CompTIA A+
Complete Study Guide
Core 1 (220-1101) & Core 2 (220-1102)
Your complete roadmap from beginner to certified
1. About the CompTIA A+ Exam
The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry-standard entry-level credential for IT technicians. It
validates your skills in hardware, software, networking, security, and troubleshooting. It is
vendor-neutral and widely recognized across the industry.
Exam Overview
Detail
Core 1 (220-1101)
Core 2 (220-1102)
Focus Area
Hardware, Networking, Mobile,
Virtualization
OS, Security, Software,
Troubleshooting
Question Count
Up to 90 questions
Up to 90 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
90 minutes
Passing Score
675 / 900
700 / 900
Question Types
Multiple choice, PBQs
(Performance-Based)
Multiple choice, PBQs
(Performance-Based)
Cost
~$253 USD per exam
~$253 USD per exam
� Pro Tip: Both exams must be passed to earn the A+ certification. You can take them in
any order, but most people tackle Core 1 first.
Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)
PBQs simulate real-world IT tasks and are the most challenging part of the exam. They typically
appear at the beginning of the exam.
•
•
•
Examples: Configure a SOHO network, set up a firewall, troubleshoot a non-booting
PC, set file permissions.
Strategy: Do not spend more than 5-7 minutes on any single PBQ. Flag and return if
stuck.
Practice: Use virtual labs (Professor Messer, Jason Dion, CertMaster) to build hands-on
confidence.
2. Building Your Study Plan
A structured study plan is the single most important thing you can do for exam success. Most
people need 8-16 weeks of dedicated study depending on prior experience.
Study Timeline by Experience Level
Experience Level
Recommended Duration
Hours / Week
Complete Beginner
16 weeks
10-15 hrs/week
Some IT Experience
10-12 weeks
8-12 hrs/week
Intermediate IT Pro
6-8 weeks
8-10 hrs/week
Experienced Technician
4-6 weeks
6-8 hrs/week
The 4-Phase Study Method
Phase 1: Learn (Weeks 1-4 for Core 1, Weeks 1-4 for Core 2)
•
•
Video Course: Watch a full video course from Professor Messer (free) or Jason Dion /
Mike Meyers (paid).
Read Along: Use the CompTIA A+ Core All-in-One Exam Guide by Mike Meyers as a
companion reference.
•
Take Notes: Write your own notes by hand or in a digital tool like Notion or Obsidian.
•
Domain Focus: Study one domain at a time rather than jumping around.
Phase 2: Practice (Weeks 5-6 per exam)
•
Flashcards: Use Anki or Quizlet for acronyms, port numbers, and connector types.
•
Practice Tests: Take domain-specific practice tests after finishing each domain.
•
Labs: Build hands-on skills using a virtual machine (VirtualBox or VMware).
•
Review Mistakes: For every wrong answer, write down why the correct answer is right.
Phase 3: Simulate (1-2 Weeks Before Exam)
•
Full Mocks: Take at least 5-10 full-length timed practice exams under real conditions.
•
Score Target: Aim for consistent 85%+ on practice tests before booking the real exam.
•
PBQ Drills: Focus extra time on PBQ-style labs and simulations.
Phase 4: Finalize (Final 3 Days)
•
Light Review: Re-read your notes and flashcards. Do not try to learn new material.
•
Rest: Get 8 hours of sleep the night before the exam.
•
Logistics: Confirm your exam appointment, test center location, and required ID.
3. Core 1 (220-1101) — Domain Breakdown
Core 1 focuses on hardware, mobile devices, networking, virtualization, and cloud computing.
Domain
Topic
Exam Weight
1.0
Mobile Devices
15%
2.0
Networking
20%
3.0
Hardware
25%
4.0
Virtualization & Cloud Computing
11%
5.0
Hardware & Network Troubleshooting
29%
Domain 3.0 — Hardware (25%) — Key Topics
•
•
•
•
•
Motherboard components: CPU sockets (LGA vs PGA), RAM slots, PCIe slots,
SATA/M.2 connectors, power connectors.
RAM types: DDR4 vs DDR5, ECC vs non-ECC, dual-channel memory, SO-DIMM vs
DIMM.
Storage: HDD vs SSD vs NVMe M.2, SATA vs PCIe interfaces, RAID levels (0, 1, 5,
10).
Power Supply: Wattage ratings, 20+4 pin ATX, PCIe power connectors, efficiency
ratings (80 Plus).
Connectors: USB (A, B, C, 3.0, 3.1, Thunderbolt), DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, DVI.
Domain 2.0 — Networking (20%) — Key Topics
•
•
•
IP addressing: IPv4 vs IPv6, subnetting basics, CIDR notation, private vs public IPs.
Protocols & ports: TCP vs UDP, DNS (53), HTTP (80), HTTPS (443), FTP (20/21),
RDP (3389), SSH (22).
Network hardware: Switch vs hub vs router vs access point vs firewall.
•
Wireless: Wi-Fi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), WPA2 vs WPA3, 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz.
•
Network types: LAN, WAN, WLAN, MAN, PAN, SOHO networks.
� Pro Tip: Port numbers are guaranteed to appear on the exam. Memorize the top 15 ports
cold — use a song, story, or mnemonic to lock them in.
4. Core 2 (220-1102) — Domain Breakdown
Core 2 focuses on operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational
procedures.
Domain
Topic
Exam Weight
1.0
Operating Systems
31%
2.0
Security
25%
3.0
Software Troubleshooting
22%
4.0
Operational Procedures
22%
Domain 1.0 — Operating Systems (31%) — Key Topics
•
Windows versions: Windows 10 vs 11 features, Home vs Pro vs Enterprise editions.
•
File systems: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT — when each is used and their limitations.
•
Command line: ipconfig, ping, tracert, netstat, nslookup, sfc /scannow, chkdsk, diskpart.
•
macOS & Linux: Basic navigation, common terminal commands, file permissions
(chmod, chown).
Virtualization: Hypervisor types (Type 1 vs Type 2), virtual machines, containers.
•
Domain 2.0 — Security (25%) — Key Topics
•
Malware types: Virus, worm, Trojan, ransomware, spyware, rootkit, keylogger, botnet.
•
Attack types: Phishing, vishing, smishing, social engineering, brute force, dictionary
attacks.
Security controls: Firewalls, antivirus, MFA, encryption (BitLocker, FileVault), password
policies.
•
•
•
Physical security: Badges, mantraps, cable locks, biometrics, server room access
controls.
BYOD policies: MDM, MAM, acceptable use policies, remote wipe.
� Pro Tip: Security is 25% of Core 2 — it is the single most important domain to master
after Operating Systems. Social engineering scenarios are extremely common.
5. Best Study Resources
Free Resources
Resource
Type
Best For
Professor Messer
(professormesser.com)
Video Course
Complete Core 1 & Core 2 coverage, free
on YouTube
Professor Messer Study Groups
Community
Weekly live study sessions and Q&A
ExamCompass.com
Practice Tests
Free domain-specific quizzes
Quizlet A+ Flashcard Decks
Flashcards
Acronyms, ports, connector types
Reddit r/CompTIA
Community
Tips, study logs, passing stories
CrashCourse & NetworkChuck
(YouTube)
Video
Supplemental explanations of concepts
Resource
Price
Best For
Jason Dion (Udemy)
~$15-30 (on
sale)
High-quality video + extensive practice
tests
Mike Meyers All-in-One Book
~$50
The gold-standard reference textbook
CertMaster Learn (CompTIA)
~$249
Official CompTIA course with labs
CertMaster Practice (CompTIA)
~$119
Official adaptive practice engine
Boson Ex-Sim
~$90
Extremely realistic exam simulation
Professor Messer Practice Exams
~$17
Affordable and high-quality mock tests
Paid Resources
Hands-On Lab Environments
•
VirtualBox (Free): Install Windows 10/11 and Linux VMs on your own PC for free.
•
VMware Workstation Player (Free): Another free option for running virtual machines.
•
TestOut PC Pro Labs: Guided lab simulations for A+ specific objectives.
•
Physical hardware: Build or disassemble a cheap desktop PC — nothing beats real
hardware.
6. Must-Memorize Quick Reference
Critical Port Numbers
Port
Protocol
Remember As
20 / 21
FTP
File Transfer Protocol — 21 control, 20 data
22
SSH
Secure Shell — secure remote access
23
Telnet
Telnet — insecure remote access (obsolete)
25
SMTP
Sending email — Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
53
DNS
Domain Name System — looks up IP addresses
67 / 68
DHCP
67 server, 68 client — auto IP assignment
80
HTTP
Web browsing — unencrypted
110
POP3
Downloading email — Post Office Protocol
143
IMAP
Email syncing — keeps mail on server
443
HTTPS
Secure web browsing — encrypted
3389
RDP
Remote Desktop Protocol — Windows remote GUI
445
SMB
Windows file sharing — Server Message Block
RAID Levels
RAID Level
Description
Min Drives
Fault Tolerance
RAID 0
Striping — max speed, no
redundancy
2
None — 1 drive fails = all data
lost
RAID 1
Mirroring — exact copy on 2
drives
2
1 drive can fail
RAID 5
Striping with parity — speed +
redundancy
3
1 drive can fail
RAID 10
Mirror + Stripe — fastest + most
reliable
4
1 drive per mirror set
OSI Model (All layers must be memorized)
Layer #
Layer Name
Key Devices / Protocols
7
Application
HTTP, FTP, DNS, SMTP — user-facing layer
6
Presentation
SSL/TLS, JPEG, encryption, compression
Layer #
Layer Name
Key Devices / Protocols
5
Session
NetBIOS, RPC — manages sessions between apps
4
Transport
TCP, UDP — segments data, port numbers
3
Network
IP, ICMP, routers — logical addressing & routing
2
Data Link
MAC addresses, switches, Ethernet, ARP
1
Physical
Cables, hubs, bits — raw transmission medium
Mnemonic (top to bottom):
"All People Seem To Need Data Processing"
7. Exam Day Strategy
Before the Exam
•
•
Schedule your exam at least 2-3 weeks in advance to lock in a commitment date.
Bring two forms of valid government-issued ID to the testing center.
•
Arrive 15 minutes early to complete check-in procedures.
•
Do not study new material in the 24 hours before the exam — light review only.
•
Eat a proper meal and get a full night of sleep beforehand.
During the Exam
•
•
•
•
•
•
PBQs first: Tackle PBQs at the start when your mind is freshest. Flag if stuck and
return.
Time management: Divide 90 minutes by question count. Budget ~60 seconds per
question minimum.
Elimination method: On uncertain questions, eliminate 2 wrong answers first to
improve odds.
Trust your gut: Studies show first instincts on multiple-choice questions are usually
correct.
Flag and move: Never let one question consume disproportionate time. Flag it and
move on.
Read every word: CompTIA questions often hinge on keywords like 'MOST likely,'
'BEST,' or 'cheapest.'
Common Traps to Avoid
•
Selecting the technically correct answer instead of the best answer in context.
•
Overthinking straightforward questions — CompTIA often tests the simple answer.
•
Confusing similar protocols (IMAP vs POP3, SFTP vs FTPS, WPA2 vs WPA3).
•
Forgetting that security questions often favor user education and policy over technical
fixes.
•
Skipping PBQs entirely — even partial credit can make the difference.
� Pro Tip: If you see the phrase 'which is the BEST first step,' they are almost always
looking for a troubleshooting approach answer, not a technical fix. Think process before
action.
8. CompTIA Troubleshooting Methodology
CompTIA expects you to follow a specific 6-step troubleshooting methodology. This will appear
on both exams in multiple questions.
Step
Action
Example
1
Identify the problem
Gather information, ask the user, check error messages
2
Establish a theory of
probable cause
List possible causes — start with the obvious
3
Test the theory to determine
the cause
Swap cables, check Device Manager, test with another device
4
Establish a plan of action and
implement the solution
Document your plan before making changes
5
Verify full system functionality
Confirm the fix works and nothing else broke
6
Document findings, actions,
and outcomes
Update the help desk ticket or IT log
This methodology is critical — if any exam question asks 'what is the FIRST step' or 'what
should you do NEXT,' match your answer to these steps in sequence.
9. Final Exam Readiness Checklist
Category
Checklist Item
Done?
Study
Completed a full video course for Core 1
[]
Study
Completed a full video course for Core 2
[]
Study
Read or reviewed all domain objectives
[]
Practice
Scored 85%+ on at least 5 full mock exams (Core 1)
[]
Practice
Scored 85%+ on at least 5 full mock exams (Core 2)
[]
Practice
Completed at least 10 hours of hands-on labs
[]
Memorization
Memorized all critical port numbers
[]
Memorization
Memorized OSI model all 7 layers
[]
Memorization
Memorized RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10
[]
Memorization
Memorized CompTIA 6-step troubleshooting method
[]
Logistics
Exam appointment booked and confirmed
[]
Logistics
Valid ID ready for exam day
[]
Logistics
Test center location confirmed
[]
Final Prep
Reviewed notes and flashcards the day before
[]
Final Prep
Got a full night of sleep before the exam
[]
You've got this. Good luck!
Consistent daily study beats cramming every single time.