CompTIA / Foundational / 220-1201
A+ Core 1: Hardware and Networks
Remember component compatibility, mobile connectivity, printers and the evidence that separates hardware from network faults.
A+ requires Core 1 and Core 2 from the same exam version. This path is 220-1201; pair it with 220-1202, not an older Core 2 exam.
THE REVISION PATH
Your topics, in order.
Read. Recall. Explain the alternative.
Mobile Devices and Laptop Support
Port shape is not capability; synchronization is not backup.
IPv4, IPv6 and Subnetting
Prefix is the boundary; longest match wins.
Ports, DNS, DHCP and Time
Resolve the name, obtain the lease, trust the clock.
Troubleshooting Networks
Define the symptom; test one layer; verify the whole path.
Motherboards, CPUs, Memory and Firmware
Socket, generation, power and firmware must agree.
Storage, Displays and Peripheral Connections
Interface, protocol and form factor are different questions.
Printers, Scanners and Print Troubleshooting
Identify the print technology before replacing a part.
Virtual Machines and Cloud Basics
Virtual hardware still consumes real resources.
Hardware Diagnosis and Safe Verification
Protect data, isolate the cause, prove the fix.
How this guide is organised
Original revision notes arranged around practical decisions. The linked official objectives define the mapped scope; primary documentation supports the explanations. Read each topic, answer without looking, then explain why another option would fail.
- Official exam guide ↗ Scope authority
Revision material supports preparation; it does not guarantee every possible exam question. Check the exam version and official objectives before booking.