CompTIA A+ Study Guide: Pass Core 1 & Core 2 (2026)

CompTIA A+ is still the most recognized entry-level IT certification — and the V15 exams (220-1201 / 220-1202) are what you need today. This guide maps both cores, gives you a realistic study plan, and points you to free practice that matches what you'll see on test day.

Start practicing: Free A+ practice questions → — 300+ questions across Core 1 and Core 2. No signup required for your first 10.

Full domain reference: CompTIA A+ study guide (all objectives) →

A+ Exam Overview (V15)

You need both exams within three years of each other to earn A+. Most candidates take Core 1 first, then Core 2.

Core 1 (220-1201) Domains

1.0 Mobile Devices (15%)

Laptop components, displays (LCD/LED/OLED), mobile accessories, Bluetooth/NFC/cellular, MDM basics.

Practice: Mobile devices questions →

2.0 Networking (20%)

TCP/UDP, common ports (80, 443, 22, 53, 3389), IPv4 private ranges, IPv6 link-local, wireless standards (802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6), network devices.

Practice: Networking questions →

3.0 Hardware (25%)

Cables (Cat 5e/6/6a, fiber, HDMI, USB-C), RAM (DDR4/DDR5, ECC), storage (SSD/NVMe, RAID), motherboards, PSUs.

Practice: Hardware questions →

4.0 Virtualization & Cloud (11%)

IaaS/PaaS/SaaS, hypervisor types, VM resources, public/private/hybrid cloud.

Practice: Virtualization & cloud →

5.0 Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (29%)

CompTIA troubleshooting methodology, POST codes, connectivity issues, display problems.

Practice: Hardware troubleshooting →

Core 2 (220-1202) Domains

1.0 Operating Systems (31%)

Windows CLI (ipconfig, ping, sfc, chkdsk), file systems (NTFS, exFAT), macOS/Linux basics, mobile OS concepts.

Practice: Operating systems →

2.0 Security (25%)

Malware types, MFA, biometrics, least privilege, data destruction, physical security.

Practice: Security questions →

3.0 Software Troubleshooting (22%)

Safe Mode, Startup Repair, malware removal steps, print spooler, profile issues.

Practice: Software troubleshooting →

4.0 Operational Procedures (22%)

Documentation, change management, backup types (full/incremental/differential), ESD safety, 3-2-1 backup rule.

Practice: Operational procedures →

8-Week Study Plan

Total time: 80–120 hours for both exams (10–15 hrs/week). Complete beginners should plan 10–12 weeks.

Daily study rhythm (1–2 hours)

1. 20 min — Read one objective block in the study guide
2. 40 min — Practice questions for that domain (review every wrong answer)
3. 10 min — Flashcards for ports, cable types, and CLI commands

High-Yield Topics (Don't Skip)

These show up repeatedly on both exams:

Core 1 vs Core 2: Which to Take First?

Take Core 1 first unless you already work help desk and know Windows/security cold. Core 1 builds the hardware and networking foundation Core 2 assumes.

After A+, common next steps:

• CompTIA Network+ — deeper networking
• CompTIA Security+ — cybersecurity track
• Azure AZ-900 — cloud fundamentals

Exam Day Tips

1. Flag and move on — performance-based and scenario questions can burn time
2. Read the scenario twice — CompTIA loves "best" vs "first" action wording
3. Know your ports cold — a 30-second recall saves minutes
4. Don't overthink troubleshooting order — methodology questions want the next logical step
5. Schedule Core 2 within 60 days of Core 1 while material is fresh

Free Resources on CertStud

• Complete A+ study guide (all objectives)
• 300+ practice questions
• Interactive flashcards
• Full-length practice exams
• Study notes

Pair with Professor Messer's free A+ course and CompTIA's official exam objectives for video coverage.

Final Checklist

• Scored 85%+ on practice questions in every Core 1 domain
• Completed at least one full Core 1 practice exam under time
• Same for Core 2 before scheduling 220-1202
• Reviewed V15 updates (DDR5, Wi-Fi 6/7, USB4)
• Hands-on: built a PC, configured IP, or troubleshot a VM in a lab

A+ is not glamorous — but it's the cert hiring managers still ask for on help desk and field technician roles. Study the domains in order, drill practice questions until explanations feel obvious, and you'll pass.

Ready? Try 10 free A+ questions →