220-1201
Core 1
- Hardware and network troubleshooting28%
- Hardware25%
- Networking23%
- Mobile devices13%
- Virtualization and cloud computing11%
675 / 900 to pass
CompTIA A+ Core 1 · 220-1201 · Free
CompTIA A+ Practice Test 2026
Free Core 1 questions with every answer explained, from ports and RAID to the symptoms the troubleshooting questions start from.
Up to 90 questions · 90 min · 675/900 to pass
CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam format and passing score
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes: multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop and performance-based questions. You pass with 675 on a scale of 100 to 900. To earn A+ you also pass Core 2 (220-1202, 700 to pass), from the same V15 series. Hardware and network troubleshooting is the largest domain at 28%.
Sources: CompTIA A+ Core 1 · CompTIA A+ Core 2
RJ45Practice
Free CompTIA A+ practice questions with answers
Ten questions from the free set, one domain at a time. Pick an answer to see if you are right and why.
Which port does HTTPS use by default?
Answer: A. Port 443
HTTPS encrypts web traffic over port 443. Port 21 is FTP, 80 is HTTP, and 8080 is an alternate HTTP port.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Networking, 23%
A user upgrades RAM from DDR4-2400 to DDR4-3200. What must they verify first?
Answer: D. Motherboard supports speed
Faster memory only runs at its rated speed if the motherboard chipset and CPU memory controller support DDR4-3200; otherwise it falls back to a lower speed. A heat spreader helps cooling but has no bearing on compatibility. An 80 Plus rating describes power supply efficiency, and RAM draws very little power. Module color is cosmetic and does not affect whether the board can run it.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Hardware, 25%
A PC powers on with repeated long beeps before POST. What does this indicate?
Answer: C. RAM error
On many BIOS implementations, such as AMI and Award, repeating long beeps signal that memory is missing, unseated or failed, though codes vary by vendor and the motherboard manual is the final reference. A keyboard fault is normally reported after video starts, with an on-screen message. A failed drive shows up as a boot error after POST, not as a beep pattern. An audio problem would not stop POST or trigger firmware beep codes.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Hardware and Network Troubleshooting, 28%
A smartphone charges slowly and drains quickly. What should the technician check first?
Answer: A. Charging cable and port
Check the charging cable and port first, because a frayed cable or lint packed into the port is the most common cause of slow charging and costs nothing to rule out. Replacing the battery comes later, once a known-good charger still charges slowly. An OS update can fix a power-hungry bug but does not explain slow charging. A factory reset erases user data and should come only after the hardware path has been checked.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Mobile Devices, 13%
Which hypervisor type runs directly on hardware without a host OS?
Answer: D. Type 1 bare-metal
A Type 1 (bare-metal) hypervisor such as VMware ESXi or Microsoft Hyper-V Server installs straight onto the server hardware with no host OS underneath. A Type 2 hypervisor such as VirtualBox runs as an application on top of Windows, macOS or Linux. A container runtime shares a host OS kernel and does not virtualize hardware. An app sandbox isolates a single program inside an existing operating system.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Virtualization and Cloud Computing, 11%
A workstation shows an APIPA address. What does this indicate?
Answer: B. DHCP server is not responding
An address in 169.254.0.0/16 is APIPA, which Windows assigns itself when it asks for a DHCP lease and no DHCP server answers. A wrong default gateway would leave a valid DHCP address in place and only break traffic leaving the subnet. An unreachable DNS server breaks name lookups but does not change the IP address the PC received. A manually entered static address, even with a bad mask, never triggers APIPA because DHCP is not used.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Networking, 23%
Which RAID level mirrors data across two drives for real-time redundancy?
Answer: A. RAID 1
RAID 1 writes identical copies of the data to two drives, so either drive can fail without data loss. RAID 0 stripes data across drives for speed and loses everything if one fails. RAID 5 protects data with distributed parity across at least three drives instead of a plain mirror. RAID 10 does mirror, but it combines mirroring with striping and needs at least four drives.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Hardware, 25%
A laptop has intermittent blue screens and faulty RAM is suspected. Which tool runs first?
Answer: C. Memory Diagnostic
Windows Memory Diagnostic (mdsched.exe) reboots the PC and tests RAM directly, which is the right tool when bad memory is suspected. Device Manager lists hardware and drivers but does not test memory cells. Event Viewer can show that a blue screen happened and its stop code, but it cannot confirm faulty RAM. Disk Management handles partitions and volumes and has nothing to do with memory.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Hardware and Network Troubleshooting, 28%
Which mobile component enables contactless payment at retail terminals?
Answer: B. Near Field Communication
Near Field Communication (NFC) handles tap-to-pay because it exchanges data only within a few centimeters, which is what payment terminals use. Infrared needs line of sight and is not used by retail payment readers. Bluetooth Low Energy pairs with headphones, watches and sensors, not with checkout terminals. Miracast mirrors a screen to a display over Wi-Fi Direct and has nothing to do with payments.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Mobile Devices, 13%
A cloud provider manages the OS and runtime while the developer controls the app and data. Which model?
Answer: A. PaaS
In Platform as a Service the provider runs the servers, operating system and runtime, and the developer deploys only the application and its data. SaaS delivers a finished application, so the customer controls neither code nor runtime. DaaS (Desktop as a Service) streams virtual desktops to users. IaaS supplies virtual machines, storage and networks, leaving the customer to manage the OS and runtime.
Objective: CompTIA A+ 220-1201 — Virtualization and Cloud Computing, 11%
Practice one domain at a time
USB-CThe exam
CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam objectives and domains
Five domains, drawn as the strands of one cable, each as thick as its share of the exam on CompTIA’s Core 1 page.
Hardware and network troubleshooting28%
Hardware25%
Networking23%
Mobile devices13%
Virtualization and cloud computing11%
The format
Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, scored from 100 to 900: 675 passes Core 1. Offered in English, German and Japanese. CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist job role.
If you do not pass
No wait before a second attempt. Before a third or any later attempt, wait at least 14 calendar days. Every attempt is paid; CompTIA gives no free retakes (retake policy).
How long it lasts
A+ is valid for three years from the day you certify. You can renew with continuing education units instead of retaking the exam (renewal policy).
LC fiberNetworking 23%
CompTIA A+ ports and protocols list
The networking domain asks which port a service uses and which choice is the secure one. Tap a jack.
| Port | Protocol | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 20/21 | FTP TCP | File transfer (20 data, 21 control) |
| 22 | SSH TCP | Encrypted remote command line; SFTP runs over it |
| 23 | Telnet TCP | Remote command line in plain text |
| 25 | SMTP TCP | Sending email between servers |
| 53 | DNS TCP/UDP | Turning names into IP addresses |
| 67/68 | DHCP UDP | Handing out IP addresses (67 server, 68 client) |
| 80 | HTTP TCP | Web pages, unencrypted |
| 110 | POP3 TCP | Downloading email to one device |
| 137–139 | NetBIOS TCP/UDP | Older Windows name and session services |
| 143 | IMAP TCP | Email kept in sync across devices |
| 389 | LDAP TCP | Directory lookups, such as Active Directory |
| 443 | HTTPS TCP | Web pages over TLS |
| 445 | SMB/CIFS TCP | Windows file and printer sharing |
| 3389 | RDP TCP | Remote Desktop to a Windows computer |
Port numbers: IANA service name and port number registry. IANA registers most for both TCP and UDP; the list shows the one each service normally uses.
Swap the plain-text one for the secure one
- FTP 20/21SFTP over SSH, port 22
- Telnet 23SSH, port 22
- HTTP 80HTTPS, port 443
Wi-Fi standards and bands
| Standard | Name | Bands |
|---|---|---|
| 802.11b | — | 2.4 GHz |
| 802.11a | — | 5 GHz |
| 802.11g | — | 2.4 GHz |
| 802.11n | Wi-Fi 4 | 2.4 and 5 GHz |
| 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 | 5 GHz only, channels up to 160 MHz |
| 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 / 6E | 2.4 and 5 GHz; 6E adds 6 GHz |
The cable toolkit
- Crimper
- Attaches an RJ45 plug to the end of a cable
- Cable tester
- Checks continuity and pinout (T568A or T568B)
- Loopback plug
- Tests a network port or NIC by sending its signal back
- Toner probe
- Traces one cable through a wall or bundle
- Punchdown tool
- Seats wires in a patch panel or keystone jack
A 169.254.x.x address (APIPA) means the computer gave itself an address because no DHCP server answered.
SATAHardware 25%
RAID levels, memory and printer maintenance
Hardware questions test what each part does, how much it can lose, and how you look after it.
RAID levels
- RAID 0StripingMin 2 drives · survives: No drive failure
- RAID 1MirroringMin 2 drives · survives: One drive
- RAID 5Striping with distributed parityMin 3 drives · survives: One drive
- RAID 6Striping with double parityMin 4 drives · survives: Two drives
- RAID 10Mirrored pairs, stripedMin 4 drives · survives: One drive in each pair
Printer maintenance by type
- Laser
- Replace tonerApply the maintenance kitCalibrateClean
- Inkjet
- Clean printheadsReplace cartridgesCalibrateClear jams
- Thermal
- Replace the special thermal paperClean the heating elementRemove debris
- Impact
- Replace the ribbonReplace the printheadReplace the multipart paper
RAID levels and printer maintenance: CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) objectives.
Memory and storage
- DDR4 and DDR5 modules are keyed differently and do not fit each other’s slots; check what speed the board supports before an upgrade.
- ECC memory finds and corrects single-bit errors, which is why servers use it.
- An NVMe SSD on PCIe in an M.2 slot is far faster than a 2.5-inch SATA SSD.
- A hard drive with spinning platters still gives the most capacity per dollar.
HDMITroubleshooting 28%
CompTIA A+ troubleshooting questions: symptoms and first checks
The biggest domain. Each question gives a symptom and asks for the likely cause or the first thing to try, in one of six areas.
- Motherboards, RAM, CPUs and power
- Drives and RAID
- Video, projectors and displays
- Mobile devices
- Networks
- Printers
Symptom, then the first thing to check
- 169.254.x.x address (APIPA)
- The computer never reached a DHCP server: check the cable or Wi-Fi, then the DHCP server.
- Repeated long beeps at power-on
- Memory: reseat or replace the RAM (beep codes vary by BIOS maker).
- Blue screen that comes and goes
- Run a memory test, then check recent drivers and updates.
- Overheats after a new CPU cooler
- Thermal paste and cooler mounting.
- Website works by IP, not by name
- DNS: the server address or the DNS service.
- Valid IP but gateway 0.0.0.0
- The default gateway is missing: no route off the local network.
IEC powerMock exam
CompTIA A+ Core 1 mock exam, timed
Questions mixed by CompTIA's domain weights, a 90-minute clock, a score in each domain.
- One question at a time, on a clock
- Flag questions and come back
- A score for every domain at the end
The free mock is 40 questions. It is multiple-choice practice, not a copy of the real exam.
Take the free 40-question mockDisplayPortCore 1 and Core 2
CompTIA A+ Core 1 vs Core 2
A+ is two exams. Core 1 is hardware and networks; Core 2 is operating systems, security and procedures.
220-1202
Core 2
- Operating systems28%
- Security28%
- Software troubleshooting23%
- Operational procedures21%
700 / 900 to pass
Both have up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and must come from the same series (V15, launched March 25, 2025, retiring about 2028). Sources: Core 1 · Core 2 · CompTIA A+.
CompTIA A+ study tools
Everything in this guide, one tap away: every free question with its answer, the printable sheet, and longer guides.
How every question is checked
Written and checked by the QuizCram editorial team. Spot an error? [email protected] · Editorial policy · Not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.
- ObjectiveWritten from CompTIA’s Core 1 objectives, never copied from a real exam
- AnswerEach explanation says why every wrong choice is wrong
- MachineNo duplicates, no missing explanations, no answer given away by its length
- DateUpdated November 7, 2026
Start the free CompTIA A+ practice test
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CompTIA A+ exam FAQ
Format, passing score, Core 1 and Core 2, retakes and renewal, with the source for each.
A maximum of 90, in 90 minutes, per CompTIA's Core 1 (220-1201) exam page. They mix multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop and performance-based questions.
675 on a scale of 100 to 900, per CompTIA's Core 1 exam page. Core 2 (220-1202) needs 700. The scaled score is not a simple percentage of questions right.
CompTIA's Core 1 (220-1201) exam page lists performance-based questions alongside multiple-choice and drag-and-drop. Instead of picking an answer from a list, you carry out a task, such as configuring a setting or fixing a fault, in a simulation. QuizCram practice is multiple choice, so use each explanation to learn why every wrong option is wrong.
Yes. A+ is earned by passing both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), and CompTIA's exam pages say both must come from the same version (V15), with no mixing of series.
Three years from the date you certify, according to CompTIA's certification renewal policy. You can renew by earning continuing education units (CEUs) instead of retaking the exam; if it lapses, you pass the latest exam version to certify again.
Yes. CompTIA's retake policy sets no waiting period between a first and second attempt. Before a third or any later attempt you wait at least 14 calendar days from your last one. You pay the exam price for every attempt; CompTIA offers no free retakes or retake discounts.
Yes. Open the exam simulator and sit a timed mock exam of 40 questions built from the free questions, once, with no signup. At the end you see where you stand in each exam area, so you know what to study next.
It splits the questions across the exam's areas using the weights CompTIA publishes, then picks questions inside each area, favouring ones you missed before and never repeating one within a run. A retake is a new draw, so you will meet different questions. It is a practice mock exam, not an official replica of the real exam.