CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) Online Training & Certification Prep
CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) is an entry-level IT certification for non-technical professionals and students beginning their technology journey. Formerly known as ITF+, it establishes foundational IT literacy across hardware, software, networking, data, security, and emerging technologies — with no prior experience required.
Course Overview
CompTIA Tech+ (exam code FC0-U71), formerly marketed as ITF+ (IT Fundamentals), is CompTIA’s entry-level certification for individuals who are new to information technology or who work adjacent to IT and want a structured, vendor-neutral foundation. Unlike CompTIA A+, which is designed for practising support technicians, Tech+ is explicitly positioned as a pre-career or career-exploration credential — it does not require any prior IT experience and it tests conceptual understanding alongside basic hands-on literacy.
The FC0-U71 exam covers six domain areas: IT concepts and terminology, infrastructure (hardware and networking basics), applications and software, software development concepts, database fundamentals, and security concepts. CompTIA updated the exam in 2023 to reflect a modern technology landscape, adding content on cloud services, artificial intelligence, machine learning concepts, and modern development practices — making it relevant to business analysts, project managers, and operations professionals who interact with technical teams daily, not just students who want to progress to A+.
This course matches the FC0-U71 exam objectives exactly and uses three learning modalities to accommodate complete beginners: self-paced video explanations, live virtual classroom sessions with Certified Partner instructors, and guided Live Labs that put concepts into context. Labs are intentionally scoped for non-technicians: you will connect a peripheral, navigate a command prompt, evaluate a phishing email, and query a sample database — practical tasks that build confidence and exam readiness simultaneously.
The Pass Guarantee applies to FC0-U71: if you attempt the exam after completing the course and do not pass, Boost eLearning will provide structured re-sit preparation at no additional charge. CompTIA Tech+ is a single-exam certification with no prerequisite — it is the most accessible entry point into the CompTIA certification pathway.
What You'll Learn
- Explain fundamental IT concepts including binary, file systems, application types, and abstraction layers
- Identify common hardware components — CPU, RAM, storage, and input/output devices — and describe their function
- Describe basic networking concepts: IP addressing, DNS, DHCP, Wi-Fi, and internet connectivity
- Distinguish between operating system types and explain the role of the OS in managing hardware and applications
- Describe cloud computing concepts: service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and the difference between local and cloud-hosted applications
- Explain software development life cycle concepts including version control, testing, and the difference between compiled and interpreted code
- Describe relational database fundamentals: tables, queries, and the purpose of a database management system
- Identify common cybersecurity threats — phishing, malware, and social engineering — and describe basic protective measures
- Apply good security practices: strong passwords, MFA, software updates, and recognising suspicious links
- Explain data management concepts including backup, file formats, and data privacy principles
Who This Course Is For
- Complete beginners with no prior IT experience who want a structured introduction to technology
- Business professionals (project managers, analysts, HR, operations) who work with IT teams and want to communicate more effectively
- Students exploring whether IT is the right career path before committing to A+ or a specialisation
- Non-technical employees in organisations rolling out new technology platforms who need foundational literacy
- Career changers who want a formal credential to demonstrate baseline IT knowledge to employers
Course Outline
- Notational systems: binary, hexadecimal, and their relevance to computing
- Data representation: characters, integers, floats, Boolean logic, and data types
- Units of measure: bits, bytes, kilobytes through petabytes, and bandwidth vs. throughput
- Computing categories: desktop, mobile, server, embedded, IoT, and wearable devices
- Software categories: operating systems, application software, and utilities
- Internal components: CPU, RAM, storage devices (HDD, SSD), motherboards, and power supplies
- Peripheral devices: input (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen) and output (monitor, printer)
- Connector and cable types: USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and common audio connectors
- Display technologies: LCD, OLED, and resolution terminology
- Mobile device hardware: smartphones, tablets, and wearables
- Networking concepts: LAN, WAN, MAN, and the role of routers and switches
- IP addressing basics: IPv4 structure, private vs. public addresses, and DHCP
- DNS: how domain names resolve to IP addresses
- Wireless networking: Wi-Fi standards, SSID, and basic security (WPA2/WPA3)
- Internet services: HTTP/HTTPS, email protocols, and cloud-based services
- VPN concepts and why organisations use them
- Operating system functions: process management, memory management, and file systems
- File system concepts: directory hierarchy, file types, and permissions
- Productivity applications, web browsers, and browser settings
- Virtualisation and cloud computing: what a virtual machine is and why cloud matters
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: terminology and real-world use cases relevant to non-developers
- Software development life cycle (SDLC) stages: requirements, design, development, testing, deployment, maintenance
- Programming concepts: variables, loops, conditional logic, and functions u2014 explained conceptually with examples
- Compiled vs. interpreted languages and scripting languages
- Version control concepts: why source code is tracked and what a commit represents
- Testing types: unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT)
- What a database is and why structured data storage matters
- Relational database concepts: tables, rows, columns, and keys
- Basic SQL: SELECT, INSERT, and WHERE u2014 reading and interpreting simple queries
- Non-relational (NoSQL) databases: when and why they are used
- Data integrity, backups, and the consequences of data loss
- Threat landscape: malware types, phishing, social engineering, and ransomware
- Authentication concepts: passwords, MFA, biometrics, and why reused passwords are dangerous
- Encryption fundamentals: what encryption does and where it is used (HTTPS, email, disk)
- Security best practices for end users: software updates, screen locks, and safe browsing
- Physical security concepts: tailgating, access badges, and device loss
- Data privacy: personal data, GDPR concepts, and responsible data handling
- Incident response basics: what to do if you suspect a security incident
About the Certification Exam
- Exam code
- FC0-U71
- Length
- 60 minutes
- Questions
- Up to 75 questions (multiple choice and multiple select)
- Passing score
- 650 out of 900
- Exam cost
- ~$153 USD
- Where
- Pearson VUE u2014 online proctored or at a test center
The certification exam fee is paid separately to the testing provider and is not included in the course price unless stated otherwise.
Live Labs Included
Hands-on practice on real environments
This course includes Live Labs — direct access to real hardware and cloud environments so you build the skills the exam actually tests.
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Pass Guarantee Included
Complete this course and if you don't pass the certification exam on your first attempt, we'll refund your course fee or give you a free retake — your choice.