CompTIA 220-1201 (CORE 1) Exam
CompTIA Certification Practice Exam
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CompTIA 220-1201 (CORE 1) Exam Overview
Master the core exam objectives and accelerate your preparation with our comprehensive exam blueprint.
schedule
Duration
90 Minutes
quiz
Questions
~90
military_tech
Passing Score
675 / 100
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Format
Multiple choice & multiple response
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CompTIA 220-1201 (CORE 1) Certification FAQ
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) certification is one of two exams (along with Core 2, 220-1202) required to earn the globally recognized CompTIA A+ certification. It validates foundational IT skills across a broad range of technologies. It covers essential capabilities such as installing, configuring, and maintaining hardware components and mobile devices, understanding networking basics, explaining virtualization and cloud computing concepts, and using troubleshooting tools to diagnose and resolve technical problems. This certification is a critical entry point for IT professionals, demonstrating their ability to handle real-world support scenarios.
This exam is ideal for individuals looking to start or advance their careers in IT support. Recommended candidates include entry-level IT professionals, technical support specialists, field service technicians, help desk technicians, and anyone seeking to validate foundational knowledge in hardware, networking, mobile devices, and troubleshooting. It is particularly suitable for those with approximately 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support role.
The average salary for CompTIA A+ certified professionals varies based on experience, job role, and location. In the U.S., entry-level positions often range from $40,000 to $50,000 annually, with the average U.S. salary for A+ holders being approximately $64,889. For roles like IT support specialist, salaries can range from $56,500 to $71,000, while help desk technicians may earn around $48,500 to $64,000, and field service technicians typically see $62,000 to $70,000. With more experience, earnings can climb significantly, with experienced professionals potentially reaching $80,000 - $100,000+ in roles such as systems administration or network management.
CompTIA A+ certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass your second exam (Core 2) and become certified. To renew, you must earn 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within this three-year period. Renewal options include:
- Earning a higher-level CompTIA certification.
- Passing the latest release of the CompTIA A+ exam.
- Completing CompTIA CertMaster CE.
- Earning or renewing a qualifying non-CompTIA IT industry certification.
- Completing approved training, webinars, higher education, or work experience.
The CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) exam, along with its counterpart 220-1202 (Core 2), was launched on March 25, 2025. CompTIA typically updates its certification exams on a three-year cycle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Therefore, the next version of the CompTIA A+ exams (V16) is estimated to be released around March 2028.
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) curriculum covers essential technical domains critical for entry-level IT support. Key topics include:
- Mobile Devices: Laptops, mobile device hardware, accessories, network connections, and app support.
- Networking: TCP/UDP ports, protocols, wireless networking technologies, networked host services, network configuration, networking hardware, SOHO networks, internet connection types, and networking tools.
- Hardware: Display components, cable types, RAM characteristics, storage devices, motherboards, CPUs, add-on cards, power supplies, multifunction devices/printers, and printer maintenance.
- Virtualization and Cloud Computing: Explaining virtualization concepts and cloud models.
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and resolving issues with motherboards, RAM, CPUs, power, drives, RAID, video, projectors, displays, mobile devices, networks, and printers.