CompTIA A+ Course: Complete Study Guide for the 220-1201 and 220-1202 Exams

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 covers every exam objective for both the 220-1201 Core 1 and 220-1202 Core 2 exams, giving you structured study material to build real-world skills and pass with confidence. 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

This course follows the full scope of the official CompTIA A+ exam objectives for the 220-1201 and 220-1202 series and is built to prepare you for both exams. 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.