CompTIA A+ Core 1/Cheat sheet

CompTIA A+ Core 1 cheat sheet: key rules and summary

Up to 90 multiple-choice and PBQ questions; passing score 675/900; 90-minute limit.

  • 31 numbers
  • 4 sections
  • 4 rules people get wrong
Test yourself: 20 free questions Questions with answers

Every line checked against the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 Certification Exam Objectives on September 24, 2026. Print it, or keep it open while you practice.

Memorise these first

  • Port 20 / 21FTP (File Transfer Protocol) — TCP
  • 802.11b11 Mbps max speed · 2.4 GHz frequency only
  • 100 meters (328 ft)Maximum distance for Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a unshielded twisted pair

Standard network ports

Port 20 / 21
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 22
SSH (Secure Shell) & SFTP — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 23
Telnet (unencrypted terminal emulation) — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 25
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 53
DNS (Domain Name System) — UDP/TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 67 / 68
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) — UDPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 80
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 110
POP3 (Post Office Protocol v3, unencrypted) — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 143
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol, unencrypted) — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 443
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 445
SMB (Server Message Block) — TCPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports
Port 3389
RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) — TCP/UDPDomain 2.1 — Networking Ports

Wi-Fi standards and frequencies

802.11b
11 Mbps max speed · 2.4 GHz frequency onlyDomain 2.2 — Wireless Standards
802.11a
54 Mbps max speed · 5 GHz frequency onlyDomain 2.2 — Wireless Standards
802.11g
54 Mbps max speed · 2.4 GHz frequency onlyDomain 2.2 — Wireless Standards
802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)
Up to 600 Mbps (MIMO) · 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-bandDomain 2.2 — Wireless Standards
802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)
Up to 6.9 Gbps (MU-MIMO) · 5 GHz frequency onlyDomain 2.2 — Wireless Standards
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E)
Up to 9.6 Gbps (OFDMA) · 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz (6E)Domain 2.2 — Wireless Standards

Ethernet & peripheral cable specs

100 meters (328 ft)
Maximum distance for Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a unshielded twisted pairDomain 3.1 — Cables and Connectors
Cat 5e
1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) bandwidth up to 100 meters (100 MHz)Domain 3.1 — Cables and Connectors
Cat 6
10 Gbps up to 55 meters; 1 Gbps up to 100 meters (250 MHz)Domain 3.1 — Cables and Connectors
Cat 6a
10 Gbps up to 100 meters (500 MHz)Domain 3.1 — Cables and Connectors
USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen 1
5 Gbps maximum data transfer rate (SuperSpeed)Domain 3.1 — Cables and Connectors
USB 3.1 Gen 2
10 Gbps maximum data transfer rate (SuperSpeed+)Domain 3.1 — Cables and Connectors
Thunderbolt 3 / 4
40 Gbps maximum throughput via USB Type-C connectorDomain 3.1 — Cables and Connectors

CompTIA 6-step troubleshooting theory

Step 1
Identify the problem (gather info, question user, duplicate issue, check logs)Domain 5.1 — Troubleshooting Methodology
Step 2
Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious, consider top causes)Domain 5.1 — Troubleshooting Methodology
Step 3
Test the theory to determine cause (if confirmed proceed; if not, re-establish theory or escalate)Domain 5.1 — Troubleshooting Methodology
Step 4
Establish a plan of action and implement the solutionDomain 5.1 — Troubleshooting Methodology
Step 5
Verify full system functionality and implement preventive measuresDomain 5.1 — Troubleshooting Methodology
Step 6
Document findings, actions, and outcomes (knowledge base / ticketing)Domain 5.1 — Troubleshooting Methodology

Second read

Rules people get wrong

  • Troubleshooting order: Always verify full system functionality (Step 5) BEFORE you document your findings (Step 6). Testing questions frequently swap steps 5 and 6.
  • Laser printer imaging process order: Processing -> Charging -> Exposing -> Developing -> Transferring -> Fusing -> Cleaning (remember: 'Please Come Early During The Fall Carnival').
  • RAID storage minimums and fault tolerance: RAID 0 (2 disks, 0 parity, no fault tolerance); RAID 1 (2 disks, mirroring, 1 failure allowed); RAID 5 (3 disks min, striped with parity, 1 failure allowed); RAID 10 (4 disks min, mirrored sets striped, up to 2 disk failures allowed).
  • Private IPv4 address ranges (RFC 1918): Class A (10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255), Class B (172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255), Class C (192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255). APIPA auto-configuration is always 169.254.0.1 – 169.254.255.254.

Take it with you

Save it as one poster

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) permit test cheat sheet: speed limits, distances, parking rules and the other numbers on the test, from the official handbook
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) cheat sheet as one printable poster, every number from the official handbook. Download the full-size image

Knowing the numbers is half of it. Can you apply them?

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