CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 Exam Guide
A+ is two exams, not one. You need both 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) to hold the certification, and passing only one earns you nothing you can put on a resume. Plan both from the start, because the biggest mistake candidates make is treating Core 2 as an afterthought and then letting it sit unwritten for a year.
The format of each
Core 1 (220-1201) Core 2 (220-1202) Questions up to 90 up to 90 Time 90 minutes 90 minutes Passing score 675 of 900 700 of 900 Scale starts at 100 100
Both exams give you roughly a minute per question. Core 2 has the higher bar, which is one more reason not to leave it for last-minute cramming.
Core 1 domains: the hardware half
- Mobile devices. Laptop component replacement, displays, connection types and accessories, cellular and wireless connectivity, and mobile device management.
- Networking. Ports and protocols, network hardware, wireless standards, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, DNS and DHCP, SOHO setup, and the tools of the trade.
- Hardware. Cables and connectors, RAM, storage, motherboards, CPUs, power supplies, peripherals, and printers including the full print process.
- Virtualization and cloud computing. Cloud models and characteristics, client-side virtualization, and the resource requirements behind both.
- Hardware and network troubleshooting. Symptom-to-cause patterns for motherboards, RAM, power, storage, displays, printers, and network connectivity.
Core 2 domains: the software half
- Operating systems. Windows editions and features, installation and upgrades, the command line, Control Panel and Settings, client networking, plus macOS and Linux basics.
- Security. Physical and logical access control, wireless security, malware and its removal, social engineering, Windows security settings, workstation hardening, mobile and embedded device security, and data destruction.
- Software troubleshooting. Operating system problems, application issues, malware symptoms, mobile device troubles, and the browser and security problems that fill a help desk queue.
- Operational procedures. Documentation, change management, backup and recovery, safety and environmental practice, incident response, licensing and privacy, communication and professionalism, and basic scripting.
Operational procedures is the domain that technical candidates lose points on. It covers ticket writing, ESD practice, chain of custody, and how to talk to a frustrated user. None of it is difficult, all of it is specific, and the exam asks it directly.
Which to take first, and why
Take Core 1 first. Three reasons:
- It has the lower passing score, so your first encounter with the real format is the friendlier one.
- It builds the physical and network vocabulary that Core 2's questions assume. Explaining a driver problem is easier when you already know what the device is.
- Hardware is more concrete. Early momentum matters more than people admit, and seeing a pass on the board makes the second exam a finishing task rather than a fresh mountain.
Book Core 2 before you sit Core 1 if you can. A date on the calendar is the most reliable study tool there is.
What to know cold
- Ports and protocols, with the transport protocol for each. This crosses both exams.
- RAM and storage types, including which form factors and interfaces go together.
- The laser print process in order. It is a free question if you know it and a guess if you do not.
- Windows command-line tools and what each one is for, plus the equivalent utility names in the GUI.
- IPv4 ranges, private versus public, and what APIPA on an adapter is telling you.
How the two courses split the work
Our A+ material is two separate courses that match the two exams, so you study only what the exam in front of you asks. Core 1 covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, and hardware troubleshooting. Core 2 covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
Each course runs the same way: the cheat sheet first so you see every number and list up front, then a starter test that builds a tutorial out of the questions you missed, then fifty-question practice tests until three of your last five reach 80 percent, then one final test in the real exam's format and at its own passing score. The first fifteen lessons of each are readable without the app, and both are free while the site launches.
Questions people ask
Do I need both exams to be A+ certified?
Yes. Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) are two separate exams and the certification requires passing both. Passing one gives you no partial credential.
What are the passing scores?
Core 1 passes at 675 out of 900 and Core 2 at 700 out of 900. Both are up to 90 questions in 90 minutes.
Which one should I take first?
Core 1. It is the hardware and networking half, it has the lower passing score, and it gives you the physical vocabulary that Core 2's software and troubleshooting questions lean on.
How much do the exams cost?
See CompTIA's current voucher price, and note that it is per exam. Check whether a two-exam bundle is offered before you buy the first voucher.
How long between the two exams?
Most people do well with two to six weeks. Long enough to study Core 2 properly, short enough that the first pass still feels recent and your test-taking rhythm is intact.