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CompTIA · COMPTIA-ACORE1 · Beginner

CompTIA A+ Core 1 — Practice Questions and Mock Exam

The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) is the first of two exams required to earn the CompTIA A+ certification.

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Official COMPTIA-ACORE1 exam: 675 out of 900 points to pass.

Checked against CompTIA · August 2026 · Current exam version

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Hardware1 / 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 Devices2 / 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 Troubleshooting3 / 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

Networking4 / 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

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What you practice for COMPTIA-ACORE1.

Exam topics, relevant practice and sources you can check.

Support mobile devicesSee the guide for weighting54 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Keep mobile hardware, connections and business applications ready for everyday use.

  • Monitor mobile components and replace them appropriately, including batteries, memory, storage and privacy hardware.
  • Compare wired and wireless connections, docks and accessories for the device and its intended use.
  • Configure cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and location services, then support device management, application access and data synchronization.
Official certification objectives
Connect devices and explain network servicesSee the guide for weighting109 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Understand how devices communicate and configure a small wired or wireless network.

  • Distinguish TCP and UDP, common service ports and the roles of network servers, appliances and embedded devices.
  • Explain wireless standards, frequencies and channels, and compare internet connections and network types.
  • Explain DNS records, DHCP, virtual LANs and VPNs, then configure addressing, gateways and subnet masks for a small network.
  • Compare routers, switches, access points and other network hardware, and choose the tools used to install and test connections.
Official certification objectives
Select and install computer hardwareSee the guide for weighting107 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Match computer components and peripherals to their requirements and maintain them correctly.

  • Compare display technologies and attributes, and identify suitable cables, connectors and adapters.
  • Distinguish memory and storage options, including memory channels, drive interfaces and RAID configurations.
  • Install compatible motherboards, processors and expansion cards, configure firmware and cooling, and select an appropriate power supply.
  • Set up multifunction printers with suitable drivers, sharing, scan settings and access controls, then maintain each printer technology.
Official certification objectives
Understand virtualization and cloud servicesSee the guide for weighting45 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Recognize how virtual environments and cloud services provide computing resources.

  • Explain virtual machines, containers, hypervisor types and virtual desktops, including their purposes and resource or security requirements.
  • Compare cloud deployment and service models, and explain shared resources, metered use, elasticity, availability and synchronization.
Official certification objectives
Diagnose hardware and connection problemsSee the guide for weighting112 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Use symptoms to locate faults in computers, mobile devices, networks and printers.

  • Diagnose motherboard, processor, memory and power faults, as well as drive failures, corruption and RAID problems.
  • Investigate display and projector problems involving images, inputs, cabling, sound or shutdowns.
  • Resolve mobile-device faults affecting batteries, screens, charging, connectivity and application performance.
  • Investigate network instability, slow traffic, latency and authentication failures.
  • Diagnose printer faults affecting paper handling, print quality, device connectivity and stalled queues.
Official certification objectives
Question formats you can practice
Multiple Choice
Select one answer.
Multiple Response
Select multiple applicable answers.
Drag & Drop
Match items to the appropriate targets.
Performance-based
Complete a practical task in a simulated environment, following the stated requirements.

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Frequently asked questions

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How much study time should I plan for COMPTIA-ACORE1?

For planning, Pass-IT estimates roughly 50–120 hours. Relevant experience may put you toward the lower end; starting from scratch may put you toward the higher end. Your needs may fall outside this range. This is not a time requirement from CompTIA or a promise that you will be exam-ready within that time.

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Questions in the app are currently in English. Translations of the sample questions on this page apply only to this preview. Check with CompTIA for the languages available for the official exam.

How long does my COMPTIA-ACORE1 access last?

Access covers this certification for 12 months. You pay once, with no automatic renewal.

When does the money-back guarantee apply?

The guarantee refunds the Pass-IT purchase price for this certification. You need eligible paid access and a Readiness Score of at least 80% from your practice results when you take the exam. This score can only reach 80% after at least 50 answered questions and is not a validated probability of passing. Take the exam during your access period and submit official proof of failing within 14 days. Guarantee terms

About the COMPTIA-ACORE1 exam

Where can I take the COMPTIA-ACORE1 exam?

Online-proctored (Pearson VUE) or onsite at testing centers.

How long is the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam?

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

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.

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.

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Guarantee terms

The guarantee refunds the Pass-IT purchase price for this certification. You need eligible paid access and a Readiness Score of at least 80% from your practice results when you take the exam. This score can only reach 80% after at least 50 answered questions and is not a validated probability of passing. Take the exam during your access period and submit official proof of failing within 14 days.

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