EnglishDeutschFrançaisEspañolPortuguês

CompTIA · COMPTIA-ACORE1 · Beginner

CompTIA A+ Core 1 — Practice Questions and Mock Exam

Prepare for COMPTIA-ACORE1 with original practice questions and clear answer explanations. Ask Alex, your AI tutor, when you need more detail, use your results to identify topics to review, and practice your pacing with timed mock exams.

Start practicing COMPTIA-ACORE1 freeBuy COMPTIA-ACORE1 access for $29.99
Buy COMPTIA-ACORE1 access for $29.99Start practicing COMPTIA-ACORE1 free
90Mock exam questions
90minTime limit
675/ 900Passing score

Checked against CompTIA · August 2026 · Current exam version

Overview

About the exam

The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) is the first of two exams required to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. Core 1 focuses on hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization and cloud, and troubleshooting — the hands-on skills needed for help desk and desktop support roles.

Core 1 is approved for DoD 8140 work roles including technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist. The V15 version launched on March 25, 2025 and refreshes the hardware, cloud, and troubleshooting coverage.

Try the practice preview

Try five COMPTIA-ACORE1 questions

Try five practice questions from the app’s current CompTIA A+ Core 1 question bank, with answers and explanations.

Networking1 / 5

A technician is configuring port forwarding on a SOHO router so a remote administrator can reach the company's internal Windows server using Remote Desktop. Which TCP port must be forwarded to the internal host for the Remote Desktop Protocol session to succeed?

AlexFull explanation from Alex

The CompTIA A+ Core 1 objectives require memorizing common ports and protocols. RDP, Microsoft's remote graphical access protocol, listens on TCP 3389. Port forwarding (a NAT feature on SOHO routers) maps an inbound port on the router's public IP to a specific internal host and port so external clients can reach a service behind NAT. Confusing RDP with other remote or secure ports is a common error: 443 is HTTPS, 445 is SMB/CIFS file sharing, and 22 is SSH. Exam tip: build a port flashcard set and pay special attention to the 'remote access' family (RDP 3389, SSH 22, Telnet 23) because the exam loves to test them against one another in scenario form.

Sourcelearn.microsoft.com

Hardware2 / 5

A desktop computer fails to power on after a lightning storm. The technician suspects the power supply unit (PSU) is damaged. Which tool should be used to test the PSU without connecting it to the motherboard?

AlexFull explanation from Alex

A PSU tester or multimeter can verify power supply voltage output independently of the motherboard. PSU testers plug directly into the 24-pin ATX connector and check +3.3V, +5V, and +12V rails against ATX specification tolerances (±5%). A multimeter provides more precise per-pin measurements. The paperclip test (bridging PS_ON to ground on pin 16) can jump-start a PSU, but dedicated testers are safer. Loopback plugs test network ports, cable testers verify cable continuity, and POST cards diagnose motherboard boot failures—none test PSU voltage output. (CompTIA A+ Core 1 Obj 5.5; ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide)

Sourcepartners.comptia.org

Mobile Devices4 / 5

Which characteristic distinguishes an OLED display from an IPS LCD display?

AlexFull explanation from Alex

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays use organic compounds that emit light directly when current is applied—each pixel is its own light source. This eliminates the backlight required by IPS LCD panels, enabling true black (pixel completely off), infinite contrast ratios, and thinner designs. IPS LCDs use a constant LED backlight behind liquid crystal layers and cannot achieve true black. Distractor analysis: IPS panels do NOT have faster response times (OLED achieves sub-1ms vs IPS 4–8ms), IPS panels require a backlight, and OLED does not need a separate backlight unit. OLED trade-offs include potential burn-in and higher cost. (CompTIA A+ Core 1 Obj 3.4; Display technology standards)

Sourceoledera.samsungdisplay.com

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting5 / 5

A user reports that their workstation has become increasingly slow when opening files and applications. The technician checks the drive health utility and sees that the S.M.A.R.T. status shows 'Predicted Failure.' What should the technician do FIRST?

AlexFull explanation from Alex

S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) tracks internal drive health attributes including reallocated sector count, spin retry count, and pending sector count. When metrics exceed manufacturer thresholds, the drive reports Predicted Failure, signaling imminent hardware breakdown. The correct first action is to immediately back up all user data, then replace the drive. Attempting firmware updates, antivirus scans, or defragmentation risks accelerating failure and causing permanent data loss—the drive could fail at any moment during these operations. After installing the replacement, restore data from backup. This follows CompTIA's troubleshooting methodology: identify the problem, then protect data before remediation. (CompTIA A+ Core 1 Obj 3.4; ATA/ATAPI Command Set)

Sourceintel.com

Question pool

435 practice questions

The Pass-IT question pool gives you material to practice for COMPTIA-ACORE1. A Pass-IT mock exam uses 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit; these are practice settings.

Pool details: COMPTIA-ACORE1

Exam details checked against CompTIAAugust 31, 2026

date of the last check against the official CompTIA source

Passing score675 / 900

as published by CompTIA

Objectives in the guide27 objectives listed in the official guide

across 5 domains in the official exam guide

Pool size435 questions

= The pool size is equivalent to 4 sets of 90 questions; this does not mean that each mock exam uses a separate set.

Blueprint domains5 domains in the exam blueprint

Mobile Devices 56 · Networking 110 · Hardware 108 · Virtualization and Cloud Computing 47 · Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 114

Recorded as checked against sources417 of 435

questions recorded as having their answer, options, and explanation checked against official CompTIA documentation

How questions are made →

Exam domains

What's on the exam

Hardware and troubleshooting dominate the blueprint: installing and maintaining core PC components carries 25%, and diagnosing failures across that same hardware plus networking adds another 28% — more than half the exam rests on physical component knowledge. Networking follows at 23%, covering ports, protocols, and SOHO configuration. Mobile Devices (13%) and Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%) are the smallest domains but still draw direct questions on device management and hypervisor concepts.

The weighting rewards candidates who have handled the hardware directly rather than memorized spec sheets: troubleshooting motherboards, RAM, storage drives, and printers is tested as heavily as installing them in the first place. Mobile device and virtualization questions are fewer in number, but they show up as standalone scenarios rather than as extensions of the hardware domains, so skipping them costs more than their weight implies.

Exam blueprint: COMPTIA-ACORE1

Mobile Devices13%

Replace and upgrade mobile device hardware components, connect accessories and peripherals over USB-C, Bluetooth, and NFC, and configure cellular data, Wi-Fi, and mobile device management (MDM) settings for corporate and BYOD devices.

≈ 10 h
Networking23%

Identify common TCP/UDP ports and protocols, wireless networking standards, and the servers and appliances (DNS, DHCP, firewalls, routers, switches) that make up a network, then configure IP addressing and basic SOHO wired/wireless networks using appropriate networking tools.

≈ 18 h
Hardware25%

Select and install core PC hardware components — displays, cables and connectors, RAM, storage drives, motherboards, CPUs, and power supplies — and deploy, configure, and maintain laser, inkjet, thermal, and impact printers.

≈ 20 h
Virtualization and Cloud Computing11%

Explain virtualization concepts such as hypervisors, containers, and virtual desktop infrastructure, and summarize cloud computing service and deployment models along with characteristics like elasticity, metered usage, and multitenancy.

≈ 9 h
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting28%

Diagnose and resolve common hardware failures across motherboards, RAM, CPUs, power supplies, storage and RAID arrays, displays, and printers, as well as common wired and wireless network connectivity issues.

≈ 22 h

Format

Exam format and question types

Maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes. The mix is multiple-choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions (PBQs). PBQs come in two forms: simulations of a tool or environment, and virtual environments running real operating systems. You can skip a simulation PBQ and return to it later, but a virtual PBQ has to be finished when you reach it. The passing score is 675 on a scale of 100 to 900.

Question types: COMPTIA-ACORE1

Multiple Choice70%

Select the single answer that best meets the question’s requirements.

Drag & Drop15%

Move items into the slots, groups, or sequence specified by the task.

Multiple Response10%

Select multiple answers. Follow the question’s instructions on how many to choose.

Performance-based5%

Complete a practical task in a simulated environment, following the stated requirements.

See CompTIA for official question-format information. The shares shown describe the Pass-IT practice pool; they do not establish the proportions on the official exam.

Planning

Preparing for COMPTIA-ACORE1

Delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers or online with a proctor, in English, German, and Japanese. The certification is valid for three years and renews through CompTIA's continuing education program with 20 CEUs. You need to pass both Core 1 and Core 2 to hold the A+.

Preparation and logistics: COMPTIA-ACORE1

Preparation

Illustrative study time50–120 h

illustrative planning range: 50 h with relevant experience to 120 h when starting out; your needs may fall outside this range

LevelBeginner
Recommended backgroundNo formal prerequisites. 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist job role recommended.

Taking and maintaining the certification

DeliveryOnline-proctored (Pearson VUE) or onsite at testing centers
Retake policyNo waiting period for first retake. 14-day wait for subsequent retakes.
Certification validity3 years

Valid for 3 years. Renew through continuing education (CE) — 20 CEUs in 3 years or pass a higher-level CompTIA cert.

Continuing education credits20
Official guideView on provider site

Study notes

Common pitfalls

Topics to review: COMPTIA-ACORE1

  1. 01PBQ Time Management

    Performance-based questions take longer — skip them first and return after multiple choice

  2. 02Port Numbers

    Memorize common ports (80, 443, 22, 23, 25, 110, 143, 3389, 445) — they appear frequently

  3. 03Connector Types

    Confusing USB types, display connectors (HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI) and network cables

  4. 04Wireless Standards

    Mixing up Wi-Fi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and their frequencies and speeds

Practice with questions and explanations in Pass-IT →

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How long is the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam?

The CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam has 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit.

What is the passing score for CompTIA A+ Core 1?

The passing score for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam is 675 / 900.

Which pitfalls should I review when preparing for CompTIA A+ Core 1?

Topics to review include PBQ Time Management, Port Numbers, Connector Types, Wireless Standards. Work through examples to check that you understand the distinctions and can explain your answer.

How do you pass CompTIA A+ Core 1?

Core 1 is the hardware half of A+, and hardware and network troubleshooting is its single largest domain at 28%. The catalog budget is around 80 hours, and CompTIA recommends nine to twelve months of hands-on support work alongside it. People who fail usually did the reading but never opened a machine or traced a cable.

Which A+ Core 1 domains carry the most marks?

Hardware and network troubleshooting is the heaviest at 28%, followed by hardware at 25% and networking at 23%. Mobile devices takes 13% and virtualization and cloud computing 11%. Three quarters of the exam is therefore hardware, networking and fixing them.

Do you need Core 2 as well as Core 1?

Yes. CompTIA awards the A+ certification only when both Core 1 and Core 2 are passed, so a Core 1 pass on its own is a half-finished credential. The two exams cover different ground, and neither one is a prerequisite for the other.

How long does A+ Core 1 stay valid?

Three years. You renew through continuing education, which means 20 continuing-education units inside the three-year cycle, or by passing a higher-level CompTIA certification instead. Network+ or Security+ therefore renews A+ as a side effect.

How soon can you retake A+ Core 1?

There is no waiting period before your second attempt, so you can rebook straight away. From the third attempt onwards CompTIA requires 14 calendar days between tries.

One certification, 12 months

Practice for COMPTIA-ACORE1

Focus your practice on one certification, or choose Pro to practice across all certifications.

Buy COMPTIA-ACORE1 access for $29.99
Start a free practice sessionTry the first 20 questions without a card to see whether the practice suits you.

For eligible purchases: money-back guarantee if you fail your exam.

View guarantee terms →

Related certifications

CompTIA A+ Core 2CompTIA Cloud+CompTIA CySA+CompTIA Data+All CompTIA certifications →