CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 Certification Exam
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 certification exam assesses foundational IT skills in hardware, networking, mobile devices, and troubleshooting.
Certification Overview
- Exam name: A+ 220-1201
- Vendor: CompTIA
- Exam code: 220-1201
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Total questions: 90
- Passing score: 75%
About This Certification
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 certification exam, part of the A+ certification series, evaluates foundational IT skills essential for entry-level IT roles. This exam focuses on several key domains, including mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and troubleshooting. In the mobile devices domain, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in installing and configuring components such as batteries, cameras, and Wi-Fi antennas, as well as setting up and troubleshooting connectivity options like USB, Bluetooth, NFC, and docking stations. Networking knowledge is assessed through understanding protocols, ports, and wireless technologies, along with the ability to configure small office/home office (SOHO) networks, including IP addressing and VPNs. Candidates are also tested on their use of networking tools like crimpers, cable testers, and Wi-Fi analyzers. The hardware domain requires candidates to install and configure components such as RAM, CPUs, storage devices, and peripherals, as well as manage motherboards, power supplies, and cooling solutions. Virtualization and cloud computing concepts are also covered, including an understanding of virtual machines, hypervisors, and cloud service models like IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS. Lastly, the exam emphasizes troubleshooting skills, where candidates must diagnose and resolve hardware, network, and connectivity issues using tools like multimeters, cable testers, and loopback plugs. Overall, the exam ensures that candidates possess the necessary skills to effectively support and manage IT systems.
Who Should Take This Exam?
IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Technical Support Specialist, System Administrator, Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist, Network Technician, Desktop Support Technician, Field Service Technician
Prerequisites
12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist role
Topics Covered
- Topics to be announced
Question Types
- Multiple Choice (Single Answer)
- Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers)
- Drag and Drop
- Scenario-Based
A+ 220-1201 Practice Questions
Our question bank contains 452+ practice questions for this certification. Sample questions from each exam chapter. Expand a question to see the answer choices. With a subscription, you get unlimited practice exams with randomized questions from our full question bank.
Mobile devices
Which component must be installed to enable wireless connectivity on a laptop?
- Bluetooth adapter
- Wi-Fi antenna
- Ethernet cable
- USB hub
How can a user verify that a new battery is properly installed in their smartphone?
- By checking the device's signal strength
- By ensuring the device powers on
- By monitoring data usage
- By connecting to Bluetooth
A user needs to replace the battery in their smartphone. What is the first step they should take?
- Remove the SIM card
- Power off the device
- Disconnect the Wi-Fi
- Open the app drawer
Networking
A company needs to secure their wireless network using WPA2. Which protocol should they implement for encryption?
- TKIP
- WEP
- AES
- RADIUS
How does the TCP protocol ensure data is received accurately?
- By using encryption
- By using checksums and acknowledgments
- By using multicast
- By using UDP
When configuring a web server, which port number is typically used for HTTPS?
- 21
- 80
- 443
- 25
Hardware
When installing a new hard drive, where should the SATA cable be connected?
- To the CPU socket.
- To the SATA port on the motherboard.
- To the RAM slot.
- To the power supply's PCIe connector.
How should a CPU be installed to ensure proper cooling and performance?
- Install the CPU without any thermal paste.
- Ensure the CPU is oriented correctly and secure it with the retention bracket.
- Apply thermal paste directly to the motherboard.
- Attach the CPU to the power supply.
A user reports that their computer is frequently crashing. Upon inspection, it is observed that the RAM modules are not seated properly. What is the first step to fix this issue?
- Remove and reseat the RAM modules.
- Replace the power supply unit.
- Update the operating system.
- Clean the CPU fan.
Virtualization and cloud computing
Which component is primarily responsible for managing virtual machines?
- Operating System
- BIOS
- Hypervisor
- Firewall
A company is setting up a server to run multiple operating systems simultaneously. Which technology allows different operating systems to share the same hardware resources?
- Load balancing
- Virtualization
- Clustering
- Partitioning
How does a hypervisor manage resources for virtual machines on a host?
- It allocates resources based on user preferences only.
- It splits hardware resources equally among all virtual machines.
- It dynamically allocates resources based on virtual machine demand.
- It dedicates one CPU core to each virtual machine permanently.
Hardware and network troubleshooting
To resolve a slow network connection, the recommended first action is to:
- Check for network congestion
- Reformat the hard drive
- Replace the monitor
- Change the screen resolution
How can a technician test if a cable is functioning properly in a network?
- By using a cable tester
- By checking the file system
- By examining the power supply
- By updating the firmware
An administrator is unable to connect to the internet. Which of the following should be checked FIRST to diagnose this issue?
- Network cable connections
- Operating system updates
- Printer settings
- Graphics card drivers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the exam?
The A+ 220-1201 exam contains 90 questions.
What is the passing score?
You need 75% to pass.
How long is the exam?
You have 90 minutes to complete the exam.
Practice with realistic mock exams to prepare for your CompTIA certification.