220-1201 · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
In short
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and a fixed passing score of 675 out of 900. It covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and hardware and network troubleshooting. It costs $265. Free practice questions and a full study plan are below.
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- Questions
- Maximum of 90
- Time limit
- 90 minutes
- Passing score
- 675 (on a scale of 100-900)
- Cost
- $265 USD
- Format
- Multiple-choice · Performance-based
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE testing centers or OnVUE online proctoring
- Prep time
- ~115 hours
Exam overview
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) certification exam is the foundational milestone for IT professionals starting their careers. This exam validates fundamental skills necessary to install, configure, and maintain computer systems, mobile devices, and networks. As technology continuously evolves, mastering the concepts detailed in this official syllabus prepares candidates not only to pass the test but to provide excellent IT support and problem resolution on the job. To make your preparation highly efficient, Only Ever maps every domain in this syllabus to precise 15-minute study topics. From deep-dives into physical hardware to exploring cloud computing paradigms, you can tackle the A+ Core 1 objectives in manageable, bite-sized sessions that fit seamlessly into your day.
Exam domains & weighting
Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.
How to study this domain
Focus on understanding the internal components of laptops and mobile devices, including how to replace them safely. Pay special attention to Mobile Device Management (MDM) concepts and network connectivity synchronization, as these are critical for corporate environments.
Key objectives
- Mobile Device Hardware Components
- Mobile Device Connectivity and Accessories
- Mobile Network Connectivity and MDM
Readiness self-check
Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.
Quick reference
Common TCP/UDP Ports
Essential port numbers mapped to their standard protocols as required by the networking domain.
FTP
20 / 21
File Transfer Protocol
SSH
22
Secure Shell
Telnet
23
Unencrypted remote management
SMTP
25
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
DNS
53
Domain Name System
DHCP
67 / 68
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
HTTP
80
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
POP3
110
Post Office Protocol 3
IMAP
143
Internet Mail Access Protocol
HTTPS
443
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
RDP
3389
Remote Desktop Protocol
Key IT Acronyms
A selection of vital abbreviations from the official CompTIA A+ (220-1201) acronym list.
- BIOS
- Basic Input/Output System
- BYOD
- Bring Your Own Device
- DHCP
- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
- DNS
- Domain Name System
- LAN
- Local Area Network
- MDM
- Mobile Device Management
- RAM
- Random-access Memory
- SOHO
- Small Office/Home Office
- VPN
- Virtual Private Network
- VLAN
- Virtual Local Area Network
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
- You must pass both the Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) exams to be certified.
- The exam includes performance-based questions (PBQs) requiring candidates to complete simulated lab tasks.
- While the 6-step CompTIA troubleshooting methodology is an encouraged standard of competence, it is not formally tested as a standalone objective.
Reading isn’t remembering.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) spans a wide range of practical IT support topics, and it is easy to lose track of how hardware, networking, mobile devices, and troubleshooting objectives fit together.
Only Ever turns the official CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) objectives into focused 15-minute study sessions so you can build durable understanding across the 220-1201 syllabus without drifting off-spec.