CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Practice Test & Study Guide 2026
Pass CompTIA A+ Core 1 with confidence. Free practice questions, exam domain breakdown, hardware & networking fundamentals, and an 8-week study plan built around the official 220-1101 objectives.
⚡ Quick Facts
Quick Answer: CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) costs $253 USD, has up to 90 questions, 90-minute duration, and a passing score of 675/900. It validates IT support fundamentals - mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization & cloud, and troubleshooting. You must also pass Core 2 (220-1102) to be A+ certified. Most candidates pass with 6-8 weeks of focused prep.
📋 A+ 220-1101 Exam Quick Facts
220-1101 Domains & Weights
Domain weights are from CompTIA's published 220-1101 exam objectives. Always verify on the official CompTIA site before booking.
🎯 Why Get CompTIA A+ Certified?
💼 Industry-Standard Entry Cert
A+ is listed as a requirement or strong preference in tens of thousands of help desk, desktop support, and field service job postings. It is the de facto résumé line for IT support roles.
🛡️ DoD 8570 Approved
A+ is approved for IAT Level I positions under DoD 8570 / 8140, opening doors at federal contractors, military bases, and clearance-required roles.
📈 Stepping Stone to Network+ & Security+
A+ → Network+ → Security+ is the most followed CompTIA stack. Each cert builds on the last, and Security+ alone unlocks IAT Level II compliance roles.
💰 Salary Bump & Mobility
First-job salaries for A+ holders sit at $50,000-$65,000 USD. Add 1-2 years of help desk experience plus Network+ and you are at $70,000+ within 18 months.
📅 8-Week A+ 220-1101 Study Plan
🗺️ Week-by-Week
- 📱 Week 1: Mobile devices - laptop hardware, displays, mobile OS, accessories.
- 🌐 Week 2-3: Networking - cables, connectors, TCP/IP, ports, wireless, internet appliances.
- 🖥️ Week 4-5: Hardware - RAM, storage, motherboards, CPUs, power, peripherals, printers.
- ☁️ Week 6: Virtualization & cloud - hypervisors, cloud models, shared resources.
- 🔧 Week 7: Troubleshooting - methodology, hardware, network, printer issues.
- 📝 Week 8: Full practice exams. Aim for 80%+ consistently before booking.
📌 Top Free Resources
- • Professor Messer's free A+ videos - the gold standard for CompTIA prep, full 220-1101 series.
- • CompTIA exam objectives PDF - the source-of-truth blueprint, free on comptia.org.
- • VirtualBox + Windows VMs - hands-on lab for hardware and OS install scenarios.
- • ExamCert practice tests - exam-style questions with detailed explanations.
- • Mike Meyers' All-in-One A+ Guide - the classic reference book for deep-dive study.
❓ CompTIA A+ 220-1101 FAQ
What is the A+ 220-1101 exam?
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) is the first of two exams required to earn the A+ certification. It covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization & cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting. You also need to pass Core 2 (220-1102) within 12 months to be A+ certified.
How many questions on 220-1101?
Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes - a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based items (drag-and-drop, simulation). Passing score is 675 on a scaled 100-900, roughly 70-75% correct.
How much does A+ cost?
$253 USD per exam, so the full A+ (Core 1 + Core 2) is $506. CompTIA offers exam vouchers, exam+retake bundles, and academic discounts that can reduce the cost by 10-20%.
How long should I study?
6-8 weeks for most people studying 10 hours per week. With hands-on PC building or help desk experience, 3-4 weeks is realistic. Performance-based questions on networking troubleshooting and hardware identification are the toughest part.
Is A+ worth it in 2026?
Yes - A+ is still the most-required entry-level IT cert in job postings, DoD 8570 approved for IAT Level I, and the launch pad to Network+ and Security+. First-job salaries are $50,000-$65,000 USD with rapid growth as you stack more credentials.
Should I take 220-1101 or 220-1102 first?
Take 220-1101 first. The hardware and networking foundation makes Core 2 (operating systems, security, troubleshooting) easier to absorb. Either order is allowed, but the recommended path is 220-1101 then 220-1102 within 12 months.
🔗 Related IT Certifications
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