Aug 15, 20225 min read

How I passed CompTIA A+ in 60 Days

Have you ever wanted to break into the IT field but didn't know where to start? If so CompTIA's A+ is a great certification for you! Today I'll be sharing with you what the A+ Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102) exams are all about and the process I used to pass in 60 days (30 days allocated for each exam).

What is the CompTIA A+ Exam?

A+ is an IT foundational certification for IT professionals. This certification is an IT industry trusted standard that touches on technologies such as security, networking, virtualization, and more! Unlike many certifications, A+ is structured around best practices. Exam takers will be asked to problem solve their way through the exam by asking what answer MOST fits the given situation. There have been some updates to A+ that were rolled out in 2022 to include...

Increased reliance on SaaS applications for remote work
More on troubleshooting and how to remotely diagnose and correct common software, hardware, or connectivity problems
Changing core technologies from cloud virtualization and IoT device security to data management and scripting
Multiple operating systems now encountered by technicians on a regular basis, including the major systems, their use cases, and how to keep them running properly
Reflects the changing nature of the job role, where many tasks are sent to specialized providers as certified personnel need to assess whether it’s best to fix something on site, or to save time and money by sending proprietary technologies directly to vendors (Comptia It Certifications. Default. (n.d.)

A+ is broken down into 2 different exams that are taken at separate times. Both exams have a list of objectives that vary in percentage of importance, this is good to know while you plan your study track.

Core 1 Objectives

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 Objectives

1.0 Operating Systems 27%

2.0 Security 24%

3.0 Software Troubleshooting 26%

4.0 Operational Procedures 23%

From personal experience I would advise that you treat each of these exams as separate study paths and allocate time as such. Though they play into each other, there is a TON of information to absorb so be ready with those note cards and a strong cup of coffee.

Study Path

To get started with a study track, it's important to evaluate HOW you best learn. Are you a visual, auditory, read & writing, or kinesthetic learner? I prefer auditory combined with read/writing approaches and studied for both exams with the same study method. First off I started with Professor Messer's free online training courses (linked at the bottom under "Learning Resources") to get a broad understanding of the material. I find absorbing the foundational information in this way to be really helpful prior to hitting a really rigorous study plan.

I spent about a week listening to the Professor Messer study track and made flashcards (available below via Quizzlet) for all of the key words. If there was a topic I wanted to expand knowledge on, I would type keywords into google or youtube to gather further clarification. After a week of listening to Professor Messer's material and expanding on my knowledge base with additional research, I purchased practice exams on Udemy from Jason Dion (linked at the bottom under "Learning Resources"). These tests are about $17 bucks and WORTH EVERY PENNY. Each set comes with 6 exams that will help you study the material and get a feel for how the questions will be asked in the actual exam. As I mentioned before, this exam is based on critical thinking and best practices, so getting hands on with the questions structure was an invaluable part of the learning process. I highly recommend you focus on learning the concepts and not just memorizing key terms.

The Exam

WHEN to book your exam...I recommend you book your exam at the time you've decide to peruse this certification. Evaluate your timelines, what kind of time you can dedicate to studying and pick a date 1-3 months out based on that. If you have a date on the books you're more likely to follow through and stay focused on your objective.

HOW to book your exam...You can book your exam voucher through the CompTIA website. The cost of an A+ test voucher is $239 USD.

WHERE will I take my exam? There are two options for the CompTIA A+ exam to be taken either at your home, proctored live or at an approved test center. Let's chat about pros and cons for both...

Test Center

PRO: Quiet environment, hardware and configuration compliance is provided, free of home life distractions, no need to worry about proctor compliance.

CON: Test centers may not be available in your area, limited scheduling, time to travel and plan a trip to the test center.

In Home Proctored

PRO: Can be scheduled at more flexible times, you control your environment, no need to travel to test center.

CON: You are responsible for hardware and configuration compliance, you must keep environment to compliance standards during the entire exam. You will need an external webcam even if your computer has one built in. The proctor will ask you to position this camera in such a way that they can see you clearly, likely from the side.

I have taken exams both ways before and prefer the test center rout when available. The in home proctored option is also great for those who are unable to travel or maybe work schedules that wouldn't allow them to test during available test center hours.

Exam Prep and final Thoughts

As mentioned in a previous section, evaluate your own personal track and give yourself ample time between when you begin your study track and the exam. The days leading up to the exam make sure you're brushing up on material and concepts, hydrate, and allow your mind some well deserved R&R. This is A LOT of material, so be kind to yourself, gather up your tools and stick to whatever plan you have developed for success. I've added links below to help you on your way including my Quizzlet flashcard set of keywords.

That's it for now everyone! Thank you for stopping by to read "How I passed CompTIA A+ in 60 days! You may also like "How I passed CompTIA Security + 601 in 30 days with no IT background!"