CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
220-1201
The first of the two exams for CompTIA A+, the entry-standard, vendor-neutral IT support certification. Core 1 (220-1201) covers mobile devices; networking (ports/protocols, hardware, wireless, SOHO configuration, networking tools); PC hardware (cables and connectors, RAM, storage, motherboards/CPUs/add-on cards, power supplies, printers); virtualization and cloud computing; and hardware and network troubleshooting — the largest domain. It is scenario-driven and known for performance-based questions: connector/port and RAID matching, SOHO/BIOS configuration, and step-ordered troubleshooting.
90
90 min
675/ 1000
210+
Target Audience
Aspiring and early-career IT support professionals: help-desk and desktop-support technicians, field service technicians, IT support specialists, and associate/junior sysadmins building the foundational hardware, OS, and networking skills expected before specializing (Network+, Security+, or a vendor track).
Prerequisites
No formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends 9-12 months of hands-on experience in a help-desk, desktop-support, or field-service role, or equivalent lab practice. Both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) must be passed to earn the A+ certification.
Question Types
Language & Recognition
Official Exam Languages
PasslyExam Languages
Recognition Scope
CompTIA A+ is one of the most widely recognized entry-level IT certifications worldwide and is approved for U.S. DoD 8140/8570 baseline roles. The full A+ credential (earned by passing both Core 1 and Core 2) is valid for 3 years and renewable through continuing education (CEUs) or by earning a higher CompTIA certification.
Exam Domains
Mobile Devices
Networking
Hardware
Virtualization and Cloud Computing
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
Recommended Study Plan
- Week 1: Map the five domains by weight (Troubleshooting 29% > Hardware 25% > Networking 20% > Mobile Devices 15% > Virtualization/Cloud 11%). Core 1 rewards recognizing hardware and symptoms fast, so drill the fundamentals: cables/connectors, RAM (DDR, DIMM vs SODIMM, ECC), storage and RAID levels, PSU connectors, motherboard/BIOS-UEFI, and the laser imaging order.
- Week 2: Solve 20–30 questions a day and sort misses into recall, symptom→cause, and next-step. Memorize as tables the common ports, RAID levels, 802.11 standards (n/ac/ax and 2.4GHz channels 1/6/11), cloud models (SaaS/IaaS/PaaS), and DHCP terms (scope/lease/reservation). Most items are short “Which of the following…” questions, so speed and precision matter.
- Week 3: Lock in the signature symptom→answer pairs the exam loves — wrong date = CMOS battery, smear that rubs off = fuser, dead touch = digitizer, 169.254 = APIPA (no DHCP), game-only BSOD after a GPU upgrade = undersized PSU — and drill the drag-and-drop matching PBQs (connector↔port, RAID↔use, tool↔task). Summarize the 6-step troubleshooting method (identify→theory→test→plan→verify→document) in one line; back up before changes.
- Final 5–7 days: Run timed mocks pinned to 90 minutes / up to 90 questions and remove recurring mistakes. Remember A+ needs BOTH Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202); Core 1 passes at 675/900. Track repeat-error reduction, not peak score.
Question Validation Process
Try the practice set directly and judge real-exam similarity yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the 220-1201 exam format and passing score?
A. Up to 90 questions — multiple choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop, and performance-based — in 90 minutes. The passing score is 675 on a 100–900 scale. To earn the full CompTIA A+ you must pass both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202).
Q. What kinds of questions appear?
A. Most items are short, direct “Which of the following…” questions on a fundamental, plus brief symptom scenarios that ask for the most likely cause or the best/next action. Performance-based items are usually matching (connector↔port, RAID level↔use, tool↔task). Long paragraph scenarios are rare.
Q. Do I need Core 2 as well, and how do they differ?
A. Yes — A+ requires passing both. Core 1 (220-1201) covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization/cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1202) covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. This exam prep is Core 1 only.
Q. Do I need hands-on experience?
A. CompTIA recommends 9–12 months in a help-desk, desktop-support, or field role, but it is not required. If you can reason from a symptom to the most likely component and the cheapest first step, you can pass with focused study.
Q. How long does it take to prepare, and how much does it cost?
A. Most learners need about 3–5 weeks of focused study per core. The exam fee is roughly USD 265 (varies by region/voucher), and the A+ credential is valid for 3 years, renewable via continuing education (CEUs).
Q. How do practice questions and the timed mock exam differ?
A. Practice questions are solved by topic with answer explanations to shore up weak areas; the timed mock exam is taken like the real thing. Both use original questions with AI tutor explanations.
Q. Is this similar to exam dumps?
A. PasslyExam does not provide leaked dumps. Our content is built from official guides and public exam objectives, then tuned to reflect realistic question patterns and difficulty distribution. The focus is practical readiness with explanation-based learning, not memorization of leaked items.
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