepared to identify, replace, or configure components such as:

• Batteries
• Keyboards and keys
• RAM and storage drives
• Wireless cards and antennas
• Cameras, webcams, and microphones
• Biometric and physical security components

You should also understand mobile connectivity and accessories, including USB, USB-C, Lightning, Bluetooth, near-field communication, tethering, hotspots, docking stations, port replicators, styluses, and headsets.

Review how to configure cellular data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth pairing, location services, mobile-device synchronization, and mobile device management. Know how bring-your-own-device policies differ from policies for corporate-owned devices.

Core 1 Domain 2: Networking

Exam weight: 23%

The Networking domain covers the concepts and tools an entry-level IT technician needs to connect devices and resolve basic network problems.

Ports and Protocols

Know the purpose and common port numbers of protocols such as:

• FTP
• SSH
• Telnet
• SMTP
• DNS
• DHCP
• HTTP and HTTPS
• POP3 and IMAP
• LDAP
• SMB
• RDP

You should also be able to compare TCP and UDP in terms of reliability, connection behavior, and common use cases.

Wireless and Network Technologies

Review wireless frequencies, channels, channel widths, 802.11 standards, Bluetooth, NFC, and RFID. Understand how interference, distance, frequency, and configuration choices affect wireless performance.

Network Services and Devices

Study the roles of DNS, DHCP, file, print, mail, web, authentication, database, syslog, and time servers. Be able to distinguish among routers, managed and unmanaged switches, access points, firewalls, patch panels, modems, optical network terminals, and network interface cards.

Network Configuration

Know how to configure a basic wired or wireless small office/home office network. Important concepts include:

• IPv4 and IPv6 addressing
• Public and private IP addresses
• Static and dynamic addressing
• APIPA
• Subnet masks and default gateways
• DNS and DHCP configuration
• VLANs and VPNs
• Wireless security

Review common internet connection types, including fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, cellular, and wireless internet service providers. You should also recognize LANs, WANs, WLANs, PANs, MANs, and SANs.

Networking Tools

Know when to use tools such as cable testers, crimpers, cable strippers, punchdown tools, Wi-Fi analyzers, toner probes, loopback plugs, and network taps.

Core 1 Domain 3: Hardware

Exam weight: 25%

This domain measures your ability to select, install, configure, and maintain computer components and peripherals.

Review the characteristics and uses of:

• RAM form factors, generations, channels, and error correction
• Hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and storage interfaces
• Motherboards, CPUs, expansion cards, and cooling systems
• Power supplies, wattage requirements, voltages, and connectors
• Display technologies, resolutions, refresh rates, and touchscreens
• Network, peripheral, video, and storage cables
• Workstations built for different customer requirements

You should be able to choose compatible components for a particular system and recognize potential problems involving form factor, power, performance, cooling, and connectivity.

Printers and Multifunction Devices

Know how to deploy, secure, configure, and maintain laser, inkjet, thermal, and impact printers. Review drivers, firmware, connectivity, print servers, shared printers, duplex settings, trays, secured printing, network scanning, and common maintenance procedures.

Core 1 Domain 4: Virtualization and Cloud Computing

Exam weight: 11%

Understand why organizations use virtual machines for sandboxing, software testing, legacy applications, and cross-platform support. Know the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors and understand the purposes of containers, virtual desktop infrastructure, and application virtualization.

For cloud computing, review:

• Public, private, hybrid, and community clouds
• Infrastructure as a service
• Platform as a service
• Software as a service
• Shared and dedicated resources
• Metered utilization
• Elasticity and availability
• File synchronization
• Multitenancy

Focus on matching each cloud or virtualization model to the business or technical need presented in a scenario.

Core 1 Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

Exam weight: 28%

This is the largest Core 1 domain. Questions may describe symptoms and ask you to identify the most likely cause, select an appropriate tool, or determine the best solution.

Study how to troubleshoot:

• Motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power supplies
• Storage drives and RAID arrays
• Video, display, and projector issues
• Mobile-device hardware and connectivity
• Printers and multifunction devices
• Wired and wireless networks

Learn to connect symptoms with likely causes. For example, unexpected shutdowns may indicate heat or power problems, while an APIPA address may indicate that the device could not reach a DHCP server.

A Note About CompTIA’s Troubleshooting Methodology

The Core 1 objectives include CompTIA’s troubleshooting methodology as a recommended competency standard:

1. Identify the problem.
2. Establish a theory of probable cause.
3. Test the theory to determine the cause.
4. Establish and implement a plan of action.
5. Verify full functionality and implement preventive measures if appropriate.
6. Document findings, actions, and outcomes.

CompTIA states that the methodology itself is not a formal exam objective. However, troubleshooting remains a major part of the exam, and using this sequence can help you approach scenario-based questions logically.

What Is on the CompTIA A+ Core 2 Exam?

Core 2 focuses on operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and the procedures technicians follow in professional IT environments.

Core 2 Domain 1: Operating Systems

Exam weight: 28%

Review the purposes and basic features of Windows, Linux, macOS, Chrome OS, iOS, iPadOS, and Android. Know the file systems associated with different operating systems, including NTFS, ReFS, FAT32, exFAT, ext4, XFS, and APFS.

Installation and Configuration

Be prepared to compare clean installations, upgrades, image deployment, remote installations, zero-touch deployment, recovery partitions, and repair installations. Review boot methods, partitioning, drive formatting, compatibility, drivers, backups, and product life cycles.

For Windows 10 and Windows 11, understand how editions differ in features such as domain access, Remote Desktop, BitLocker, Group Policy, and hardware support.

Windows Tools and Commands

Know the purposes of tools such as:

• Task Manager
• Event Viewer
• Disk Management
• Task Scheduler
• Device Manager
• Certificate Manager
• System Configuration
• Registry Editor
• Command Prompt
• PowerShell

Review commonly used Windows commands for managing files, disks, systems, and networks. You should also know basic macOS and Linux tools, commands, account structures, package managers, configuration files, and file permissions.

Applications and Cloud Productivity Tools

Understand how system requirements, operating-system compatibility, licensing, storage, RAM, CPU, and graphics requirements influence application installation.

Review the installation and configuration of cloud-based email, storage, collaboration, videoconferencing, messaging, presentation, spreadsheet, and word-processing tools. This includes identity synchronization and license assignment.

Core 2 Domain 2: Security

Exam weight: 28%

Security shares the highest Core 2 weight with Operating Systems. Focus on protecting users, devices, accounts, networks, and data.

Physical and Logical Security

Review physical controls such as locks, badge readers, surveillance systems, fences, guards, alarms, access-control vestibules, and biometric scanners.

Logical security topics include:

• Least privilege
• Zero Trust
• Multifactor authentication
• Single sign-on
• Access control lists
• Privileged access management
• Identity and access management
• Data loss prevention
• Mobile device management

Windows and Workstation Security

Know how to configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Windows Firewall, User Account Control, account types, permissions, BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, Encrypting File System, and Active Directory settings.

Review workstation hardening practices, such as disabling unused services, changing default credentials, restricting permissions, enabling account lockouts, using screen locks, managing patches, and protecting personally identifiable information.

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Malware

Be able to recognize social engineering, phishing, smishing, QR code phishing, spear phishing, whaling, business email compromise, tailgating, and other attacks.

Know CompTIA’s basic malware removal process, including isolating the system, updating antimalware tools, scanning for and removing malicious software, reimaging when necessary, restoring system protections, and educating the user.

Mobile Security and Data Disposal

Review mobile-device encryption, screen locks, patching, endpoint security, remote location, remote backup, remote wipe, MDM, and BYOD policies.

You should also distinguish among wiping, formatting, shredding, drilling, degaussing, incinerating, recycling, and repurposing storage media.

Core 2 Domain 3: Software Troubleshooting

Exam weight: 23%

This domain evaluates your ability to recognize and resolve operating-system, application, mobile-device, and security problems.

Review common symptoms such as:

• Slow startup or performance
• Application crashes or failure to launch
• Operating-system or application update failures
• Boot failures and crash screens
• Services that fail to start
• Profiles that do not load
• Mobile battery, connectivity, and autorotation problems
• Browser redirects, pop-ups, and certificate warnings
• Altered, missing, encrypted, or inaccessible files
• Unexpected network traffic or data usage

Practice selecting the most likely cause based on the provided symptoms. Then determine which response addresses that cause without creating unnecessary risk or data loss.

Core 2 Domain 4: Operational Procedures

Exam weight: 21%

Operational Procedures covers the policies, processes, safety practices, and communication skills that support reliable IT service.

Documentation and Change Management

Review ticketing systems, severity levels, escalation procedures, asset management, configuration databases, standard operating procedures, service-level agreements, knowledge bases, and onboarding and offboarding documentation.

For change management, understand the importance of:

• Defining the purpose and scope of a change
• Identifying affected systems
• Assessing risk and impact
• Obtaining appropriate approval
• Testing in a sandbox
• Scheduling maintenance windows
• Creating backup and rollback plans
• Documenting implementation and acceptance

Backup and Recovery

Compare full, incremental, differential, and synthetic full backups. Review onsite and offsite storage, recovery options, backup testing, the grandfather-father-son rotation method, and the 3-2-1 backup rule.

Safety, Privacy, and Compliance

Know how to prevent electrostatic discharge, handle electrical hazards, manage batteries and toner, lift equipment safely, and dispose of materials properly.

Review chain of custody, data preservation, incident documentation, software licensing, nondisclosure agreements, acceptable use policies, and requirements for protecting regulated data.

Professional Communication

CompTIA expects technicians to communicate clearly and professionally. Practice how to:

• Listen without interrupting
• Avoid unnecessary jargon
• Clarify the user’s description of a problem
• Set realistic expectations
• Provide status updates
• Handle difficult interactions professionally
• Protect confidential information
• Document the service provided

Scripting, Remote Access, and AI

Know the basic purposes and risks of common scripting languages and technologies, including BAT, PowerShell, VBScript, shell scripts, JavaScript, and Python. Common uses include automating installations, backups, updates, network-drive mapping, restarts, and information gathering.

Review remote access technologies such as RDP, VPN, VNC, SSH, remote monitoring and management, SPICE, Windows Remote Management, screen sharing, and remote file transfer.

The objectives also include basic concepts in artificial intelligence. Be prepared to recognize AI integrations, appropriate-use policies, privacy concerns, accuracy limitations, and the need to protect organizational or customer data when using AI tools.

How to Study for the CompTIA A+ Exams

Study Core 1 and Core 2 Separately

Although the exams overlap in areas such as troubleshooting and security, each has a different emphasis. Build separate study plans and track your progress by domain.

Follow the Domain Weights

On Core 1, Hardware and Network Troubleshooting, Hardware, and Networking account for 76% of the exam. On Core 2, Operating Systems, Security, and Software Troubleshooting account for 79%.

Give these high-weight domains substantial attention, but do not skip the smaller domains. A passing score requires knowledge across the complete objective set.

Use Hands-On Practice

Whenever possible, practice the tasks described in the objectives. For example:

• Install an operating system in a virtual machine.
• Use Windows, macOS, and Linux administrative tools.
• Configure a small wireless network.
• Identify common motherboard and storage components.
• Create user accounts and configure permissions.
• Use command-line networking tools.
• Practice backup and recovery procedures.
• Document a simulated support ticket or system change.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

When answering a troubleshooting question, ask:

• What symptom is most important?
• What is the most likely cause?
• Which tool or command would confirm the cause?
• Which solution addresses the problem with the least disruption?
• What must be verified or documented after the repair?
• Does the question ask for the first, best, or next action?

Review Every Answer Explanation

Do not stop after learning which answer is correct. Review why the other options are incorrect or less appropriate. This can help you distinguish among tools, technologies, and solutions that appear similar but serve different purposes.

Practice Under Timed Conditions

Each exam allows 90 minutes for up to 90 questions. Some performance-based questions may require more time than standard multiple-choice questions, so practice managing your time across different question formats.

Start Preparing for the CompTIA A+ Exams

Pocket Prep’s CompTIA A+ practice questions help you review the Core 1 and Core 2 domains and apply your knowledge to exam-style scenarios. Every question includes a detailed explanation so you can understand why each answer is correct or incorrect and focus your study time on weaker areas.

Use the official CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam objectives and CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam objectives to confirm that your study plan covers every objective.