CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 1 (220-1001) Objectives

The CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level credential for IT professionals, validating troubleshooting and networking knowledge and skills. It is the second certification under CompTIA's Core certification, just after you pass the CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification.

Understanding how to use various systems and their specialties is vital in order to configure them in congruence with corporate policy. So, this article discusses a detailed overview of the CompTIA A+ certification exam.

CompTIA A+ (220-1001) Exam Details

Required exam - Core 1
Number of questions - Maximum of 90
Types of questions - Multiple choice and performance-based
Length of test - 90 minutes
Recommended experience - 12 months of experience as an IT support specialist
Passing score- 675 (on a scale of 100–900)

CompTIA A+ Exam (220-1001) objectives (domains)

Here is the breakdown of CompTIA A+ exam (220-1001) objectives, divided into major five categories:

1.0 Mobile Devices - 14% 2.0 Networking - 20% 3.0 Hardware - 27% 4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing - 12% 5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting - 27%

Domain 1.0 - Mobile Devices - 14%

The CompTIA A+ certification exam's first domain (220-1001) focuses on installing and configuring laptop hardware and components, using appropriate laptop features, comparing and contrasting characteristics, and much more. Domain number one itself makes up 14% of the candidate's overall score.

The mobile devices, domain number one, is divided into the seven followings sections:

1.1 Given a scenario, install and configure laptop hardware and components.

Hardware/device replacement

1.2 Given a scenario, install components within the display of a laptop.

Types
WiFi antenna connector/placement
Webcam
Microphone
Inverter
Digitizer/touchscreen

1.3 Given a scenario, use appropriate laptop features.

Special function keys
Docking station
Port replicator
Physical laptop lock and cable lock
Rotating/removable screens

1.4 Compare and contrast characteristics of various types of other mobile devices.

Tablets
Smartphones
Wearable technology devices
E-readers
GPS

1.5 Given a scenario, connect and configure accessories and ports of other mobile devices.

Connection types
Accessories

1.6 Given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and application support.

Wireless/cellular data network (enable/disable)
Bluetooth
Corporate and ISP email configuration
Integrated commercial provider email configuration
PRI updates/PRL updates/ baseband updates
Radio firmware
IMEI vs. IMSI
VPN

1.7 Given a scenario, use methods to perform mobile device synchronization.

Synchronization methods
Types of data to synchronize
Mutual authentication for multiple services (SSO)
Software requirements to install the application on the PC
Connection types to enable synchronization

Domain 2.0 - Networking - 20%

The CompTIA A+ (220-1001) exam's second domain focuses on comparing and contrasting common networking hardware and devices, installing and configuring wired and wireless networks, explaining common network configuration protocols, and many more. Networking, domain number two, is alone accountable for 20% of the questions in the CompTIA A+ exam.

Networking, domain number two, is divided into eight major parts:

2.1 Compare and contrast TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purposes.

Ports and protocols
TCP vs. UDP

2.2 Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices.

Routers
Switches
Access points
Cloud-based network controller
Firewall
Network interface card
Repeater
Hub
Cable/DSL modem
Bridge
Patch panel
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Ethernet over Power

2.3 Given a scenario, install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network.

Router/switch functionality
Access point settings
IP addressing
NIC configuration
End-user device configuration
IoT device configuration
Cable/DSL modem configuration
Firewall settings
QoS
Wireless settings

2.4 Compare and contrast wireless networking protocols.

802.11a
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n
802.11ac
Frequencies
Channels
Bluetooth
NFC
RFID
Zigbee
Z-Wave
3G
4G
5G
LTE

2.5 Summarize the properties and purposes of services provided by networked hosts.

Server roles
Internet appliance
Legacy/embedded systems

2.6 Explain common network configuration concepts.

IP addressing
DNS
DHCP
IPv4 vs. IPv6
Subnet mask
Gateway
VPN
VLAN
NA

2.7 Compare and contrast Internet connection types, network types, and their features.

Internet connection types
Network types

2.8 Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools.

Crimper
Cable stripper
Multimeter
Tone generator and probe
Cable tester
Loopback plug
Punchdown tool
WiFi analyzer

Domain 3.0 - Hardware - 27%

CompTIA A+ exam's third domain covers the basic cable types, features, their purposes, identifying standard connector types, installing and configuring storage devices, SOHO multifunction devices, and much more. The hardware domain accounts for 27% of the CompTIA A+ certification exam questions.

Hardware, domain number three, focuses on the following major sectors:

3.1 Explain basic cable types, features, and their purposes.

Network cables
Video cables
Multipurpose cables
Peripheral cables
Hard drive cables
Adapters

3.2 Identify common connector types.

RJ-11
RJ-45
RS-232
BNC
RG-59
RG-6
USB
Micro-USB
Mini-USB
USB-C
DB-9
Lightning
SCSI
eSATA
Molex

3.3 Given a scenario, install RAM types.

RAM types
Single channel
Dual channel
Triple channel
Error correcting
Parity vs. non-parity

3.4 Given a scenario, select, install and configure storage devices.

Optical drives
Solid-state drives
Magnetic hard drives
Hybrid drives
Flash
Configurations

3.5 Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, CPUs, and add-on cards.

Motherboard form factor
Motherboard connectors types
BIOS/UEFI settings
CMOS battery
CPU features
Compatibility
Cooling mechanism
Expansion cards

3.6 Explain the purposes and uses of various peripheral types.

Printer
ADF/flatbed scanner
Barcode scanner/QR scanner
Monitors
VR headset
Optical drive types
Mouse
Keyboard
Touchpad
Signature pad
Game controllers
Camera/webcam
Microphone
Speakers
Headset
Projector
External storage drives
KVM
Magnetic reader/chip reader
NFC/tap pay device
Smart card reader

3.7 Summarize power supply types and features.

Input 115V vs. 220V
Output 5V vs. 12V
24-pin motherboard adapter
Wattage rating
Number of devices/types of devices to be powered

3.8 Given a scenario, select and configure appropriate components for a custom PC configuration to meet customer specifications or needs.

Graphic/CAD/CAM design workstation
Audio/video editing workstation
Virtualization workstation
Gaming PC
Network attached storage device
Standard thick client
Thin client

3.9 Given a scenario, install and configure common devices.

Desktop
Laptop/common mobile devices

3.10 Given a scenario, configure SOHO multifunction devices/printers and settings.

Use appropriate drivers for a given operating system
Device sharing
Public/shared devices

3.11 Given a scenario, install and maintain various print technologies.

Laser
Inkjet
Thermal
Impact
Virtual
3D printers

Domain 4.0 - Virtualization and Cloud Computing - 12%

Virtualization and cloud computing, the fourth domain of the CompTIA A+ certification exam, covers cloud computing concepts, setting and configuring client-side concepts. The domain is responsible for 12% of the questions in the exam.

Virtualization and cloud computing domain shares the following two significant parts in the exam: 4.1 Compare and contrast cloud computing concepts.

-Common cloud models

Shared resources
Rapid elasticity
On-demand
Resource pooling
Measured service
Metered
Off-site email applications
Cloud file storage services
Virtual application streaming/ cloud-based applications
Virtual desktop

4.2 Given a scenario, set up and configure client-side virtualization.

Purpose of virtual machines
Resource requirements
Emulator requirements
Security requirements
Network requirements
Hypervisor

Domain 5.0 - Hardware and Network Troubleshooting - 27%

The hardware and network troubleshooting, domain number five of the CompTIA A+ certification exam, covers a wide range of topics. This includes troubleshooting problems related to the motherboard, RAM, CPUs, common mobile device issues, printers, and much more. This domain is accountable for 27% of the questions in the CompTIA A+ exam.

The domain is divided into seven critical parts:

5.1 Given a scenario, use the best practice methodology to resolve problems.

Always consider corporate policies, procedures, and impacts before implementing changes
Identify the problem
Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious)
Test the theory to determine cause
Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures
Document findings, actions, and outcomes

5.2 Given a scenario, troubleshoot problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power.

Common symptoms

5.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot hard drives and RAID arrays.

Common symptoms

5.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues.

Common symptoms

5.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile device issues while adhering to the appropriate procedures.

Common symptoms
Disassembling processes for proper reassembly

5.6 Given a scenario, troubleshoot printers.

Common symptoms

5.7 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common wired and wireless network problems.

Common symptoms