- Exam Details
- Trouble Spots
- Preparation Hints
- Recommended Study Resources
Preparation Hints
A person who wishes to take the A+ exams should have at least the equivalent knowledge of 12 months hands-on experience in the lab or in the field. CompTIA and the exam questions expect candidates to be able to:
- Assemble components based on customer requirements
- Install, configure, and maintain PCs, mobile devices, and software for end users
- Understand the basics of networking and security forensics
- Properly and safely diagnose, resolve, and document common hardware and software issues
- Apply troubleshooting skills
- Provide appropriate customer support
- Understand the basics of scripting, virtualization, desktop imaging, and deployment
Every examinee should first look at the CompTIA objectives for the A+ exams. The objectives can be downloaded from the CompTIA site.
In a nutshell, the A+ objectives are divided into two exams. Each exam is then broken up into sections known as domains. They include:
220-1001 (Core 1) | |
Domain | Percentage of Examination |
1.0 Mobile Devices | 14% |
2.0 Networking | 20% |
3.0 Hardware | 27% |
4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 12% |
5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 27% |
Total | 100% |
220-1002 (Core 2) | |
Domain | Percentage of Examination |
1.0 Operating Systems | 27% |
2.0 Security | 24% |
3.0 Software Troubleshooting | 26% |
4.0 Operational Procedures | 23% |
Total | 100% |
When preparing for the A+ exams, it is wise to use more than one study resource. Using just one study guide might provide you with a narrow view of the concepts. By using various forms of study materials, including books, videos, and practice questions, you will become a much more well-rounded examinee, and increase your chances of passing the exam greatly.