Questions
90
Time limit
90 min
Passing score
675 / 900
Format
MCQ + PBQs
CompTIA A+ Core 1 is the entry point into IT support careers. The 220-1201 exam covers PC and laptop hardware, mobile devices, networking concepts, virtualization & cloud computing, and hardware/network troubleshooting. It's the most popular IT certification in the world for help-desk and field-support roles.
Prerequisites
No formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of hands-on experience in IT support or technical training.
Career outcomes
Five focus areas with the weight each domain carries on the real exam. We have practice questions and PBQs for every domain.
Mobile Devices
Laptops, mobile device hardware, wireless connectivity, mobile OS.
Networking
TCP/IP, wired/wireless networking, network services, SOHO routers.
Hardware
PC components, peripherals, storage devices, motherboards, power supplies.
Virtualization & Cloud
Cloud models, virtualization concepts, hypervisors, common cloud services.
Hardware & Network Troubleshooting
Methodology, common problems, printer issues, network connectivity faults.
Curated MCQs
Hundreds of A+ Core 1 MCQs aligned to every objective. Filter by domain, difficulty, or take a full timed exam.
6 PBQ simulation types
Firewall configs, log analysis, terminal investigations, network configs, drag-drops, troubleshoot wizards — exam-realistic.
Video lessons by domain
Walkthroughs for each A+ Core 1 domain. Watch, then quiz yourself.
AI tutor on every question
Stuck? Ask the AI tutor. It's grounded in this cert's objectives, not generic web answers.
Flashcards with spaced repetition
AI-generated decks for each domain. Review the cards you keep getting wrong.
Per-domain analytics
See exactly which A+ Core 1 domains need more work. Stop guessing what to study.
Based on what we've seen work for A+ Core 1 candidates. Adjust to your pace — most people land between 4 and 10 weeks.
Week 1–2
Hardware fundamentals — components, ports, motherboards, storage.
Week 3–4
Networking concepts — TCP/IP, common protocols, wireless standards.
Week 5
Mobile devices + virtualization & cloud.
Week 6
Troubleshooting drills — at least 10 PBQs per type.
Do I need A+ Core 2 as well?
Yes — the A+ certification requires passing BOTH Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). They cover complementary objectives.
How long should I study?
Typically 4–8 weeks at 1–2 hours per day, depending on your background. Career-switchers may need longer.
Is hardware experience required?
Helpful but not required. CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of experience, but many candidates pass with just structured study and our practice PBQs.