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CompTIA · COMPTIA-ACORE1 · Beginner

CompTIA A+ Core 1 — Practice Questions and Mock Exam

Practice real COMPTIA-ACORE1 questions, never dumps. Alex explains every answer, and your readiness score tells you when you're ready to pass.

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90Questions
90minTime Limit
675/ 900Pass Score

Checked against CompTIA · July 2026Current 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, the industry-standard credential for launching an IT career. Core 1 focuses on hardware, networking, mobile devices, cloud computing, and troubleshooting — the hands-on technical skills needed for help desk and desktop support roles.

The A+ is the most widely recognized entry-level IT certification globally, required or preferred by organizations including the U.S. Department of Defense. The 2025 update (V15) adds coverage of modern hardware, enhanced cloud concepts, and updated troubleshooting scenarios.

Exam Domains

What's on the exam

The exam includes up to 90 questions mixing multiple choice and performance-based questions (PBQs). PBQs simulate real IT scenarios where you configure settings, drag components, or troubleshoot issues in a simulated environment. PBQs appear first — many test-takers skip them initially and return after completing the multiple choice section.

Mobile Devices13%
Networking23%
Hardware25%
Virtualization and Cloud Computing11%
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting28%

SourceCompTIA exam page

Format

What to expect

Multiple Choice65%
Drag & Drop15%
Command Line10%
Multiple Response10%

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Practice real COMPTIA-ACORE1 questions

Five sample questions from our CompTIA A+ Core 1 bank. Answer one — Alex, your AI tutor, explains the why. Real prep, never dumps.

Watch out

Where candidates struggle

Core 1 is heavily hands-on. Candidates who only study theory without touching real hardware or running network commands often struggle with PBQs.

  1. 01
    PBQ Time Management — Performance-based questions take longer — skip them first and return after multiple choice
  2. 02
    Port Numbers — Memorize common ports (80, 443, 22, 23, 25, 110, 143, 3389, 445) — they appear frequently
  3. 03
    Connector Types — Confusing USB types, display connectors (HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI) and network cables
  4. 04
    Wireless Standards — Mixing up Wi-Fi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and their frequencies and speeds

Details

Exam logistics

Delivered through Pearson VUE online or at testing centers worldwide. The A+ requires passing both Core 1 and Core 2 — order doesn't matter.

Exam fee$358 USD
DeliveryOnline-proctored (Pearson VUE) or onsite at testing centers
Retake policyNo waiting period for first retake. 14-day wait for subsequent retakes.
Validity3 years
CE credits20
Career outcomesHelp desk technician, desktop support analyst, field service technician, IT support specialist. Average salary $45-55K for entry-level roles.
RenewalValid for 3 years. Renew through continuing education (CE) — 20 CEUs in 3 years or pass a higher-level CompTIA cert.
Study time~80 hours
Official guideView on vendor site

SourceCompTIA exam page

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