CompTIA A+ Core 1 & Core 2 (220-1201/220-1202) Study Guide: Every Domain, Objective by Objective

Last updated October 24, 2026

CompTIA A+ is the certification most IT careers start with, and it's unusual among CompTIA exams because it's actually two exams, not one. You need a passing score on both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) before CompTIA issues the certification — there's no combined single-sitting version. Core 1 is the hardware, networking, and troubleshooting half; Core 2 is the operating systems, security, and operational-procedures half. Below is every domain in both exams, objective by objective, plus the parts of the exam that trip people up most.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201): domain by domain

Core 1 has five domains. Troubleshooting carries the most weight by a wide margin, which surprises candidates who assume the exam is mostly definitions and spec sheets.

Domain 1.0 — Mobile Devices (13% of the exam)

• 1.1 Given a scenario, monitor mobile device hardware and use appropriate replacement techniques.
• 1.2 Compare and contrast accessories and connectivity options for mobile devices.
• 1.3 Given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and provide application support.

The smallest domain, but don't skip it — questions here tend to be specific (interface speeds, connector types) rather than conceptual, so there's little partial credit for "close enough" knowledge.

Domain 2.0 — Networking (23% of the exam)

• 2.1 Compare and contrast TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purposes.
• 2.2 Explain wireless networking technologies.
• 2.3 Summarize services provided by networked hosts.
• 2.4 Explain common network configuration concepts.
• 2.5 Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices.
• 2.6 Given a scenario, configure basic wired/wireless small office/home office (SOHO) networks.
• 2.7 Compare and contrast internet connection types, network types, and their characteristics.
• 2.8 Explain networking tools and their purposes.

Memorize the common port numbers cold (80, 443, 21, 22, 25, 53, 3389, and the rest of the usual list) — they show up constantly, both directly and buried inside scenario questions about "a user can't do X."

Domain 3.0 — Hardware (25% of the exam)

• 3.1 Compare and contrast display components and attributes.
• 3.2 Summarize basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes.
• 3.3 Compare and contrast RAM characteristics.
• 3.4 Compare and contrast storage devices.
• 3.5 Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards.
• 3.6 Given a scenario, install the appropriate power supply.
• 3.7 Given a scenario, deploy and configure multifunction devices/printers and settings.
• 3.8 Given a scenario, perform appropriate printer maintenance.

The single biggest domain in Core 1. It's also the most "physical" — a lot of candidates who've only worked in cloud or help-desk-via-remote-session roles find this is where they need the most hands-on study, since the exam expects you to know component compatibility, not just terminology.

Domain 4.0 — Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11% of the exam)

• 4.1 Explain virtualization concepts.
• 4.2 Summarize cloud computing concepts.

Smallest domain, but growing in emphasis each time CompTIA revises the exam. Know the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisor and the basic cloud service models (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS) — those two topics alone cover a large share of this domain's questions.

Domain 5.0 — Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28% of the exam)

• 5.1 Given a scenario, troubleshoot motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power.
• 5.2 Given a scenario, troubleshoot drive and RAID issues.
• 5.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues.
• 5.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile device issues.
• 5.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot network issues.
• 5.6 Given a scenario, troubleshoot printer issues.

The largest domain in either exam. Every one of its questions assumes you already know the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology (below) — the domain tests whether you can apply it to hardware and network symptoms, not whether you've memorized a components list.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202): domain by domain

Core 2 has four domains, and two of them — Operating Systems and Security — are tied for the largest share of the exam at 28% each.

Domain 1.0 — Operating Systems (28% of the exam)

• 1.1 Explain common operating system (OS) types and their purposes.
• 1.2 Given a scenario, perform OS installations and upgrades in a diverse environment.
• 1.3 Compare and contrast basic features of Microsoft Windows editions.
• 1.4 Given a scenario, use Microsoft Windows operating system features and tools.
• 1.5 Given a scenario, use the appropriate Microsoft command-line tools.
• 1.6 Given a scenario, configure Microsoft Windows settings.
• 1.7 Given a scenario, configure Microsoft Windows networking features on a client/desktop.
• 1.8 Explain common features and tools of the macOS/desktop operating system.
• 1.9 Identify common features and tools of the Linux client/desktop operating system.
• 1.10 Given a scenario, install applications according to requirements.
• 1.11 Given a scenario, install and configure cloud-based productivity tools.

Heavily Windows-weighted, which matches real-world help desk work, but don't skip the macOS and Linux objectives (1.8 and 1.9) — CompTIA always includes a handful of questions on both, and candidates who only prepare for Windows leave easy points on the table.

Domain 2.0 — Security (28% of the exam)

• 2.1 Summarize various security measures and their purposes.
• 2.2 Given a scenario, configure and apply basic Microsoft Windows OS security settings.
• 2.3 Compare and contrast wireless security protocols and authentication methods.
• 2.4 Summarize types of malware and tools/methods for detection, removal, and prevention.
• 2.5 Compare and contrast common social engineering attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• 2.6 Given a scenario, implement procedures for basic SOHO malware removal.
• 2.7 Given a scenario, apply workstation security options and hardening techniques.
• 2.8 Given a scenario, apply common methods for securing mobile devices.
• 2.9 Compare and contrast common data destruction and disposal methods.
• 2.10 Given a scenario, apply security settings on SOHO wireless and wired networks.
• 2.11 Given a scenario, configure relevant security settings in a browser.

This is a preview of Security+ in miniature, and candidates who plan to pursue Security+ afterward (a common path) will recognize a lot of this domain when they get there. The malware-removal procedure (2.6) specifically is a multi-step process CompTIA likes to test as an ordering question — know the sequence, not just the individual steps.

Domain 3.0 — Software Troubleshooting (23% of the exam)

• 3.1 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common Windows OS issues.
• 3.2 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile OS and application issues.
• 3.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common mobile OS and application security issues.
• 3.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common personal computer (PC) security issues.

Only four stated objectives, but they're broad ones — this domain is where Core 2 applies the same troubleshooting methodology tested in Core 1, aimed at software and malware symptoms instead of hardware ones.

Domain 4.0 — Operational Procedures (21% of the exam)

• 4.1 Given a scenario, implement best practices associated with documentation and support systems information management.
• 4.2 Given a scenario, apply change management procedures.
• 4.3 Given a scenario, implement workstation backup and recovery methods.
• 4.4 Given a scenario, use common safety procedures.
• 4.5 Summarize environmental impacts and local environment controls.
• 4.6 Explain the importance of prohibited content/activity and privacy, licensing, and policy concepts.
• 4.7 Given a scenario, use proper communication techniques and professionalism.
• 4.8 Explain the basics of scripting.
• 4.9 Given a scenario, use remote access technologies.
• 4.10 Explain basic concepts related to artificial intelligence (AI).

Objective 4.10 is new territory — CompTIA added AI concepts to this domain in the current version of the exam, covering things like how AI gets embedded into existing support tools (ticket triage, chatbots) rather than how to build AI systems. If you studied from older materials, this is the one sub-objective you won't find covered there.

The CompTIA troubleshooting methodology (tested in both exams)

Core 1 Domain 5 and Core 2 Domain 3 both assume you know CompTIA's standard troubleshooting process, and a large share of questions in each domain are really just "which step comes next" in disguise. It has six steps, always in this order:

• 1. Identify the problem — gather information from the user, identify symptoms, question users, and duplicate the problem if possible.
• 2. Establish a theory of probable cause — question the obvious first, and consider multiple possibilities before settling on one.
• 3. Test the theory to determine cause — once confirmed, determine the next step; if the theory isn't confirmed, re-establish a new theory or escalate.
• 4. Establish a plan of action and implement the solution — including, when needed, researching the issue or consulting a knowledge base.
• 5. Verify full system functionality — and, if applicable, implement preventive measures so the problem doesn't recur.
• 6. Document findings, actions, and outcomes — the step candidates most often forget exists, and one CompTIA tests directly by asking what the technician should do after a fix is confirmed working.

Knowing these six steps in order is worth more exam points than almost any other single piece of memorization in either exam, because the same sequence gets tested repeatedly across both Core 1 and Core 2 with different scenarios wrapped around it.

How long should you study for both exams

Budget for two separate study efforts, not one. Most candidates with no prior IT background spend four to six weeks on Core 1 and a similar four to six weeks on Core 2, studying a few hours a week — call it two to three months total if you're starting from zero. Candidates already doing informal tech support (family/friends "IT person," a help-desk job without the certification yet) often cut that in half, since Core 2's Windows-heavy content and Core 1's hardware content are things they've already touched hands-on.

Where candidates lose points

• Treating Core 1 as "the easy one." Because it covers physical hardware, candidates sometimes assume it's less conceptually demanding than Core 2. The Troubleshooting domain (28%, the largest in either exam) is entirely scenario-based and punishes that assumption.
• Skipping macOS and Linux content in Core 2. Objectives 1.8 and 1.9 are a small slice of the Operating Systems domain, but they're also the most commonly under-studied — most candidates' daily work is Windows-only, so this is unfamiliar territory on exam day.
• Memorizing the troubleshooting steps without practicing the order. Candidates who can recite all six steps still miss "what's next" questions because the exam presents a scenario mid-process and asks for the next step, not the whole list.
• Not budgeting separate time for each exam. Because A+ is sold and studied as one certification, it's easy to under-prepare for whichever exam you take second, especially Core 2 if you schedule it right after Core 1 without resetting your study plan.

Why full-rationale practice questions help with a two-exam certification

With nine domains spread across two exams, it's easy to feel ready on the domains you reviewed most recently and shaky on whichever you studied first. Full-rationale practice — where every option explains why it's right or wrong, not just which letter is correct — makes gaps visible immediately: if you can follow the reasoning for every wrong answer, you understand the domain; if an explanation surprises you, that's exactly the sub-objective to revisit before exam day.

What usually comes after A+

A+ is a prerequisite in spirit (not in CompTIA's registration system) for most of the certifications that follow it. Network+ is the standard next step if the Core 1 networking domain felt thin, and Security+ is the most common target after that:

• CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) - 500 Questions & Answers with Full Rationales
• CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) - 600 Questions & Full Rationale Answers
• CompTIA Data+ (DA0-002 V2) - 700 Questions & Full Rationale Answers