CompTIA is one of the leading vendor-neutral IT certification providers around the globe. IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification is the most popular credential among IT professionals who want to explore the basics of the IT field.
This guide is dedicated to IT Fundamentals (ITF+) exam objectives or domains. Each domain is explained with sub-topics you can expect to face in the exam.
What is the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) Certification Exam?
CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification is an introduction to IT, making professionals decide if the IT career is right for them or not. In addition, CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification helps organizations in terms of preparing non-technical teams for digital transformation.
Students, IT professionals who want to scale their IT knowledge and marketing and sales IT-based officers can take the CompTIA ITF+ certification exam. The ITF+ certification exam validates IT professionals’ skills and knowledge to identify the basics of computing, IT infrastructure, software and applications, software development, database fundamentals, and security.
A successful CompTIA certified ITF+ professional would have the following skills:
- Set up a computer workstation running Windows and use basic software applications
- Understand the functions and types of devices used within a computer system
- Apply basic computer maintenance and support principles
- Understand some principles of software and database development
- Configure computers and mobile devices to connect to home networks and the internet
- Identify security issues affecting the use of computers and networks
CompTIA ITF+ Exam Details
Take a quick look at the CompTIA ITF+ certification exam details:
Required exam FCO-U61 Number of questions 75 Type of questions Multiple choice Length of test 60 minutes Recommended experience No prior experience necessary Passing score 650 (on a scale of 900) Language English Price $130
CompTIA ITF+ Exam Objectives (Domains)
Here is the breakdown of CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) exam objectives, along with the percentage of examinations.
Domain Percentage of Examination 1.0 IT Concepts and Terminology 17% 2.0 Infrastructure 22% 3.0 Applications and Software 18% 4.0 Software Development 12% 5.0 Database Fundamentals 11% 6.0 Security 20% Total 100%
CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) Certification Exam Objectives (FC0-U61)
CompTIA is one of the leading vendor-neutral IT certification providers around the globe. IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification is the most popular credential among IT professionals who want to explore the basics of the IT field.
This guide is dedicated to IT Fundamentals (ITF+) exam objectives or domains. Each domain is explained with sub-topics you can expect to face in the exam.
What is the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) Certification Exam?
CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification is an introduction to IT, making professionals decide if the IT career is right for them or not. In addition, CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification helps organizations in terms of preparing non-technical teams for digital transformation.
Students, IT professionals who want to scale their IT knowledge, and marketing and sales IT-based officers can take the CompTIA ITF+ certification exam. The ITF+ certification exam validates IT professionals’ skills and knowledge to identify the basics of computing, IT infrastructure, software and applications, software development, database fundamentals, and security.
A successful CompTIA certified ITF+ professional would have the following skills:
- Set up a computer workstation running Windows and use basic software applications
- Understand the functions and types of devices used within a computer system
- Apply basic computer maintenance and support principles
- Understand some principles of software and database development
- Configure computers and mobile devices to connect to home networks and the internet
- Identify security issues affecting the use of computers and networks
CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) Exam Objectives: Overview
CompTIA ITF+ is an entry-level certification, validating basic IT knowledge and skills needed to perform common organizational tasks. The CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam covers a wide range of domains, introducing IT concepts to professionals. This includes IT terminology, IT infrastructure, application and software, software development, security, and database fundamentals.
The ITF+ exam is divided into six major domains. Here is a breakdown.
Domain - 1.0 IT Concepts and Terminology
IT Concepts and Terminology, first domain of the ITF+ certification exam, covers basic IT concepts and terminology. This includes comparing and contrasting notational systems, comparing and contrasting fundamental data types and their characteristics, basics of computing and processing, explaining the value of data and information, and much more.
The domain is responsible for 17% of the IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam questions.
This domain is divided into six important categories:
1.1 Compare and contrast notational systems.
• Binary • Hexadecimal • Decimal • Data representation
1.2 Compare and contrast fundamental data types and their characteristics.
• Char • Strings • Numbers • Boolean
1.3 Illustrate the basics of computing and processing.
• Input • Processing • Output • Storage
1.4 Explain the value of data and information.
• Data and information as assets • Importance of investing in security • Relationship of data to creating information • Intellectual property • Digital products • Data-driven business decisions
1.5 Compare and contrast common units of measure.
• Storage unit • Throughput unit • Processing speed
1.6 Explain the troubleshooting methodology.
• Identify the problem • Research knowledge base/ Internet, if applicable • Establish a theory of probable cause • Test the theory to determine the cause • Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and identify potential effects • Implement the solution or escalate as necessary • Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures • Document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes
Domain - 2.0 Infrastructure
Infrastructure, domain second of the ITF+ certification exam, deals with IT infrastructure-related concepts. The domain is divided into eight categories, describing common types of input/output device interfaces, setting up and installing common peripheral devices to a laptop/PC, explaining common internal computing components, storage types, and much more.
This domain is accountable for 22% of the questions in the ITF+ certification exam.
2.1 Classify common types of input/output device interfaces.
• Networking • Peripheral device • Graphic device
2.2 Given a scenario, set up and install common peripheral devices to a laptop/PC.
• Devices • Installation types
2.3 Explain the purpose of common internal computing components.
• Motherboard/system board • Firmware/BIOS • RAM • CPU • Storage • GPU • Cooling • NIC
2.4 Compare and contrast common Internet service types.
• Fiber optic • Cable • DSL • Wireless
2.5 Compare and contrast storage types.
• Volatile vs. non-volatile • Local storage types • Local network storage types
2.6 Compare and contrast common computing devices and their purposes.
• Mobile phones • Tablets • Laptops • Workstations • Servers • Gaming consoles • IoT
2.7 Explain basic networking concepts.
• Basics of network communication • Device addresses • Basic protocols • Devices
2.8 Given a scenario, install, configure and secure a basic wireless network.
• 802.11a/b/g/n/ac • Best practices
Domain - 3.0 Applications and Software
Application and Software, the third domain of the CompTIA ITF+ certification exam, focuses on operating systems, components of the operating systems, proper use of software, explaining the methods of the application architecture and delivery models, and many other critical concepts related to application and software. The domain is responsible for 18% of the questions in the ITF+ exam.
This domain is divided into six different sectors, explaining the software and applications.
3.1 Explain the purpose of operating systems.
• Interface between applications and hardware • Disk management • Process management/scheduling • Application management • Memory management • Device management • Access control/protection • Types of OS
3.2 Compare and contrast components of an operating system.
• File systems and features • Features • File management • Services • Processes • Drivers • Utilities • Interfaces
3.3 Explain the purpose and proper use of the software.
• Productivity software • Collaboration software • Business software
3.4 Explain methods of application architecture and delivery models.
• Application delivery methods • Application architecture models
3.5 Given a scenario, configure and use web browsers.
• Caching/clearing cache • Deactivate client-side scripting • Browser add-ons/extensions • Private browsing • Proxy settings • Certificates • Popup blockers • Script blockers • Compatible browser for application(s)
3.6 Compare and contrast general application concepts and uses.
• Single-platform software • Cross-platform software • Licensing • Software installation best practices
Domain - 4.0 Software Development Concepts
This domain explains the basic concepts of software development and is accountable for 12% of the overall questions in the ITF+ certification exam. This domain covers the topics such as programming language categories, purpose and use of programming concepts, and use & techniques of the programming languages.
The software and development domain is divided into three major categories:
4.1 Compare and contrast programming language categories.
• Interpreted • Compiled programming languages • Query languages • Assembly language
4.2 Given a scenario, use programming organizational techniques and interpret logic.
• Organizational techniques • Logic components
4.3 Explain the purpose and use of programming concepts.
• Identifiers • Containers • Functions • Objects
Domain - 5.0 Database Fundamentals
Database Fundamentals, the fifth domain of the CompTIA ITF+ certification exam, focuses on critical concepts and uses of databases. This includes the purpose of the database, various database structures, methods to use the database, and much more. This domain is accountable for 11% of the questions in the ITF+ exam.
Database Fundamentals domain is divided into three major categories, covering the basic database concepts.
5.1 Explain database concepts and the purpose of a database.
• Usage of database • Flat file vs. database • Records • Storage
5.2 Compare and contrast various database structures.
• Structured vs. semi-structured vs. non-structured • Relational databases • Non-relational databases
5.3 Summarize methods used to interface with databases.
• Relational methods • Database access methods • Export/import
Domain - 6.0 Security
The security, domain six of the CompTIA ITF+ certification exam, covers a lot of important topics required to tackle the security issues of organizations. This includes confidentiality, integrity and availability concerns, methods to secure devices and best practices, behavioral security concepts, password best practices, common uses of encryption, and business continuity concepts. This domain makes up 20% of the questions in the ITF+ exam.
The security domain is divided into seven major sectors:
6.1 Summarize confidentiality, integrity, and availability concerns.
• Confidentiality concerns • Integrity concerns • Availability concerns
6.2 Explain methods to secure devices and best practices.
• Securing devices (mobile/workstation) • Device use best practices
6.3 Summarize behavioral security concepts.
• Expectations of privacy when using: • Written policies and procedures • Handling of confidential information
6.4 Compare and contrast authentication, authorization, accounting, and non-repudiation concepts.
• Authentication • Authorization • Accounting • Non-repudiation
6.5 Explain password best practices.
• Password length • Password complexity • Password history • Password expiration • Password reuse across sites • Password managers • Password reset process
6.6 Explain common uses of encryption.
• Plain text vs. cipher text • Data at rest • Data in transit
6.7 Explain business continuity concepts.
• Fault tolerance • Disaster recovery
