Skip to content

Free CompTIA A+ practice test: Core 1 and Core 2

The CompTIA A+ is two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) covers hardware, mobile devices, networking basics, virtualization, and troubleshooting; Core 2 (220-1202) covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. This site gives you 715 original practice questions and 42 performance-based questions across both cores, free and without an account.

Practice two ways: adaptive drills that repeat your weak topics more often and explain every answer, or a full exam simulation with 50 questions plus 3 PBQs in 90 minutes, scored on the real 100 to 900 scale. Every topic links to the matching free Professor Messer video.

Start the free A+ practice test

What each core exam covers

220-1201 domainExam weightQuestions here
1.0 Mobile Devices13%about 45
2.0 Networking23%about 80
3.0 Hardware25%about 87
4.0 Virtualization & Cloud11%about 38
5.0 Hardware & Network Troubleshooting28%about 97
220-1202 domainExam weightQuestions here
1.0 Operating Systems31%about 114
2.0 Security25%about 92
3.0 Software Troubleshooting22%about 81
4.0 Operational Procedures22%about 81

Real exam facts: up to 90 questions per core, 90 minutes each, passing score 675 for Core 1 and 700 for Core 2. Studying one core at a time? There is a dedicated Core 1 (220-1201) practice test and Core 2 (220-1202) practice test page for each.

Practice questions from this bank

Sample question 1 · 220-1201 · 1.0 Mobile Devices

A technician is upgrading a laptop's mechanical hard drive to a faster component that has no moving parts. Which drive is being installed?

  1. AAn SSD
  2. BA second HDD
  3. CAn optical drive
  4. DA power supply
Show answer and explanation

A. An SSD

A solid-state drive (SSD) has no moving parts, is faster and more shock-resistant than an HDD, and is a common laptop upgrade.

Topic: Laptop Hardware

Sample question 2 · 220-1202 · 1.0 Operating Systems

Which operating system is developed by Google and is designed primarily around the Chrome browser with most applications running in the cloud?

  1. AAndroid
  2. BChromeOS
  3. CiOS
  4. DLinux Mint
Show answer and explanation

B. ChromeOS

ChromeOS is Google's desktop OS built around the Chrome browser; most apps and storage are cloud-based.

Topic: Operating Systems Overview

Sample question 3 · 220-1201 · 2.0 Networking

Which transport-layer protocol provides reliable, connection-oriented delivery with acknowledgments and retransmission?

  1. ATCP
  2. BUDP
  3. CICMP
  4. DARP
Show answer and explanation

A. TCP

TCP is connection-oriented and guarantees ordered, acknowledged delivery; UDP is connectionless and faster but unreliable.

Topic: Introduction to IP

Sample question 4 · 220-1202 · 2.0 Security

A data center entrance uses two sets of doors where only one can open at a time, allowing entry of one person at a time. What is this called?

  1. ABollard
  2. BAccess control vestibule
  3. CFaraday cage
  4. DTurnstile fence
Show answer and explanation

B. Access control vestibule

An access control vestibule (mantrap) prevents tailgating by controlling passage between two interlocked doors.

Topic: Physical Security

Sample question 5 · 220-1201 · 3.0 Hardware

Which drive interface uses the M.2 form factor with PCIe lanes to deliver the fastest consumer SSD performance?

  1. ANVMe
  2. BA SATA hard drive
  3. CA SATA SSD
  4. DeMMC
Show answer and explanation

A. NVMe

NVMe drives communicate over PCIe and are far faster than SATA-based SSDs or mechanical hard drives.

Topic: Storage Devices

Sample question 6 · 220-1202 · 3.0 Software Troubleshooting

A Windows PC displays a blue screen (BSOD) immediately after a new video driver was installed. What is the BEST first step?

  1. AReinstall the operating system from media
  2. BBoot into Safe Mode and roll back the driver
  3. CReplace the graphics card with a spare
  4. DRun Disk Cleanup on the system drive
Show answer and explanation

B. Boot into Safe Mode and roll back the driver

Safe Mode loads minimal drivers, letting you roll back or remove the faulty driver via Device Manager.

Topic: Troubleshooting Windows

Sample question 7 · 220-1201 · 4.0 Virtualization & Cloud

Which software layer allows multiple virtual machines to share one physical host's hardware?

  1. AA hypervisor
  2. BA device driver
  3. CA bootloader
  4. DA container registry
Show answer and explanation

A. A hypervisor

The hypervisor abstracts and allocates physical hardware (CPU, RAM, storage) to multiple guest VMs.

Topic: Virtualization Concepts

Sample question 8 · 220-1202 · 4.0 Operational Procedures

A help desk technician resolves an issue. What information is MOST important to add to the ticket before closing it?

  1. AThe user's job title and office location
  2. BThe problem, the steps taken, and the resolution
  3. CThe device's asset tag and warranty expiration
  4. DThe list of other open tickets from the same user
Show answer and explanation

B. The problem, the steps taken, and the resolution

Clear problem/progress/resolution notes make tickets useful for the user, future technicians, and the knowledge base.

Topic: Ticketing Systems

Practice all of them free

Common questions

How many questions are on the real A+ exam?

Each A+ core exam (220-1201 and 220-1202) has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, mixing multiple choice with performance-based questions. You need both cores to earn the A+ certification.

What score do I need to pass the A+?

CompTIA scores on a 100 to 900 scale. Core 1 (220-1201) requires 675 and Core 2 (220-1202) requires 700. Our simulator uses the same scale so your practice scores read like the real thing.

Is this actually free?

Yes. All 715 A+ questions, all 42 PBQs, and the full exam simulator are free with no account required. Progress saves in your browser; an optional sign-in syncs it across devices.

More free practice tests

Back to all cert900 exams