A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Exam Objectives: All Five Domains Broken Down

The efficient way to prepare is to follow the weighting rather than your comfort zone. CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) tells you exactly where the points are, and this article walks through all five domains, what each covers in practice, and how to prioritize your time.

Core 1 is the hardware and connectivity half of A+. For the software and security half, see the Core 2 domains guide. For the whole path, the complete A+ guide ties it together.

The weighting at a glance

Hardware and Hardware/Network Troubleshooting together are more than half the exam (53%). If you've ever built or fixed a PC, you're further along than you think.

Domain 1: Mobile Devices (13%)

Installing and configuring laptop and mobile hardware, and setting up connectivity.

Expect laptop hardware and components, mobile device accessories and connectivity (USB, Bluetooth, NFC, docking stations), and network setup including Wi-Fi, cellular, and synchronization. V15 adds modern touches like eSIM and SIM configuration. It's the smallest domain, but the content is concrete and quick to learn.

Domain 2: Networking (23%)

A big domain, and one CompTIA emphasized more in V15 — entry-level techs are now expected to have stronger networking fundamentals.

You'll cover TCP and UDP and common ports and protocols, wireless technologies (802.11 standards, frequencies, channels), networked host services, network configuration concepts, common networking hardware, configuring basic wired and wireless SOHO networks, internet connection and network types, and networking tools. Memorize the key ports cold — HTTP (80), HTTPS (443), SSH (22), DNS (53), DHCP (67/68), RDP (3389), SMB (445), and the rest — because they show up throughout.

Domain 3: Hardware (25%)

The largest single knowledge domain, and the heart of A+.

It spans cables and connectors, RAM types, storage devices and RAID, motherboards, CPUs and cooling, power supplies, peripherals, and printers (including the laser printing process and print technologies). This is detail-heavy and rewards hands-on familiarity — knowing components by sight and understanding their specifications and purposes. If you can open a PC and name what you're looking at, you're on track.

Domain 4: Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)

The smallest domain, but increasingly important.

You'll cover cloud computing concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and cloud models) and client-side virtualization — the purpose of virtual machines, hypervisor types, and resource requirements. It's conceptual rather than deeply hands-on, so it's efficient to study, but don't skip it.

Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%)

The heaviest domain, and fittingly so — troubleshooting is what support techs actually do.

It covers diagnosing and resolving problems with hardware components, storage and RAID, video and display, mobile devices, printers, and wired and wireless networks. Because it draws on every other Core 1 domain, it's best studied throughout rather than saved for last. Note that while CompTIA references a troubleshooting methodology, in V15 the methodology itself isn't a formal tested objective — but you'll still apply that structured thinking (identify the problem, form a theory, test, plan, implement, verify, document) to answer the scenario questions.

How to sequence your study

A sensible order: start with Hardware to build the foundation, then Networking (it's weighty and detail-rich), then Mobile Devices and Virtualization/Cloud as lighter domains, and weave Troubleshooting throughout since it builds on everything. The study plan lays this out, and if you're deciding which exam to tackle first, see Core 1 vs Core 2.

Because so much of Core 1 rewards hands-on familiarity, a structured course with guided labs is the most efficient way to build real skill.

Cover every Core 1 objective: CompTIA A+ Core 1 CertMaster Learn (V15, 220-1201). To drill your weak spots and confirm readiness, add Core 1 CertMaster Practice. As an Authorized CompTIA Partner, these are the official versions.

FAQ

Which Core 1 domain is most important? Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%) and Hardware (25%). Together they're over half the exam.

How many ports do I need to memorize? The common ones — HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, DNS, DHCP, RDP, SMB, FTP, and similar. They recur throughout the Networking domain and beyond.

Is the troubleshooting methodology tested? In V15 it's not a formal tested objective, but you still apply structured troubleshooting thinking to answer the scenario questions.

Is Core 1 or Core 2 harder? Many find Core 2 harder due to its security and command-line depth, but Core 1's hardware detail is demanding. We compare them in a dedicated guide.

Do I need to memorize hardware specs? Yes, to a degree. Core 1 rewards knowing components by sight and understanding their specifications and purposes.