500 scenario-based practice questions covering mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting. The first of the two A+ exams.
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The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) is a core-level CompTIA certification. The exam has 90 questions, runs 90 minutes, costs $253, and requires a passing score of 675/900. CertSharp provides 500 exam-style 220-1201 practice questions — 30 free with no credit card — each with a detailed explanation.
Every question maps to an official 220-1201 domain
1
Mobile Devices (13%)
2
Networking (23%)
3
Hardware (25%)
4
Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)
5
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%)
Why CertSharp
Built for Exam Day, Not Just Study Time
Study guides teach concepts. We prepare you for the actual 220-1201 exam.
1
Troubleshooting scenarios mirror the real A+ performance-based questions — diagnose the failing component, not just recall specs
2
Every explanation connects hardware to symptoms: why a system POSTs but shows no display, not just a parts list
3
Networking questions calibrated to the 23% domain weight that surprises hardware-focused candidates
4
Updated for the 220-1201 (4.0) objectives — modern mobile, cloud, and virtualization included
Free Sample Questions
220-1201 Practice Questions (Free Sample)
Real 220-1201 exam-style questions from our 500-question CompTIA A+ Core 1 bank, each with the correct answer and a detailed explanation.
Question 1 — 220-1201
A technician installs a second stick of RAM in a desktop, but the system now only boots intermittently and sometimes reports a different total memory amount. The two sticks are different brands but the same listed speed. What is the most likely cause?
A
The power supply wattage is insufficient for two memory modules
B
The modules are mismatched and not running reliably together; timings/compatibility differ
C
The motherboard BIOS needs to be reset to factory defaults
D
The RAM must be installed in slots 1 and 2 rather than 1 and 3
Correct answer: B — Explanation
Mixing different-brand modules — even at the same rated speed — often causes instability because timings, voltage, and SPD profiles differ; the system may downclock, error, or report inconsistent capacity. RAM draws minimal power, so PSU wattage is not the issue. A BIOS reset would not fix a physical mismatch, and dual-channel slot pairing affects performance, not intermittent boots/capacity reporting like a true incompatibility does.
Question 2Mobile DevicesEasy
A technician is upgrading the RAM in a laptop that has no user-accessible panel. After removing the bottom cover, they find the RAM slots. Which form factor will the new RAM most likely use?
A
DIMM
B
SODIMM
C
MicroDIMM
D
UDIMM
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B — SODIMM
Laptops use SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module) due to space constraints. DIMM is for desktops; MicroDIMM is rare; UDIMM is unbuffered DIMM, typically desktop.
Question 3Mobile DevicesMedium
A technician is setting up a docking station for a laptop. The docking station uses a single USB-C connection. Which feature must the laptop's USB-C port support to also charge the laptop through the dock?
A
USB 3.2 Gen 1
B
Power Delivery (PD)
C
Thunderbolt 3
D
DisplayPort Alt Mode
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B — Power Delivery (PD)
Power Delivery (PD) allows USB-C to carry sufficient power to charge a laptop. USB 3.2 speeds, Thunderbolt, or DP Alt Mode alone do not guarantee charging.
Question 4Mobile DevicesEasy
After reassembling a laptop, the built-in webcam is not detected by the operating system. The webcam worked before disassembly. What should the technician check first?
A
Whether the webcam driver needs to be reinstalled from the manufacturer website
B
Whether a BIOS/UEFI firmware setting or privacy policy has disabled the integrated camera at the hardware level
C
Whether Windows privacy settings are blocking camera access for most applications
D
Whether the webcam ribbon cable is fully seated at both the camera module and the motherboard connector
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D — Whether the webcam ribbon cable is fully seated at both the camera module and the motherboard connector
After disassembly and reassembly, unseated ribbon cables are the most common cause of peripherals not being detected. The webcam connects via a thin ZIF (zero insertion force) ribbon cable with connectors at both ends; either end can become partially disconnected during reassembly. Driver issues, BIOS settings, and OS privacy settings are unlikely to change spontaneously from a physical teardown and should only be investigated after ruling out a physical connection problem.
Question 5Mobile DevicesMedium
A user's smartphone cannot connect to any cellular network, but Wi-Fi works. The technician checks the SIM card and finds it is properly seated. What should be done next?
A
Replace the Wi-Fi antenna
B
Toggle Airplane mode on and off
C
Update the screen digitizer driver
D
Perform a factory reset without backup
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B — Toggle Airplane mode on and off
Toggling Airplane mode resets the cellular radio stack. If that fails, check APN settings or carrier service. Wi-Fi antenna and digitizer are unrelated; factory reset is too aggressive initially.
Question 6Mobile DevicesEasy
Which mobile device component is most likely to cause a swollen case and potential fire hazard?
A
SSD (Solid State Drive)
B
Li-ion battery
C
Digitizer
D
Vibrator motor
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B — Li-ion battery
Lithium-ion batteries can swell due to gas buildup from aging, manufacturing defects, or overcharging. This poses a safety risk. SSDs, digitizers, and vibrator motors do not typically swell.
Question 7Mobile DevicesMedium
A technician is replacing a laptop's wireless card. The original card has two antenna connectors (main and aux). The new card has three connectors. What should the technician do?
A
Connect the main and aux antennas, leave the third connector empty, and still expect full rated speed
B
Use a signal splitter to feed both existing antennas into the single spare connector
C
Solder an additional antenna lead onto the card's unused third connector
D
Use a wireless card whose connector count matches the laptop's two antennas for rated performance
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D — Use a wireless card whose connector count matches the laptop's two antennas for rated performance
A three-connector card is designed for three antennas (for example 2x2 MIMO plus Bluetooth). With two antennas available, it cannot reach its rated throughput, so leaving the third connector empty (A) does not deliver full speed. A splitter (B) degrades both signals and soldering an antenna lead (C) is improper. The correct approach is a card whose connector count matches the laptop's available antennas.
Question 8Mobile DevicesEasy
A technician is replacing a malfunctioning Wi-Fi antenna in a laptop. Where is the antenna connector typically located?
A
Mounted in the battery compartment away from RF antenna interference
B
Connected directly to the CPU socket for the shortest signal path
C
Embedded inside the touchpad assembly beneath the keyboard
D
Routed through the display bezel and hinge to the wireless adapter
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D — Routed through the display bezel and hinge to the wireless adapter
Laptop Wi-Fi antennas are routed through the display lid (LCD bezel), threaded through the hinges, and connected to the wireless adapter card in the base chassis. This path maximizes antenna surface area for signal reception while keeping the thin wires away from internal components that generate interference. The other options describe physically impossible or impractical placements: the battery compartment, CPU socket area, and touchpad are inside the base chassis far from the display and offer poor reception.
Question 9Mobile DevicesMedium
A user's smartphone battery drains rapidly even when idle. The battery health app shows 85% capacity. What is the most likely cause?
A
Location services continuously polling the GPS receiver in the background
B
Screen auto-brightness sensor locking the backlight at maximum output level
C
Weak cellular signal forcing the modem radio to continuously transmit at high power
D
A background app or service holding a wakelock and preventing deep sleep
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D — A background app or service holding a wakelock and preventing deep sleep
Rapid battery drain during idle indicates the device is not entering deep sleep, most commonly because a background application holds a wakelock - a software mechanism that prevents the CPU from powering down. At 85% battery health, the battery itself is not the issue. Location services polling GPS is a real cause of elevated drain but typically less severe than a full wakelock. Cellular signal strength affects modem power consumption but not to the extent of rapid drain from idle. A stuck backlight would be visible and obvious to the user.
Question 10Mobile DevicesEasy
A corporate IT department wants to remotely activate and configure cellular plans on employee devices without shipping physical SIM cards. Which technology enables this?
A
A nano-SIM card pre-configured with corporate APN settings
B
A micro-SD card loaded with carrier profile and APN configuration files
C
A virtual private network (VPN) client pre-installed and configured on each device
D
An embedded SIM (eSIM) that allows carrier profiles to be downloaded remotely
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D — An embedded SIM (eSIM) that allows carrier profiles to be downloaded remotely
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a programmable SIM chip soldered into the device that can download and activate carrier profiles over the air. This eliminates the need to physically distribute SIM cards, making it ideal for large enterprise deployments. Nano-SIM cards are physical cards requiring manual installation. Micro-SD cards store data but cannot activate cellular service. A VPN provides encrypted network tunneling but has no role in activating cellular plans.
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Everything you need to know about CompTIA A+ Core 1
What is the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam?
Core 1 (220-1201) is the first of two exams for the CompTIA A+ certification. It covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting. The exam has up to 90 questions, runs 90 minutes, costs $253, and requires a passing score of 675/900.
Do I need both A+ exams to be certified?
Yes. The CompTIA A+ certification requires passing both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). You can take them in either order, but most candidates take Core 1 first.
How hard is A+ Core 1?
Core 1 is entry-level but broad. The hardware and troubleshooting domains (combined 53%) carry the most weight, and the performance-based questions require applying knowledge, not just memorizing. Most candidates need 4–8 weeks per exam.
What is the A+ Core 1 passing score?
The 220-1201 passing score is 675 on a scale of 100–900. CompTIA uses scaled scoring, so the exact number of correct answers needed varies by exam form.
How many questions are on A+ Core 1?
The 220-1201 exam has up to 90 questions, including multiple-choice and performance-based questions, with a 90-minute time limit.
Should I take Core 1 or Core 2 first?
Either works, but most candidates take Core 1 (hardware and networking) first because it builds the physical and connectivity foundation that Core 2 (operating systems and security) assumes.
How long to study for A+ Core 1?
Most candidates study 4–8 weeks for each A+ exam. Prioritize the hardware and troubleshooting domains, and get hands-on with real or virtual machines to handle the performance-based questions.
Is CompTIA A+ worth it in 2026?
Yes, for entry-level IT, help desk, and field technician roles. A+ is one of the most widely requested foundational IT certifications and a stepping stone to Network+ and Security+.
How much does the 220-1201 exam cost?
Each CompTIA A+ exam costs $253 USD. Because A+ requires passing both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), the full certification costs two exam vouchers.
Is there a free 220-1201 practice test?
Yes. CertSharp offers a free 220-1201 practice test for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam: 30 questions per session with detailed explanations, no credit card required. The full 500-question 220-1201 bank, including timed exam mode, is $11.99 one-time with lifetime access.
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