CompTIA A+ (220-1101 & 220-1102) — Complete Certification Guide

The CompTIA A+ credential is the world's most widely recognized entry-level IT certification. Trusted by organizations worldwide (including Intel, Dell, HP, Ricoh, and the US Department of Defense), it proves your practical mastery of hardware troubleshooting, operating systems, cloud virtualization, network protocols, and cybersecurity hygiene.

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1. CompTIA A+ — At a Glance (Verified 2026)

Parameter	Core 1 (220-1101)	Core 2 (220-1102)
Primary Focus	Hardware, Networking, Mobile Devices, Cloud/Virtualization	Operating Systems, Cybersecurity, Software Troubleshooting, Operational Procedures
Certifying Body	CompTIA	CompTIA
Exam Fee (Global)	$253 USD	$253 USD (Total: $506 USD for both)
Exam Fee (India)	~₹21,000 INR + GST	~₹21,000 INR + GST
Student Price (Academic)	~$115 USD (via CompTIA Academic Store)	~$115 USD
Maximum Questions	90 Questions	90 Questions
Exam Duration	90 Minutes	90 Minutes
Passing Score	675 / 900 (Scale 100–900)	700 / 900 (Scale 100–900)
Question Types	Multiple Choice & Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)	Multiple Choice & Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)
Negative Marking	None	None
Delivery Mode	Pearson VUE OnVUE (Online) or Authorized Test Centre	Pearson VUE OnVUE (Online) or Authorized Test Centre
Validity	3 Years (Renew via 20 CEUs or Network+)	3 Years (Renew via 20 CEUs or Network+)

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2. Official Domain Blueprint & Weightage

Core 1 (Exam Code: 220-1101)

Domain	Weightage	Key Tested Concepts
1. Mobile Devices	15%	Laptop hardware replacement (RAM, battery, screen), mobile displays (OLED, LCD), ports (USB-C, Lightning), wearable tech, mobile connectivity (5G, Bluetooth, Hotspot).
2. Networking	20%	TCP/UDP ports (21, 22, 23, 25, 53, 80, 110, 143, 443, 3389); SOHO wireless router setup (802.11ax/ac/n, 2.4GHz/5GHz); IP addressing (IPv4, IPv6, DHCP, APIPA); Network tools (crimper, toner probe, cable tester).
3. Hardware	25%	Motherboards, RAM types (DDR4, DDR5), CPUs, Storage (SATA, NVMe, PCIe, RAID 0/1/5/10), Power supplies (wattage calculations), Peripheral interfaces, Printer types (Laser, Thermal, Inkjet, 3D).
4. Virtualization & Cloud	11%	Cloud models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, Public, Private, Hybrid); Client-side virtualization (Type 1 vs Type 2 Hypervisors, resource allocation).
5. Hardware & Network Troubleshooting	29%	Best-practice 6-step troubleshooting methodology; POST code errors, BSOD, overheating, no power, loud clicking noise, intermittent connectivity, slow data transfers.

Core 2 (Exam Code: 220-1102)

Domain	Weightage	Key Tested Concepts
1. Operating Systems	31%	Windows 10/11 features, editions, and hardware requirements; Windows CLI commands (ipconfig, ping, tracert, sfc /scannow, dism, chkdsk, tasklist/taskkill); macOS and Linux basics (Terminal, permissions, grep, chmod, sudo).
2. Security	25%	Physical security, logical security, authentication methods (MFA, Biometrics, RADIUS, TACACS+), malware types (Ransomware, Trojan, Rootkit, Spyware), social engineering (Phishing, Vishing, Smishing), wireless encryption (WPA2/WPA3).
3. Software Troubleshooting	22%	Malware removal 7-step process; Windows boot issues (Startup Repair, Bootrec), application crashes, certificate warnings, pop-up spam, mobile OS troubleshooting.
4. Operational Procedures	22%	Safety standards (ESD protection), communication skills, incident documentation, ticketing systems, data privacy (GDPR, HIPAA, PII), environmental controls, backup strategies (3-2-1 rule).

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3. Mastering Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)

Candidates face 2 to 5 hands-on PBQ simulations at the start of both Core 1 and Core 2.

• Top Core 1 PBQ Scenarios:
  1. Motherboard Cabling: Dragging correct power connectors (24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS, 6+2 PCIe) to components.
  2. SOHO Router Configuration: Setting up SSID, WPA3 encryption, disabling WPS, and creating DHCP reservations.
  3. RAID Setup: Selecting drive quantities and configurations for RAID 0, RAID 1, or RAID 5 based on customer storage vs redundancy needs.
• Top Core 2 PBQ Scenarios:
  1. Windows Command Prompt: Using ipconfig /flushdns, sfc /scannow, and chkdsk /f to resolve corrupted system files.
  2. Malware Remediation: Ordering the official 7-step malware removal process correctly (Identify → Quarantine → Disable System Restore → Remediate → Schedule Scans → Enable System Restore → Educate End User).
  3. Troubleshooting Help Desk Tickets: Interpreting user logs to identify phishing attempts or misconfigured network shares.

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4. Proven 60-Day Study Roadmap

• Days 1–25 (Core 1): Watch Professor Messer’s free 220-1101 YouTube playlist, take notes on hardware specifications, and practice flashcards for common TCP/UDP ports.
• Days 26–30 (Core 1 Exam): Take 3 full mock exams (Jason Dion on Udemy). Score 85%+ consistently, then sit for Core 1 (220-1101).
• Days 31–55 (Core 2): Study Windows tools (Task Manager, Event Viewer, Disk Management), practice command-line syntax, and memorize malware removal steps.
• Days 56–60 (Core 2 Exam): Take Core 2 practice exams, review security protocols, and sit for Core 2 (220-1102) to earn your official A+ credential.

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5. Career Opportunities & Salary Benchmarks

Role / Designation	India (INR)	United States (USD)	United Kingdom (GBP)
IT Help Desk / Service Desk Technician	₹3.0 LPA – ₹5.5 LPA	$48,000 – $65,000	£24,000 – £34,000
Desktop Support Specialist	₹4.0 LPA – ₹7.5 LPA	$55,000 – $75,000	£28,000 – £38,000
Field Service Support Engineer	₹4.5 LPA – ₹8.0 LPA	$58,000 – $78,000	£30,000 – £42,000

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Source: CompTIA Certification | Official Portal: comptia.org