Free CompTIA A+ Exam Questions and Answers
Updated October 13, 2026 | 20 questions with full answers
The short answer
CompTIA A+ is two exams, not one: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Each is up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and each needs 675 out of 900 to pass. The questions below come from our 2,500-question A+ bank and are split across both cores, so you can see the hardware-and-networking style of Core 1 next to the operating-systems-and-security style of Core 2.
220-1201 / 220-1202 exam facts
| Exams required | Two: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) |
| Questions | Up to 90 per exam (multiple choice + PBQs) |
| Time limit | 90 minutes per exam |
| Passing score | 675 / 900 (scaled) on each |
| Cost | $253 USD per exam, $506 for both |
| Validity | 3 years from the date you pass the second exam |
What the exam covers, domain by domain
| Domain | Weight | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Core 1 - Mobile Devices | 13% | Laptop hardware, displays, mobile accessories and connectivity. |
| Core 1 - Networking | 23% | Ports and protocols, Wi-Fi standards, IP addressing, network services. |
| Core 1 - Hardware | 25% | Motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage, power supplies, printers. |
| Core 1 - Virtualisation and Cloud | 11% | Client-side virtualisation and cloud service models. |
| Core 1 - Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 28% | The heaviest domain: diagnostics, tools, and a structured troubleshooting method. |
| Core 2 - Operating Systems | 31% | Windows editions, command line, macOS and Linux basics. The heaviest domain overall. |
| Core 2 - Security | 25% | Physical and logical security, wireless security, malware removal. |
| Core 2 - Software Troubleshooting | 22% | Application, OS and mobile OS problems. |
| Core 2 - Operational Procedures | 22% | Documentation, change management, safety, environmental controls. |
20 free 220-1201 / 220-1202 exam questions with answers
Real questions from our 2532-question 220-1201 / 220-1202 bank, spread across every domain. The correct answer is marked and every question carries an explanation, so you can check the reasoning and not just the result. The interactive mocks serve the full bank, timed and scaled-scored.
Which connector is proprietary to Apple mobile devices?
- ○ USB-C
- ○ Micro-USB
- ✓ Lightning
- ○ USB-B
Which protocol typically uses TCP/UDP port 22?
- ○ IMAP
- ✓ SFTP
- ○ SMTP
- ○ SMB
Which input device pressure-sensitive drawing pad?
- ✓ Digitizer tablet
- ○ QR scanner
- ○ Stylus
- ○ Touchpad
A mobile device shows "overheating". What is the recommended fix?
- ○ Restart, clean screen, remove case
- ○ Check volume, Bluetooth, do not disturb
- ✓ Close apps, remove case, avoid direct sunlight
- ○ Reduce brightness, disable background apps
Which Linux command shows tmpfs mounts?
- ○ tmpfs
- ✓ df -t tmpfs
- ○ mount
- ○ free
Which Windows tool is used to encrypts entire volumes?
- ○ Performance Monitor
- ○ Task Scheduler
- ✓ BitLocker
- ○ Event Viewer
Which network device amplifies and regenerates signals to extend the range of a network segment?
- ○ Switch
- ○ Router
- ✓ Repeater
- ○ Bridge
Which Windows command is used to tests connectivity to a host?
- ○ ipconfig
- ✓ ping
- ○ sfc
- ○ nslookup
A systems administrator needs to create a firewall rule in Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security to allow inbound Remote Desktop connections. Which exact combination of port and protocol should the rule be configured for?
- ○ TCP port 22
- ✓ TCP port 3389
- ○ UDP port 3389
- ○ TCP port 443
Which malware type is described as: "Displays unwanted advertisements"?
- ○ Spyware
- ○ Logic bomb
- ○ Botnet
- ✓ Adware
Which remote access method virtual private network, encrypted tunnel?
- ✓ VPN
- ○ VNC
- ○ SSH
- ○ Telnet
Which RAID level is described as: "Mirroring, redundancy, 50% capacity"?
- ○ RAID 0
- ○ RAID 10
- ✓ RAID 1
- ○ RAID 5
Which Windows feature loads minimal drivers for troubleshooting?
- ✓ Safe Mode
- ○ Event Viewer
- ○ Task Scheduler
- ○ Device Manager
Which Windows update type fixes specific security vulnerability?
- ✓ Security update
- ○ Definition update
- ○ Quality update
- ○ Driver update
An IT department is implementing formal change management procedures. The current process allows technicians to make changes immediately when issues arise, which has caused several service disruptions. Which step should come IMMEDIATELY AFTER the change request is submitted in a proper change management workflow?
- ○ Implement the change during maintenance hours
- ○ Test the change in a staging environment
- ○ Document the change in the knowledge base
- ✓ Review and approve the change by the change advisory board
Which of the following hypervisors is a common example of a Type 2 (hosted) hypervisor?
- ○ Microsoft Hyper-V Server
- ○ VMware ESXi
- ○ Citrix Hypervisor
- ✓ Oracle VirtualBox
Which of the following POST beep codes typically indicates a memory (RAM) failure on a legacy AMI BIOS system?
- ○ One short beep
- ○ One long, two short beeps
- ✓ Three short beeps
- ○ Continuous long beeps
Which laptop component converts AC to DC?
- ○ Battery
- ○ Inverter
- ○ PSU
- ✓ Power adapter
Which protocol typically uses TCP/UDP port 443?
- ✓ HTTPS
- ○ HTTP
- ○ SSH
- ○ SNMP
Which Windows edition domain join, bitlocker, remote desktop?
- ○ Home
- ○ Enterprise
- ○ Education
- ✓ Pro
How to use these questions
Sit Core 1 first. Its content (hardware, networking, troubleshooting) is the foundation the Core 2 objectives assume, and the troubleshooting method you learn there is reused in Core 2.
Core 2 Domain 1 (Operating Systems) is 31% of that exam - the single heaviest domain in the whole A+. If you only have a week, spend it on Windows tooling: `ipconfig`, `sfc`, `chkdsk`, `diskpart`, `gpupdate`, and the Control Panel versus Settings split.
The PBQs are the differentiator. They are drag-and-drop or simulated-console tasks, they sit at the front, and they are worth more than a multiple-choice question. Flag them, finish the multiple choice, then return.
A+ is vendor-neutral and scenario-driven, so memorising spec sheets is not enough. Practise explaining why one tool beats another for a given symptom - that is what the questions actually test.
Frequently asked questions
How many exams do I need to pass for CompTIA A+?
Two. Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) must both be passed, and they must be from the same exam version series. There is no combined A+ exam.
What is the passing score for CompTIA A+?
675 on a 900-point scale for each exam. Because scoring is scaled, the raw number of correct answers needed varies slightly - aim for roughly 75% or better in practice.
How long is each A+ exam?
Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes per exam. That is one minute per question on average, so pacing matters as much as knowledge.
How long is A+ valid?
Three years from the date you pass the second exam. You renew through Continuing Education units or by passing a higher-level CompTIA certification.
Ready to test yourself under exam conditions?
2532 questions across 12 timed mock exams, domain-wise drills, and the same scaled scoring as the real thing. Free, no signup.