CompTIA A+ · 220-1101 & 220-1102
CompTIA A+ Cheat Sheet
A free quick-reference for the CompTIA A+ exams: structure, domain weights, the ports and RAID levels you must know, and the facts that come up most. No signup.
Exam at a glance
| Exam | Questions | Time | Passing (100-900) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core 1 (220-1101) | Up to 90 | 90 min | 675 |
| Core 2 (220-1102) | Up to 90 | 90 min | 700 |
You must pass both exams to earn A+. Each includes multiple-choice and performance-based questions. The certification is valid for three years.
Core 1 (220-1101) domains
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1.0 Mobile Devices | 15% |
| 2.0 Networking | 20% |
| 3.0 Hardware | 25% |
| 4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 11% |
| 5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting | 29% |
Core 2 (220-1102) domains
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1.0 Operating Systems | 28% |
| 2.0 Security | 28% |
| 3.0 Software Troubleshooting | 22% |
| 4.0 Operational Procedures | 22% |
Ports to memorize
| Port | Protocol | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 20, 21 | FTP | File transfer (data, control) |
| 22 | SSH / SFTP | Secure shell and secure file transfer |
| 23 | Telnet | Insecure remote terminal |
| 25 | SMTP | Sending email |
| 53 | DNS | Name resolution |
| 67, 68 | DHCP | Automatic IP addressing |
| 80 | HTTP | Web (unencrypted) |
| 110 | POP3 | Retrieving email (download) |
| 137-139 | NetBIOS / NetBT | Legacy Windows name/file sharing |
| 143 | IMAP | Retrieving email (sync) |
| 161, 162 | SNMP | Network device management |
| 389 | LDAP | Directory services |
| 443 | HTTPS | Web (encrypted with TLS) |
| 445 | SMB / CIFS | Windows file and printer sharing |
| 3389 | RDP | Remote Desktop |
RAID levels
| Level | Method | Fault tolerance | Min disks |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | Striping | None — fast, no redundancy | 2 |
| RAID 1 | Mirroring | Survives 1 drive (50% usable) | 2 |
| RAID 5 | Striping + parity | Survives 1 drive | 3 |
| RAID 10 | Mirror + stripe | Survives 1 per mirror set | 4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What is on the CompTIA A+ exam?
- A+ is two exams. Core 1 (220-1101) covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, and hardware and network troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1102) covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
- What is the passing score for CompTIA A+?
- On a scale of 100 to 900, Core 1 (220-1101) passes at 675 and Core 2 (220-1102) passes at 700. You must pass both exams to be certified.
- How long is CompTIA A+ valid?
- Three years from the date you pass, renewable through CompTIA's continuing-education program or by earning a higher-level certification.
- Is A+ harder than Security+?
- A+ is broader and more hands-on across hardware, operating systems, and networking, while Security+ goes deeper on security concepts. A+ is the usual entry point, and many people take it first.