CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220‑1201) Practice Exams
About the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam
Exam at a glance
A+ Core 1 (220-1201) is the first of two foundational-tier exams required to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. You must pass BOTH Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) to be certified — Core 1 alone does not grant the A+. Released April 2025 (replacing the prior 220-1101 version).
Domain weighting
- Mobile Devices: ~13%
- Networking: ~23%
- Hardware: ~25%
- Virtualization and Cloud Computing: ~11%
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting: ~28%
Who this exam is for
- Entry-level IT support roles. Helpdesk technicians, desktop-support analysts, and field-service techs are the core audience. A+ is the most-requested entry-level credential on US tech-support job listings.
- Career switchers into IT. A+ is designed for candidates with little or no prior IT experience and has no formal prerequisites.
- Foundation for further certs. A+ is the recommended on-ramp before Network+ and Security+, and is widely accepted as the baseline credential for moving into networking, security, and cloud tracks.
Prerequisites
No formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends 9-12 months of hands-on lab or field experience, but motivated beginners with no professional background routinely pass after 6-10 weeks of structured study and lab work on spare hardware.
Why take this certification
- Industry-standard entry credential. A+ appears in more US tech-support job listings than any other IT certification, and is the baseline cert many large employers (and federal contractors via DoD 8570) require for helpdesk and tier-1 support roles.
- Vendor-neutral foundation. Unlike Microsoft, Cisco, or AWS certs, A+ covers fundamentals that apply across every vendor's hardware and operating systems. The mental model carries forward into every cert that follows.
- Stackable into the CompTIA pathway. A+ unlocks the natural progression into Network+ → Security+ → CySA+ / PenTest+ / CASP+. Each higher-tier cert in the stack automatically renews the lower ones via CE credit.
- Real, hands-on skill validation. Performance-based questions (PBQs) ask you to actually configure routers, identify failing hardware in a simulated console, or troubleshoot network connectivity — not just answer multiple-choice trivia. Employers value the practical signal.
What you'll learn in the 220-1201 exam
220-1201 validates the practical, hands-on knowledge an entry-level IT support technician needs on day one: identifying and installing hardware, setting up small networks, supporting mobile devices, and troubleshooting failures methodically. Most questions describe a real support scenario and ask what you'd do next.
Core topics you'll be tested on
- Hardware fundamentals: CPU sockets and generations, DDR4/DDR5 RAM, SSD vs HDD vs NVMe, motherboard form factors (ATX, mATX, ITX), power supplies (wattage, modular vs non-modular, 80 Plus ratings), expansion buses (PCIe lanes and generations), peripherals (USB-C/3.2/4, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, HDMI), and printer types (laser, inkjet, thermal, 3D).
- Mobile devices: Smartphone and tablet internals (battery, display, digitizer, camera modules), laptop component replacement (RAM, SSD, keyboard, display assembly), mobile connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, cellular standards), and concept-level mobile device management (MDM) for corporate-owned and BYOD scenarios.
- Networking basics: Common cabling (Cat 5e/6/6a/7, fiber single-mode vs multi-mode, coax), IPv4 and IPv6 addressing (subnetting, CIDR, private ranges, APIPA), common ports and protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, SSH, RDP, SMB, DNS, DHCP, SMTP/IMAP/POP3), wireless standards (Wi-Fi 5/6/6E/7), and setting up a small office / home office (SOHO) network end-to-end.
- Virtualization and cloud computing: Type 1 (bare-metal) vs Type 2 (hosted) hypervisors, allocating VM resources (vCPU, RAM, vDisk, vNIC), client-side virtualization use cases, cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and cloud deployment models (public, private, hybrid, community).
- Troubleshooting methodology: CompTIA's 6-step troubleshooting model (identify → theorize → test → plan → verify → document), hardware diagnostics (POST codes, beep codes, common motherboard/CPU/RAM/storage failures), printer issues, network connectivity diagnostics (ping, ipconfig/ifconfig, tracert, nslookup, link-light interpretation), and mobile-device troubleshooting.
Performance-based questions (PBQs)
Expect several PBQs at the start of the exam. These present a simulated environment — a router admin page, a partial wiring diagram, a console with diagnostic tools — and ask you to perform a real task. PBQs typically carry more weight than standard multiple choice, so don't skip them. If you get stuck, flag the PBQ and come back; you have 90 minutes for the entire exam.
How the practice exams help
Each free question and every premium exam mirrors the scenario-driven style CompTIA uses. Detailed explanations cover not just why the right answer is right but why the distractors are wrong, so you learn the underlying reasoning rather than memorizing answers. The premium pool includes troubleshooting-heavy scenarios that map closely to PBQ thinking patterns.
How to prepare for the 220-1201 exam
A successful 220-1201 preparation strategy combines structured reading, video lectures, and hands-on lab work on real hardware. Recommended approach:
- Watch a complete video course (2-3 weeks). Start with Professor Messer's free 220-1201 video series — the most widely used free A+ resource in the industry. Watch every video at 1.25x speed, take notes, and re-watch any section you don't follow on first pass. Pair with CompTIA's official CertMaster Learn + Practice bundle if your budget allows — it adds quizzes, flashcards, and lab simulations.
- Read a study guide (2-3 weeks, parallel to videos). The official CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide for Exams 220-1201 and 220-1202 (Docter / Dulaney / Skandier, Sybex) is the standard reference. Read each chapter end-to-end, then do the chapter review questions before moving on.
- Hands-on lab work (2-3 weeks, parallel to study). Get an old desktop or laptop from a recycler, eBay, or a friend. Practice removing and reinstalling RAM, SSD, CPU, motherboard. Build a SOHO network with a cheap consumer router. Install VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player to practice Type 2 hypervisor concepts. Hands-on time is critical for PBQ performance — videos and reading alone won't prepare you.
- Practice exams (1-2 weeks). Take timed practice tests to identify weak domains. Detailed explanations on every answer option help you learn the reasoning, not just memorize answers. Aim for consistent 85%+ scores before scheduling your exam — A+ requires 675/900 (~75%) and PBQs add variance.
Recommended timeline
6-10 weeks of focused study (10-15 hours per week). Career switchers with no IT background should plan for 10-12 weeks. People already working in IT support roles (with or without formal certification) can compress to 4-6 weeks.
Official resources
Download the official CompTIA A+ certification page for the latest exam objectives PDF, sample questions, and recertification policies. CompTIA's first-party training is via CertMaster Learn + Practice. For free supplementary material, Professor Messer's site hosts the complete 220-1201 video series plus a free monthly study group.
Frequently asked questions
Are these actual exam questions?
No. All Nex Arc CompTIA A+ Core 1 practice questions are original content based on the provider's published exam blueprint, official documentation, and real-world scenarios across every topic the exam covers. We do not offer brain dumps, leaked questions, or actual exam content. Using or distributing real exam questions violates certification provider agreements and can result in certification revocation.
How many questions are in the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam?
The 220-1201 exam contains a maximum of 90 questions delivered in 90 minutes. Question formats include multiple choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop, and performance-based items (PBQs) that ask you to perform a task in a simulated environment.
What's the 220-1201 passing score?
The passing score for CompTIA A+ Core 1 is 675 out of 900. CompTIA uses a scaled scoring model, so not every question carries equal weight — performance-based questions typically count more than standard multiple choice.
Do I need to pass Core 1 AND Core 2 to earn the A+?
Yes. The CompTIA A+ certification requires passing BOTH Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Each exam is purchased and scheduled separately, and you can take them in either order, but you are not A+ certified until both are passed. Most candidates pass Core 1 first since it covers the hardware fundamentals that underpin the operating-system and security topics in Core 2.
How do I access the full 220-1201 practice exam?
Click on the Buy Now button in the sidebar to purchase the complete CompTIA A+ Core 1 course. After payment, you'll have instant access to 12 practice exams with detailed explanations and lifetime access.
What are the prerequisites for the 220-1201 exam?
There are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends 9-12 months of hands-on experience in a lab or in the field as an IT support technician, but motivated beginners with no professional experience routinely pass the A+ after 6-10 weeks of structured study. A+ is designed as an entry-level credential — you do NOT need any other certification before sitting it.
How long is the CompTIA A+ certification valid?
CompTIA A+ is valid for three years from the date you pass your second exam. Recertification is via CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program: earn 20 CEUs across the three-year cycle through approved activities such as passing a higher-tier CompTIA exam (Network+, Security+, CySA+, etc., which auto-renews A+), completing approved training courses, publishing IT articles, or attending industry conferences. The CE program lets you avoid retaking the exam each cycle.
What's the exam cost and can I retake it if I fail?
The 220-1201 exam costs $278 USD list price (Pearson VUE testing centers or online proctoring; bundle vouchers and bulk discounts available via CompTIA Academy partners and authorized resellers). If you fail your first attempt, you can retake immediately with no waiting period. After two failed attempts you must wait 14 days before each subsequent attempt. Each attempt requires a new voucher, so practice thoroughly before scheduling.
What topics are covered on 220-1201?
220-1201 covers five domains: Mobile Devices (~13%), Networking (~23%), Hardware (~25%), Virtualization and Cloud Computing (~11%), and Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (~28%). Hardware and troubleshooting together account for over half of the exam, so candidates should weight study time accordingly. Operating systems, security, software, and operational procedures are covered in the companion Core 2 (220-1202) exam.
How does 220-1201 differ from the previous 220-1101 version?
220-1201 was released in April 2025 and replaces 220-1101. The new version expands coverage of modern mobile and IoT hardware, refreshes networking content to reflect Wi-Fi 6E / Wi-Fi 7 and updated cabling standards, adds more emphasis on virtualization and small-business cloud setups, and modernizes the troubleshooting scenarios. Domain weightings shifted only slightly. 220-1101 retires per CompTIA's standard exam-lifecycle policy — check CompTIA's certification page for the current retirement date before scheduling.