When I started studying for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam, I was curious and a bit nervous about what kinds of questions I’d face. Having passed it with no prior IT experience, I learned that knowing the question types was key to feeling prepared. In this post, I’ll break down the types of questions on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam, share examples from my experience, and offer tips to tackle them. Plus, I’ll point you to free resources like SkilltestPro for practice tests and Tech Wolf’s YouTube channel for study videos that helped me ace it.
What is the CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam?
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) is one of two exams needed for the A+ certification, a top credential for entry-level IT pros. It focuses on hardware, networking, mobile devices, troubleshooting, and virtualization, with up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. You need a 75% score (675 out of 900) to pass. As a beginner, understanding the question formats gave me confidence—here’s what to expect.
Types of Questions on CompTIA A+ Core 1
The Core 1 exam includes two main question types: multiple-choice and performance-based. Here’s a detailed look:
1. Multiple-Choice Questions
- Description: These make up most of the exam, typically 70–80 of the 90 questions. They include single-answer (pick one option) and multiple-answer (select all that apply) formats.
- What They Test: Knowledge of facts, concepts, and procedures across the exam’s domains (hardware, networking, etc.).
- Examples:
- Single-Answer: “Which cable type supports 10 Gbps at 100 meters?” (Options: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7). Answer: Cat6a.
- Multiple-Answer: “Which components are required to build a basic PC? (Select three.)” (Options: CPU, monitor, RAM, motherboard, keyboard, storage). Answer: CPU, RAM, motherboard.
- My Experience: These were straightforward if I knew the material but tricky when distractors were close (e.g., Cat6 vs. Cat6a). I found networking questions, like port numbers (e.g., “What’s port 443?”), toughest.
- Tip: Memorize key facts like cable standards, port numbers (80, 443, 3389), and hardware specs. Flashcards helped me nail these.
2. Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)
- Description: These are hands-on simulations, usually 2–5 per exam, appearing early. You interact with virtual environments to complete tasks.
- What They Test: Practical skills in configuring, troubleshooting, or assembling systems, aligning with real-world IT tasks.
- Examples:
- Scenario: Drag and drop PC components (CPU, RAM, GPU) into a motherboard diagram.
- Task: Configure a router’s IP settings in a simulated interface to restore connectivity.
- Troubleshooting: Diagnose a PC that won’t boot by selecting steps (e.g., check power supply, reseat RAM).
- My Experience: PBQs were intimidating at first, like one where I had to set up a Wi-Fi network. They’re worth more points, so getting them right boosted my score. Practice made them feel like puzzles.
- Tip: Practice simulations to get comfy with the interface. PBQs test logical thinking, so follow a troubleshooting process (identify, test, resolve).
Key Notes
- Question Distribution: Multiple-choice dominates, but PBQs carry more weight. CompTIA doesn’t specify exact numbers, but I had ~4 PBQs on Core 1.
- Domains Tested: Questions align with the exam objectives (SkilltestPro’s Core 1 objectives):
- Hardware (33%): PC components, storage.
- Networking (20%): Protocols, cables.
- Mobile Devices (15%): Laptops, smartphones.
- Troubleshooting (25%): Diagnosing issues.
- Virtualization/Cloud (7%): VMs, cloud models.
- Time Management: PBQs take longer (5–10 minutes each), so I skipped them initially to bank time for multiple-choice, revisiting them with ~20 minutes left.
How to Prep for These Question Types
Here’s how I tackled Core 1’s questions:
- Study the Objectives: Use CompTIA’s objectives to cover all domains. I checked off topics like “RAID types” or “TCP vs. UDP” as I learned them.
- Watch Videos: Tech Wolf’s YouTube channel has clear videos on hardware, networking, and troubleshooting. Their router setup video prepped me for a PBQ.
- Practice Tests Are Crucial: SkilltestPro’s first three Core 1 tests are free at their A+ page. Their PBQs, like dragging components into a PC, were exam-like, and explanations helped me hit 80%+. I took one weekly.
- Get Hands-On: I swapped laptop RAM, configured Wi-Fi, and used VirtualBox for virtualization to mimic PBQs. This made simulations less daunting.
- Memorize Key Facts: I used flashcards for ports (21, 80, 443), cable specs (Cat6 vs. Cat6a), and acronyms (SO-DIMM, SSD) to ace multiple-choice.
- Practice Time Management: On SkilltestPro tests, I skipped PBQs to do multiple-choice first, ensuring I had time to return. This worked on test day.
I studied 8–12 weeks, 1–2 hours daily, focusing on networking and PBQs, my weak areas.
Tips to Handle Core 1 Questions
- Skip PBQs Early: Flag performance-based questions to tackle multiple-choice first. I saved ~20 minutes for PBQs.
- Read Carefully: Multiple-choice distractors are sneaky (e.g., Cat6 vs. Cat6a). I double-checked options.
- Use Elimination: For tough multiple-choice, rule out wrong answers. This helped with port questions.
- Practice Simulations: SkilltestPro’s PBQs got me used to the exam’s virtual interface. I treated them like mini-labs.
- Guess if Stuck: No penalty for wrong answers, so I guessed on flagged questions before submitting.
- Stay Calm: PBQs can feel overwhelming, but a step-by-step approach (e.g., check cables, test settings) worked for me.
Why Knowing Question Types Matters
Understanding the question types on CompTIA A+ Core 1 helped me prep smarter, not harder. It made PBQs less scary and multiple-choice more predictable, leading to my passing score. Plus, the skills I learned—like troubleshooting hardware or setting up networks—are now part of my IT job.
Ready to tackle the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam? Dive into Tech Wolf’s YouTube channel for practical study videos and grab the free Core 1 practice tests on SkilltestPro to master multiple-choice and PBQs. Stay focused, and you’ll crush it!