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CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Exam Prep
Learn to identify, install, configure and troubleshoot mobile devices, networks, PC hardware, printers, virtualization and cloud services from first principles, following all 27 of CompTIA's 220-1201 objectives in proportion to their exam weights. An independent preparation course, not affiliated wi
Expert · 76 levels · 2 free · Created Oct 2026 · Professionally curated by levelupwith.com
What's inside
- Level 1: The 220-1201 Exam: Facts, Domains and Question TypesFree
[Exam orientation] Sets out what CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) is: a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, a passing score of 675 on a scale of 100-900, multiple-choice and performance-based questions, and five weighted domains. It also states that A+ additionally requires Core 2 (220-1202), that this course is independent of CompTIA, and that it cannot promise a pass. - Level 2: The Troubleshooting Methodology as a Working MethodFree
[Troubleshooting methodology - not a tested objective] Teaches the six-step troubleshooting methodology from the objectives document as the technician's everyday working method. It makes clear that CompTIA lists it as a best practice and does not test the methodology itself on the exam, although troubleshooting scenarios remain heavily emphasised. - Level 3: Mobile Hardware: Battery and Keyboard/Keys
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.1] Introduces what is inside a laptop and other mobile devices and how a technician opens one safely. It then covers monitoring and replacing the battery and the keyboard/keys. - Level 4: Mobile Hardware: RAM, HDD/SSD and Wireless Cards
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.1] Covers the upgradeable internal parts of a laptop: random-access memory (RAM), hard disk drive (HDD)/solid-state drive (SSD) and wireless cards. For each it teaches how to check what is fitted and how to replace or migrate it. - Level 5: Mobile Hardware: Biometrics, Antennas, Camera and Mic
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.1] Covers the remaining 1.1 components: physical privacy and security components (biometrics and near-field scanner features), Wi-Fi antenna connector/placement, camera/webcam and microphone. - Level 6: Wired Connections: USB, USB-C, microUSB, miniUSB, Lightning
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.2] Compares the wired connection methods for mobile devices: Universal Serial Bus (USB), USB-C, microUSB, miniUSB and Lightning. It teaches how to recognise each connector by shape and what it is used for. - Level 7: Wireless Connections and Mobile Accessories
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.2] Compares the wireless connection methods (near-field communication (NFC), Bluetooth and tethering/hotspot) and the accessories they and the wired methods support: stylus, headsets, speakers and webcam. - Level 8: Docking Stations, Port Replicators and Pointing Devices
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.2] Completes 1.2 by contrasting the docking station with the port replicator and by comparing the trackpad, drawing pad and track points as input options. - Level 9: Mobile Network Connectivity: Cellular, Wi-Fi, SIM/eSIM
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.3] Teaches how to configure a mobile device's wireless/cellular data network: enabling and disabling 3G/4G/5G data, Wi-Fi and hotspot, and what the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and eSIM do. - Level 10: Bluetooth Pairing and Location Services
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.3] Walks through the Bluetooth setup sequence in the objectives: enable Bluetooth, enable pairing, find a device for pairing, enter the appropriate personal identification number (PIN) code, test connectivity. It then covers location services using global positioning system (GPS) services and cellular location services. - Level 11: MDM and Mobile Device Synchronization
[1.0 Mobile Devices - 1.3] Covers mobile device management (MDM): corporate and bring your own device (BYOD) device configurations, policy enforcement and corporate applications. It also covers mobile device synchronization of calendar, contacts and business applications (mail, cloud storage), including recognizing data caps. - Level 12: TCP vs. UDP and What a Port Is
[2.0 Networking - 2.1] Builds the foundation for the port list by explaining from first principles what a protocol and a port number are. It then contrasts the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) with the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). - Level 13: Ports for File Transfer and Remote Access
[2.0 Networking - 2.1] Teaches the listed ports for moving files and controlling hosts remotely: 20-21 File Transfer Protocol (FTP), 22 Secure Shell (SSH), 23 Telnet and 3389 Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). - Level 14: Ports for Web and Mail
[2.0 Networking - 2.1] Teaches the listed web and mail ports: 80 Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), 443 Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), 25 Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), 110 Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) and 143 Internet Mail Access Protocol (IMAP). - Level 15: Ports for Naming, Addressing, Directory and File Sharing
[2.0 Networking - 2.1] Completes the port list: 53 Domain Name System (DNS), 67/68 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), 137-139 Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS)/NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT), 389 Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and 445 Server Message Block (SMB)/Common Internet File System (CIFS). It finishes with a recall drill across every listed port. - Level 16: Wireless Frequencies and Channels
[2.0 Networking - 2.2] Explains the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequencies and how channels work: regulations and channel selection by widths, frequencies and bands. - Level 17: The 802.11 Standards
[2.0 Networking - 2.2] Compares the 802.11 Wi-Fi standards (802.11a, b, g, n, ac, ax and be) by the frequencies they use, their relative speeds and their Wi-Fi generation names. - Level 18: Short-Range Wireless: Bluetooth, NFC and RFID
[2.0 Networking - 2.2] Explains Bluetooth, NFC and radio-frequency identification (RFID) as networking technologies, building on the mobile-device view from earlier levels with how each works and how far it reaches. - Level 19: Server Roles on a Network
[2.0 Networking - 2.3] Summarizes the listed server roles: DNS, DHCP, fileshare, print servers, mail servers, syslog, web servers, authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA), database servers and Network Time Protocol (NTP). - Level 20: Internet Appliances, SCADA and IoT Devices
[2.0 Networking - 2.3] Completes 2.3 with the internet appliances (spam gateways, unified threat management (UTM), load balancers, proxy servers), legacy/embedded systems including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. - Level 21: Routers, Switches, Access Points and Firewalls
[2.0 Networking] Objective 2.5: compares routers, managed and unmanaged switches, access points, patch panels and firewalls by what each one does to traffic and where a technician finds it in a small network. - Level 22: PoE, Modems, ONTs and the NIC
[2.0 Networking] Objective 2.5: covers Power over Ethernet (PoE) injectors, PoE switches and PoE standards, the cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL) modem and optical network terminal (ONT), and the network interface card (NIC) with its physical media access control (MAC) address. - Level 23: IPv4 Addressing: Public, Private, Mask, Gateway
[2.0 Networking] Objective 2.6: teaches Internet Protocol (IP) version 4 addressing for a small office/home office (SOHO) network: private versus public addresses, the subnet mask and the gateway. - Level 24: Static, Dynamic, APIPA and IPv6 on a SOHO Network
[2.0 Networking] Objective 2.6: configures SOHO hosts with static and dynamic addresses, recognizes Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) and introduces IPv6 addressing. - Level 25: Internet Connection Types and Network Types
[2.0 Networking] Objective 2.7: compares satellite, fiber, cable, DSL, cellular and wireless internet service provider (WISP) connections, and the network types LAN, wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), storage area network (SAN) and wireless local area network (WLAN). - Level 26: Networking Tools and Their Purposes
[2.0 Networking] Objective 2.8: explains the crimper, cable stripper, Wi-Fi analyzer, toner probe, punchdown tool, cable tester, loopback plug and network tap, with what a technician does with each one. - Level 27: Networking Domain Scenario Workout
[2.0 Networking] Objectives 2.1-2.8 consolidated: mixed scenario practice across ports and protocols, wireless, host services, network configuration, hardware, SOHO addressing, connection types and tools, using original practice items in single-response, multiple-response and performance-based style. - Level 28: Display Types: LCD (IPS, TN, VA), OLED and Mini-LED
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.1: compares display types: liquid crystal display (LCD) with in-plane switching (IPS), twisted nematic (TN) and vertical alignment (VA) panels, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and mini light-emitting diode (Mini-LED). - Level 29: Touch Screens, Inverters and Display Attributes
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.1: covers the touch screen/digitizer, the inverter, and the display attributes pixel density, refresh rates, screen resolution and color gamut. - Level 30: Copper and Optical Network Cables
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.2: summarizes network cables: copper categories, T568A/T568B standards, coaxial, shielded twisted pair (including direct burial) and unshielded twisted pair, plenum-rated cable, and single-mode and multimode optical fiber. - Level 31: Peripheral, Video and Hard Drive Cables
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.2: compares peripheral cables (USB 2.0, USB 3.0, serial, Thunderbolt), video cables (High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), DisplayPort, Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Video Graphics Array (VGA), USB-C), hard drive cables (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA), external SATA (eSATA)) and adapters. - Level 32: Connector Types by Sight and Purpose
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.2: identifies the listed connector types (RJ11, RJ45, F-type, straight tip (ST), subscriber connector (SC), Lucent connector (LC), punchdown block, microUSB, miniUSB, USB-C, Molex, Lightning and DB9) and matches each to its cable and use. - Level 33: RAM: DDR Iterations, SODIMM, ECC and Channels
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.3: teaches installing the appropriate random-access memory (RAM): virtual RAM, small outline dual inline memory module (SODIMM) versus DIMM form factors, Double Data Rate (DDR) iterations, error correction code (ECC) vs. non-ECC, and single-, dual-, triple- and quad-channel configurations. - Level 34: Hard Drives and SSDs: Interfaces and Form Factors
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.4: compares storage devices: hard disk drive (HDD) spindle speeds and 2.5/3.5-inch form factors, and solid-state drive (SSD) communication interfaces (Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe), SATA, Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe), Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)) and form factors (M.2, mSATA). - Level 35: RAID Levels, Removable Storage and Optical Drives
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.4: covers drive configurations with redundant array of independent disks (RAID) 0, 1, 5, 6 and 10, and removable storage: flash drives, memory cards and optical drives. - Level 36: Motherboard Form Factors and Connector Types
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.5: identifies motherboard form factors (Advanced Technology Extended (ATX), microATX, Information Technology Extended (ITX)) and connector types: Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCIe, power connectors, SATA, eSATA, headers and M.2. - Level 37: CPU Sockets, Compatibility and Architecture
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.5: covers central processing unit (CPU) compatibility (AMD AM sockets, Intel land grid array (LGA) sockets, multisocket boards) and CPU architecture: x64/x86, Advanced RISC Machine (ARM), single-core, multicore, multithreading and virtualization support. - Level 38: BIOS/UEFI Settings and Encryption Hardware
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.5: configures Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)/Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings (boot options, USB permissions, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security features, fan considerations, Secure Boot, boot password, BIOS password, temperature monitoring, virtualization support) and compares the TPM with a hardware security module (HSM). - Level 39: Expansion Cards and Cooling
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.5: installs add-on expansion cards (sound card, video card, capture card, network interface card) and covers cooling: fans, heat sink, thermal paste/pads and liquid cooling. - Level 40: Power Supplies: Input, Output, Connectors, Wattage
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.6: teaches installing or replacing the appropriate power supply: input 110-120 VAC vs. 220-240 VAC, output 3.3V, 5V and 12V, the 20+4 pin motherboard connector, redundant power supply, modular power supply, wattage rating and energy efficiency. - Level 41: Unboxing, Connecting and Choosing Printer Drivers
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.7: deploying a multifunction device (MFD) or printer, from properly unboxing it and choosing a setup location, through device connectivity over USB, Ethernet or wireless, to using the appropriate driver for a given OS, Printer Control Language (PCL) vs. PostScript. - Level 42: Printer Sharing, Settings, Security and Network Scanning
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.7: public/shared devices (printer share, print server), configuration settings (duplex, orientation, tray settings, quality), security (user authentication, badging, audit logs, secured prints), network scan services (email, SMB, cloud services) and the automatic document feeder (ADF) versus the flatbed scanner. - Level 43: Laser Printers: Imaging Process and Maintenance
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.8: the laser printer's parts (imaging drum, fuser assembly, transfer belt, transfer roller, pickup rollers, separation pads, duplexing assembly), the seven-step imaging process (processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing, cleaning) and laser maintenance (replace toner, apply maintenance kit, calibrate, clean). - Level 44: Inkjet Printers: Components, Calibration and Maintenance
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.8: the inkjet printer's ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, duplexing assembly and carriage belt, why calibration matters, and inkjet maintenance (clean heads, replace cartridges, calibrate, clear jams). - Level 45: Thermal and Impact Printers and Their Maintenance
[3.0 Hardware] Objective 3.8: thermal printers (feed assembly, heating element, special thermal paper and its heat sensitivity; replace paper, clean heating element, remove debris) and impact printers (print head, ribbon, tractor feed, impact paper; replace ribbon, replace print head, replace paper), closing the Hardware domain with a choice of printer type per scenario. - Level 46: Virtual Machines and Hypervisors: Type 1 vs. Type 2
[4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing] Objective 4.1: what virtualization is from first principles (host, guest, virtual machine (VM), hypervisor, also called a virtual machine monitor (VMM)) and the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors. - Level 47: Purpose of Virtual Machines: Sandbox, Test and Apps
[4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing] Objective 4.1: the purposes of virtual machines: sandbox, test development and application virtualization, including running legacy software/OS and cross-platform virtualization. - Level 48: Virtualization Requirements: Security, Network, Storage
[4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing] Objective 4.1: the requirements for running virtual machines, covering security, network and storage, with the host CPU virtualization support and RAM that make them possible. - Level 49: Desktop Virtualization, VDI and Containers
[4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing] Objective 4.1: desktop virtualization with virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) hosted on premises or in the cloud, and containers as a lighter alternative to full virtual machines. - Level 50: Cloud Models: Private, Public, Hybrid, Community
[4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing] Objective 4.2: what cloud computing is and the common cloud models that describe who owns and shares it: private, public, hybrid and community. - Level 51: Cloud Service Models: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
[4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing] Objective 4.2: Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Platform as a service (PaaS) and Software as a service (SaaS), and where responsibility passes from provider to customer in each. - Level 52: Cloud Characteristics: Shared, Metered, Elastic
[4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing] Objective 4.2: cloud characteristics: shared resources vs. dedicated resources, metered utilization, ingress/egress, elasticity, availability, file synchronization and multitenancy. - Level 53: Domain 4 Scenario Practice: Virtualization or Cloud?
[4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing] Objectives 4.1-4.2 consolidated: original scenario-based practice, single and multiple response, on choosing between hypervisor types, VMs, containers, VDI, cloud models, service models and characteristics, with every distractor explained. - Level 54: Dead or Dark PC: No Power, Black Screen, POST Beeps
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.1: the start-up symptoms for motherboards, RAM, CPUs and power: no power, black screen and power-on self-test (POST) beeps, with likely causes and the next step for each. - Level 55: Crash Screens, App Crashes, Sluggishness, Shutdowns
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.1: symptoms on a running system: proprietary crash screens such as the blue screen of death (BSOD) and the pinwheel, application crashes, sluggish performance and intermittent shutdown. - Level 56: Heat, Smell, Noise and Swollen Capacitors
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.1: the physical warning signs: overheating, burning smell, grinding noise and capacitor swelling, with likely causes and the safe next step. - Level 57: Inaccurate Date/Time and 5.1 Mixed Diagnosis
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.1: inaccurate system date/time and the failing motherboard battery behind it, then mixed original scenarios that combine every 5.1 symptom to practise picking the most likely cause and the next step. - Level 58: Failing Drive Signs: LEDs, Clicking, Grinding, S.M.A.R.T.
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.2: early warnings from storage drives: light-emitting diode (LED) status indicators, grinding noises, clicking sounds and Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) failure, with the next step of protecting the data first. - Level 59: Missing Drives, Boot Failures, Data Loss, Slow I/O
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.2: logical and performance symptoms: bootable device not found, missing drives in OS, data loss/corruption, extended read/write times and low input/output operations per second (IOPS). - Level 60: RAID Trouble: RAID Failure, Array Missing, Alarms
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.2: redundant array of independent disks (RAID) symptoms: RAID failure, array missing and audible alarms, with what each RAID level tolerates and the next step. - Level 61: Video Faults: No Image, Dim, Fuzzy or Flashing
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.3: the learner traces missing or poor pictures to their likely causes (incorrect input source, physical cabling issues, dim image, fuzzy image, flashing screen) and picks the next step for each. - Level 62: Projector and Panel Faults: Bulbs, Burn-in, Pixels
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.3: the learner handles the remaining listed symptoms: burnt-out bulb, intermittent projector shutdowns, display burn-in, dead pixels, incorrect color display, sizing issues, distorted image and audio issues. - Level 63: Mobile Faults: Battery, Charging, Heat and Damage
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.4: the learner diagnoses the physical and power symptoms of mobile devices: poor battery health, swollen battery, improper charging, overheating, liquid damage, physically damaged ports and broken screen. - Level 64: Mobile Faults: Touch, Stylus, Apps and Connectivity
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.4: the learner diagnoses the input, software and wireless symptoms of mobile devices: digitizer issues, cursor drift/touch calibration, stylus does not work, poor/no connectivity, malware, unable to install new applications and degraded performance. - Level 65: Network Faults: Wireless Dropouts and Interference
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.5: the learner diagnoses intermittent wireless connectivity and external interference using the frequencies, channels and Wi-Fi analyzer taught in Domain 2. - Level 66: Network Faults: Limited, Intermittent, Auth Failures
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.5: the learner diagnoses limited connectivity, intermittent internet connectivity and authentication failures by reading what the host reports about its address, gateway and credentials. - Level 67: Network Faults: Speed, Latency, Jitter, Port Flapping
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.5: the learner diagnoses the performance symptoms: slow network speeds, high latency, jitter, poor VoIP quality and port flapping. - Level 68: Printer Faults: Print Quality Defects
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.6: the learner matches each print-quality symptom (lines down the printed pages, faded prints, speckling on printed pages, double/echo images, garbled print) to the printer component or driver that causes it. - Level 69: Printer Faults: Paper Path, Noise and Finishing
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.6: the learner diagnoses the mechanical symptoms: paper jams, paper not feeding, multipage misfeed, grinding noise, finishing issues (staple jams, hole punch) and tray not recognized. - Level 70: Printer Faults: Queues, Orientation, Connectivity
[5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting] Objective 5.6: the learner diagnoses the software and network symptoms: multiple prints pending in queue, frozen print queue, incorrect page orientation and connectivity issues. - Level 71: Acronym Review: Unused Core 1 Hardware and Network
[Acronym Completion] The learner reviews entries on CompTIA's 220-1201 acronym list that belong to hardware, mobile and networking but that no earlier level has used, spelling each out and tying it to what a technician sees. - Level 72: Acronym Review: The Core 2 Entries on the List
[Acronym Completion] The learner reviews the operating system, security, software and operational-procedure acronyms that appear on the shared acronym list but belong mainly to Core 2 (220-1202), such as ACL, AUP, EULA, MFA, NTFS, PII, SSO and UAC. - Level 73: Performance-Based Questions: How to Reason Through Them
[Exam Craft] The learner finds out what performance-based questions are (hands-on tasks alongside multiple-choice) and practises their reasoning on original practice items drawn from all five domains, which are never real exam questions. - Level 74: Best-Answer Technique, Pacing and Final Readiness
[Exam Craft] The learner builds a pacing plan for a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes with a passing score of 675 on a 100–900 scale, and practises choosing the best answer in scenario questions weighted across the five domains; the course is independent of CompTIA and promises no pass. - Level 75: Acronym Review: Access Control and Remaining Entries
[Acronym list] Reviews the six acronyms on CompTIA's 220-1201 acronym list that no earlier level spells out, so the learner recognises each one in a question. - Level 76: Timed Mock Exam: 90 Questions in 90 Minutes Timed mock
[All domains] The timed mock exam of 90 original practice questions in 90 minutes tests all five 220-1201 domains in proportion to their weights (Mobile Devices 13%, Networking 23%, Hardware 25%, Virtualization and Cloud Computing 11%, Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 28%) with scenario-based single- and multiple-response items and performance-based-style reasoning.
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