CompTIA A+ (220-1201 and 220-1202) Study Strategy¶

Study Approach¶

Which exam first?¶

CompTIA lets you take the two cores in any order. Most people take Core 1 first because its hardware and networking basics make Core 2's OS and security content easier to follow. Take Core 2 first only if you already work with Windows and security daily and want an early win.

Whatever the order, sit both exams from the same series. CompTIA's FAQ states that if a series retires before you pass the second core, your first result no longer counts toward the certification.

Phase 1: Core 1 Foundation (3 weeks)¶

1. Mobile Devices and Networking
2. Laptop parts and mobile connectivity
3. The 14 ports, Wi-Fi standards, DNS and DHCP
4. SOHO addressing and networking hardware
5. Hardware
6. Cables and connectors, RAM, storage, RAID
7. Motherboards, CPUs, UEFI, power supplies
8. Printers and printer maintenance

Phase 2: Core 1 Depth and Exam (2 weeks)¶

1. Virtualization and Cloud
2. Hardware and Network Troubleshooting - the heaviest Core 1 domain at 28%
3. Practice exams and PBQs, then sit Core 1

Phase 3: Core 2 Foundation (3 weeks)¶

1. Operating Systems - Windows tools and commands, then macOS and Linux
2. Security - Windows security, malware removal, hardening, data destruction

Phase 4: Core 2 Depth and Exam (2 weeks)¶

1. Software Troubleshooting
2. Operational Procedures
3. Practice exams and PBQs, then sit Core 2

Study Resources¶

Free Resources (Highly Recommended)¶

• 📖 Professor Messer: 220-1101 vs 220-1201 Differences - What changed in Core 1, useful if you have older study material
• 📖 Professor Messer: 220-1102 vs 220-1202 Differences - What changed in Core 2
• 📖 Windows Commands Reference - Official docs for every Windows command on the exam
• 📖 macOS User Guide - Apple's guide to Finder, Time Machine, FileVault, and more
• 📖 Linux man-pages Project - Manual pages for the Linux commands

Professor Messer also publishes a free video course for each V15 core on the same site.

Official CompTIA Resources¶

• 📖 CompTIA A+ Certification - Certification overview
• 📖 A+ Core 1 V15 (220-1201) - Exam details, domain weights, and FAQ
• 📖 A+ Core 2 V15 (220-1202) - Exam details and domain weights
• 📖 A+ 220-1202 Exam Objectives (PDF) - The full Core 2 objectives. Download the Core 1 objectives from the Core 1 page

CompTIA also sells CertMaster Learn, Labs, and Practice for each core. Check the product pages for what is included.

Paid Courses and Practice Exams¶

1. Professor Messer 220-1201/220-1202 course notes and practice exams - Low cost, closely follows the objectives
2. Mike Meyers A+ (Total Seminars) - Video courses, books, and TotalTester practice exams
3. Jason Dion A+ practice exams (Udemy) - Large question banks with PBQ-style items
4. CompTIA CertMaster Practice - Official adaptive practice questions

Make sure any material you buy is labeled 220-1201/220-1202 or V15. Older 1101/1102 material covers most of the same ground but misses the AI objective and some reorganized content.

Exam Tactics¶

Question Strategy¶

1. Read the last sentence first - It tells you what is actually being asked.
2. Spot the qualifier - "BEST", "FIRST", "MOST likely", "NEXT". They change the answer.
3. Eliminate the clearly wrong - Usually two options go quickly.
4. Least disruptive fix first - For "first" or "next step" questions, pick the gentle, non-destructive option (check the cable, restart the service) over reimaging.
5. Look for the obvious - Many scenarios hide a simple answer: wrong input source, Wi-Fi turned off, USB stick left in.

Time Management¶

• Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes per exam, so about one minute per question.
• PBQs usually come first. Skip them, answer the multiple choice, then come back. They take 3-5 minutes each.
• Flag and move - Never spend more than 2 minutes on a multiple choice question.
• Keep 10 minutes at the end for flagged questions.

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)¶

Expect a few PBQs per exam. Common types: - Drag and drop matching - Ports to protocols, cables to connectors, tools to tasks, RAID levels to requirements. - Ordering - Laser printing steps, malware removal steps, Bluetooth pairing steps. - Simulated configuration - SOHO router settings, Windows tools, command-line output interpretation. - Troubleshooting - Pick the cause and fix from a set of symptoms.

Tips: read every instruction, check whether an item can be used more than once, and answer every part. Partial credit is generally believed to apply, so never leave a PBQ blank.

Keyword Decision Matrix¶

Common Pitfalls¶

Conceptual Pitfalls¶

• Confusing incremental and differential restore requirements.
• Thinking RAID is a backup.
• Thinking hiding the SSID is security.
• Mixing up POP3 (download) and IMAP (sync).
• Forgetting that Windows Home lacks domain join, gpedit, BitLocker, and RDP hosting.

Technical Pitfalls¶

• Degaussing an SSD (does nothing).
• Using FAT32 for a 6 GB video file (4 GB limit).
• Wearing an ESD strap near high voltage.
• Choosing Telnet or FTP where a secure protocol is needed.
• Initializing disks when a RAID array is missing.

Exam Pitfalls¶

• Spending 10 minutes on the first PBQ.
• Changing answers without a clear reason. First instincts are usually right unless you misread.
• Picking the most technical answer when the question is about professionalism. On behavior questions, choose the customer-focused option.

Domain-Specific Tips¶

Core 1¶

• Mobile Devices (13%) - Know SODIMM, swollen battery handling, NFC vs Bluetooth range, BYOD selective wipe.
• Networking (23%) - Ports cold, Wi-Fi bands and standards, DHCP terms, private and APIPA ranges.
• Hardware (25%) - RAID and cable tables, UEFI settings, PSU voltages, laser steps.
• Virtualization and Cloud (11%) - Type 1 vs Type 2, containers vs VMs, IaaS/PaaS/SaaS, elasticity.
• HW and Network Troubleshooting (28%) - Learn symptom-to-cause pairs. This is where Core 1 is won or lost.

Core 2¶

• Operating Systems (28%) - Every .msc and command by name. Editions. GPT vs MBR. macOS and Linux tools.
• Security (28%) - Malware removal order, NTFS vs share, WPA3, destruction methods, SOHO settings.
• Software Troubleshooting (23%) - The repair ladder. Safe Mode, System Restore, sfc.
• Operational Procedures (21%) - Backup types, change types, safety, professionalism, script extensions, remote access, AI terms.

Important Acronyms to Memorize¶

Hardware and Networking¶

• APIPA - Automatic Private IP Addressing
• DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• ONT - Optical Network Terminal
• PoE - Power over Ethernet
• SODIMM - Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module
• NVMe - Non-volatile Memory Express
• TPM / HSM - Trusted Platform Module / Hardware Security Module
• UEFI - Unified Extensible Firmware Interface

Security and Operations¶

• MDM - Mobile Device Management
• EDR / MDR / XDR - Endpoint / Managed / Extended Detection and Response
• SAE - Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (WPA3)
• MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet
• CMDB - Configuration Management Database
• RMM - Remote Monitoring and Management
• SPICE - Simple Protocol for Independent Computing Environments
• GFS - Grandfather-Father-Son

Download the acronym list at the end of each objectives PDF and review it the week before each exam.

Pre-Exam Checklist¶

One Week Before¶

• Two full practice exams at 85%+
• Every table in the fact sheet from memory
• Acronym list reviewed
• Testing center or online proctoring requirements confirmed

Day Before¶

• Light review only
• ID ready, check-in time confirmed
• For online testing: run the system test, clear the desk, close other apps
• Sleep

Exam Day¶

• Arrive or log in 30 minutes early
• Skip PBQs first, come back to them
• Watch the qualifiers: BEST, FIRST, MOST likely
• Use every minute, review flagged questions

Related Pages¶

• README - Exam overview
• Practice Plan - The 10-week schedule
• Scenarios - Worked help desk cases
• Network+ - The next certification