Reviewed September 30, 2026 against CompTIA exam objectives v4.0
Pass 220-1201 A+ Core 1 with 500 practice questions and an explanation for every answer
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CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) is the hardware-focused half of the CompTIA A+ certification: it tests mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting for entry-level IT support roles.
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- Questions
- Maximum of 90
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Passing score
- 675
- Exam voucher
- $274
220-1201 exam details
Official format, scoring, and dates as published by CompTIA.
| Exam code | 220-1201 (V15) |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | Maximum of 90 |
| Length of test | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 675 (on a scale of 100–900) |
| Launch date | March 25, 2025 |
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| Question types | Multiple-choice and performance-based |
|---|---|
| Languages | English, German, and Japanese |
| Recommended experience | 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist job role |
| Exam objectives version | 4.0 |
| Work roles | Technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist (DoD 8140) |
Exam voucher pricing varies by region and changes over time — check the official A+ Core 1 page for the current price.
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Practice the performance-based questions, not just multiple choice
220-1201opens with simulations and drag-and-drop tasks that flashcards can't prepare you for. Our bank includes multiple-select, drag-and-drop, matching and ordering formats, so the interface is familiar before test day.
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Taking both A+ exams? CompTIA A+ requires 220-1201 and 220-1202. Pro ($11.99/month) includes both, plus every other certification. See 220-1202 →
How the 220-1201 questions are built
Mapped to the objectives
Each question targets one of the 5 official domains in CompTIA's Exam Objectives v4.0.
Explained, not just keyed
Every answer comes with the reasoning, including why the wrong options are wrong.
Sourced and original
Questions are written from scratch and cite CompTIA, NIST, IETF, OWASP or CISA material. No real exam content, ever.
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Every question is checked for technical accuracy, objective alignment and distractor quality before it goes live.
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Free vs full 220-1201 access
Start free. Upgrade when you want the whole bank and a timed rehearsal.
| Feature | Free | Full ($14.99) |
|---|---|---|
| Practice questions | 40 | 500 |
| Practice mode (instant feedback) | Yes | Yes |
| Timed exam simulation | No | Yes |
| Progress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Lifetime access, one payment | No | Yes |
What is CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)?
A+ is awarded only when you pass both exams in the same series: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Core 1 covers the physical side of IT support — laptops and mobile devices, cables and connectors, RAM and storage, printers, small-office networking, and the virtualization and cloud concepts a help-desk technician meets daily.
Core 1 and Core 2 must be taken from the same exam version (V15); mixing versions is not allowed. Troubleshooting is the single heaviest domain at 28%, and together with Hardware (25%) it makes up more than half of the exam.
Expect a mix of single- and multiple-response questions, drag-and-drop items, and performance-based questions (PBQs) that put you in a simulated scenario — for example, matching a symptom to a failing component or configuring a SOHO router.
Who should take 220-1201?
- Career changers and graduates aiming for a first help-desk or desktop-support job
- Technicians with about 12 months of hands-on support experience who want a recognized credential
- Anyone planning to continue to Network+, Security+, or Linux+ and needing a vendor-neutral foundation
Job roles this supports
- IT support specialist
- Help desk technician
- Field service technician
- Desktop support analyst
- Technical support specialist
220-1201 exam domains and objectives
5 domains and 27objectives, weighted by share of the exam. Objective titles are quoted from CompTIA's Exam Objectives document v4.0.
1.0Mobile Devices (13%)
Laptop and mobile hardware replacement, accessories, and connecting mobile devices to networks and email.
- 1.1Given a scenario, monitor mobile device hardware and use appropriate replacement techniques.
- 1.2Compare and contrast accessories and connectivity options for mobile devices.
- 1.3Given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and provide application support.
2.0Networking (23%)
TCP/UDP ports, Wi-Fi standards, network services, IP configuration, networking hardware, SOHO setup, and the network tools you use to diagnose them.
- 2.1Compare and contrast Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) ports, protocols, and their purposes.
- 2.2Explain wireless networking technologies.
- 2.3Summarize services provided by networked hosts.
- 2.4Explain common network configuration concepts.
- 2.5Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices.
- 2.6Given a scenario, configure basic wired/wireless small office/home office (SOHO) networks.
- 2.7Compare and contrast internet connection types, network types, and their characteristics.
- 2.8Explain networking tools and their purposes.
3.0Hardware (25%)
Displays, cable types and connectors, RAM, storage devices, motherboards/CPUs/add-in cards, power supplies, and printer deployment and maintenance.
- 3.1Compare and contrast display components and attributes.
- 3.2Summarize basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes.
- 3.3Compare and contrast RAM characteristics.
- 3.4Compare and contrast storage devices.
- 3.5Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards.
- 3.6Given a scenario, install the appropriate power supply.
- 3.7Given a scenario, deploy and configure multifunction devices/printers and settings.
- 3.8Given a scenario, perform appropriate printer maintenance.
4.0Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)
Virtualization concepts and cloud computing basics: service models, deployment models, and shared-resource concepts.
- 4.1Explain virtualization concepts.
- 4.2Summarize cloud computing concepts.
5.0Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%)
Scenario-based troubleshooting of motherboards, RAM, CPUs, power, drives and RAID, displays, mobile devices, networks, and printers — the largest domain.
- 5.1Given a scenario, troubleshoot motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power.
- 5.2Given a scenario, troubleshoot drive and RAID issues.
- 5.3Given a scenario, troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues.
- 5.4Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile device issues.
- 5.5Given a scenario, troubleshoot network issues.
- 5.6Given a scenario, troubleshoot printer issues.
Which 220-1201 domain is your weakest? Find out in 5 questions.
Try 5 free questions220-1201 study plan
About 6 hours a week for 8weeks, with time split in proportion to each domain's exam weighting. Adjust up if the material is new to you and down if you work in it daily.
| Domain | Exam weight | Suggested hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Devices | 13% | 6 h |
| Networking | 23% | 11 h |
| Hardware | 25% | 12 h |
| Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 11% | 5 h |
| Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 28% | 13 h |
Exam-day tips for 220-1201
- 1Budget your time for PBQs: flag them, answer the multiple-choice items first, then return with the time left.
- 2Learn the troubleshooting methodology as a sequence, not a list — questions often ask what to do next.
- 3Memorize common ports and protocols (DHCP, DNS, SMB, RDP, SMTP/IMAP/POP3) and what each does.
- 4Recognize connectors and cable types visually: USB variants, video connectors, SATA/M.2/NVMe, and Ethernet categories.
- 5Practice reading symptoms (POST beeps, artifacting, intermittent shutdowns, slow drives) and mapping them to the likeliest component.
220-1201 frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the 220-1201 exam and how long is it?
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) has maximum of 90 questions and a 90 minutes time limit. Question types include multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs).
What is the passing score for 220-1201?
The 220-1201 passing score is 675 (on a scale of 100–900).
What domains does 220-1201 cover and how are they weighted?
According to CompTIA’s exam objectives (version 4.0), 220-1201 covers 5 domains: Mobile Devices (13%), Networking (23%), Hardware (25%), Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%), Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%).
What is the difference between A+ Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202)?
Core 1 is hardware- and infrastructure-oriented (mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, hardware and network troubleshooting). Core 2 is software- and operations-oriented (operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, operational procedures). You need to pass both, from the same version, to earn CompTIA A+.
Which A+ exam should I take first?
You can take them in either order. Most candidates start with Core 1 because hardware and networking fundamentals make the operating-system and security material in Core 2 easier to reason about, but there is no requirement.
Do I have to pass both A+ exams at the same time?
No. You can sit them on different days, but both must be from the same series (V15) and CompTIA sets a time window for completing the second exam — check CompTIA’s current certification-eligibility rules on comptia.org.
Is 220-1201 the current version and when does it retire?
220-1201 (exam version V15) launched on March 25, 2025. Retirement: Usually three years after launch (estimated 2028). Confirm current dates on comptia.org before booking.
How long is CompTIA A+ Core 1 valid?
CompTIA certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass and can be renewed through CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program or by passing the current version of the exam.
How many 220-1201 practice questions does CompCertQuiz have, and what does it cost?
CompCertQuiz has 500 220-1201 practice questions mapped to the official exam domains, each with a detailed explanation. 40 are free with no credit card. Full access is a one-time $14.99, or $11.99 a month for every CompTIA certification, with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
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Sources and how this page is maintained
- Exam facts (questions, length, passing score, launch date, languages, recommended experience) and the domain and objective lists come from CompTIA's published exam details and Exam Objectives document v4.0 for 220-1201. Official page: comptia.org.
- Study-plan hours and exam tips are CompCertQuiz editorial guidance, not CompTIA content.
- Last reviewed September 30, 2026. CompTIA can change exam details; confirm on comptia.org before you book.
- Spotted an error or an out-of-date detail? Tell us and we will correct it. See About CompCertQuiz for who we are.
- CompCertQuiz is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA, and CompTIA, A+, Network+, Security+, Cloud+, Linux+, CySA+, and SecAI+ are trademarks of CompTIA, Inc. We never publish or use real exam questions.
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