The Ultimate CompTIA A+ Cheat Sheet (220-1201 & 220-1202): Everything You Need to Pass Both Exams

The Night Before Panic is Real, this Cheat Sheet Fixes It.

You had been studying for three months. Stack of flashcards. Two textbooks. Dozens of videos. The night before your Core 1 exam, you sat at your desk and realized you couldn’t remember the difference between DDR3 and DDR4 pin counts. Or which RAID level uses double parity. Or the exact speeds for each USB version.

Three months of knowledge. Completely scrambled because there was no single organized reference.

This cheat sheet is what you needed.

Bookmark it. Print it. Tape it to your wall. However you learn best, make this your go-to.

The Big Picture: What Is CompTIA A+?

CompTIA A+ is the IT industry’s most recognized entry-level certification. It validates that you can install, configure, and maintain hardware components and mobile devices, troubleshoot hardware, network, and connectivity issues, configure SOHO networks, and apply basic cybersecurity methods.

Two exams. Both required. No shortcuts.

The latest exam codes are 220-1201 for Core 1 and 220-1202 for Core 2, available since March 2025 and retiring in 2027–2028. Both exams combined cost $265 USD.

Each exam has a maximum of 90 questions including multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions, with 90 minutes to complete. The passing score for Core 1 is 675, and Core 2 requires 700, both on a scale of 900.

Core 1 (220-1201) Domain Breakdown

Core 2 (220-1202) Domain Breakdown

The golden rule: Troubleshooting and Networking together make up more than half of Core 1. Security and Operating Systems dominate Core 2. Weight your study time accordingly.

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The Troubleshooting Methodology – CompTIA A+ Cheat Sheet (Apply This to Everything)

The troubleshooting methodology is no longer a formal exam objective with explicit test items, but you still need to apply it when answering A+ questions. Think of it as your mental framework for every scenario question.

Exam tip: When a scenario question asks “what should you do FIRST,” the answer is almost always in steps 1-2. Identify and theorize before you touch anything.

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CORE 1 (220-1201) CompTIA A+ CHEAT SHEET

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1. Mobile Devices

Connection Types

Bluetooth Classes

Exam trap: Tethering = sharing your phone’s cellular data. Hotspot = same thing, wireless version. Don’t confuse docking station (charges device, expands ports) with port replicator (USB-only, no charging).

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Cellular Technology Comparison

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2. Networking

Essential Network Terminology

Network Devices

Ports and Protocols (Memorize These)

Exam tip: POP3 downloads email (deletes from server by default). IMAP syncs email (stays on server). SMTP sends email. This distinction shows up constantly.

Wi-Fi Standards (802.11)

IP Addressing Quick Reference

Cable Types and Connectors

T568A vs T568B Wiring (Drag-and-Drop Favorite)

Memory trick: T568B = Business standard (most common in the US). T568A = used in government installations. A straight-through cable uses same standard on both ends. A crossover cable uses A on one end, B on the other.

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3. Hardware

CPU Sockets

Critical rule: Intel CPU socket ≠ AMD CPU socket. They are never interchangeable. If you see a build scenario, match the CPU brand to the correct socket family.

RAM Deep Dive

Key RAM concepts:

• Dual-channel: Install in matching slots (1&3 or 2&4). Doubles effective bandwidth
• ECC RAM: Error-correcting memory. Used in servers, not consumer PCs
• SODIMM: Small form factor for laptops
• Virtual RAM (paging file): Uses hard drive as overflow RAM. Slow but better than crashing

Storage: HDD vs SSD vs NVMe

RAID Levels (Exam Favorite)

Decision framework for exam scenarios:

• “Maximum performance, redundancy not required” → RAID 0
• “Must not lose data, only 2 drives” → RAID 1
• “Balance of performance and redundancy, 3+ drives” → RAID 5
• “Maximum protection, can afford drive failures” → RAID 6
• “Best of both worlds, money no object” → RAID 10

Motherboard Form Factors

PCIe Expansion Slots

Power Supply (PSU) Connectors

Video Connectors Comparison

Exam tip: VGA is analog only, lowest quality. DisplayPort has the highest bandwidth. HDMI carries audio automatically. Thunderbolt uses the USB-C connector shape.

Thunderbolt Versions

USB Standards

Printer Types and Troubleshooting

Laser printer process (in order): Processing → Charging → Exposing → Developing → Transferring → Fusing → Cleaning

Memory trick: “Please Come Eat Dinner Tonight For Cake”

4. Virtualization and Cloud Computing

Cloud Service Models

Memory trick: “I Prefer Standing” = IaaS → PaaS → SaaS (most control → least control)

Cloud Deployment Models

Hypervisors

Exam tip: Type 1 is faster (no host OS overhead). Type 2 is easier to set up. For enterprise servers, Type 1. For practice labs, Type 2.

Virtualization Terms

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CORE 2 (220-1202) CompTIA A+ CHEAT SHEET

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5. Operating Systems

Windows Versions Quick Reference

Exam rule: Home ≠ business. Any domain, BitLocker, or Group Policy question = Pro or Enterprise minimum.

File Systems Comparison

The crossover rule: Need to use a USB drive on both Windows AND Mac? Use exFAT. FAT32 has a 4GB file limit (you’ll hit it with large videos). NTFS doesn’t play nice with older macOS.

Disk Partitioning: MBR vs GPT

Rule of thumb: New systems = GPT. Old legacy systems = MBR. Drives over 2TB = must use GPT.

Essential Windows Command Line Tools

Windows Troubleshooting Tools

Linux Commands Cheat Sheet Every A+ Candidate Should Know

Boot Process (Windows)

BIOS/Legacy: POST → BIOS → MBR → Boot Manager → OS

UEFI/Modern: POST → UEFI → GPT → Boot Manager → OS

Key recovery options:

• Startup Repair: Fixes boot issues automatically
• System Restore: Rolls back system to a restore point
• Safe Mode: Boots with minimal drivers
• WinRE: Windows Recovery Environment (advanced)

6. Security

Malware Types (Know Every One)

Memory trick for worm vs virus: A worm travels through networks on its own. A virus needs a host (file) to ride.

Social Engineering Attacks

Encryption Standards

Windows Security Features

Key distinction: BitLocker encrypts the entire drive. EFS encrypts individual files. BitLocker requires TPM or USB key.

Authentication Methods

Physical Security Controls

Malware Removal: The 6-Step Process

1. Investigate and verify malware symptoms
2. Quarantine the infected system (disconnect from network)
3. Disable System Restore (prevent malware from hiding in restore points)
4. Remediate (update antimalware, scan, remove)
5. Schedule scans and run updates
6. Enable System Restore and create new restore point
7. Educate end user on how to avoid reinfection

7. Software Troubleshooting

Windows Error Messages and Causes

Mobile OS Troubleshooting

8. Operational Procedures

Ticketing System Basics

Exam scenario: Server down affecting everyone = Critical. One person can’t print = Low.

Backup Types

Memory trick: Incremental = I only keep today’s changes (fast to back up, slow to restore). Differential = Difference from the full (slower to back up, faster to restore).

Environmental Safety

Change Management Process

Documentation Types

The Numbers You MUST Memorize

These numbers come up constantly in exam questions:

Exam Basics:

• Max questions per exam: 90
• Time per exam: 90 minutes
• Core 1 passing score: 675/900
• Core 2 passing score: 700/900
• Cost per exam: $265
• Retake wait time: 14 days
• Certification validity: 3 years

Hardware:

• Cat 5e max speed: 1 Gbps
• Cat 6 max speed with full length: 1 Gbps (10 Gbps at 55m)
• SATA III max speed: 6 Gbps
• USB 3.0 speed: 5 Gbps
• Thunderbolt 3 speed: 40 Gbps

Networking:

• APIPA range: 169.254.x.x
• Loopback: 127.0.0.1
• Bluetooth Class 2 range: 10 meters
• Maximum Ethernet cable length: 100 meters

Exam Day Strategy

The night before:

• Review this cheat sheet
• Get 8 hours sleep (seriously, this matters more than last-minute cramming)
• Prepare your ID — no ID, no exam

First 5 minutes of the exam:

• Skim through questions to gauge difficulty
• Mark complex PBQs and return to them
• Start with questions you know cold to build confidence

During the exam:

• Read every question TWICE before answering
• Eliminate obviously wrong answers first
• “Most likely,” “FIRST,” and “BEST” = CompTIA’s favorite trap words
• There’s no penalty for guessing — never leave a question blank

Time management:

• Core 1: Roughly 1 minute per question
• PBQs: Budget 8-12 minutes each
• Leave 10 minutes at the end to review flagged questions

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Your First 30 Days After Passing A+

You passed both exams. Now what?

Week 1-2:

• Update LinkedIn with A+ certification
• Start applying for Help Desk and IT Support roles
• Salary range to expect: $45,000-$65,000 entry level

Week 3-4:

• Begin studying for Network+ (logical next step)
• Or pivot to Security+ for cybersecurity path
• Build your home lab for hands-on practice

The career math: Certified professionals earn 15-25% more and have a 40% higher promotion rate in their first year compared to uncertified counterparts.

A+ opens doors to roles including technical support specialist, field service technician, help desk technician, service desk analyst, and desktop support administrator. Each of those roles leads somewhere bigger if you keep building your certification stack.

[Enroll in our CompTIA A+ training program today] and get lifetime access to everything you need to pass both exams and launch your IT career.

This cheat sheet covers the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) exam objectives. Exam content is subject to change — always verify current objectives at comptia.org.

P.S. — Bookmark this page. Share it with study partners. Print it. Dog-ear it. The more you reference it during your studies, the more naturally the concepts will surface on exam day.