Introduction
Your Passport to Certification
Hello! I’m Mike Meyers, series editor, co-founder of Total Seminars, and author of many best-selling certification books. On any given day, you’ll find me replacing a hard drive, setting up a website, or writing code. The book you hold in your hands is part of a powerful book series called the Mike Meyers’ Certification Passports. Every book in this series combines easy readability with a condensed format—in other words, it’s the kind of book I always wanted when I went for my certifications. Putting a huge amount of information in an accessible format is an enormous challenge, but I think we have achieved our goal and I am confident you’ll agree.
I designed this series to do one thing and only one thing—to get you the information you need to achieve your certification. You won’t find any fluff in here. We packed every page with nothing but the real nitty-gritty of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 certification exam.
Your Destination: CompTIA A+ Certification
This book is your passport to CompTIA A+ Core 1 certification, the vendor-neutral industry standard certification for PC hardware technicians, the folks who build and fix PCs. To get fully CompTIA A+ certified, you need to pass two exams: 220-1101 (Core 1) and 220-1102 (Core 2). To help you prepare for the Core 2 exam, please see our companion book, Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+ Core 2 Certification Passport (Exam 220-1102).
The CompTIA A+ Exams
The 220-1101 Core 1 exam concentrates on five areas: Mobile Devices, Networking, Hardware, Virtualization and Cloud Computing, and Hardware and Network Troubleshooting. This exam focuses on your understanding of the terminology and hardware technology used in each of the five subject areas.
The 220-1102 Core 2 exam works the same way, covering Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, and Operational Procedures. The 1102 exam is focused mainly on Windows, including installing, updating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and more. The other operating systems covered—macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android—get more of a big picture view. Security and troubleshooting, in both Windows and applications, make up half the exam questions.
Speaking of questions, each exam consists of up to 90 questions. Each exam takes 90 minutes. You must score at least 675 on a scale of 100–900 to pass exam 220-1101 (Core 1) and at least 700 on a scale of 100–900 to pass exam 220-1102 (Core 2). Remember, you must pass both exams to achieve your CompTIA A+ certification.
Question Types and Examples
Both of the exams are extremely practical, with little or no interest in theory. When you take the exams, you will see three types of questions: multiple choice, drag-and-drop matching, and performance based (simulation).
The following is an example of the type of multiple-choice question you will see on the exams:
A company is planning to upgrade its Fast Ethernet network to Gigabit Ethernet. The existing network uses a mixture of Cat 5, Cat 5e, and Cat 6 cables. Which of the following needs to be performed during the upgrade process?
A. Replace all cables with Cat 6.
B. Keep the same cables.
C. Replace Cat 5 with Cat 5e or Cat 6.
D. Replace all cables with Cat 5e.
The best answer is C, “Replace Cat 5 with Cat 5e or 6.” The cable standards mentioned in Answers A and D support Gigabit Ethernet, but since some parts of the network already use these cables types, it is not necessary to replace them. You might also see multiple-response questions, essentially multiple choice with more than one correct answer.
Drag-and-drop questions involve dragging and dropping a picture onto the relevant text. For example, you might see the words “HDMI” and “DisplayPort,” and then two video port illustrations next to them. You would need to drag the HDMI illustration onto the word “HDMI” and then drag the other illustration onto the word “DisplayPort.”
Performance-based (simulation) questions ask you to re-create a real process used by techs when working on PCs. You might be asked to copy a file or change a setting in Control Panel, but instead of you picking a multiple-choice answer, your screen will look like a Windows desktop and you will follow the provided instructions, just like you were using the real thing.
Always read the questions very carefully, especially when dealing with performance-based and multiple-choice questions with two or more correct responses. Remember to look for the best answer, not just the right answer. Check the CompTIA website for the most up-to-date exam information, as CompTIA does make changes.
Signing Up for Your CompTIA A+ Certification Exams
So, how do you sign up to take the CompTIA A+ certification exams? As this book went to press, the procedure looks like this: Go to https://home.pearsonvue.com/CompTIA. Click the Sign In button or, if you don’t already have a Pearson VUE account, click Create Account and create one. Then, click View Exams, select the 1101 or 1102 exam (you must pass both to get fully certified), select your preferred language, review the details, and click Schedule This Exam. Enter your username and password, choose an exam center, date, and time, and provide payment or an exam voucher when required. Repeat this process to schedule the other exam. Be sure to see the Pearson VUE website for the latest details.
You can also now take your tests over the Internet. To schedule an Internet-based exam through OnVUE, go to www.onvue.com. You’ll need a solid Internet connection and a webcam, such as one built into most portable computers. Pearson VUE will accommodate any special needs, although this may limit your selection of testing locations.
A single exam voucher purchased directly from the CompTIA website is $239. However, there are many sources, including Total Seminars, that offer discounts. Some vendors offer bundles that include a free retest voucher. This book comes with a coupon code you can use to purchase a discounted exam voucher from the CompTIA Store. See the ad in the front of the book for more information on the code and the discount. Take it from me, you might like the opportunity to have a “mulligan” if you get test jitters!
CompTIA A+ certification can be your ticket to a career in IT or simply an excellent step in your certification pathway. This book is your passport to success on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 certification exam.
Your Guides: Mike Meyers and Ron Gilster
You get a pair of tour guides for this book—both me and Ron Gilster. I’ve written numerous computer certification books—including the best-selling CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide and the CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide. More to the point, I’ve been working on PCs and teaching others how to make and fix them for a very long time, and I love it! When I’m not lecturing or writing about PCs, I’m working on PCs! My personal e-mail address is [email protected]. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions, complaints, or compliments.
Ron has written or co-authored many books on career certification and books on hardware and software principles and troubleshooting, networking, and security. As an educator, he has developed and taught courses in computer technology, information systems, cybersecurity, and networking. He sees himself as a trainer, teacher, and guide and works to exhibit these qualities in his writing. Ron can be contacted at [email protected].
About the Book
This Passport is divided into “Domains” that follow the exam domains. Each Domain is further divided into “Objective” modules covering each of the top-level certification objectives for the Core 1 exam. The goal is to facilitate accelerated review of the exam objectives in a quick-review format that will allow you to quickly gauge what you can expect to be tested on. Whether you want a last-minute review or you have enough experience that you don’t need full coverage of every topic, this format is designed for you. This isn’t meant to be a course in a book, but we hope you will find the Passport helpful as you prepare for your exam. If you find you need more in-depth coverage of the exam topics, we suggest using Mike’s CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Eleventh Edition to supplement your studies.
We’ve created a set of learning elements that call your attention to important items, reinforce key points, and provide helpful exam-taking hints. Take a look at what you’ll find:
• Each Domain begins with a Domain Objectives list of the official CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam objectives, which correspond to the titles of the individual Objective modules in that Domain. The structure of each Objective module is based on the subobjectives listed under the corresponding exam objective.
• The following elements highlight key information throughout the modules:
EXAM TIP Tip element focuses on information that pertains directly to the exam. These helpful hints are written by authors who have taken the exam and received their certification—who better to tell you what to worry about? They know what you’re about to go through!
Cross-Reference
This element points to related topics covered in other Objective modules or Domains.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES This element points to books, websites, and other media for further assistance.
CAUTION These cautionary notes address common pitfalls or real-world issues.
NOTE This element calls out any ancillary but pertinent information.
• Tables allow for a quick reference to help quickly navigate quantitative data or lists of technical information.
• Each Objective module ends with a brief Review. The review begins by repeating the official exam objective number and text, followed by a succinct and useful summary, geared toward quick review and retention.
• Review Questions and Answers are intended to be similar to those found on the exam. Explanations of the correct answer are provided.
Online Content
For more information on the practice exams and other bonus materials included with the book, please see the “About the Online Content” appendix at the back of this book.
After you’ve read the book, complete the free online registration and take advantage of the free practice questions! Use the full practice exam to hone your skills, and keep the book handy to check answers.
When you’re acing the practice questions, you’re ready to take the exam.
Go get certified!
What’s Next?
The IT industry changes and grows constantly, and so should you. Finishing one certification is just a step in an ongoing process of gaining more and more certifications to match your constantly changing and growing skills. Remember, in the IT business, if you’re not moving forward, you are way behind!
Good luck on your certification! Stay in touch.
Mike Meyers, Series Editor Mike Meyers’ Certification Passport