CompTIA A+ Course: Complete Study Guide for the 220-1201…

CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard entry-level IT certification, validating your ability to support and troubleshoot hardware, software, and operating systems across a wide range of devices. This course organizes major topics from the 220-1201 Core 1 and 220-1202 Core 2 exams. Compare each lesson with the official objectives and practice tasks in a lab. You must pass both exams to earn the A+ certification. Whether you are starting your IT career or formalizing knowledge you already have, this guide walks you through everything you need.

Resources #

• Tips for Passing CompTIA Exams
• CompTIA A+ Practice Test
• Official 220-1201 Exam Objectives
• Official 220-1202 Exam Objectives
• Professor Messer’s A+ Videos
• Additional Learning Resources

Exam 220-1201: Core 1 #

Mobile Devices #

• Monitor mobile device hardware and use appropriate replacement techniques for batteries, keyboards, RAM, storage, and wireless cards
• Compare and contrast accessories and connectivity options, including USB-C, Lightning, NFC, Bluetooth, and tethering/hotspot
• Configure mobile device network connectivity including cellular data (3G/4G/5G), Wi-Fi, hotspot, and SIM/eSIM settings
• Configure location services including GPS and cellular location services
• Apply mobile device management (MDM) policies for corporate and BYOD deployments
• Set up mobile device synchronization for calendar, contacts, mail, and cloud storage while recognizing data caps
• Identify laptop display components, including LCD types (IPS, TN, VA), OLED, and touchscreen digitizers

Networking Fundamentals #

• Compare and contrast TCP and UDP ports and protocols, including FTP (20/21), SSH (22), DNS (53), HTTP (80), HTTPS (443), and RDP (3389)
• Explain wireless networking technologies, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequencies, channels, 802.11 standards, NFC, and RFID
• Summarize services provided by networked hosts, including DNS, DHCP, file servers, print servers, and proxy servers
• Explain network configuration concepts including DNS records (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT) and DHCP leases, reservations, and scope
• Compare and contrast networking hardware devices, including routers, switches, access points, firewalls, and PoE
• Configure basic wired and wireless SOHO networks with IPv4, IPv6, APIPA, static, and dynamic addressing
• Use networking tools, including crimpers, cable strippers, Wi-Fi analyzers, toner probes, punchdown tools, and cable testers

Hardware Components #

• Summarize cable types and connectors, including copper categories, fiber (single-mode, multimode), and connectors (RJ45, SC, LC, USB-C)
• Compare and contrast RAM characteristics, including SODIMM, DIMM, DDR iterations, ECC vs. non-ECC, and channel configurations
• Compare and contrast storage devices, including HDDs, SSDs (NVMe, SATA, PCIe), form factors (M.2, mSATA), and RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10
• Install and configure motherboards, CPUs, and add-on cards, including form factors (ATX, microATX, ITX) and BIOS/UEFI settings
• Explain CPU architecture, including x86/x64, ARM, and core configurations
• Install the appropriate power supply based on input voltage, output rails, wattage, and connector types
• Deploy and configure multifunction printers, including drivers, connectivity, security, and network scan services
• Perform printer maintenance for laser, inkjet, thermal, and impact printers

Virtualization and Cloud Computing #

• Explain virtualization concepts, including the purpose of virtual machines, sandboxes, and test development environments
• Compare and contrast hypervisor types, including Type 1 and Type 2
• Identify virtualization requirements for security, network, and storage
• Summarize desktop virtualization including Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and containers
• Summarize cloud computing concepts, including private, public, hybrid, and community cloud models
• Compare and contrast cloud service models, including IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS
• Explain cloud characteristics, including shared vs. dedicated resources, metered utilization, elasticity, and multitenancy

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting #

• Apply the troubleshooting methodology: identify the problem, establish a theory, test the theory, plan, implement, verify, and document
• Troubleshoot motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power, including POST beeps, no power, overheating, and capacitor swelling
• Troubleshoot drive and RAID issues, including grinding noises, data loss, RAID failure, and S.M.A.R.T. failures
• Troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues, including dead pixels, burn-in, dim image, and distorted output
• Troubleshoot mobile device hardware issues, including swollen batteries, broken screens, liquid damage, and digitizer issues
• Troubleshoot network issues, including intermittent connectivity, slow speeds, high latency, jitter, and authentication failures
• Troubleshoot printer issues, including paper jams, faded prints, garbled output, and connectivity problems

Exam 220-1202: Core 2 #

Operating Systems #

• Explain common OS types and purposes, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Chrome OS, and mobile OSs, plus filesystems (NTFS, ReFS, FAT32, ext4, APFS)
• Perform OS installations and upgrades, including clean installs, in-place upgrades, image deployment, and partitioning (GPT, MBR)
• Compare and contrast Microsoft Windows editions, including Windows 10 and 11 Home, Pro, and Enterprise feature differences
• Use Windows tools, including Task Manager, MMC snap-ins, Event Viewer, Disk Management, and Registry Editor
• Use Microsoft command-line tools, including ipconfig, ping, netstat, nslookup, sfc, chkdsk, and robocopy
• Configure Windows settings and networking features, including domain vs. workgroup, firewall settings, and VPN connections
• Explain features and tools of macOS and Linux, including System Preferences, Terminal, FileVault, and Linux commands (ls, chmod, sudo, apt, dnf)
• Install and configure cloud-based productivity tools, including email, storage sync, and collaboration tools

Security #

• Summarize physical and logical security measures, including bollards, badge readers, biometrics, least privilege, Zero Trust, ACLs, and MFA
• Configure Windows OS security settings, including Defender Antivirus, firewall, NTFS vs. share permissions, BitLocker, EFS, and UAC
• Compare and contrast wireless security protocols, including WPA2, WPA3, TKIP, AES, RADIUS, TACACS+, and Kerberos
• Summarize types of malware, including Trojans, rootkits, ransomware, keyloggers, cryptominers, and fileless malware
• Compare and contrast social engineering attacks and threats, including phishing, vishing, smishing, tailgating, DoS/DDoS, and SQL injection
• Implement SOHO malware removal following the seven-step CompTIA process
• Apply workstation hardening including data-at-rest encryption, password policies, account management, and disabling unused services
• Compare and contrast data destruction methods, including drilling, shredding, degaussing, and certified recycling

Software Troubleshooting #

• Troubleshoot common Windows OS issues, including BSOD, boot failures, frequent shutdowns, services not starting, and time drift
• Troubleshoot common mobile OS and application issues, including apps failing to launch, battery drain, random reboots, and connectivity problems
• Troubleshoot mobile OS and application security issues, including jailbreak/root access, high network traffic, and fake security warnings
• Troubleshoot common PC security issues, including desktop alerts, false antivirus warnings, altered files, and browser redirection
• Detect, remove, and prevent malware using safe mode, preinstallation environments, and reimaging techniques
• Identify browser-related symptoms of compromise, including frequent pop-ups, certificate warnings, and degraded performance

Operational Procedures #

• Implement documentation best practices, including ticketing systems, asset management, CMDBs, SOPs, and knowledge base articles
• Apply change management procedures, including rollback plans, sandbox testing, request forms, and change board approvals
• Implement workstation backup and recovery, including full, incremental, differential, and synthetic full backups plus the 3-2-1 rule
• Use common safety procedures, including ESD straps, electrical safety, proper lifting techniques, and fire safety
• Summarize environmental impacts, including MSDS documentation, proper battery and toner disposal, and UPS and surge suppressor use
• Explain prohibited content, privacy, licensing, and policy concepts, including chain of custody, DRM/EULA, regulated data, and AUPs
• Use proper communication techniques and professionalism in customer-facing support situations
• Explain the basics of scripting, including .bat, .ps1, .vbs, .sh, .js, and .py file types and common use cases
• Use remote access technologies, including RDP, VPN, VNC, SSH, RMM, and screen-sharing tools

Artificial Intelligence Basics #

The 220-1202 Core 2 exam now includes basic AI concepts you should know:

• Explain application integration of AI tools into business workflows
• Apply AI policy considerations, including appropriate use and plagiarism concerns
• Recognize AI limitations, including bias, hallucinations, and accuracy problems
• Compare private vs. public AI, including data security, data source, and data privacy implications

Use the current CompTIA A+ exam objectives as a checklist beside this course. The lessons and practice test do not replace hands-on support practice. Review all modules, complete the practice test, and explore courses and playbooks for additional study paths. When you feel ready, take the CompTIA A+ Practice Test to measure your progress before exam day.