220-1201 / 220-1202
CompTIA A+ Certification Course
Every lesson for both A+ exams — hardware, networking, operating systems, security, and troubleshooting — organized by the official CompTIA objectives.
CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard starting point for IT careers. It proves you can support hardware, operating systems, software, and networks — the skills every help desk and field tech role is built on. The certification takes two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202).
This course follows the official exam objectives section by section. Each lesson teaches one topic in plain language, and the full platform adds practice tests, performance-based questions (PBQs), and a readiness score that tells you when you're prepared to book the real exam.
311 free lesson previews
Everything in the CompTIA A+ program
1,691 practice questions
Exam-style questions with full explanations, by domain or as timed full-length practice tests.
257 performance-based questions
Hands-on PBQs like the real exam — including an interactive build-a-PC bench simulator with drag-and-drop parts and cables.
67 flashcard decks
Key terms for every section with confidence-based review.
311 lessons
Every exam objective taught in plain language — previewable below without an account.
314 video lessons
Narrated video walkthroughs of exam topics, with more added regularly.
Guided study plan & readiness score
Set your exam date, follow a day-by-day plan, and watch a readiness score that tells you when you're prepared to book.
AI tutor
Ask questions about any topic and get explanations tailored to the lesson you're studying.
Course outline
Preview every lesson below. A free account opens the first 4 sections of each exam, with their lessons, practice tests and PBQs, plus every flashcard deck.
Core 1 (220-1201)
P1Hardware
- Welcome to CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)3 min
- The CompTIA Troubleshooting Methodology4 min
- Motherboard Overview10 min
- Motherboard Form Factors9 min
- Motherboard Connector Types20 min
- Expansion Cards11 min
- What Is a CPU?10 min
- CPU architecture9 min
- Motherboard compatibility15 min
- Virtualization, TPM, HSM13 min
- Cooling, Fans, Heatsinks, TIM Liquid10 min
- Installing a Motherboard Step by Step14 min
- BIOS, UEFI, Security Hardware, and Boot Configuration Overview7 min
- BIOS vs. UEFI11 min
- Boot Order and Boot Options14 min
- BIOS/UEFI Device Settings: USB Permissions, Fan Control, and Temperature Monitoring9 min
- Trusted Platform Module10 min
- Secure Boot, Boot Passwords, and BIOS Passwords8 min
- RAM Form Factors8 min
- DDR, ECC, Dual-Channel9 min
- Common RAM Issues and Scenarios8 min
- Hard Drives (HDD)10 min
- SSD Interfaces and Form Factors10 min
- Optical Drives13 min
- Removable Storage (Flash Drives and Memory Cards)5 min
- RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 1015 min
- Input Voltage: 110–120 VAC vs. 220–240 VAC10 min
- Power Supply Output: 3.3V vs. 5V vs. 12V11 min
- Wattage Rating and Energy Efficiency13 min
- The 20+4 Pin Motherboard Connector8 min
- CPU and GPU Power Connectors7 min
- Modular Power Supplies13 min
- Redundant Power Supplies10 min
- Cable Connector Types10 min
- Peripheral Cables9 min
- Video Cables9 min
- Hard Drive Cables10 min
- Networking Cables10 min
- Adapters and Converters (video/USB/network adapter dongles)8 min
- LCD Panel Types10 min
- Inverters, Pixel Density, Refresh Rate, Resolution, Color Gamut21 min
- Touch Screen/Digitizers9 min
P2Networking
- Introduction to Computer Networking8 min
- Network Types: PAN, LAN, WLAN, MAN, WAN, and SAN15 min
- Peer-to-Peer vs. Client-Server Networks10 min
- The OSI and TCP/IP Models15 min
- How Data Travels Across a Network15 min
- Introduction to Ethernet and Physical Networking14 min
- Copper Ethernet Cabling15 min
- Ethernet Connectors and Wiring Standards9 min
- Ethernet Speeds and Distance Limitations13 min
- Fiber-Optic Cabling14 min
- Structured Cabling9 min
- Power over Ethernet12 min
- Network Interface Cards and Ethernet Adapters14 min
- Ethernet Ports, Link Lights, and Activity Lights8 min
- Cabling and Networking Tools11 min
- Coaxial Cable and the F-Type Connector8 min
- Ethernet Switches15 min
- Routers15 min
- Wireless Access Points9 min
- Firewalls8 min
- Patch Panels and Punchdown Blocks14 min
- Internet Protocol6 min
- IPv4 Addressing: Public vs. Private, Static vs. Dynamic13 min
- Subnet Masks and How Subnetting Works16 min
- Gateways14 min
- APIPA: Automatic Private IP Addressing7 min
- IPv6 Fundamentals9 min
- Configuring a SOHO Wired/Wireless Network15 min
- Wireless Network Frequencies7 min
- Wireless Channels18 min
- 802.11 Wireless Standards15 min
- Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)15 min
- Bluetooth7 min
- TCP vs. UDP15 min
- Ports and Protocols8 min
- Domain Name System (DNS)7 min
- DNS Record Types (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT)9 min
- Email Spam Management (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)9 min
- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)7 min
- DHCP Scopes, Leases, Reservations, and Exclusions15 min
- Virtual LANs (VLANs) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)15 min
- File Share Servers14 min
- Print Servers7 min
- Web Servers15 min
- TLS, HTTPS, and Certificates15 min
- Mail Servers8 min
- Database Servers20 min
- Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA)17 min
- Network Time Protocol (NTP)10 min
- Syslog10 min
- Network Monitoring with SNMP13 min
- Internet Appliances25 min
- Legacy and Embedded Systems17 min
- Internet of Things (IoT) Devices25 min
- DSL Internet Connections10 min
- Cable Internet and Cable Modems8 min
- Fiber Internet and the Optical Network Terminal (ONT)15 min
- Satellite Internet Connections14 min
- Cellular Internet14 min
- Wireless ISPs (WISP)15 min
- Physical Networking Tools19 min
- Wi-Fi Analyzers, Loopback Plugs, and Network Taps13 min
P3Mobile Devices
- Mobile Device Batteries15 min
- Mobile Device RAM (Random Access Memory)7 min
- SSDs and HDDs in Mobile Devices14 min
- Laptop Keyboard and Key Replacement13 min
- Laptop Wireless Cards and Wi-Fi Antenna Placement14 min
- Laptop Cameras, Webcams, and Microphones15 min
- Mobile Biometrics and Physical Privacy/Security Components14 min
- NFC (Near Field Communication)14 min
- Universal Serial Bus (USB)15 min
- Understanding the Lightning Connector13 min
- Port Replicators vs. Docking Stations14 min
- Trackpads, Drawing Pads, and TrackPoints12 min
- Mobile Device Accessories9 min
- Bluetooth Tethering and Mobile Hotspots9 min
- Wireless and Cellular Data Networks10 min
- SIM Cards and eSIM15 min
- Bluetooth Connectivity11 min
- GPS and Cellular Location Technologies5 min
- Mobile Device Synchronization8 min
- Mobile Device Management (MDM)9 min
P4Printers
- Printer Drivers: PCL vs. PostScript, and Printer Firmware14 min
- Printer Setup15 min
- Printer Configuration & Shared Devices13 min
- Security Controls8 min
- ADF and Flatbed Scanning14 min
- Network Scan Services10 min
- The Laser and Inkjet Imaging Processes15 min
- Laser Printer Maintenance9 min
- Inkjet Maintenance8 min
- Thermal Maintenance10 min
- Impact Printer Maintenance10 min
P5Virtualization & Cloud
P6Troubleshooting
- POST Beep Codes8 min
- Hardware Symptoms pt.110 min
- Hardware Symptoms pt.212 min
- Drive & RAID Issues pt.122 min
- Drive & RAID Issues pt.212 min
- Display Troubleshooting13 min
- Display Troubleshooting pt.211 min
- Mobile Troubleshooting pt.113 min
- Mobile Troubleshooting pt.215 min
- Network Troubleshooting pt.112 min
- Network Troubleshooting pt.213 min
- Printer Troubleshooting pt.112 min
- Printer Troubleshooting pt.214 min
Core 2 (220-1202)
P1Operating Systems
- Workstation OS Types and What They're For9 min
- Mobile Operating Systems10 min
- Filesystem Types19 min
- OS Compatibility Concerns8 min
- Vendor Life-Cycle Limitations11 min
- Boot Methods13 min
- Types of OS Installations (Clean, Upgrade, Imaging, Remote, Recovery)25 min
- Partitioning10 min
- Upgrade Considerations8 min
- Feature Updates and Product Life Cycle8 min
- Windows 10 Editions10 min
- Windows 11 Editions11 min
- "N" Editions of Windows7 min
- Windows Edition Feature Differences13 min
- Upgrade Paths and Hardware Requirements11 min
- Windows Task Manager12 min
- Microsoft Management Console (MMC)27 min
- Additional Windows Tools11 min
- Command Prompt Navigation with cd and dir8 min
- File-Management Commands7 min
- Disk Management Commands12 min
- Command Line Network Commands11 min
- Informational and OS Management Commands10 min
- Windows Settings Part 123 min
- Windows Settings Part 228 min
- Windows Settings Part 311 min
- Windows Settings Part 424 min
- Power Options11 min
- File Explorer Options11 min
- Indexing and Tools11 min
- Establish Network Connections30 min
- Domain vs Workgroup18 min
- Client Network Configuration26 min
- Windows Network Settings18 min
- Local Firewall Settings19 min
- macOS Features20 min
- macOS System Preferences27 min
- macOS System Folders10 min
- macOS App Install, Uninstall26 min
- Apple ID Best Practices32 min
- macOS Utilities12 min
- macOS Troubleshooting14 min
- Linux Config and Root25 min
- Linux Filesystems11 min
- Linux Informational Commands13 min
- Linux File Management11 min
- Linux Admin Packages11 min
- Linux Network Management14 min
- Linux Text Editors and OS Components8 min
- Application System Requirements19 min
- Distribution Methods11 min
- App Impact Planning10 min
- Email Systems Storage12 min
- Collaboration Tools12 min
- Identity Sync Licensing12 min
P2Security
- Physical Security Controls25 min
- Physical Access Security26 min
- Logical Security25 min
- Cryptography Basics: Hashing, Encryption, and Digital Signatures14 min
- Windows Users and Groups24 min
- Windows Permissions and UAC18 min
- Windows Sign-in Options20 min
- Active Directory26 min
- Defender Antivirus and Firewall18 min
- Windows Encryption Tools20 min
- Wi-Fi Encryption Protocols20 min
- Kerberos and MFA11 min
- RADIUS12 min
- TACACS+10 min
- Malware Essentials25 min
- Adware10 min
- Tools and Methods Part 122 min
- Tools and Methods Part 220 min
- Social Engineering18 min
- Threats and Attacks26 min
- Threats and Attacks II23 min
- System Vulnerabilities23 min
- SOHO Malware Removal9 min
- Account Management8 min
- Password Considerations14 min
- BIOS/UEFI Passwords12 min
- Data-at-Rest Encryption6 min
- Hardening Tips14 min
- End-User Best Practices12 min
- Endpoint Security Software11 min
- Hardening Techniques20 min
- Patch Management11 min
- Mobile Remote Protections9 min
- Policy, Procedure, Control27 min
- Hard Drive Destruction9 min
- Recycling or Repurposing11 min
- Outsourcing and Disposal10 min
- Router Settings19 min
- Router Settings Part 212 min
- Wireless Security Settings19 min
- Firewall Settings12 min
- Browser Install Safety20 min
- Browser Patching and Add-ons11 min
- Browser Feature Management12 min
- Browser Security Settings23 min
- Passwords and Certificates12 min
P3Software Troubleshooting
- Boot Issues10 min
- No OS Found11 min
- Blue Screen Errors22 min
- System Instability11 min
- Frequent Shutdowns11 min
- Degraded Performance23 min
- Low Memory Warnings11 min
- Applications Crashing12 min
- Services Not Starting11 min
- USB Resource Warnings11 min
- Slow Profiles, Time Drift12 min
- Mobile OS Troubleshooting18 min
- Mobile App Troubleshooting29 min
- Connectivity Issues13 min
- Mobile Security Concerns16 min
- Mobile Security Symptoms27 min
- PC Security Symptoms25 min
- PC Security Symptoms Part 222 min
- Browser-Related Symptoms24 min
P4Operational Procedures
- Types of Documents23 min
- Ticketing Systems20 min
- Asset Management16 min
- Documented Business Processes25 min
- Change Management20 min
- Backups11 min
- Backup Rotation Schemes11 min
- Recovery Backup Testing10 min
- System Restore, Restore Points, and Rollbacks14 min
- ESD and Component Handling10 min
- Electrical Safety23 min
- Personal Safety13 min
- Government Compliance7 min
- Hardware Environment Care12 min
- Power Protection10 min
- MSDS Basics11 min
- Incident Response Basics11 min
- Chain of Custody and Evidence Handling10 min
- Software Licensing, EULA, and DRM12 min
- Regulated Data Types11 min
- Policies and Compliance11 min
- Professional Appearance and Attitude7 min
- Effective Communication7 min
- Working with Customers8 min
- Professional Conduct7 min
- Handling Confidential Materials8 min
- Script File Types8 min
- Scripting Use Cases7 min
- Scripting Risks and Considerations8 min
- Remote Desktop and Screen Sharing9 min
- Secure Remote Access9 min
- Remote Management and Support Tools9 min
- Remote Access Security Considerations9 min
- AI in IT Support8 min
- AI Policies and Appropriate Use8 min
- AI Limitations and Risks8 min
- Private vs. Public AI8 min
Ready to start studying?
A free account opens the first 4 sections of each exam: lessons, practice tests and PBQs. No credit card required.
Create your free account