CompTIA A+ Study Guide (2026) - Pass on Your First Attempt
📋 2026 Edition  ·  Updated May 2026

CompTIA A+
220-1101, 220-1102 Study Guide — Pass First Attempt

Complete exam coverage for the CompTIA A+. Every domain, every key topic — structured so you study smart, not hard. Built around the official exam blueprint.

90
Questions
90 min
Duration
675
Passing score
7
Domains
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92%
First-attempt pass rate
47K+
Candidates prepared
4.9★
Average rating
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—%
Overall readiness (locked)
Mobile Devices
—
Networking
—
Hardware
—
Virtualization and Cloud Computing
—
Operating Systems
—
Security
—
Troubleshooting and Operational Procedures
—
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Exam at a Glance

Everything you need to know before you start

Key facts about the CompTIA A+ exam structure, format, and scoring.

🆔
220-1101, 220-1102
Exam code
📝
90 questions
Total questions
⏱
90 minutes
Duration
🎯
675
Passing score
📋
7 domains
Exam domains
📅
Valid 3 years
Certification validity
🌐
Online / In-person
Testing mode
🏆
Globally recognised
Credential type
ℹ️
Scoring method: Each question contributes to the total score. A passing score of 675 out of 900 is required to pass the exam.. The exam may include unscored pilot questions — treat every question seriously.
Focus Areas

What should you study for the CompTIA A+ exam?

To pass the CompTIA A+ certification exam, you should focus on these core domains. The exam tests your ability to apply concepts in real-world scenarios — not just memorise definitions.

⚠️
Common mistake: Candidates memorise terminology but struggle with scenario-based questions. Focus on when to use what, not just what exists.
🔐
Mobile Devices (15%)
Understanding mobile devices and their configuration, management, and troubleshooting.
🏗
Networking (20%)
Understanding network configurations, technologies, and troubleshooting network issues.
⚡
Hardware (25%)
Understanding and troubleshooting computer hardware components and peripherals.
💰
Virtualization and Cloud Computing (12%)
Understanding the concepts of cloud computing and virtualization technologies.
🔄
Operating Systems (20%)
Understanding and managing operating systems, including installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
📊
Security (8%)
Understanding security fundamentals to protect computer systems and networks.
🌐
Troubleshooting and Operational Procedures (20%)
Understanding troubleshooting methodologies and best practices for IT operations.
Full Syllabus

CompTIA A+ Exam Syllabus and Topics

The CompTIA A+ exam is divided into 7 domains. Each domain tests specific skills and contributes to your overall score. Click any domain to expand topics.

Mobile Devices
Understanding mobile devices and their configuration, management, and troubleshooting.
15% ▼
Laptop Components
Laptop Display Types
Laptop Storage and Components
Mobile Device Operating Systems
Mobile Device Networking and Security
Mobile Device Network Configurations
Mobile Device Security and Encryption
Troubleshooting Mobile Devices
~14 questions
70 marks
15% of exam weight
Networking
Understanding network configurations, technologies, and troubleshooting network issues.
20% ▼
TCP/IP and OSI Models
TCP/IP Layer Functions
OSI Model Layers
IP Addressing and Subnetting
Wired and Wireless Networks
Ethernet and Wi-Fi Configurations
Router and Switch Basics
Wireless Security Protocols
Common Network Issues
DNS and DHCP Troubleshooting
Connectivity Issues
Network Speed Issues
~18 questions
90 marks
20% of exam weight
Hardware
Understanding and troubleshooting computer hardware components and peripherals.
25% ▼
Motherboards and Processors
Processor Types and Socket Types
Motherboard Components and Slots
Installing RAM and Storage
Peripheral Devices
Printers and Scanners
Monitors and Displays
Input Devices and Ports
Common Hardware Issues
Troubleshooting Power Supply Issues
Hard Drive and Memory Diagnostics
Printer Troubleshooting
~23 questions
115 marks
25% of exam weight
Virtualization and Cloud Computing
Understanding the concepts of cloud computing and virtualization technologies.
12% ▼
Cloud Storage and Services
Types of Cloud Services
Cloud Storage Solutions
Virtual Machines and Cloud Instances
Virtualization Basics
Hypervisors and Virtualization Types
Benefits of Virtualization
Configuring Virtual Machines
~11 questions
55 marks
12% of exam weight
Operating Systems
Understanding and managing operating systems, including installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
20% ▼
Windows Installation and Configuration
Installing Windows OS
Disk Partitioning and File Systems
Windows Setup and Security
Linux and macOS Fundamentals
Linux File System and Permissions
macOS Installation and Configuration
Managing Linux and macOS User Accounts
Windows Troubleshooting
Windows Safe Mode and Recovery
Windows Boot Configuration
Driver Issues
Linux and macOS Troubleshooting
Linux System Logs
macOS Disk Utility
Terminal Commands for Troubleshooting
~18 questions
90 marks
20% of exam weight
Security
Understanding security fundamentals to protect computer systems and networks.
8% ▼
Types of Security Threats
Viruses, Malware, and Ransomware
Phishing and Social Engineering
Physical Security Measures
Security Measures and Protocols
Antivirus Software
Firewalls and Encryption
Securing Network Connections
~7 questions
35 marks
8% of exam weight
Troubleshooting and Operational Procedures
Understanding troubleshooting methodologies and best practices for IT operations.
20% ▼
General Troubleshooting Process
Troubleshooting Steps and Tools
Escalation Procedures
Effective Problem Solving
Safety and Best Practices
Personal Safety Procedures
Environmental Hazards
Handling Sensitive Equipment
IT Operational Best Practices
Customer Service Skills
IT Documentation and Inventory Management
Maintenance and Patch Management
~18 questions
90 marks
20% of exam weight
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Study Plan

CompTIA A+ Structured Study Roadmap

Designed for candidates studying 1-2 hours per day. Select your timeline below.

Exam Strategy

Tips to pass CompTIA A+ on your first attempt

Tactical advice beyond content knowledge — what separates candidates who pass from those who retake.

🗓
Make sure you’re familiar with both hardware and software troubleshooting techniques.
🔍
Understand the core concepts of operating systems, including installation, configuration, and maintenance.
⏭
Learn the fundamentals of networking, including common protocols and network setup.
📊
Hands-on practice is key – familiarize yourself with common tools like disk utilities and command-line operations.
🔁
Prepare for security questions by reviewing common security threats and mitigation techniques.
🧪
Review cloud computing and virtualization basics to understand modern IT infrastructures.
Recommended Resources

Official and trusted study materials

Curated resources ranked by usefulness. Quality over quantity — focus on a small set of authoritative sources.

Official
Official Exam Guide
The authoritative blueprint. Know every objective before studying anything else.
→ Vendor website
Practice Tests
Edureify Practice Tests
Full-length CompTIA A+ simulations with detailed per-domain analysis and explanations.
→ Start free test
Video Course
Structured Video Course
Pick one highly-rated course and complete it end-to-end before switching resources.
With edureify Convert Tutorial to AI Tutor
Reference
Domain Cheat Sheets
One-page summaries for each CompTIA A+ domain — ideal for last-week revision.
→ Get free Cheat Sheet
Community
Study Groups & Forums
Reddit r/certifications and exam-specific Discord servers for peer support and tips.
→ Reddit / Discord
AI Tutor
Edureify AI Mentor
Get instant answers to CompTIA A+ concepts, domain-level weak-area coaching, and adaptive questions.
→ Try free
⚠️
Avoid brain dumps. Sites selling "real exam questions" violate most vendor NDAs and are legally risky. Questions rotate regularly — brain dumps lead to overconfidence on outdated material and a higher retake rate.
Reviews

What candidates say after passing

★★★★★
"Passed CompTIA A+ on my first attempt after 5 weeks. The domain-level diagnostic showed me exactly where my gaps were — I stopped wasting time on topics I already knew."
Rahul S.
Solutions Architect, Bangalore
★★★★★
"The structured study plan kept me on track. I tried studying on my own for 3 months and failed. With Edureify's roadmap I passed in 6 weeks."
Priya M.
Cloud Engineer, Mumbai
★★★★★
"The AI mentor was like having a personal tutor available at 2am. Every concept I didn't understand was explained until I got it. Invaluable for the Mobile Devices domain."
David K.
DevOps Engineer, London
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about CompTIA A+

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