CompTIA A+ Practice Test (2026): Free Core 1 & Core 2 Questions

Use this free CompTIA A+ practice test to gauge your readiness for the 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) exams. Each question mirrors the real exam style; click Reveal answer to check yourself and read a short explanation. You must pass both exams to earn the A+ certification.

CompTIA A+ exam at a glance

• Exams: two required — Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202)
• Questions: up to 90 per exam (multiple-choice and performance-based)
• Length: 90 minutes per exam
• Passing score: 675/900 (Core 1), 700/900 (Core 2)
• Cost: ~$253 USD per exam (~$506 for both)

Free CompTIA A+ practice questions

1. Which RAM form factor is used in most laptops?
   A) DIMM   B) SODIMM   C) ECC   D) RIMM

   Reveal answer

   B) SODIMM. Small-Outline DIMMs are the compact memory modules used in laptops and small-form-factor PCs; full-size DIMMs go in desktops.

2. Which RAID level provides striping with no redundancy?
   A) RAID 1   B) RAID 5   C) RAID 0   D) RAID 10

   Reveal answer

   C) RAID 0. RAID 0 stripes data across disks for speed but offers no fault tolerance — lose one drive and you lose the array.

3. What default port does HTTPS use?
   A) 80   B) 25   C) 53   D) 443

   Reveal answer

   D) 443. HTTPS (HTTP over TLS) uses TCP port 443; plain HTTP uses 80.

4. A laser printer outputs pages where the toner smears when touched. Which component is the most likely cause?
   A) Toner cartridge   B) Fuser assembly   C) Transfer roller   D) Pickup roller

   Reveal answer

   B) Fuser assembly. The fuser uses heat and pressure to bond toner to the page. If it fails, toner isn’t fused and smears.

5. Which Windows file system supports file-level permissions and encryption (EFS)?
   A) FAT32   B) exFAT   C) NTFS   D) ext4

   Reveal answer

   C) NTFS. NTFS supports ACL-based permissions, EFS encryption, journaling, and large volumes; FAT/exFAT do not offer per-file permissions.

6. Which connector is reversible and can carry power, data, and video over a single cable?
   A) USB-A   B) USB-C   C) DisplayPort   D) RJ45

   Reveal answer

   B) USB-C. The reversible USB-C connector can deliver power (USB Power Delivery), data (USB/Thunderbolt), and video (DP Alt Mode).

7. Which malware type encrypts a user’s files and demands payment for the key?
   A) Spyware   B) Rootkit   C) Ransomware   D) Worm

   Reveal answer

   C) Ransomware. Ransomware encrypts data and extorts payment for decryption; reliable, tested backups are the best defense.

8. Which Windows command-line tool displays the current IP configuration?
   A) ping   B) ipconfig   C) netstat   D) tracert

   Reveal answer

   B) ipconfig. ipconfig shows adapter IP, subnet, and gateway; add /all for DNS and MAC details.

9. Which wireless standard is marketed as “Wi-Fi 6”?
   A) 802.11n   B) 802.11ac   C) 802.11ax   D) 802.11g

   Reveal answer

   C) 802.11ax. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) operates on 2.4 and 5 GHz with higher efficiency in dense environments; Wi-Fi 6E adds 6 GHz.

10. A pop-up claims the PC is infected and tells the user to call a phone number. Which attack is this?
    A) Scareware   B) SQL injection   C) Zero-day   D) Brute force

    Reveal answer

    A) Scareware. Scareware is social engineering that uses fake alerts to pressure the victim into calling a number or installing rogue software.

CompTIA A+ practice test FAQ

How many questions are on the real CompTIA A+ exam?

Each exam (Core 1 and Core 2) has up to 90 questions — a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based items — in 90 minutes.

What score do I need to pass the A+?

675 out of 900 for Core 1 and 700 out of 900 for Core 2. You must pass both to be certified.

Is this practice test enough to pass?

It’s a readiness check, not a full prep. Pair it with a complete course and hands-on labs to cover every objective before exam day.