The CompTIA 220-1001 Exam is challenging and thorough preparation is essential for success. This exam study guide is designed to help you prepare for the A+ Core 1 certification exam. It contains a detailed list of the topics covered on the Professional exam, as well as a detailed list of preparation resources. These study guides for the CompTIA A+ (Core 1) will help guide you through the study process for your certification.
220-1001 CompTIA A+ (Core 1) Exam Summary
● Exam Name: CompTIA A+ (Core 1)
● Exam Code: 220-1001
● Exam Price: $232 (USD)
● Duration: 90 mins
● Number of Questions: 90
● Passing Score: 675 / 900
● Books / Training: CertMaster Learn for A+
● Schedule Exam:
● Sample Questions: CompTIA A+ Core 1 Sample Questions
● Recommended Practice: CompTIA 220-1001 Certification Practice Exam
Exam Syllabus: 220-1001 CompTIA A+
1. Mobile Devices - 14%
● Given a scenario, install and configure laptop hardware and components.
1. Hardware/device replacement
○ Keyboard
○ Hard drive
- SSD vs. hybrid vs. magnetic disk
- 1.8in vs. 2.5in
○ Memory
○ Smart card reader
○ Optical drive
○ Wireless card/Bluetooth module
○ Cellular card
○ Video card
○ Mini PCIe
○ Screen
○ DC jack
○ Battery
○ Touchpad
○ Plastics/frames
○ Speaker
○ System board
○ CPU
● Given a scenario, install components within the display of a laptop.
1. Types
● LCD
● OLED
2. WiFi antenna connector/placement
3. Webcam
4. Microphone
5. Inverter
6. Digitizer/touchscreen
● Given a scenario, use appropriate laptop features.
1. Special function keys
● Dual displays
● Wireless (on/off)
● Cellular (on/off)
● Volume settings
● Screen brightness
● Bluetooth (on/off)
● Keyboard backlight
● Touchpad (on/off)
● Screen orientation
● Media options (fast forward/rewind)
● GPS (on/off)
● Airplane mode
2. Docking station
3. Port replicator
4. Physical laptop lock and cable lock
5. Rotating/removable screens
● Compare and contrast characteristics of various types of other mobile devices.
1. Tablets
2. Smartphones
3. Wearable technology devices
● Smart watches
● Fitness monitors
● VR/AR headsets
4. E-readers
5. GPS
● Given a scenario, connect and configure accessories and ports of other mobile devices.
1. Connection types
● Wired
- Micro-USB/Mini-USB/USB-C
- Lightning
- Tethering
- Proprietary vendor-specific ports (communication/power)
● Wireless
- NFC
- Bluetooth
- IR
- Hotspot
2. Accessories
● Headsets
● Speakers
● Game pads
● Extra battery packs/battery chargers
● Protective covers/waterproofing
● Credit card readers
● Memory/MicroSD
● Given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and application support.
1. Wireless/cellular data network (enable/disable)
● Hotspot
● Tethering
● Airplane mode
2. Bluetooth
● Enable Bluetooth
● Enable pairing
● Find a device for pairing
● Enter the appropriate pin code
● Test connectivity
3. Corporate and ISP email configuration
● POP3
● IMAP
● Port and SSL settings
● S/MIME
4. Integrated commercial provider email configuration
● iCloud
● Google/Inbox
● Exchange Online
● Yahoo
5. PRI updates/PRL updates/ baseband updates
6. Radio firmware
7. IMEI vs. IMSI
8. VPN
● Given a scenario, use methods to perform mobile device synchronization.
1. Synchronization methods
● Synchronize to the cloud
● Synchronize to the desktop
● Synchronize to the automobile
2. Types of data to synchronize
● Contacts
● Applications
● Pictures
● Music
● Videos
● Calendar
● Bookmarks
● Documents
● Location data
● Social media data
● E-books
● Passwords
3. Mutual authentication for multiple services (SSO)
4. Software requirements to install the application on the PC
5. Connection types to enable synchronization
2. Networking - 20%
● Compare and contrast TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purposes.
1. Ports and protocols
● 21 – FTP
● 22 – SSH
● 23 – Telnet
● 25 – SMTP
● 53 – DNS
● 80 – HTTP
● 110 – POP3
● 143 – IMAP
● 443 – HTTPS
● 3389 – RDP
● 137-139 – NetBIOS/NetBT
● 445 – SMB/CIFS
● 427 – SLP
● 548 – AFP
● 67/68 – DHCP
● 389 – LDAP
● 161/162 – SNMP
2. TCP vs. UDP
● Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices.
1. Routers
2. Switches
● Managed
● Unmanaged
3. Access points
4. Cloud-based network controller
5. Firewall
6. Network interface card
7. Repeater
8. Hub
9. Cable/DSL modem
10. Bridge
11. Patch panel
12. Power over Ethernet (PoE)
● Injectors
● Switch
13. Ethernet over Power
● Given a scenario, install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network.
1. Router/switch functionality
2. Access point settings
3. IP addressing
4. NIC configuration
● Wired
● Wireless
5. End-user device configuration
6. IoT device configuration
● Thermostat
● Light switches
● Security cameras
● Door locks
● Voice-enabled, smart speaker/digital assistant
7. Cable/DSL modem configuration
8. Firewall settings
● Screened subnet (previously known as demilitarized zone)
● Port forwarding
● NAT
● UPnP
● Allow list/deny list
● MAC filtering
9. QoS
10. Wireless settings
● Encryption
● Channels
● Compare and contrast wireless networking protocols.
1. 802.11a
2. 802.11b
3. 802.11g
4. 802.11n
5. 802.11ac
6. Frequencies
● 2.4Ghz
● 5Ghz
7. Channels
● 1–11
8. Bluetooth
9. NFC
10. RFID
11. Zigbee
12. Z-Wave
13. 3G
14. 4G
15. 5G
16. LTE
● Summarize the properties and purposes of services provided by networked hosts.
1. Server roles
● Web server
● File server
● Print server
● DHCP server
● DNS server
● Proxy server
● Mail server
● Authentication server
● syslog
2. Internet appliance
● UTM
● IDS
● IPS
● End-point management server
3. Legacy/embedded systems
● Explain common network configuration concepts.
1. IP addressing
● Static
● Dynamic
● APIPA
● Link local
2. DNS
3. DHCP
● Reservations
4. IPv4 vs. IPv6
5. Subnet mask
6. Gateway
7. VPN
8. VLAN
9. NAT
● Compare and contrast Internet connection types, network types, and their features.
1. Internet connection types
● Cable
● DSL
● Dial-up
● Fiber
● Satellite
● ISDN
● Cellular
- Tethering
- Mobile hotspot
● Line-of-sight wireless Internet service
2. Network types
● LAN
● WAN
● PAN
● MAN
● WMN
● Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools.
1. Crimper
2. Cable stripper
3. Multimeter
4. Tone generator and probe
5. Cable tester
6. Loopback plug
7. Punchdown tool
8. WiFi analyzer
3. Hardware - 27%
● Explain basic cable types, features, and their purposes.
1. Network cables
● Ethernet
● - Cat 5
- Cat 5e
- Cat 6
- Plenum
- Shielded twisted pair
- Unshielded twisted pair
- 568A/B
● Fiber
● Coaxial
● Speed and transmission limitations
2. Video cables
● VGA
● HDMI
● Mini-HDMI
● DisplayPort
● DVI (DVI-D/DVI-I)
3. Multipurpose cables
● Lightning
● Thunderbolt
● USB
● USB-C
● USB 2.0
● USB 3.0
4. Peripheral cables
● Serial
5. Hard drive cables
● SATA
● IDE
● SCSI
6. Adapters
● DVI to HDMI
● USB to Ethernet
● DVI to VGA
● Identify common connector types.
1. RJ-11
2. RJ-45
3. RS-232
4. BNC
5. RG-59
6. RG-6
7. USB
8. Micro-USB
9. Mini-USB
10. USB-C
11. DB-9
12. Lightning
13. SCSI
14. eSATA
15. Molex
● Given a scenario, install RAM types.
1. RAM types
● SODIMM
● DDR2
● DDR3
● DDR4
2. Single channel
3. Dual channel
4. Triple channel
5. Error correcting
6. Parity vs. non-parity
● Given a scenario, select, install and configure storage devices.
1. Optical drives
● CD-ROM/CD-RW
● DVD-ROM/DVD-RW/DVD-RW DL
● Blu-ray
● BD-R
● BD-RE
2. Solid-state drives
● M2 drives
● NVME
● SATA 2.5
3. Magnetic hard drives
● 5,400rpm
● 7,200rpm
● 10,000rpm
● 15,000rpm
● Sizes:
- 2.5
- 3.5
4. Hybrid drives
5. Flash
● SD card
● CompactFlash
● Micro-SD card
● Mini-SD card
● xD
6. Configurations
● RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
● Hot swappable
● Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, CPUs, and add-on cards.
1. Motherboard form factor
● ATX
● mATX
● ITX
● mITX
2. Motherboard connectors types
● PCI
● PCIe
● Riser card
● Socket types
● SATA
● IDE
● Front panel connector
● Internal USB connector
3. BIOS/UEFI settings
● Boot options
● Firmware updates
● Security settings
● Interface configurations
● Security
1. Passwords
2. Drive encryption
- TPM
- LoJack
- Secure boot
4. CMOS battery
5. CPU features
● Single-core
● Multicore
● Virtualization
● Hyperthreading
● Speeds
● Overclocking
● Integrated GPU
6. Compatibility
● AMD
● Intel
7. Cooling mechanism
● Fans
● Heat sink
● Liquid
● Thermal paste
8. Expansion cards
● Video cards
- Onboard
- Add-on card
● Sound cards
● Network interface card
● USB expansion card
● eSATA card
● Explain the purposes and uses of various peripheral types.
1. Printer
2. ADF/flatbed scanner
3. Barcode scanner/QR scanner
4. Monitors
5. VR headset
6. Optical drive types
7. Mouse
8. Keyboard
9. Touchpad
10. Signature pad
11. Game controllers
12. Camera/webcam
13. Microphone
14. Speakers
15. Headset
16. Projector
● Lumens/brightness
17. External storage drives
18. KVM
19. Magnetic reader/chip reader
20. NFC/tap pay device
21. Smart card reader
● Summarize power supply types and features.
1. Input 115V vs. 220V
2. Output 5V vs. 12V
3. 24-pin motherboard adapter
4. Wattage rating
5. Number of devices/types of devices to be powered
● Given a scenario, select and configure appropriate components for a custom PC configuration to meet customer specifications or needs.
1. Graphic/CAD/CAM design workstation
● SSD
● High-end video
● Maximum RAM
2. Audio/video editing workstation
● Specialized audio and video card
● Large, fast hard drive
● Dual monitors
3. Virtualization workstation
● Maximum RAM and CPU cores
4. Gaming PC
● SSD
● High-end video/specialized GPU
● High-definition sound card
● High-end cooling
5. Network attached storage device
● Media streaming
● File sharing
● Gigabit NIC
● RAID array
● Hard drive
6. Standard thick client
● Desktop applications
● Meets recommended requirements for selected OS
7. Thin client
● Basic applications
● Meets minimum requirements for selected OS
● Network connectivity
● Given a scenario, install and configure common devices.
1. Desktop
● Thin client
● Thick client
● Account setup/settings
2. Laptop/common mobile devices
● Touchpad configuration
● Touchscreen configuration
● Application installations/configurations
● Synchronization settings
● Account setup/settings
● Wireless settings
● Given a scenario, configure SOHO multifunction devices/printers and settings.
1. Use appropriate drivers for a given operating system
● Configuration settings
- Duplex
- Collate
- Orientation
- Quality
2. Device sharing
● Wired
- USB
- Serial
- Ethernet
● Wireless
- Bluetooth
- 802.11(a, b, g, n, ac)
- Infrastructure vs. ad hoc
● Integrated print server (hardware)
● Cloud printing/remote printing
3. Public/shared devices
● Sharing local/networked device via operating system settings
- TCP/Bonjour/AirPrint
● Data privacy
- User authentication on the device
- Hard drive caching
● Given a scenario, install and maintain various print technologies.
1. Laser
● Imaging drum, fuser assembly, transfer belt, transfer roller, pickup rollers, separate pads, duplexing assembly
● Imaging process: processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing, and cleaning
● Maintenance: Replace toner, apply maintenance kit, calibrate, clean
2. Inkjet
● Ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, duplexing assembly, carriage, and belt
● Calibrate
● Maintenance: Clean heads, replace cartridges, calibrate, clear jams
3. Thermal
● Feed assembly, heating element
● Special thermal paper
● Maintenance: Replace paper, clean heating element, remove debris
4. Impact
● Print head, ribbon, tractor feed
● Impact paper
● Maintenance: Replace ribbon, replace print head, replace paper
5. Virtual
● Print to file
● Print to PDF
● Print to XPS
● Print to image
6. 3D printers
● Plastic filament
4. Virtualization and Cloud Computing - 12%
● Compare and contrast cloud computing concepts.
1. Common cloud models
● IaaS
● SaaS
● PaaS
● Public vs. private vs. hybrid vs. community
2. Shared resources
● Internal vs. external
3. Rapid elasticity
4. On-demand
5. Resource pooling
6. Measured service
7. Metered
8. Off-site email applications
9. Cloud file storage services
● Synchronization apps
10. Virtual application streaming/cloud-based applications
● Applications for cell phones/tablets
● Applications for laptops/desktops
11. Virtual desktop
● Virtual NIC
● Given a scenario, set up and configure client-side virtualization.
1. Purpose of virtual machines
2. Resource requirements
3. Emulator requirements
4. Security requirements
5. Network requirements
6. Hypervisor
5. Hardware and Network Troubleshooting - 27%
● Given a scenario, use the best practice methodology to resolve problems.
- Always consider corporate policies, procedures, and impacts before implementing changes
1. Identify the problem
● Question the user and identify user changes to computer and perform backups before making changes
● Inquire regarding environmental or infrastructure changes
● Review system and application logs
2. Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious)
● If necessary, conduct external or internal research based on symptoms
3. Test the theory to determine cause
● Once the theory is confirmed, determine the next steps to resolve problem
● If theory is not confirmed re-establish new theory or escalate
4. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
5. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures
6. Document findings, actions, and outcomes
● Given a scenario, troubleshoot problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power.
1. Common symptoms
● Unexpected shutdowns
● System lockups
● POST code beeps
● Blank screen on bootup
● BIOS time and setting resets
● Attempts to boot to incorrect device
● Continuous reboots
● No power
● Overheating
● Loud noise
● Intermittent device failure
● Fans spin – no power to other devices
● Indicator lights
● Smoke
● Burning smell
● Proprietary crash screens (BSOD/pin wheel)
● Distended capacitors
● Log entries and error messages
● Given a scenario, troubleshoot hard drives and RAID arrays
1. Common symptoms
● Read/write failure
● Slow performance
● Loud clicking noise
● Failure to boot
● Drive not recognized
● OS not found
● RAID not found
● RAID stops working
● Proprietary crash screens (BSOD/pin wheel)
● S.M.A.R.T. errors
● Given a scenario, troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues.
1. Common symptoms
● VGA mode
● No image on screen
● Overheat shutdown
● Dead pixels
● Artifacts
● Incorrect color patterns
● Dim image
● Flickering image
● Distorted image
● Distorted geometry
● Burn-in
● Oversized images and icons
● Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile device issues while adhering to the appropriate procedures.
1. Common symptoms
● No display
● Dim display
● Flickering display
● Sticking keys
● Intermittent wireless
● Battery not charging
● Ghost cursor/pointer drift
● No power
● Num lock indicator lights
● No wireless connectivity
● No Bluetooth connectivity
● Cannot display to external monitor
● Touchscreen non-responsive
● Apps not loading
● Slow performance
● Unable to decrypt email
● Extremely short battery life
● Overheating
● Frozen system
● No sound from speakers
● GPS not functioning
● Swollen battery
2. Disassembling processes for proper reassembly
● Document and label cable and screw locations
● Organize parts
● Refer to manufacturer resources
● Use appropriate hand tools
● Given a scenario, troubleshoot printers.
1. Common symptoms
● Streaks
● Faded prints
● Ghost images
● Toner not fused to the paper
● Creased paper
● Paper not feeding
● Paper jam
● No connectivity
● Garbled characters on paper
● Vertical lines on page
● Backed-up print queue
● Low memory errors
● Access denied
● Printer will not print
● Color prints in wrong print color
● Unable to install printer
● Printing blank pages
● No image on printer display
● Multiple failed jobs in logs
● Given a scenario, troubleshoot common wired and wireless network problems.
1. Common symptoms
● Limited connectivity
● Unavailable resources
● 1. Internet
● 2. Local resources
- Shares
- Printers
● No connectivity
● APIPA/link local address
● Intermittent connectivity
● IP conflict
● Slow transfer speeds
● Low RF signal
● SSID not found
CompTIA 220-1001 Certification Sample Questions and Answers
To make you familiar with CompTIA A+ (Core 1) (220-1001) certification exam structure, we have prepared this sample question set. We suggest you to try our Sample Questions for A Plus (Core 1) 220-1001 Certification to test your understanding of the CompTIA 220-1001 process with the real CompTIA certification exam environment.
220-1001 CompTIA A+ (Core 1) Sample Questions:-
01. Which of the following technologies can be used for wireless payments?
a) LTE
b) IR
c) Bluetooth
d) NFC
02. A user brings in a smartphone for repair. The device is unable to send/receive calls or connect to WiFi. All applications on the device are working unless they require connectivity.
Which of the following is MOST likely causing the problem?
a) Airplane mode
b) Tethering
c) Disabled hot-spot
d) VPN
03. A user is unable to browse Internet websites. A technician runs ipconfig and sees the following output:
IP address............: 192.168.0.31
Subnet mask...........: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway.......: 192.168.0.254
The technician pings the gateway and gets a reply. The technician then pings an external IP address and also gets a reply.
Which of the following commands would MOST likely resolve the issue?
a) netstat -nbt
b) netsh int ip reset
c) ipconfig /flushdns
d) nslookup 192.168.0.254
04. Which of the following devices provides the portability of a mobile phone and functionality of a laptop/desktop?
a) Tablet
b) GPS unit
c) E-reader
d) Fitness monitor
05. Which of the following peripheral types is MOST likely to be used to input actions into a PC?
a) Webcam
b) Mouse
c) Monitor
d) Optical drive
06. A human resources manager requests wireless APs to be set up for the office. A server will manage the wireless settings, and authorized devices should be able to access confidential records over WiFi.
Which of the following settings should be configured to meet the requirements?
a) WPA2 encryption, UPnP, and MAC filtering
b) WPA encryption, UPnP, and blacklisting
c) WPA encryption, infrastructure mode, and MAC filtering
d) WPA2 encryption, infrastructure mode, and QoS
07. A user wants to build a computer with a high-end CPU, plenty of RAM, and a high-end graphics card for online gaming. The user wants to verify that the graphics card is compatible with the motherboard.
Which of the following connection types would the user MOST likely utilize to connect the video card to the motherboard?
a) PCIe
b) ISA
c) AGP
d) USB
08. Which of the following resource types would be BEST suited to saving photographs from a mobile device with limited on-board storage?
a) Resource pooling
b) Off-site email
c) Virtual desktop
d) Cloud file services
09. Which of the following connector types can be plugged into a device both right-side up and upside down?
a) USB
b) USB-C
c) Mini-USB
d) Micro-USB
10. An engineer's workstation experiences a BSOD whenever loading very large CAD files to modify. Which of the following troubleshooting steps should a technician take to isolate the issue?
a) Install additional RAM rated at the fastest speed the motherboard will support.
b) Run a memory test to verify all memory addresses can be reliably written to and read from.
c) Perform a hard drive scan to identify and lock out any bad sectors from use.
d) Increase the size of the swap file to ensure adequate virtual memory is available.
Answers:-
Answer 1:- d
Answer 2:- a
Answer 3:- c
Answer 4:- a
Answer 5:- b
Answer 6:- c
Answer 7:- a
Answer 8:- d
Answer 9:- b
Answer 10:- b