CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) FAQ

A+ Core 1 questions are usually easiest when you read them as field-service decisions: what is the least disruptive next check, which component best fits the symptom, and which standard matters in this environment.

What does Core 1 (220-1201) actually cover?

Core 1 emphasizes endpoint hardware, mobile devices, networking fundamentals, virtualization & client cloud, and troubleshooting. Expect practical knowledge of components, connectors, ports, Wi-Fi standards/security, storage (SATA/NVMe), RAID basics, printer workflows (laser), and methodical problem-solving.

How is Core 1 different from Core 2?

• Core 1 (220-1201): hardware, networking, mobile, printers, client virtualization, troubleshooting.
• Core 2 (220-1202): operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, operational procedures.

You must pass both to earn CompTIA A+. Order doesn’t matter.

Do PBQs appear on Core 1?

Yes. On the current 220-1201 exam, CompTIA includes performance-based questions (PBQs) alongside standard question types. Expect drag-and-drop wiring, port matching, printer flows, or simple triage tasks. If a PBQ is slow, skip and return. Don’t let one item burn your clock.

How many questions and how long is the exam?

CompTIA lists the current A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam at a maximum of 90 questions, a 90-minute testing window, and a 675 passing score on the 100-900 scale. Expect a mix of single-answer, multiple-response, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions. Budget time for check-in and keep a 5–10 minute buffer to review flagged items.

Which hardware topics should I master first?

• Core components: motherboard form factors, CPU sockets, RAM types (DDR generations), PSU wattage/rails, cooling/airflow.
• Storage: HDD vs SSD, SATA vs NVMe (M.2 PCIe), form factor vs interface vs protocol.
• Peripherals: USB generations and connectors (A/C), display standards (HDMI/DP/DVI/VGA), Thunderbolt 3/4.
• BIOS/UEFI basics: boot order, secure boot, firmware updates—when and why.

What storage and RAID knowledge is most testable?

• RAID 0/1/5/10 concepts (performance vs redundancy; disk counts; one-disk fault tolerance for RAID 5).
• SMART monitoring and symptoms of failing drives.
• File systems: NTFS vs exFAT vs FAT32 (use cases).

Ports & protocols—what do I really need to memorize?

Know the common set cold: HTTP/HTTPS (80/443), SSH (22), FTP/FTPS/SFTP (21/990/22), SMTP/Submission (25/587), POP3/IMAP (+TLS 995/993), RDP (3389), DNS (53), DHCP (67/68), SNMP (161/162), LDAP/LDAPS (389/636). Practice with flashcards until instant.

Ethernet cabling—how deep does it go?

• Standards: 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, 10GBASE-T and their Cat requirements/distances.
• Cables/connectors: Straight-through vs crossover (legacy), crimping pinouts (awareness), PoE basics.
• Fiber: MMF vs SMF (range), LC/SC connectors, handling/cleaning best practices.

Wi-Fi & SOHO networking—what’s expected?

• Standards: 802.11n/ac/ax; bands (2.4/5/6E), channel width basics, MIMO/MU-MIMO (awareness).
• Security order: WPA3 → WPA2 (AES/CCMP) → WPA (TKIP) → WEP (avoid).
• SOHO hardening: change defaults, set WPA2/3-Personal, strong passphrase, firmware updates, disable WPS.
• Troubleshooting tells: APIPA → DHCP issue; names fail but pings by IP work → DNS issue.

Printers: which details matter most?

• Laser process order: Processing → Charging → Exposing → Developing → Transferring → Fusing → Cleaning (memorize in order).
• Common defects & first steps: streaks/lines → drum/fuser; ghosting → fuser/drum discharge; jams → rollers/path/humidity; faint output → toner/transfer roller.
• Maintenance items: toner, drum, fuser, transfer roller, rollers—know roles and symptoms.

Mobile devices—what depth does the exam expect?

• Phone/tablet hardware basics (batteries, displays, ports) and accessories (NFC, Bluetooth profiles).
• Tethering vs hotspot, Wi-Fi calling; basic triage: Safe Mode (Android), DFU/Recovery (iOS), cache/data clear, battery health.

Virtualization & cloud on Core 1—how far do I go?

• Type 1 vs Type 2 hypervisors; VM resources (vCPU, RAM, NICs).
• Snapshots ≠ backups; short-term checkpoints only.
• Client cloud use cases: storage sync (OneDrive/Drive), thin clients, VDI awareness.

What command-line tools should I know for Core 1?

• Networking: ipconfig /all, ping, tracert, nslookup.
• Shares: net use.
• Disk/system health: chkdsk, diskpart, defrag (HDD), sfc, DISM (awareness).
• Logs: Event Viewer (System/Application) to correlate symptoms.

How should I approach troubleshooting questions?

Use the six-step method and choose the least intrusive, safest, reversible next step:

1. Identify the problem (gather, duplicate, ask what changed).
2. Establish a theory of probable cause.
3. Test the theory to confirm the root cause.
4. Plan and implement the fix.
5. Verify full functionality; implement prevention.
6. Document findings/actions/outcomes.

What are classic Core 1 “gotchas”?

• APIPA (169.254.x.x) → DHCP scope/reachability/relay or VLAN path.
• Duplicate IP → intermittent disconnects.
• Names fail but IP works → DNS first, not cabling first.
• NVMe not detected → seating, PCIe lanes/BIOS; boot order/UEFI vs Legacy.
• Display issues → cable/port, driver, correct input, power/backlight.
• Printer ghosting vs streaks—know which component to suspect first.

What’s a smart lab plan for Core 1?

• SOHO router lab: change admin defaults, WPA2/3-Personal, DHCP reservations, test 2.4 vs 5/6 GHz, channel selection.
• Storage drills: add a SATA SSD; initialize/partition/format; read SMART; compare NTFS vs exFAT.
• Cable sanity: identify Cat5e/6/6a, crimp a practice cable (if gear available), use a cable tester.
• Printer maintenance: replace toner/drum and fix a staged jam (with vendor guides).
• CLI reps: run ipconfig, ping, tracert, nslookup, net use, chkdsk, sfc.

What safety/ESD practices do I need to remember?

• ESD: wrist strap to ground, antistatic mat, handle boards by edges, store in ESD bags.
• Power: unplug and discharge before servicing; use surge protectors/UPS for critical devices.
• Toner cleanup: cold water; ESD-safe vacuum.
• Ergonomics: proper lifting, cable management, avoid trip hazards.

How much do I need to know about BIOS/UEFI settings?

Basics only: boot order, Secure Boot, enabling/disabling devices, XMP/DOCP memory profiles (awareness), and firmware updates when necessary for stability or compatibility (perform with caution).

What are the best ways to memorize ports/cables/Wi-Fi?

• Daily micro-drills (10–15 flashcards).
• Group by theme (web/mail/remote/infra).
• Compare/contrast tables (Cat6 vs 6a; 802.11ac vs 802.11ax).
• Teach aloud—if you can explain it clearly, you’ve learned it.

Any guidance on time management and PBQs?

• First pass fast (~60–70 seconds per MC item).
• Skip and flag PBQs if they’re time sinks; finish MC, then return.
• Keep a 5–10 minute buffer for flagged items and PBQs at the end.

How long should I study—and how should I structure it?

From some experience: 3–4 weeks. From near-zero: 5–6 weeks with labs. Suggested cadence:

• Week 1: Hardware + storage/RAID; 20-question drills daily.
• Week 2: Networking/Wi-Fi + ports; mixed sets midweek.
• Week 3: Printers + mobile + virtualization; first PBQ practice.
• Week 4: Two full mocks; convert misses into 2-bullet rules and re-drill.

What are “2-bullet rules,” and why use them?

They’re short, sticky heuristics made from your misses:

• APIPA → DHCP path before cables.
• Ghosting → fuser/drum; streaks → drum/toner.
• 5/6 GHz for throughput; disable WPS. Use them right before practice sets and on exam day for quick recall.

Should I memorize exact throughput numbers (Wi-Fi/Ethernet)?

Know orders of magnitude (e.g., 1 Gbps for 1000BASE-T; 10 Gbps for 10GBASE-T) and relative differences (ac vs ax, Cat6 vs 6a). Perfect PHY maxima matter less than picking the right standard/security for the scenario.

What do I do when a symptom has multiple plausible causes?

Apply the six-step method and pick the least intrusive reversible step that best tests your theory. For example, name resolution fails: check DNS settings before replacing cables.

Any final exam-day tips?

• Sleep, hydrate, and arrive early.
• Read the stem’s final question if the preface is long—aim your reading.
• Eliminate answers that violate safety, least-privilege/least-intrusion, or basic networking logic.
• Keep calm; use your 2-bullet rules and revisit flagged items with fresh eyes.

Quick readiness checklist

• I can match ports ↔ protocols instantly.
• I can choose the correct cable/connector (Cat6 vs 6a, LC vs SC, HDMI vs DP).
• I know 802.11 generations and WPA2/WPA3 setup basics.
• I can recite the laser printing process and map symptoms → components.
• I can explain RAID 0/1/5/10 in one sentence each.
• I can run ipconfig/ping/tracert/nslookup and interpret outputs.
• I follow a six-step troubleshooting method and pick the least intrusive next step.

Quiz