CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Complete Exam Prep Course 2026

Understand smartphones and tablets at the hardware level, including system boards, SoC architecture, memory, storage, radios, sensors, power systems, and troubleshooting categories.

Learn how lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries work, charging stages (CC/CV), fast charging, battery health metrics, degradation patterns, and safe replacement practices.

Differentiate between touchscreen input issues, software keyboard behavior, physical button failures, and external keyboard connectivity problems in mobile devices.

Understand how mobile RAM works, memory pressure behavior, OS lifecycle management, compression strategies, and how to diagnose RAM vs storage performance issues.

Compare embedded flash storage technologies like eMMC and UFS, understand wear leveling and encryption, and learn how storage impacts device speed and longevity.

Understand Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS radios, antenna systems, carrier compatibility, and systematic troubleshooting of wireless issues.

Explore fingerprint sensors, facial recognition, secure enclaves, NFC payments, privacy indicators, and troubleshooting biometric authentication issues.

Understand antenna routing, micro-coax connectors, signal behavior, interference factors, and proper service techniques to maintain wireless performance.

Explore multi-camera systems, sensor pipelines, microphone arrays, audio routing, and troubleshooting strategies for common mobile media hardware issues.

Understand the critical difference between USB connector shapes (USB-A, USB-C, Micro-USB) and USB versions (USB 2.0, 3.x), and learn how data speed and compatibility affect real-world device connectivity.

Explore Apple’s Lightning connector, features, limitations, MFi certification, common issues, and Apple’s transition from Lightning to USB-C.

Learn how NFC works, mobile payment security, tokenization, real-world NFC uses, and troubleshooting contactless connectivity issues.

Master Bluetooth versions, pairing process, range limits, audio codecs, interference issues, and systematic Bluetooth troubleshooting.

Understand Wi-Fi hotspot, USB and Bluetooth tethering, setup steps, data usage impact, and how to troubleshoot tethering problems.

Learn how docks and port replicators expand mobile connectivity using USB-C, support displays, peripherals, charging, and troubleshooting.

Explore external trackpads, drawing tablets, styluses, pressure sensitivity, calibration, and compatibility with mobile devices.

Review protective cases, screen protectors, storage expansion, power banks, charging accessories, and specialized mobile add-ons.

Understand cellular generations from 3G to 5G, signal strength, data plans, roaming, APN settings, and systematic cellular data troubleshooting.

Learn how to securely configure mobile hotspots, manage connections, optimize performance and battery life, and troubleshoot hotspot issues.

Configure Wi-Fi networks, manage auto-join and priorities, enable Wi-Fi calling, apply advanced settings, and troubleshoot wireless connectivity.

Explore physical SIM types, eSIM technology, activation methods, dual-SIM functionality, carrier unlocking, and SIM troubleshooting.

Understand GPS, cellular, and Wi-Fi positioning, manage location permissions, address privacy and battery concerns, and fix accuracy issues.

Learn how enterprises manage mobile devices using MDM, including enrollment, configuration profiles, app deployment, security policies, and remote wipe.

Set up contact synchronization, manage multiple accounts, deploy enterprise apps, apply managed configurations, and troubleshoot sync issues.

Configure IMAP, Exchange, and SMTP email accounts, integrate cloud storage, manage sync settings, optimize storage, and resolve common issues.

Master Bluetooth setup, pairing authentication, device management, advanced settings, performance optimization, and troubleshooting.

Understand BYOD programs, acceptable use policies, security requirements, app restrictions, data protection, and policy enforcement.

Learn synchronization methods, data cap management, calendar sync, conflict resolution, security considerations, and performance optimization.

Understand what network ports and protocols are, how TCP and UDP differ, and why port numbers are critical for communication, firewall configuration, and troubleshooting.

Learn how FTP uses ports 20 and 21 for file transfers, the difference between active and passive modes, common firewall issues, and why FTP is considered insecure today.

Explore how SSH provides encrypted remote access on port 22, including authentication methods, secure file transfers, port forwarding, best practices, and troubleshooting.

Understand how Telnet works on port 23, why it’s unsafe due to plain-text communication, legitimate testing uses, and why SSH should always replace it.

Learn how SMTP sends email using port 25, how mail relay works, common SMTP commands, authentication, security tools like SPF and DKIM, and troubleshooting email issues.

Learn DNS, Name resolution and Port

Learn DNS, Name resolution and Port

Learn how DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses using ports 67 and 68, the DORA process, lease management, reservations, security risks, and troubleshooting.

Explore how HTTP delivers web content on port 80, including requests, methods, status codes, security limitations, and common troubleshooting techniques.

Understand how POP3 retrieves email on port 110, its advantages and limitations, configuration options, security considerations, and differences from IMAP.

Learn how IMAP synchronizes email across devices using port 143, key features, configuration settings, troubleshooting sync issues, and why IMAP is preferred today.

Explore legacy NetBIOS networking on ports 137–139, name resolution, security risks, why it’s disabled today, and when legacy systems still require it.

Understand how LDAP provides directory access on port 389, directory structure, authentication methods, Active Directory integration, and secure LDAP practices.

Learn how HTTPS secures web traffic on port 443 using TLS, certificates, encryption, common errors, mixed content issues, and why HTTPS is now the web standard.

Explore how SMB enables Windows file and printer sharing on port 445, protocol versions, security risks like ransomware, and best practices for safe configuration.

Understand how RDP enables remote desktop access on port 3389, security risks, hardening techniques, VPN usage, RDP Gateway, and troubleshooting connections.

Compare TCP and UDP, understanding reliability vs speed, real-world protocol usage, header differences, failure behaviors, and when to use each protocol.

Understand the differences between 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz Wi-Fi bands, including speed, range, interference, and when to use each frequency.

Learn how Wi-Fi channels work, why interference occurs, how to choose optimal channels on 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and how channel congestion affects performance.

Explore Wi-Fi channel widths, channel bonding, and the trade-offs between speed, range, and interference across different wireless frequency bands.

Understand how Bluetooth works, including versions, profiles, Bluetooth Low Energy, range limits, audio codecs, and common Bluetooth troubleshooting issues.

Learn the evolution of Wi-Fi standards from 802.11a/b to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, including speed improvements, efficiency features, and backward compatibility.

Discover how NFC and RFID work, their frequency ranges, real-world use cases, security considerations, and key differences between these short-range technologies.

Understand how DNS translates domain names into IP addresses, including forward and reverse lookups, caching, TTL values, and common DNS troubleshooting techniques.

Learn how DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses using scopes, leases, reservations, and the DORA process, plus how to troubleshoot common DHCP failures.

Explore how file share servers centralize storage using SMB and NFS, including permissions, access control, collaboration benefits, and troubleshooting file access issues.

Understand how print servers manage printers, queues, drivers, and permissions, simplifying deployment, monitoring print jobs, and resolving common printing problems.

Learn how mail servers handle email using SMTP, IMAP, and POP3, including ports, encryption, mail relay, spam protection, and email troubleshooting.

Understand how Syslog collects logs from network devices, uses severity levels, supports security monitoring, and simplifies troubleshooting and compliance.

Learn how web servers deliver content using HTTP and HTTPS, including virtual hosts, application hosting, performance optimization, and web server troubleshooting.

Explore AAA concepts using RADIUS and TACACS+, including centralized authentication, access control, accounting logs, and common AAA deployment issues.

Understand how database servers store and manage data using SQL and NoSQL models, including ports, security best practices, backups, and connectivity troubleshooting.

Learn how NTP synchronizes system clocks, why accurate time matters for security and logging, and how to configure and troubleshoot NTP clients.

Discover how internet appliances like spam gateways, UTMs, load balancers, and proxy servers improve security, performance, and traffic management.

Understand legacy and embedded systems such as SCADA, their security challenges, protection strategies, change management, and modernization planning.

Explore IoT devices, their business and home use cases, security risks, network segmentation strategies, monitoring techniques, and governance policies.

Learn common DNS record types including A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and others, how they work, and how to manage and troubleshoot DNS records effectively.

Understand how SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authenticate email, prevent spoofing, improve deliverability, and protect domains from spam and phishing attacks.

Explore DHCP configuration details including leases, lease times, reservations, scopes, exclusions, high availability, and common DHCP troubleshooting techniques.

Learn how VLANs segment networks logically using tagging, access and trunk ports, inter-VLAN routing, voice VLANs, and best practices for secure design.

Understand how VPNs create secure tunnels using IPsec, SSL/TLS, and WireGuard, including remote access, site-to-site VPNs, security, and performance tuning.

Learn how routers connect local networks to the internet, including NAT, private vs public IP addresses, gateways, ports, common settings, troubleshooting steps, and basic router security best practices.

Learn how network switches work and compare unmanaged, smart, and fully managed switches, including features like VLANs, monitoring, security controls, use cases, and how to choose the right switch.

Learn how wireless access points provide Wi-Fi coverage, how they differ from routers, placement best practices, roaming behavior, standalone vs controller-based APs, and common Wi-Fi issues.

Learn how patch panels organize network cabling, protect switch ports, support structured cabling, and simplify troubleshooting, labeling, testing, and future network changes.

Learn how firewalls protect networks by filtering traffic, including hardware vs software firewalls, rule creation, stateful inspection, default deny policies, zones, DMZs, and troubleshooting.

Learn how Power over Ethernet delivers data and power over one cable, including PoE standards, power budgets, PoE switches vs injectors, cabling requirements, planning, and troubleshooting.

Learn how cable modems and DSL deliver internet service, including DOCSIS technology, ADSL vs VDSL, installation steps, speed limitations, distance effects, and troubleshooting tips.

Learn how ONTs convert fiber optic signals to Ethernet, enabling fast, reliable fiber internet with symmetric speeds, low latency, installation basics, and troubleshooting.

Learn how NICs connect devices to networks, covering wired vs wireless adapters, speeds, MAC addresses, drivers, features, troubleshooting, and upgrade considerations.

Learn how IPv4 addresses identify devices, including private vs public ranges, special addresses, DHCP vs static assignment, and how to check and troubleshoot IP settings.

Understand IPv6 addressing, including hexadecimal format, address types, prefixes, SLAAC, privacy extensions, and how IPv6 improves scalability over IPv4.

Learn what APIPA addresses are, why 169.254 addresses appear, what works and doesn’t with APIPA, and how to troubleshoot DHCP failures.

Compare static and dynamic IP addressing, when to use each, common mistakes, DHCP reservations, and best practices for home and small office networks.

Learn how subnet masks define network boundaries, how gateways route traffic, and how devices decide between local delivery and internet routing.