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A+ Core 1 (220-1101)

Free CompTIA A+ Practice Test

1,252 Core 1 practice questions across all 5 exam domains. Premium AI deep dives available. No signup required.

1,252 questions|53 exams|5 domains
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The short version

3 A+ Core 1 (220-1101) practice exams are free — no signup, no credit card. Campaign Pass unlocks the full bank: 1,252 questions across 53 exams, all mapped to Core 1 objectives. Core 2 is next on the roadmap, and A+ requires passing both exams — details below, no fine print.

12 free A+ practice questions

  1. Mobile Devices

    Question 1. A courier says the back cover of her company smartphone has been lifting away from the frame for about a week, and the handset gets warm while it charges overnight. Which of the following should the technician recommend?

    1. AInstall a firmware update so the charging controller recalibrates
    2. BUse a higher-wattage fast charger to shorten the time spent charging
    3. CStop using the phone and replace the battery, recycling the old cell properly
    4. DGlue the cover back down and turn on the battery optimization setting
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: C. Stop using the phone and replace the battery, recycling the old cell properly

    A cover that bulges away from the frame points to a swollen lithium-ion battery, which is a fire risk, so the phone should be taken out of service and the cell replaced and recycled. Gluing the cover or changing software settings leaves the damaged battery in place.

  2. Networking

    Question 2. After power returns at a dental clinic, the front-desk PCs still open each other's shared scan folders, yet no browser page loads. Running ipconfig on every one shows a 169.254.x.x address. What went wrong?

    1. AThe DHCP server is not running or cannot be reached
    2. BThe DNS server is returning outdated host records
    3. CThe default gateway was given the wrong subnet mask
    4. DThe network adapters have negotiated half-duplex links
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: A. The DHCP server is not running or cannot be reached

    A 169.254.x.x address is APIPA, which Windows assigns itself when no DHCP server answers, so hosts can talk locally but have no gateway to the internet. A DNS fault would leave valid DHCP addresses in place and only break name lookups.

  3. Hardware

    Question 3. A technician adds an M.2 SSD to a workstation, but the drive never appears in the UEFI setup or in Disk Management. The motherboard manual says its only M.2 socket accepts PCIe x4 devices. Which of the following BEST explains the problem?

    1. AThe SSD has to be formatted with NTFS before firmware can detect it
    2. BThe M.2 socket will not enable until a heatsink is mounted on it
    3. CThe SATA data cable between the drive and the board is loose
    4. DThe SSD uses the SATA interface, but the socket supports only PCIe NVMe
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: D. The SSD uses the SATA interface, but the socket supports only PCIe NVMe

    M.2 is only a form factor; a socket wired for PCIe NVMe will not detect an M.2 drive that speaks SATA. Formatting happens after detection, and M.2 drives do not use a separate SATA data cable.

  4. Virtualization and Cloud Computing

    Question 4. A QA analyst must spin up a Linux guest beside the Windows apps she uses daily on her own PC, and wiping or reinstalling that PC is not allowed. Which software fits this need?

    1. AA Type 1 bare-metal hypervisor that replaces the existing OS
    2. BA Type 2 hosted hypervisor that runs as an application on Windows
    3. CA thin client image that boots from the network
    4. DA SaaS office suite subscription with browser access
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: B. A Type 2 hosted hypervisor that runs as an application on Windows

    A Type 2 (hosted) hypervisor installs on top of an existing operating system, so the Windows desktop and its applications stay intact while the Linux guest runs in a window. A bare-metal Type 1 hypervisor installs directly on the hardware in place of the host OS.

  5. Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

    Question 5. A tech has proven that last night's automatic NIC driver rollout broke a salesperson's connection. Under the six-step troubleshooting process, what comes next?

    1. ADocument the findings, actions, and outcomes
    2. BEstablish a plan of action and implement the solution
    3. CQuestion the user and ask about any recent changes
    4. DVerify full system functionality and apply preventive measures
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: B. Establish a plan of action and implement the solution

    Once the theory is tested and confirmed, the next step is to establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution. Verifying full system functionality comes after the fix is in place, and documenting is the final step.

  6. Mobile Devices

    Question 6. A designer's ultrabook exposes just one Thunderbolt port. She wants a single cable at her desk to feed two monitors, wired Ethernet, and charging. What should the technician supply?

    1. AA USB-C to HDMI adapter
    2. BA USB Wi-Fi adapter that supports the 6 GHz band
    3. CA KVM switch shared with a nearby desktop
    4. DA Thunderbolt docking station with power delivery
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: D. A Thunderbolt docking station with power delivery

    A Thunderbolt dock carries multiple display streams, network, and USB over one connection and can supply power delivery back to the laptop. A single USB-C to HDMI adapter drives only one monitor and adds no Ethernet or charging.

  7. Networking

    Question 7. A technician is mounting four IP cameras on a warehouse ceiling where no electrical outlets exist. Each camera draws about 10 W and will be cabled with Cat 6 back to a new switch. Which switch feature removes the need for a separate adapter or outlet at each camera?

    1. APower over Ethernet (802.3af/at)
    2. BLink aggregation
    3. CSpanning Tree Protocol
    4. DQuality of Service tagging
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: A. Power over Ethernet (802.3af/at)

    PoE switches deliver DC power along the twisted pairs of the Ethernet cable; 802.3af supplies up to 15.4 W per port and 802.3at up to 30 W, enough for these cameras. Link aggregation bundles ports for bandwidth and redundancy but supplies no power.

  8. Hardware

    Question 8. A law firm's new file server will hold four matching disks, and the partners insist the volume stay online even when any pair of disks dies simultaneously. Which RAID level fits?

    1. ARAID 0
    2. BRAID 5
    3. CRAID 6
    4. DRAID 1
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: C. RAID 6

    RAID 6 stores two independent parity blocks per stripe, so any two drives can fail without data loss, and it needs at least four disks. RAID 5 has a single parity block and survives only one drive failure.

  9. Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

    Question 9. Seconds after a memory upgrade, a gaming tower lights up and its fans whir, yet nothing reaches the monitor and the board keeps sounding the same beep sequence. What is the likeliest culprit?

    1. AThe CMOS battery has run down
    2. BThe power supply is failing under load
    3. CThe monitor is set to the wrong input source
    4. DThe new module is incompatible or not fully seated
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: D. The new module is incompatible or not fully seated

    A black screen with POST beep codes immediately after a RAM change points to a module that is the wrong type or speed or is not clicked fully into its slot. A wrong monitor input would not cause the motherboard to beep.

  10. Networking

    Question 10. Her apartment tower is saturated with neighbors' 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, so a homeowner wants her new AP and laptop to talk over 6 GHz. Which wireless standard must both support?

    1. A802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
    2. B802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)
    3. C802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)
    4. D802.11g
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: A. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E)

    Wi-Fi 6E is the 802.11ax extension that adds the 6 GHz band, giving wide channels with far less interference. 802.11ac operates only at 5 GHz, and 802.11n and 802.11g cannot use 6 GHz.

  11. Hardware

    Question 11. Invoices fresh from an accounting department's laser printer look crisp, but the characters wipe away and leave gray streaks on fingertips. Which part needs replacing?

    1. ATransfer roller
    2. BFuser assembly
    3. CPickup roller
    4. DImaging drum
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: B. Fuser assembly

    The fuser melts and presses toner into the paper fibers with heat and pressure, so toner that wipes off by hand means the fuser is not bonding it. A failing pickup roller causes misfeeds, not loose toner.

  12. Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

    Question 12. On a sales rep's laptop, ping 8.8.8.8 gets replies, yet pinging the intranet's hostname says the host could not be found. Its IP, mask, and gateway all look correct. What is the likeliest fault?

    1. AThe default gateway address is misconfigured
    2. BThe DHCP lease has expired
    3. CThe DNS server setting is wrong or the server is unreachable
    4. DThe patch cable to the wall jack is faulty
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: C. The DNS server setting is wrong or the server is unreachable

    Reaching an external IP address proves the cable, addressing, and gateway all work, so a failure only when a name is used points to DNS resolution. A bad gateway or cable would also stop the ping to 8.8.8.8.

Start the full free A+ practice exam

3 free practice exams · 1,252 questions in the A+ bank

A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Practice Test

All 1,252 questions in the bank target Core 1 — the exam itself runs up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. CompTIA weights the five domains as shown below. Hardware & Network Troubleshooting alone carries 29% of your score, so give it a matching share of your practice time.

15%Mobile Devices

Laptops, mobile hardware, display components, and device connectivity.

20%Networking

TCP/IP basics, common ports, wireless standards, and SOHO network setup.

25%Hardware

RAM, storage, CPUs, motherboards, peripherals, and power supplies.

11%Virtualization & Cloud Computing

Cloud models, client-side virtualization, and virtual machine setup.

29%Hardware & Network Troubleshooting

The biggest domain: troubleshooting methodology applied to everything above.

3 of the 53 exams are free — start with a Hardware or Troubleshooting set and see where you stand.

Core 2 (220-1102): Next on the Roadmap

SecuSpark's A+ coverage is Core 1 today. Core 2 — operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures — is next on the roadmap; nothing here gets a Core 2 label until the questions exist.

In the meantime: drill Core 1 here, and prep Core 2 with Professor Messer's free video series plus CompTIA's official Core 2 objectives. That combination costs nothing and covers the second exam properly.

Plan for both exams from day one. A+ requires passing Core 1 (675 out of 900) and Core 2 (700 out of 900), and vouchers run $274 each — $548 total. Passing one banks that half; you're not certified until you clear both. The full cost math is in our A+ certification cost guide.

How It Works

Step 1

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Pick an A+ exam topic and jump into 25 real-format 220-1101 questions. No signup, no paywall.

Step 2

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Why Prepare with SecuSpark?

Exam-Style Questions

Single-choice and multiple-choice questions on the 220-1101 objectives.

Explanations and an AI Tutor

Miss a question and your results explain it. Ask the AI tutor on that question and it writes you a memory mnemonic to make it stick.

All 5 Core 1 Domains Covered

1,252 Core 1 questions across Mobile Devices, Networking, Hardware, Cloud, and Troubleshooting — every 220-1101 domain.

100% Free, No Tricks

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A+ Practice Test FAQ

Is this A+ practice test really free?

Yes — 3 A+ practice exams are included on the free tier. No credit card, no signup wall. Campaign Pass unlocks all 53 exams and 1,252 questions.

Does this cover Core 1 or Core 2?

Core 1 (220-1101). All 1,252 questions map to Core 1 objectives across all five domains. Core 2 is next on the roadmap — until it ships, pair this bank with CompTIA's official Core 2 objectives and Professor Messer's free Core 2 videos. You must pass both exams to earn A+.

Does this work for the 220-1201 (V15) exam?

Yes for most of it: the majority of Core 1 objectives carry over from 220-1101 to 220-1201, so the bank is solid practice for either version. The questions are written to the 220-1101 objectives and labelled that way on purpose — read the transition guide for what V15 adds before you book.

What changed in 220-1201

What is the A+ passing score?

Core 1 passes at 675 out of 900 and Core 2 at 700 out of 900 — the scores are unchanged in the 220-1201/1202 series. You must pass both exams to earn the A+ certification.

How many questions you can miss

How many questions should I practice before the real exam?

Practice until you are scoring consistently above the pass mark on full-length exams, not just on a handful of questions. With 1,252 Core 1 questions available, you can cover every domain several times before you book.

Which A+ domains are covered?

All five 220-1101 Core 1 domains: Mobile Devices (15%), Networking (20%), Hardware (25%), Virtualization & Cloud (11%), and Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (29%).

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3 free Core 1 exams to start. 1,252 total questions with Campaign Pass. No signup required.

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