CompTIA A+ Core 1
Validates foundational IT skills in mobile devices (13%), networking (23%), hardware (25%), virtualization and cloud computing (11%), and hardware and network troubleshooting (28%). Covers hands-on ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot computing hardware, peripherals, and network connectivity in support of a hybrid workforce. V15 launched March 25, 2025 with expanded networking and updated mobile device content including eSIM and MDM policy enforcement. One of two required exams for CompTIA A+ certification.
Exam domains
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting28%
Apply best-practice troubleshooting methodology (identify the problem, establish a theory of probable cause, test theory, plan of action, implement, verify and prevent recurrence, document). Troubleshoot motherboard, CPU, RAM, and power issues (POST failures, blue screens, intermittent shutdowns, capacitor swelling, overheating, fan noises, burning smell), storage drive and RAID array problems (clicking, grinding, drive not recognized, RAID failure, slow read/write), display issues (no image, dim/flickering image, dead pixels, distorted image, color patterns), mobile device issues (poor battery health, display issues, broken screen, frozen system, autorotation, swollen battery, cracked LCD), printer issues (paper jams, print quality, faded prints, ghost images, vertical lines, finishing issues, garbled characters, error codes), and wired/wireless network connectivity (intermittent connectivity, no internet, limited connectivity, port flapping, slow speeds).
- Hardware25%
Identify and install cables and connectors (network: copper Cat5e/6/6a/7/8 STP-UTP, fiber multi/single-mode, coax; peripheral: USB, USB-C/Thunderbolt, Lightning, DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, DVI, SATA), motherboard form factors (ATX, ITX) and components (CPU sockets including Intel LGA and AMD AM/socket, BIOS/UEFI, expansion slots PCIe, RAM slots DDR4/DDR5, SATA/M.2, headers, power connectors), CPUs (architecture x86/x64/ARM, multi-threading, virtualization support, single-vs-multi-socket), RAM (DDR4, DDR5, ECC vs non-ECC, single/dual/triple/quad channel), storage devices (HDD platter sizes, SSD M.2/PCIe/SATA, NVMe, drive configurations RAID 0/1/5/10), GPUs and their cooling, power supplies (modular, wattage, redundant), peripherals (keyboards, mice, KVM, webcams, printers, scanners), display devices (LCD, LED, OLED, refresh rate, resolution, response time, HDR), and printer configuration including cloud and network printing, multifunction devices, and 3D printers.
Sources
Questions are grounded in 150 references from official and authoritative materials.