Main Details of CompTIA 220-1001 Exam

The Core 1 exam contains a maximum of 90 questions covering three types: multiple choice, drag and drop, and performance-based. The candidates have 90 minutes to complete all of these questions. They must achieve the passing score of 675 on a scale of 100-900 points. The test is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, German, and Japanese.

The 220-1001 exam checks the candidates’ prowess in five core areas. The following are the topics along with their respective weighted percentages:

• Hardware (27%)

  This topic covers the basic cabling types, features, as well as their purposes. Here, you will come across network cables, video cables, multipurpose cables, peripheral cables, adapter cables, and cables for hard drives. This is followed by common types of connectors, such as USB, Mini-USB, Molex, RJ-11, RG-59, BNC, Micro-USB, and others. The next subtopic includes installing RAM types, as well as installing, configuring, and selecting the right storage devices. There are also the issues of installing and configuring motherboards, add-on cards and CPUs, learning the functions and uses of varying peripheral types, and types as well as features of power supply.

  What follows is choosing and configuring the right components for PC custom configuration so that it satisfies the customer specifications. Also, installing and configuring common devices and configuring SOHO multifunction printer and device settings are the skills that you should possess. The last part is about installing and maintaining different print technologies.

• Hardware & Networking Troubleshooting (27%)

  This objective is divided into seven core aspects. The initial one involves using the best practice technique in resolving problems. This includes identifying a problem, establishing a theory giving the probable cause, testing the theory, and more. The next one is about troubleshooting problems that affect motherboards, CPUs, RAM, and power. This happens by looking at common symptoms. The other subtopic covers troubleshooting of RAID arrays and hard drives where the applicants look at common symptoms, such as read/write failure, slow performance, inability to boot, S.M.AR.T. errors, unavailable RAID, and others.

  There is also the domain related to troubleshooting common mobile gadget problems, printers, and common wired in addition to wireless network issues. For mobile gadgets, common problems to learn include no display, dim display, sticking keys, slow performance, and lack of wireless connectivity. Problems with printers include streaks, faded prints, and paper jam. When it comes to network issues, the symptoms to observe are the following: limited connectivity, no connectivity, IP conflict, and unavailable resources, such as the Internet, email, shares, printers, and more.

• Networking (20%)

  This subject covers the comparison and contrast of ports for UDP and TCP, protocols, as well as their purposes. Next is comparing and contrasting common hardware devices for networking. This covers routers, switches, access points, firewall, Cloud network controller, NI card, hub, bridge, patch panel, repeater, Power over Ethernet, and more. Another subtopic is about installing and configuring basic SOHO networks, which are wired and those that are wireless.

  The next portion of this section is about comparing and contrasting protocols targeting wireless networks. You should also know about the properties and use of services offered by hosts for networks, such as server roles, Internet appliance, and legacy or embedded systems. Besides that, the learners will have to study common configuration concepts for networks as well as connection types and network types for the Internet in addition to their features. The ability to utilize the appropriate tools for networking is also important.

• Mobile Devices (14%)

  This domain has the smallest impact on the exam as it will represent the least amount of questions from the whole content. It covers the concepts about installing and configuring a laptop as hardware and its components. It also includes hardware and device replacement. Moreover, you should know everything about installing the components within a laptop’s display where the issues covered are LCD, OLED, Webcam, microphone, inverter, and digitizer or touchscreen. This objective also concerns using the appropriate features for a laptop where the candidates will interact with special keys for function, docking station, port replicator, physical cable lock, laptop lock, as well as rotating or removable screens.

  The next aspect measures your skills in configuring basic network connectivity for mobile devices as well as supporting applications. This includes wireless or cellular data networks, Bluetooth, corporate & ISP configuration for email, radio firmware, VPN, IMEI vs IMSI, and more. The final area is about using methods in performing synchronization for mobile devices and includes synchronization methods, data types to be synchronized, software requirements for installing apps on PC, and others.

• Virtualization & Cloud Computing (12%)

  This section takes the students through various key tasks. They include the concepts for Cloud computing where the items, such as commonly found Cloud models, shared resources, rapid elasticity, and resource pooling, are covered. The other aspect is about setting up and configuring virtualization for the client side. This includes virtual machines and their purpose, hypervisor, and requirements for resources, emulator, security, and network.

Career Path

The CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certification that will open doors to countless opportunities in the IT world. It gives in-depth coverage of fundamental IT concepts to help students prove themselves at the baseline level. After completing this certificate, you will get lots of opportunities to advance within the networking, security, or cloud computing niches. Thus, you can opt for the Network+ certification and advance your knowledge and skills to work with wired and wireless devices.

Reference: https://certification.comptia.org/training/self-study/books/a-220-1001-220-1002-study-guide

Is It Entry-Level Certification?

Yes! The A+ is one of the best IT certifications at the entry level, usually helpful when you want to build a career around computer networks, security, or hardware. Generally, it gives a broad coverage of several IT concepts and technologies at the base level. Alongside the A+, CompTIA also provides other certificates that focus on more specific domains.