CompTIA A+ Certification

Exam Objectives
EXAM NUMBER: 220-901
 About the Exam
Candidates are encouraged to use this document to help prepare for CompTIA A+ 220-901. In order to receive
the CompTIA A+ certification, you must pass two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. CompTIA A+ 220-901 measures the
necessary skills for an entry-level IT professional. Successful candidates will have the knowledge required to:
• Assemble components based on customer requirements
• Install, configure and maintain devices, PCs and software for end users
• Understand the basics of networking and security/forensics
• Properly and safely diagnose, resolve and document common hardware and software issues
• Apply troubleshooting skills
• Provide appropriate customer support
• Understand the basics of virtualization, desktop imaging and deployment
These content examples are meant to clarify the test objectives and should not be
construed as a comprehensive listing of all the content of this examination.

EXAM ACCREDITATION
CompTIA A+ is accredited by ANSI to show compliance with the ISO 17024 Standard and,
as such, undergoes regular reviews and updates to the exam objectives.

EXAM DEVELOPMENT
CompTIA exams result from subject matter expert workshops and industry-wide survey
results regarding the skills and knowledge required of an entry-level IT professional.

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PLEASE NOTE
The lists of examples provided in bulleted format are not exhaustive lists. Other examples of
technologies, processes or tasks pertaining to each objective may also be included on the exam
although not listed or covered in this objectives document. CompTIA is constantly reviewing the
content of our exams and updating test questions to be sure our exams are current and the security
of the questions is protected. When necessary, we will publish updated exams based on existing
exam objectives. Please know that all related exam preparation materials will still be valid.

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 TEST DETAILS
Required exam CompTIA A+ 220-901
Number of questions Maximum of 90
Types of questions Multiple choice and performance-based
Length of test 90 minutes
Recommended experience Six to 12 months hands-on experience in the lab or field
Passing score CompTIA A+ 220-901: 675 (on a scale of 900)

EXAM OBJECTIVES (DOMAINS)

The table below lists the domains measured by this examination
and the extent to which they are represented:

DOMAIN PERCENTAGE OF EXAMINATION

1.0 Hardware 34%

2.0 Networking 21%
3.0 Mobile Devices 17%
4.0 Hardware & Network Troubleshooting 28%
Total 100%

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 1.0 Hardware
1.1 Given a scenario, configure settings and use BIOS/UEFI tools on a PC.
• Firmware upgrades/flash BIOS - Enabling and disabling devices • Monitoring
• BIOS component information - Date/time - Temperature monitoring
- RAM - Clock speeds - Fan speeds
- Hard drive - Virtualization support - Intrusion detection/notification
- Optical drive - BIOS security (passwords, drive - Voltage
- CPU encryption: TPM, LoJack, secure boot) - Clock
• BIOS configurations • Built-in diagnostics - Bus speed
- Boot sequence

1.2 Explain the importance of motherboard

components, their purpose and properties.
• Sizes • RAM slots • Front/top panel connectors
- ATX • CPU sockets - USB
- Micro-ATX • Chipsets - Audio
- Mini-ITX - Northbridge - Power button
- ITX - Southbridge - Power light
• Expansion slots • CMOS battery - Drive activity lights
- PCI • Power connections and types • Bus speeds
- PCI-X • Fan connectors • Reset button
- PCIe
- miniPCI

1.3 Compare and contrast various RAM types and their features.
• Types - ECC vs. non-ECC • RAM compatibility
- DDR - RAM configurations
- DDR2 - Single channel vs. dual
- DDR3 channel vs. triple channel
- SODIMM - Single sided vs. double sided
- DIMM - Buffered vs. unbuffered
- Parity vs. non-parity

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 1.0 Hardware

1.4 Install and configure PC expansion cards.

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

1.5 Install and configure storage devices and use appropriate media.
• Optical drives - SD • Tape drive
- CD-ROM/CD-RW - MicroSD • Media capacity
- DVD-ROM/DVD-RW/DVD-RW DL - MiniSD - CD
- Blu-ray - xD - CD-RW
- BD-R - SSD - DVD-RW
- BD-RE - Hybrid - DVD
• Magnetic hard disk drives - eMMC - Blu-ray
- 5400 rpm • RAID types - Tape
- 7200 rpm -0 - DVD DL
- 10,000 rpm -1
• Hot swappable drives -5
• Solid state/flash drives - 10
- Compact flash

1.6 Install various types of CPUs and apply the appropriate

cooling methods.
• Socket types - Architecture (32-bit vs. 64-bit)
- Intel: 775, 1155, 1156, 1366, 1150, 2011 - Integrated GPU
- AMD: AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+ - Disable execute bit
• Characteristics • Cooling
- Speeds - Heat sink
- Cores - Fans
- Cache size/type - Thermal paste
- Hyperthreading - Liquid-based
- Virtualization support - Fanless/passive

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 1.0 Hardware

1.7 Compare and contrast various PC connection interfaces,

their characteristics and purpose.
• Physical connections - Audio - IR
- USB 1.1 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.0 - Analog - NFC
- Connector types: A, B, mini, micro - Digital (Optical connector) • Characteristics
- Firewire 400 vs. Firewire 800 - RJ-45 - Analog
- SATA1 vs. SATA2 vs. SATA3, eSATA - RJ-11 - Digital
- Other connector types - Thunderbolt - Distance limitations
- VGA • Wireless connections - Data transfer speeds
- HDMI - Bluetooth - Quality
- DVI - RF - Frequencies

1.8
Install a power supply based on given specifications.
• Connector types and their voltages • Specifications
- SATA - Wattage
- Molex - Dual rail
- 4/8-pin 12v - Size
- PCIe 6/8-pin - Number of connectors
- 20-pin - ATX
- 24-pin - MicroATX
- Dual voltage options

1.9
Given a scenario, select the appropriate components for a custom
PC configuration to meet customer specifications or needs.
• Graphic/CAD/CAM design workstation - High-end video/specialized GPU • Thin client
- Multicore processor - High-definition sound card - Basic applications
- High-end video - High-end cooling - Meets minimum requirements
- Maximum RAM • Home theater PC for selected OS
• Audio/video editing workstation - Surround sound audio - Network connectivity
- Specialized audio and video card - HDMI output • Home server PC
- Large fast hard drive - HTPC compact form factor - Media streaming
- Dual monitors - TV tuner - File sharing
• Virtualization workstation • Standard thick client - Print sharing
- Maximum RAM and CPU cores - Desktop applications - Gigabit NIC
• Gaming PC - Meets recommended - RAID array
- Multicore processor requirements for selected OS

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 1.0 Hardware

1.10 Compare and contrast types of display devices and their features.
• Types • Refresh/frame rates • Aspect ratios
- LCD • Resolution - 16:9
- TN vs. IPS • Native resolution - 16:10
- Fluorescent vs. LED backlighting • Brightness/lumens - 4:3
- Plasma • Analog vs. digital
- Projector • Privacy/antiglare filters
- OLED • Multiple displays

1.11 Identify common PC connector types and associated cables.

• Display connector types • Device cables and connectors
- DVI-D - SATA
- DVI-I - eSATA
- DVI-A - USB
- DisplayPort - Firewire (IEEE1394)
- RCA - PS/2
- HD15 (i.e., DE15 or DB15) - Audio
- BNC • Adapters and convertors
- miniHDMI - DVI to HDMI
- miniDin-6 - USB A to USB B
• Display cable types - USB to Ethernet
- HDMI - DVI to VGA
- DVI - Thunderbolt to DVI
- VGA - PS/2 to USB
- Component - HDMI to VGA
- Composite
- Coaxial

1.12 Install and configure common peripheral devices.

• Input devices - Touch pads • Input & output devices
- Mouse - Smart card readers - Touch screen
- Keyboard - Digital cameras - KVM
- Scanner - Microphone - Smart TV
- Barcode reader - Webcam - Set-top Box
- Biometric devices - Camcorder - MIDI-enabled devices
- Game pads • Output devices
- Joysticks - Printers
- Digitizer - Speakers
- Motion sensor - Display devices

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 1.0 Hardware

1.13 Install SOHO multifunction device/printers

and configure appropriate settings.
• Use appropriate drivers for a - USB • Public/shared devices
given operating system - Serial - Sharing local/networked device
- Configuration settings - Ethernet via operating system settings
- Duplex - Wireless - TCP/Bonjour/AirPrint
- Collate - Bluetooth - Data privacy
- Orientation - 802.11 (a/b/g/n/ac) - User authentication on the device
- Quality - Infrastructure vs. ad hoc - Hard drive caching
• Device sharing - Integrated print server (hardware)
- Wired - Cloud printing/remote printing

1.14 Compare and contrast differences between the various

print technologies and the associated imaging process.
• Laser • Thermal
- Imaging drum, fuser assembly, - Feed assembly, heating element
transfer belt, transfer roller, pickup - Special thermal paper
rollers, separate pads, • Impact
duplexing assembly - Print head, ribbon, tractor feed
- Imaging process: processing, - Impact paper
charging, exposing, developing, • Virtual
transferring, fusing and cleaning - Print to file
• Inkjet - Print to PDF
- Ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, - Print to XPS
duplexing assembly, carriage and belt - Print to image
- Calibration

1.15 Given a scenario, perform appropriate printer maintenance.

• Laser • Impact
- Replacing toner, applying - Replace ribbon, replace
maintenance kit, calibration, cleaning print head, replace paper
• Thermal • Inkjet
- Replace paper, clean heating - Clean heads, replace cartridges,
element, remove debris calibration, clear jams

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 2.0 Networking
2.1 Identify the various types of network cables and connectors.
• Fiber • Coaxial
- Connectors: SC, ST and LC - Connectors: BNC, F-connector
• Twisted Pair
- Connectors: RJ-11, RJ-45
- Wiring standards: T568A, T568B

2.2 Compare and contrast the characteristics of connectors and cabling.

• Fiber
- Types (single-mode vs. multi-mode)
- Speed and transmission limitations
• Twisted pair • Coaxial
- Types: STP, UTP, CAT3, CAT5, CAT5e, - Types: RG-6, RG-59
CAT6, CAT6e, CAT7, plenum, PVC - Speed and transmission limitations
- Speed and transmission limitations - Splitters and effects on signal quality
- Splitters and effects on signal quality

2.3 Explain the properties and characteristics of TCP/IP.

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

2.4 Explain common TCP and UDP ports, protocols and their purpose.
• Ports - 443 – HTTPS - LDAP
- 21 – FTP - 3389 – RDP - SNMP
- 22 – SSH - 137-139 – NetBIOS/NetBT - SMB
- 23 – TELNET - 445 – SMB/CIFS - CIFS
- 25 – SMTP - 427 – SLP - SSH
- 53 – DNS - 548 – AFP - AFP
- 80 – HTTP • Protocols • TCP vs. UDP
- 110 – POP3 - DHCP
- 143 – IMAP - DNS

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 2.0 Networking

2.5 Compare and contrast various WiFi networking

standards and encryption types.
• Standards • Encryption types
- 802.11 (a/b/g/n/ac) - WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES
- Speeds, distances and frequencies

2.6 Given a scenario, install and configure SOHO wireless/

wired router and apply appropriate settings.
• Channels • NAT/DNAT
• Port forwarding, port triggering • Basic QoS
• DHCP (on/off) • Firmware
• DMZ • UPnP

2.7 Compare and contrast Internet connection types,

network types and their features.
• Internet connection types - ISDN • Network Types
- Cable - Cellular - LAN
- DSL - Tethering - WAN
- Dial-up - Mobile hotspot - PAN
- Fiber - Line-of-sight wireless Internet service - MAN
- Satellite

2.8 Compare and contrast network architecture

devices, their functions and features.
• Hub • Bridge • Repeaters/extenders
• Switch • Modem • Ethernet over Power
• Router • Firewall • Power over Ethernet injector
• Access point • Patch panel

2.9 Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools.

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

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 3.0 Mobile Devices
3.1 Install and configure laptop hardware and components.
• Expansion options - USB to Bluetooth - Wireless card
- Expresscard /34 - USB Optical Drive - Mini-PCIe
- Expresscard /54 • Hardware/device replacement - Screen
- SODIMM - Keyboard - DC jack
- Flash - Hard drive - Battery
- Ports/Adapters - SSD vs. hybrid vs. magnetic disk - Touchpad
- Thunderbolt - 1.8in vs. 2.5in - Plastics/frames
- DisplayPort - Memory - Speaker
- USB to RJ-45 dongle - Smart card reader - System board
- USB to WiFi dongle - Optical drive - CPU

3.2 Explain the function of components within the display of a laptop.

• Types • WiFi antenna connector/placement
- LCD • Webcam
- TN vs. IPS • Microphone
- Fluorescent vs. LED backlighting • Inverter
- OLED • Digitizer

3.3 Given a scenario, use appropriate laptop features.

• Special function keys - Keyboard backlight • Docking station
- Dual displays - Touch pad (on/off) • Physical laptop lock and cable lock
- Wireless (on/off) - Screen orientation • Rotating/removable screens
- Cellular (on/off) - Media options (fast forward/rewind)
- Volume settings - GPS (on/off)
- Screen brightness - Airplane mode
- Bluetooth (on/off)

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 2.0 Mobile Devices

3.4 Explain the characteristics of various types of other mobile devices.

• Tablets - Fitness monitors • Smart camera
• Smartphones - Glasses and headsets • GPS
• Wearable technology devices • Phablets
- Smart watches • e-Readers

3.5 Compare and contrast accessories and ports of other mobile devices.
• Connection types - IR - Extra battery packs/battery chargers
- NFC - Hotspot/tethering - Protective covers/water proofing
- Proprietary vendor-specific ports • Accessories - Credit card readers
(communication/power) - Headsets - Memory/MicroSD
- MicroUSB/miniUSB - Speakers
- Lightning - Game pads
- Bluetooth - Docking stations

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 4.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
4.1 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common problems related to
motherboards, RAM, CPU and power with appropriate tools.
• Common symptoms - No power - Proprietary crash screens
- Unexpected shutdowns - Overheating (BSOD/pin wheel)
- System lockups - Loud noise - Distended capacitors
- POST code beeps - Intermittent device failure • Tools
- Blank screen on bootup - Fans spin – no power to other devices - Multimeter
- BIOS time and settings resets - Indicator lights - Power supply tester
- Attempts to boot to incorrect device - Smoke - Loopback plugs
- Continuous reboots - Burning smell - POST card/USB

4.2 Given a scenario, troubleshoot hard drives and

RAID arrays with appropriate tools.
• Common symptoms - RAID stops working - FORMAT
- Read/write failure - Proprietary crash screens - File recovery software
- Slow performance (BSOD/pin wheel) - Bootrec
- Loud clicking noise - S.M.A.R.T. errors - Diskpart
- Failure to boot • Tools - Defragmentation tool
- Drive not recognized - Screwdriver
- OS not found - External enclosures
- RAID not found - CHKDSK

4.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common video,

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

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 4.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

4.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot wired and wireless

networks with appropriate tools.
• Common symptoms • Hardware tools • Command line tools
- No connectivity - Cable tester - PING
- APIPA/link local address - Loopback plug - IPCONFIG/IFCONFIG
- Limited connectivity - Punchdown tools - TRACERT
- Local connectivity - Tone generator and probe - NETSTAT
- Intermittent connectivity - Wire strippers - NBTSTAT
- IP conflict - Crimper - NET
- Slow transfer speeds - Wireless locator - NETDOM
- Low RF signal - NSLOOKUP
- SSID not found

4.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot and repair common mobile

device issues while adhering to the appropriate procedures.
• Common symptoms - No wireless connectivity - No sound from speakers
- No display - No Bluetooth connectivity - GPS not functioning
- Dim display - Cannot display to external monitor - Swollen battery
- Flickering display - Touchscreen non-responsive • Disassembling processes
- Sticking keys - Apps not loading for proper re-assembly
- Intermittent wireless - Slow performance - Document and label cable
- Battery not charging - Unable to decrypt email and screw locations
- Ghost cursor/pointer drift - Extremely short battery life - Organize parts
- No power - Overheating - Refer to manufacturer resources
- Num lock indicator lights - Frozen system - Use appropriate hand tools

4.6 Given a scenario, troubleshoot printers with appropriate tools.

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

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 CompTIA A+ Acronyms

The following is a list of acronyms that appear on the CompTIA A+

exams. Candidates are encouraged to review the complete list
and attain a working knowledge of all listed acronyms as a
part of a comprehensive exam preparation program.
ACRONYM SPELLED OUT ACRONYM SPELLED OUT
AC Alternating Current CPU Central Processing Unit
ACL Access Control List CRT Cathode Ray Tube
ACPI Advanced Configuration Power Interface DAC Discretionary Access Control
ACT Activity DB-25 Serial Communications D-Shell Connector, 25 Pins
ADSL Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line DB-9 9 Pin D Shell Connector
AGP Accelerated Graphics Port DC Direct Current
AHCI Advanced Host Controller Interface DDoS Distributed Denial of Service
AP Access Point DDR Double Data Rate
APIPA Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing DDR RAM Double Data Rate Random-Access Memory
APM Advanced Power Management DDR SDRAM Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic
ARP Address Resolution Protocol Random-Access Memory
ASR Automated System Recovery DFS Distributed File System
ATA Advanced Technology Attachment DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
ATAPI Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface DIMM Dual Inline Memory Module
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode DIN Deutsche Industrie Norm
ATX Advanced Technology Extended DLT Digital Linear Tape
AUP Acceptable Use Policy DLP Digital Light Processing
A/V Audio Video DMA Direct Memory Access
BIOS Basic Input/Output System DMZ Demilitarized Zone
BNC Bayonet-Neill-Concelman or DNS Domain Name Service or Domain Name Server
British Naval Connector DoS Denial of Service
BTX Balanced Technology Extended DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory
CAPTCHA Completely Automated Public Turing Test DRM Digital Rights Management
to tell Computers and Humans Apart DSL Digital Subscriber Line
CCFL Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp DVD Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc
CD Compact Disc DVD-RAM Digital Video Disc-Random-Access Memory
CD-ROM Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory DVD-ROM Digital Video Disc-Read-Only Memory
CD-RW Compact Disc-Rewritable DVD-R Digital Video Disc-Recordable
CDFS Compact Disc File System DVD-RW Digital Video Disc-Rewritable
CFS Central File System or Common File System or DVI Digital Visual Interface
Command File System ECC Error Correcting Code or
CIFS Common Internet File System Error Checking and Correction
CMOS Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor ECP Extended Capabilities Port
CNR Communications and Networking Riser EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable
COMx Communication Port (x=Port Number) Read-Only Memory

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 ACRONYM SPELLED OUT ACRONYM SPELLED OUT
EFS Encrypting File System IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity
EIDE Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
EMI Electromagnetic Interference IP Internet Protocol
IPCONFIG Internet Protocol Configuration
EMP Electromagnetic Pulse
IPP Internet Printing Protocol
EPROM Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory IPS In-Plane Switching
EPP Enhanced Parallel Port IPSec Internet Protocol Security
ERD Emergency Repair Disk IR Infrared
ESD Electrostatic Discharge IrDA Infrared Data Association
EULA End-User License Agreement IRP Incident Response Plan
EVGA Extended Video Graphics Adapter/Array IRQ Interrupt Request
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
EVDO Evolution Data Optimized or Evolution Data Only
ISO International Organization for Standardization/
FAT File Allocation Table Industry Standards Organization
FAT12 12-Bit File Allocation Table ISP Internet Service Provider
FAT16 16-Bit File Allocation Table JBOD Just a Bunch Of Disks
FAT32 32-Bit File Allocation Table Kb Kilobit
FDD Floppy Disk Drive KB Kilobyte or Knowledge Base
LAN Local Area Network
Fn Function (referring to the function key on a laptop)
LBA Logical Block Addressing
FPM Fast Page Mode LC Lucent Connector
FRU Field Replaceable Unit LCD Liquid Crystal Display
FSB Front Side Bus LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
FTP File Transfer Protocol LED Light Emitting Diode
FQDN Fully Qualified Domain Name LI-ON Lithium-Ion
LPD/LPR Line Printer Daemon/Line Printer Remote
Gb Gigabit
LPT Line Printer Terminal
GB Gigabyte LVD Low Voltage Differential
GDI Graphics Device Interface MAC Media Access Control or Mandatory Access Control
GHz Gigahertz MAPI Messaging Application Programming Interface
GUI Graphical User Interface MAU Media Access Unit or Media Attachment Unit
GPS Global Positioning System Mb Megabit
GSM Global System for Mobile Communications MB Megabyte
MBR Master Boot Record
HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer
MBSA Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
HAV Hardware-Assisted Virtualization MFD Multi-Function Device
HCL Hardware Compatibility List MFP Multi-Function Product
HDD Hard Disk Drive MHz Megahertz
HDMI High-Definition Media Interface MicroDIMM Micro Dual Inline Memory Module
HPFS High-Performance File System MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MIME Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension
HTML Hypertext Markup Language
MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output
HTPC Home Theater PC MMC Microsoft Management Console
HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol MP3 Moving Picture Experts Group Layer 3 Audio
HTTPS Hypertext Transfer Protocol Over MP4 Moving Picture Experts Group Layer 4
Secure Sockets Layer MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group
I/O Input/Output MSCONFIG Microsoft Configuration
ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
ICR Intelligent Character Recognition MUI Multilingual User Interface
IDE Integrated Drive Electronics NAC Network Access Control
IDS Intrusion Detection System NAS Network Attached Storage
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers NAT Network Address Translation
IIS Internet Information Services NetBIOS Networked Basic Input/Output System
IMAP Internet Mail Access Protocol

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 ACRONYM SPELLED OUT ACRONYM SPELLED OUT

NetBEUI Networked Basic input/output system
RGB Red Green Blue
Extended User Interface RIP Routing Information Protocol
NFS Network File System RIS Remote Installation Service
NIC Network Interface Card RISC Reduced Instruction Set Computer
NiCd Nickel Cadmium RJ-11 Registered Jack Function 11
NiMH Nickel Metal Hydride RJ-45 Registered Jack Function 45
NLX New Low profile Extended RMA Returned Materials Authorization
NNTP Network News Transfer Protocol ROM Read-Only Memory
NTFS New Technology File System RTC Real-Time Clock
NTLDR New Technology Loader SAN Storage Area Network
NTP Network Time Protocol SAS Serial Attached SCSI
OCR Optical Character Recognition SATA Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer SC Subscription Channel
OLED Organic Light Emitting Diode SCP Secure Copy Protection
OS Operating System SCSI Small Computer System Interface
PAN Personal Area Network SCSI ID Small Computer System Interface Identifier
PATA Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment SD Card Secure Digital Card
PC Personal Computer SDRAM Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory
PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect SEC Single Edge Connector
PCIe Peripheral Component Interconnect express SFC System File Checker
PCIX Peripheral Component Interconnect Extended SFF Small Form Factor
PCL Printer Control Language SLI Scalable Link Interface or System Level Integration
PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card or Scanline Interleave Mode
International Association S.M.A.R.T. Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology
PE Preinstallation Environment SMB Server Message Block or Small To Midsize Business
PGA Pin Grid Array SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
PGA2 Pin Grid Array 2 SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol
PII Personally Identifiable Information SoDIMM Small outline Dual Inline Memory Module
PIN Personal Identification Number SOHO Small Office, Home Office
PKI Public Key Infrastructure SP Service Pack
PnP Plug and Play SPDIF Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format
POP3 Post Office Protocol 3 SPGA Staggered Pin Grid Array
PoS Point of Sale SRAM Static Random-Access Memory
POST Power On Self Test SSH Secure Shell
POTS Plain Old Telephone Service SSID Service Set Identifier
PPP Point-to-Point Protocol SSL Secure Sockets Layer
PPTP Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol ST Straight Tip
PRI Primary Rate Interface STP Shielded Twisted Pair
PRL Preferred Roaming List SXGA Super Extended Graphics Array
PROM Programmable Read-Only Memory TB Terabyte
PS/2 Personal System/2 Connector TCP Transmission Control Protocol
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
PSU Power Supply Unit TDR Time Domain Reflectometer
PVC Permanent Virtual Circuit TFTP Trivial File Transfer Protocol
PXE Preboot Execution Environment TKIP Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
QoS Quality of Service TPM Trusted Platform Module
RAID Redundant Array of Independent UAC User Account Control
(or Inexpensive) Discs UDF User Defined Functions or Universal Disk Format
RAM Random Access Memory or Universal Data Format
RAS Remote Access Service UDP User Datagram Protocol
RDP Remote Desktop Protocol UEFI Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
RF Radio Frequency UNC Universal Naming Convention
RFI Radio Frequency Interference UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

 ACRONYM SPELLED OUT
URL Uniform Resource Locator
USB Universal Serial Bus
USMT User State Migration Tool
UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair
UXGA Ultra Extended Graphics Array
VESA Video Electronics Standards Association
VFAT Virtual File Allocation Table
VGA Video Graphics Array
VM Virtual Machine
VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol
VPN Virtual Private Network
VRAM Video Random-Access Memory
WAN Wide Area Network
WAP Wireless Access Protocol or Wireless Access Point
WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy
WiFi Wireless Fidelity
WINS Windows Internet Name Service
WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
WPA Wireless Protected Access
WPS WiFi Protected Setup
WUXGA Wide Ultra Extended Graphics Array
XGA Extended Graphics Array
ZIF Zero Insertion Force
ZIP Zig-zag Inline Package

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 1.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

A+ Proposed Hardware and Software List

CompTIA has included this sample list of hardware and software to assist
candidates as they prepare for the A+ exam. This list may also be helpful for
training companies who wish to create a lab component to their training offering.
The bulleted lists below each topic are a sample list and not exhaustive.

EQUIPMENT • Adapters
• Apple tablet/smartphone • Network cables
• Android tablet/smartphone • Unterminated network cable/connectors
• Windows tablet/smartphone • AC adapters
• Windows laptop/Mac laptop/Linux laptop • Optical drives
• Windows desktop/Mac desktop/ • Screws/stand-offs
Linux desktop • Cases
• Monitors • Maintenance kit
• Projectors • Mice/keyboards
• SOHO router/switch
• Access point TOOLS
• VoIP phone • Screw drivers
• Printer • Multimeter
- Laser/inkjet • Wire cutters
- Wireless • Punchdown tool
• Surge suppressor • Crimper
• UPS • Power supply tester
• Cable stripper
SPARE PARTS/HARDWARE • POST cards
• Motherboards • Standard technician toolkit
• RAM • ESD strap
• Hard drives • Thermal paste
• Power supplies  • Cable tester
• Video cards • WiFi analyzer
• Sounds cards • SATA to USB connectors
• Network cards
• Wireless NICs SOFTWARE
• Fans/cooling devices/heat sink • Operating system disks
• CPUs • Antivirus software
• Assorted connectors/cables • Virtualization software
- USB • Anti-malware
- HDMI • Driver software
- etc

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programs are operated exclusively by CompTIA Certifications, LLC. CompTIA is a registered trademark of CompTIA Properties, LLC in the U.S. and internationally.
Other brands and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or service marks of CompTIA Properties, LLC or of their respective owners. Reproduc-
tion or dissemination prohibited without written consent of CompTIA Properties, LLC. Printed in the U.S. 02082-Dec2015