How to Pass the CompTIA A+ ExamThe Ultimate A+ Exam Guide

2

How to Pass the A+ ExamThe CompTIA A+ certification has become a trusted baseline credential for information technology jobs, which has helped increase the relevance and demand of the A+ certification for a broader array of jobs. The A+ exam is the standard certification for entry-level IT pros, a requirement for many information technology jobs, and a prerequisite for many higher-level certifications.

The A+ exam is the preferred qualifying credential demonstrating professional-level proficiency in technical support and IT operational positions.

Much more than simply showing your ability to repair PCs, passing the A+ exam certifies that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to:

• Assemble hardware components based on the requirements of your clients

• Troubleshoot and problem solve in an IT environment

• Install, configure and maintain devices, PCs, and software for end users

• Comprehend and correct issues in networks, operating systems, mobile devices, and security

• Properly and safely diagnose, resolve, and document many common hardware and software issues

• Understand the basics of virtualization, desktop imaging, and deployment

• Connect users to the data they need to perform their job duties across devices

Recognized and used by businesses around the world, the CompTIA A+ exam validates foundation-level IT skills and knowledge and documents an entry-level mastery of IT concepts and skills.

The SystemThe A+ exam tests for comprehensive knowledge reflecting the increased diversity in today’s IT environments, including areas such as cloud computing, Linux, iOS, Android, and fundamental security problem solving. Questions are presented in multiple-choice, drag-and-drop multiple-item, and practical application performance-based formats.

Exams are developed from workshops held by subject-matter experts and from industrywide survey results regarding the skills and knowledge required of an IT professional, and consequently constitute the gold standard of training for entry-level security professionals.

3

A study guide is available, as is instructor-led training, and online exam prep software can help you learn and study in an active, practical way through a combination of e-learning and knowledge assessment. Real-time learning analytics can help you track how much you are learning and any difficulty you may be having with individual topics.

The Winning StrategyDevelop a study plan and follow it as faithfully as possible. There are a variety of resources at your disposal and you should take advantage of as many as you can. The CertMaster practice tool, a variety of eBooks, classroom training, and practice exams all offer an opportunity to measure what you know and determine how close you are to passing the exam.

Official study tools should be a primary source of learning, but you may also find credible and reliable outside sources as well. Joining learning communities or message boards, for example, can help you gain additional perspectives from others who have taken or are planning to take the exam. Finding as many good resources as you can will help you prepare more thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to admit if you are struggling to stay on task. A good support system is important to succeed!

If you perform better in a classroom environment, consider the instructor-led training. Some people just absorb information better in a structured learning environment. If that is you, instructor-led learning might be the preferred option for you. Strong independent learners, on the other hand, may want to pursue self-study. Just know your skills and be confident in the decision you make. Prepare in the way that best suits you and your learning style.

Most people’s main concern is how long they should study for the exam and how much time to put into it. The answer can vary wildly depending on your skill level and the rate at which you absorb material. Some who took and passed the exam reported studying for three months or more, while others insist a couple of weeks is plenty. The exam is designed to challenge IT professionals with 9-12 months of experience, so adjust your expectations accordingly depending on your own background. If you’re already an IT veteran of a few years, some of the material may seem easy. If you’re still a newbie, you might want to put in a little extra time.

The best advice we can offer is this: give yourself at least a month or two of lead time. Go over the materials and take practice exams at regular intervals to test your skill level, starting at the beginning. If you aren’t making measurable progress, up your study schedule and put more time into it. Don’t take the material lightly, though. Even experienced IT pros can be tripped up by their own cockiness. Be sure you put significant study time in even if you find the material easy.

4

Study TipsThe A+ certification consists of two 90-minute exams focusing on entry-level technical and professional skills. While there are no prerequisites, it is recommended that those pursuing certification have between 9 and 12 months of IT experience.

The exam breaks down into smaller topics as follows. While this weighting is important to know, keep in mind that exam questions can come from any of these areas, so spend a significant amount of time with all of them.

Review the course materials thoroughly and establish a baseline of your knowledge by taking a practice exam at the outset. Identify where your most pronounced areas of weakness are and target those areas for additional study time.

As previously mentioned, it’s important to remember not to take the material lightly. The exam is a combination of multiple-choice and practical response scenarios, so while you want to absorb information, you also have to have a strong knowledge of practical application. Taking the practice exam “cold” can help you establish your level of knowledge and give you an idea of how much time you need to invest in studying.

The CertMaster training program includes the official CompTIA training modules and offers both practice and continuing education resources that feature question-first design, real-time learning analytics, and content refreshers designed to help you close gaps in knowledge and prepare you to pass the exam. You may have to pay an additional fee to get these materials, but it is well worth the expense. The knowledge and the resources you gain to help you achieve mastery are foundational.

CompTIA’s study resources also provide a proposed hardware and software list for you to study. Having the appropriate level of familiarity with these programs will give you a greater familiarity with the exam material and help you pass.

Topic Exam Weight

Hardware 34%

Networking 21%

Mobile Devices 17%

Hardware & Networking Troubleshooting

28%

5

EQUIPMENT

• Apple tablet/smartphone• Android tablet/smartphone• Windows tablet/smartphone• Windows laptop/Mac laptop/Linux laptop• Windows desktop/Mac desktop/Linux

desktop• Monitors• Projectors• SOHO router/switch• Access point• VoIP phone• Printer

• Laser/inkjet• Wireless

• Surge suppressor• UPS

SPARE PARTS/HARDWARE

• Motherboards• RAM• Hard drives• Power supplies• Video cards• Sounds cards• Network cards• Wireless NICs• Fans/cooling devices/heat sinks• CPUs• Assorted connectors/cables

• USB• HDMI

• Adapters• Network cables• Unterminated network cables/connectors• AC adapters• Optical drives• Screws/stand-offs• Cases• Maintenance kit• Mice/keyboards

TOOLS

• Screw drivers• Multimeter• Wire cutters• Punchdown tool• Crimper• Power supply tester• Cable stripper• POST cards• Standard technician toolkit• ESD strap• Thermal paste• Cable tester• WiFi analyzer• SATA to USB connectors SOFTWARE• Operating system disks• Antivirus software• Virtualization software• Anti-malware• Driver software

6

Exam Day TipsThere is a maximum of 90 questions to complete for each of two 90-minute exams, so you should prepare to spend about 3 hours (give or take) in the testing facility. It’s important to understand the need for efficiency, keeping in mind that the performance-based questions may take a bit more effort and time to answer. Your knowledge base should be at the level that you can comfortably answer many of these questions in a small stretch of time.

Taking a certification exam is, in many ways, like taking any other test. There are strategies that can help you work swiftly but carefully, being nimble but also certain of your responses. Here are a few of these strategies:

1. Manage your time well. A clock will be visible to you while performing the multiple-choice portion of the exam. That means you can tell how much time you have left to complete the exam. The performance-based section hides that clock, meaning you’re flying blind in a sense. Just be sure you’re working at the appropriate speed.

2. If you’re unsure of a response, especially in a performance-based question, feel free to skip to the next one. Your exam will have a “Done” box that saves your work. You will be able to go back into that question and complete it later if you choose. You’d be surprised how many times a break can jog your memory.

3. If you don’t know the answer to a multiple-choice question immediately upon reading it, use problem-solving strategies to increase your odds of getting the right answer. If you eliminate choices you know are incorrect, and look for keywords in the questions that may clue you in on the right response, you can often get to the right answer through the process of elimination. At worst, you can typically eliminate one or two responses, giving you better odds if you need to guess.

4. Performance-based questions have a “reset” button that allows you to start over on a question if you get stuck or go off-track. The button will reset that question only (not the entire exam) and you can start fresh. But don’t forget that every time you reset, time is ticking away. Don’t get caught up and overuse the reset button.

The exam covers four main topic areas, with each section containing several subtopics. Reviewing these sections can be especially helpful in breaking down the areas in which you need to study. The following is a breakdown of each topic and subtopic.

7

Hardware (34%)Configure settings, using BIOS/UEFI tools on a PC, given a certain scenario

• Firmware upgrades/flash BIOS• BIOS component information

• RAM• Hard drive• Optical drive• CPU

• BIOS configurations• Boot sequence• Enabling and disabling devices• Date/time• Clock speeds• Virtualization support• BIOS security (passwords, drive

encryption: TPM, LoJack, secure boot)• Built-in diagnostics• Monitoring

• Temperature monitoring• Fan speeds• Intrusion detection/notification• Voltage• Clock• Bus speed

Explain the importance, purpose, and properties of motherboard components

• Sizes• Micro-ATX• Mini-ITX• ITX

• Expansion slots• PCI• PCI-X• PCIe• miniPCI

• RAM slots• CPU sockets• Chipsets

• Northbridge• Southbridge

• CMOS battery• Power connections and types• Fan connectors• Front/top panel connectors

• USB• Audio• Power button• Power light• Drive activity lights

• Bus speeds• Reset button

Compare and contrast the types of RAM and their features

• Types• DDR• DDR2• DDR3• SODIMM• DIMM• Parity vs. non-parity• ECC vs. non-ECC• RAM configurations• Single channel vs. dual channel vs.

triple channel• Single sided vs. double sided• Buffered vs. unbuffered• RAM compatibility

Install and configure PC expansion cards

• Sound cards• Video cards• Network cards• USB cards• Firewire cards• Thunderbolt cards• Storage cards• Modem cards• Wireless/cellular cards• TV tuner cards• Video capture cards• Riser cards

8

Install and configure storage devices and use appropriate media

• Optical drives• CD-ROM/CD-RW• DVD-ROM/DVD-RW/DVD-RW DL• Blu-ray• BD-R• BD-RE

• Magnetic hard disk drives• 5400 rpm• 7200 rpm• 10,000 rpm

• Hot swappable drives• Solid state/flash drives

• Compact flash• SD• MicroSD• MiniSD• xD• SSD• Hybrid• eMMC

• RAID types• 0• 1• 5• 10

• Tape drive• Media capacity

• CD• CD-RW• DVD-RW• DVD• Blu-ray• Tape• DVD DL

Install various types of CPUs, and apply appropriate cooling methods

• Socket types• Intel: 775, 1155, 1156, 1366, 1150, 2011• AMD: AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+

• Characteristics• Speeds• Cores• Cache size/type• Hyperthreading• Virtualization support• Architecture (32-bit vs. 64-bit)• Integrated GPU• Disable execute bit

• Cooling• Heat sink• Fans• Thermal paste• Liquid-based• Fanless/passive

Compare and contrast PC connection interfaces along with their characteristics and purpose

• Physical connections• USB 1.1 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.0: Connector types:

A, B, mini, micro• Firewire 400 vs. Firewire 800• SATA1 vs. SATA2 vs. SATA3, eSATA• Other connector types: VGA, HDMI,

DVI, Audio, Analog, Digital (Optical connector), RJ-45, RJ-11, Thunderbolt

• Wireless connections• Bluetooth• RF• IR• NFC

• Characteristics• Analog• Digital• Distance limitations• Data transfer speeds• Quality - Frequencies

Given specifications, install a power supply

• Connector types and their voltages• SATA• Molex

9

• 4/8-pin 12v• PCIe 6/8-pin• 20-pin• 24-pin

• Specifications• Wattage• Dual rail• Size• Number of connectors• ATX• MicroATX• Dual voltage options

Select the appropriate components for a custom PC configuration to meet customer specifications or needs given a scenario

• Graphic/CAD/CAM design workstation• Multicore processor - High-end video -

Maximum RAM• Audio/video editing workstation

• Specialized audio and video card - Large fast hard drive - Dual monitors

• Virtualization workstation• Maximum RAM and CPU cores

• Gaming PC• Multicore processor• High-end video/specialized GPU• High-definition sound card• High-end cooling

• Home theater PC• Surround sound audio• HDMI output• HTPC compact form factor• TV tuner

• Standard thick client• Desktop applications• Meets recommended requirements for

selected OS• Thin client

• Basic applications• Meets minimum requirements for

selected OS• Network connectivity

• Home server PC• Media streaming• File sharing• Print sharing• Gigabit NIC• RAID arrayW3

Compare and contrast types of display devices and their features

• Types• LCD: TN vs. IPS• Fluorescent vs. LED backlighting• Plasma: Projector, OLED

• Refresh/frame rates• Resolution• Native resolution• Brightness/lumens• Analog vs. digital• Privacy/antiglare filters• Multiple displays• Aspect ratios

• 16:9• 16:10• 4:3

Identify common PC connector types and associated cables

• Display connector types• DVI-D• DVI-I• DVI-A• DisplayPort• RCA• HD15 (i.e., DE15 or DB15)• BNC – miniHDMI• miniDin-6

• Display cable types• WRE• HDMI• DVI• VGA• Component• Composite

10

• Coaxial• Device cables and connectors

• SATA• eSATA• USB• Firewire (IEEE1394)• PS/2• Audio

• Adapters and converters• DVI to HDMI• USB A to USB B• USB to Ethernet• DVI to VGA• Thunderbolt to DVI• PS/2 to USB• HDMI to VGA

Install and configure common peripheral devices

• Input devices• Mouse• Keyboard• Scanner• Barcode reader• Biometric devices• Game pads• Joysticks• Digitizer• Motion sensor• Touch pads• Smart card readers• Digital cameras• Microphone• Webcam• Camcorder

• Output devices • Printers• Speakers• Display devices

• Input & output devices• Touch screen• KVM• Smart TV

• Set-top box• MIDI-enabled devices

Install SOHO multifunction devices/printers and configure appropriate settings

• Use appropriate drivers for a given operating system• Configuration settings: Duplex - Collate -

Orientation – Quality• Device sharing

• Wired• USB• Serial• Ethernet• Wireless• Bluetooth• 802.11 (a/b/g/n/ac)• Infrastructure vs. ad hoc• Integrated print server (hardware)• Cloud printing/remote printing

• Public/shared devices• Sharing local/networked device via

operating system settings: TCP/Bonjour/AirPrint

• Data privacy: User authentication on the device, hard drive caching

Compare and contrast the differences between print technologies and their associated imaging process

• Laser• Imaging drum, fuser assembly, transfer

belt, transfer roller, pickup rollers, separate pads, duplexing

• Imaging process: processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing and cleaning

• Inkjet• Ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder,

duplexing assembly, carriage and belt• Calibration

• Thermal

11

• Feed assembly, heating element• Special thermal paper

• Impact• Print head, ribbon, tractor feed• Impact paper

• Virtual• Print to file• Print to PDF• Print to XPS• Print to image

Perform appropriate printer maintenance given a scenario

• Laser• Replacing toner, applying maintenance kit,

calibration, cleaning• Thermal• Replace paper, clean heating element,

remove debris• Impact

• Replace ribbon, replace print head, replace paper

• Inkjet• Clean heads, replace cartridges,

calibration, clear jams

Networking (21%)Identify the different types of network cables and connectors

• Fiber• Connectors: SC, ST and LC

• Twisted Pair• Connectors: RJ-11, RJ-45• Wiring standards: T568A, T568B

• Coaxial• Connectors: BNC, F-connector

Compare and contrast the characteristics of connectors and cabling

• Fiber• Types (single-mode vs. multi-mode)• Speed and transmission limitations

• Twisted pair• T ypes: STP, UTP, Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat

6, Cat 6e, Cat 7, plenum, PVC• Speed and transmission limitations• Splitters and effects on signal quality

• Coaxial• Types: RG-6, RG-59• Speed and transmission limitations• Splitters and effects on signal quality

Explain the characteristics and properties of TCP/IP

• IPv4 vs. IPv6• Public vs. private vs. APIPA/link local• Static vs. dynamic• Client-side DNS settings• Client-side DHCP• Subnet mask vs. CIDR• Gateway

Explain the common TCP and UDP ports and protocols and the purpose of each

• Ports• 21 – FTP• 22 – SSH• 23 – TELNET• 25 – SMTP• 53 – DNS• 80 – HTTP• 110 – POP3• 143 – IMAP• 443 – HTTPS• 3389 – RDP• 137-139• NetBIOS/NetBT• 445 – SMB/CIFS• 427 – SLP• 548 – AFP

• Protocols• DHCP• DNS• LDAP• SNMP

12

• SMB• CIFS• SSH• AFP

• TCP vs. UDP

Compare and contrast the differing WiFi networking standards and encryption types

• Standards• 802.11 (a/b/g/n/ac)• Speeds, distances and frequencies

• Encryption types• WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES

Install and configure a SOHO wireless/wired router and apply the appropriate settings given a specific scenario

• Channels• Port forwarding, port triggering• DHCP (on/off)• DMZ• NAT/DNAT• Basic QoS• Firmware• UPnP

Compare and contrast the various Internet connection and network types and their features

• Internet connection types• Cable• DSL• Dial-up• Fiber• Satellite• ISDN• Cellular: Tethering, Mobile hotspot• Line-of-sight wireless Internet service

• Network Types• LAN• WAN• PAN• MAN

Compare and contrast network architecture devices and discuss their functions and features

• Hub• Switch• Router• Access point• Bridge• Modem• Firewall• Patch panel• Repeaters/extenders• Ethernet over Power• Power over Ethernet injector

Use the appropriate networking tools given a specific scenario

• Crimper• Cable stripper• Multimeter• Tone generator and probe• Cable tester• Loopback plug• Punchdown tool• WiFi analyzer

Mobile Devices (17%)Install and configure laptop hardware and components

• Expansion options• Expresscard /34• Expresscard /54• SODIMM• Flash• Ports/Adapters: Thunderbolt,

DisplayPort, USB to RJ-45 dongle, USB to WiFi dongle, USB to Bluetooth, USB optical drive

• Hardware/device replacement• Keyboard• Hard drive: SSD vs. hybrid vs. magnetic

disk, 1.8in vs. 2.5in

13

• Memory• Smart card reader• Optical drive• Wireless card• Mini-PCIe• Screen• DC jack• Battery• Touchpad• Plastics/frames• Speaker• System board• CPU

Explain the function of the components in a laptop display

• Types• LCD: TN vs. IPS, Fluorescent vs. LED

backlighting• OLED

• WiFi antenna connector/placement• Webcam• Microphone• Inverter• Digitizer

Use the appropriate laptop features to solve a problem scenario

• Special function keys• Dual displays• Wireless (on/off)• Cellular (on/off)• Volume settings• Screen brightness• Bluetooth (on/off)• Keyboard backlight• Touchpad (on/off)• Screen orientation• Media options (fast forward/rewind)• GPS (on/off)• Airplane mode

• Docking station• Physical laptop lock and cable lock

• Rotating/removable screens

Explain the characteristics of the different types of mobile devices

• Tablets• Smartphones• Wearable technology devices

• Smart watches• Fitness monitors• Glasses and headsets

• Phablets• e-readers• Smart camera• GPS

Compare and contrast accessories and ports of other mobile devices

• Connection types• NFC• Proprietary vendor-specific ports

(communication/power)• MicroUSB/miniUSB• Lightning• Bluetooth• IR• Hotspot/tethering

• Accessories• Headsets• Speakers• Game pads• Docking stations• Extra battery packs/battery chargers• Protective covers/water proofing• Credit card readers• Memory/MicroSD

Hardware & Networking Troubleshooting (28%)Troubleshoot common motherboard, RAM, CPU, and power issues given a trouble scenario

• Common symptoms

14

• Unexpected shutdowns• System lockups• POST code beeps• Blank screen on boot up• BIOS time and settings resets• Attempts to boot to incorrect device• Continuous reboots• No power• Overheating• Loud noise• Intermittent device failure• Fans spin• No power to other devices• Indicator lights• Smoke• Burning smell• Proprietary crash screens (BSOD/pin

wheel)• Distended capacitors

• Tools• Multimeter• Power supply tester• Loopback plugs• POST card/USB

Troubleshoot hard drives and RAID arrays using the appropriate tools given a scenario

• Common symptoms• Read/write failure• Slow performance• Loud clicking noise• Failure to boot• Drive not recognized• OS not found• RAID not found• RAID stops working• Proprietary crash screens (BSOD/pin

wheel)• S.M.A.R.T. errors

• Tools• Screwdriver• External enclosures• CHKDSK

• FORMAT• File recovery software• Bootrec• DiskPart• Defragmentation tool

Troubleshoot common video, projector, or display issues given a scenario

• Common symptoms• VGA mode• No image on screen• Overheat shutdown• Dead pixels• Artifacts• Color patterns incorrect• Dim image• Flickering image• Distorted image• Distorted geometry• Burn-in• Oversized images and icons

Troubleshoot network problems—both wired and wireless—using appropriate tools given a problem scenario

• Common symptoms• No connectivity• APIPA/link local address• Limited connectivity• Local connectivity• Intermittent connectivity• IP conflict• Slow transfer speeds• Low RF signal• SSID not found

• Hardware tools• Cable tester• Loopback plug• Punchdown tools• Tone generator and probe• Wire strippers• Crimper• Wireless locator

• Command line tools• PING• IPCONFIG/IFCONFIG• TRACERT• NETSTAT• NBTSTAT• NET• NETDOM• NSLOOKUP

Troubleshoot and make repairs to common mobile device issues, adhering to the appropriate procedures, given a problem scenario

• Common symptoms• No display• Dim display• Flickering display• Sticking keys• Intermittent wireless• Battery not charging• Ghost cursor/pointer drift• No power• Num lock indicator lights• No wireless connectivity• No Bluetooth connectivity• Cannot display to external monitor• Touchscreen non-responsive• Apps not loading• Slow performance• Unable to decrypt email• Extremely short battery life• Overheating• Frozen system• No sound from speakers• GPS not functioning• Swollen battery

• Disassembling processes for proper re-assembly• Document and label cable and screw

locations• Organize parts• Refer to manufacturer resources• Use appropriate hand tools

Troubleshoot printer issues using the appropriate processes and tools, given a scenario

• Common symptoms• Streaks• Faded prints• Ghost images• Toner not fused to the paper• Creased paper• Paper not feeding• Paper jam• No connectivity• Garbled characters on paper• Vertical lines on page• Backed up print queue• Low memory errors• Access denied• Printer will not print• Color prints in wrong print color• Unable to install printer• Error codes• Printing blank pages• No image on printer display

• Tools• Maintenance kit• Toner vacuum• Compressed air• Printer spooler

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

For more information on how to pass the CompTIA A+ exam, visit https://www.efficientlearning.com/comptia-a-plus