CompTIA A+ 220-1101/1102: Beginner-Friendly Guide

A+ is where a lot of IT careers start. It's not glamorous, and no senior engineer will brag about holding it, but it's the cert that gets a résumé past HR filters for helpdesk and desktop support roles. And honestly, the troubleshooting mindset A+ drills into you is the same one that eventually makes you a good sysadmin. Two exams, one certification: 220-1101 (Core 1) and 220-1102 (Core 2). You need both to be certified.

§Core 1 (220-1101) vs Core 2 (220-1102)

§Domain weights

Core 1 (220-1101)

Core 2 (220-1102)

§60-day plan - both exams

• Weeks 1–2: Core 1 hardware - motherboards, CPU, RAM types, storage, PSU, cabling
• Weeks 3–4: Core 1 networking + mobile - TCP/IP basics, wireless standards, mobile connectivity
• Week 5: Core 1 troubleshooting + practice exam. Sit Core 1.
• Weeks 6–7: Core 2 Windows/macOS/Linux basics, Active Directory, file systems
• Week 8: Core 2 security fundamentals, malware types, best practices
• Week 9: Core 2 troubleshooting + operational procedures, practice exams. Sit Core 2.

§Real troubleshooting mindset the exam expects

A+ scenarios usually give you a symptom and 4 possible fixes - you pick the LEAST intrusive first step. Example: 'user reports slow laptop.' First step isn't reimaging; it's checking startup apps and running Resource Monitor. CompTIA reliably rewards the 'least intrusive, most reversible' answer.

§Salary and job reality

A+ alone isn't a career - it's a starting line. In Bangladesh, banks and BPO companies routinely hire A+ holders for L1 IT support with a 6-month growth track into infra or SOC roles. Don't stop at A+.

§Resources

• Professor Messer's 220-1101 and 220-1102 courses on YouTube - free, comprehensive
• Mike Meyers' All-in-One CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide - best book
• Jason Dion's A+ practice tests on Udemy - accurate difficulty
• ExamCompass free A+ practice questions

§FAQ

Which exam should I take first?

Core 1 (220-1101). It's slightly easier and covers foundational hardware. Core 2 (220-1102) is harder but builds on Core 1 concepts.

Can I take both on the same day?

Technically yes, but don't. The two exams together are 3+ hours of focused work. Space them by 2 weeks.

Does A+ expire?

3 years. Renew by earning higher CompTIA certs (Network+, Security+) or by CEUs.

Is A+ worth it if I already know PCs?

Only if HR requires it or you want a documented foundation. Skip to Network+ or Security+ if you already have IT experience.