CompTIA A+ Core 1 vs Core 2: What's the Difference?

Introduction

CompTIA A+ is not a single exam — it's two. To earn the A+ certification, you must pass both Core 1 (exam code 220-1101) and Core 2 (exam code 220-1102). Each exam tests a distinct area of IT knowledge, and understanding the difference between them is the first step to studying effectively.

This guide breaks down exactly what each exam covers, how they differ in difficulty and focus, and the best order to approach them.

The Quick Summary

Both exams must be passed to earn A+ certification. You can sit them in either order, and you don't need to pass one before sitting the other — but most candidates sit Core 1 first.

What Core 1 (220-1101) Covers

Core 1 is the more hardware-focused of the two exams. It tests your knowledge of physical technology: the components that make computers work, how they connect, and how to troubleshoot them.

Domain 1: Mobile Devices (15%)

Covers smartphones, tablets, and laptops — hardware components (screens, batteries, cameras), connection types (USB, Bluetooth, NFC), and basic configuration of mobile OS settings. Expect questions on common repair tasks and mobile device management concepts.

Domain 2: Networking (20%)

The heaviest domain in Core 1 covers:

• TCP/IP addressing (IPv4 and IPv6), subnetting basics
• Common network ports and protocols (HTTP/S, SSH, DNS, DHCP, FTP, RDP, SNMP)
• Network hardware: switches, routers, access points, cables
• Wireless standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and their speeds
• Network troubleshooting methodology

This is often where candidates lose the most marks in Core 1. The networking content is broad and detailed. Practise the Core 1 networking domain specifically before exam day.

Domain 3: Hardware (25%)

The largest domain. Covers:

• CPU characteristics, socket types, and installation
• RAM types (DDR4, DDR5), capacity, and compatibility
• Storage devices: HDDs, SSDs (SATA, NVMe, M.2), optical drives, RAID configurations
• Motherboard components: BIOS/UEFI, PCIe slots, expansion cards
• Power supply units and connectors
• Printer types (laser, inkjet, thermal, impact) and their maintenance

Expect scenario questions asking you to diagnose hardware problems based on symptoms: a system that won't POST, a drive that's not detected, a printer producing poor output.

Domain 4: Virtualisation and Cloud Computing (11%)

Covers the basics of virtualisation (hypervisors, VMs, containers), cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), cloud deployment types (public, private, hybrid), and common cloud features relevant to IT support.

Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (29%)

The second largest domain and the one most directly tested with performance-based questions. Covers the systematic troubleshooting methodology and its application to hardware failures, network connectivity problems, and printer issues.

Practise working through troubleshooting scenarios in a structured way: identify the problem, establish a theory, test the theory, establish a plan of action, implement, verify, and document. This methodology underpins many scenario questions.

What Core 2 (220-1102) Covers

Core 2 is more software and operating system focused. It tests your ability to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot operating systems, with a heavier emphasis on security than Core 1.

Domain 1: Operating Systems (31%)

The largest domain in Core 2 covers Windows extensively:

• Windows 10 and Windows 11 features, editions, and upgrade paths
• Windows administrative tools: Task Manager, Event Viewer, Device Manager, Registry Editor, MMC
• Windows file systems (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT) and disk management
• Command-line tools: ipconfig, ping, tracert, netstat, nslookup, sfc, diskpart, chkdsk
• macOS and Linux: basic navigation, common commands, file system structure

A significant portion of Core 2 questions involve Windows. If you're not a Windows power user, budget extra time for this domain.

Domain 2: Security (25%)

Core 2's security domain is broader and more applied than the security coverage in Core 1. Topics include:

• Malware types and removal procedures
• Physical security: cable locks, biometrics, smart cards, door locks
• Logical security: user account control, permissions, encryption (BitLocker, EFS)
• Browser and application security settings
• Wireless security protocols (WPA2, WPA3)
• Incident response basics: what to do when you suspect a compromised machine

This is often where candidates with limited security background lose marks. If you're planning to go on to Network+ or Security+, this domain is a good preview of what's coming.

Domain 3: Software Troubleshooting (22%)

Covers troubleshooting Windows OS problems: slow performance, application crashes, boot errors, driver conflicts, and profile issues. Also covers troubleshooting PC security issues: identifying malware symptoms, removing threats, and restoring systems.

Performance-based questions in this domain often simulate troubleshooting a misbehaving system using Windows tools.

Domain 4: Operational Procedures (22%)

Covers IT professional practices that are often overlooked in study:

• Documentation best practices
• Change management procedures
• Backup and recovery strategies
• Environmental and electrical safety
• Professionalism and communication skills
• Licensing and regulatory concepts

Candidates sometimes underestimate this domain because it doesn't feel "technical". At 22% of the exam, that's a significant oversight.

Which Is Harder: Core 1 or Core 2?

Most candidates find Core 1 slightly more difficult, primarily because of the broad networking domain and the density of hardware detail. Hardware questions require you to recognise symptoms, diagnose causes, and recommend solutions across dozens of component types — a skill that takes real familiarity with physical systems.

Core 2's larger passing score requirement (700 vs 675) might suggest CompTIA considers it harder, or it may simply reflect that the exam questions have different statistical properties. In practice, candidates with strong Windows experience often find Core 2 more manageable because so much of it relates to everyday IT tasks.

The areas that trip candidates up most often:

Core 1: Subnetting and IP addressing, RAID level differences, wireless standard specifications

Core 2: Windows administrative tools and registry, malware removal procedures, command-line syntax

Should You Take Core 1 or Core 2 First?

There's no required order. Most candidates sit Core 1 before Core 2 because the hardware and networking fundamentals in Core 1 provide useful context for Core 2's OS and troubleshooting content. Understanding how a network works (Core 1) makes troubleshooting network connectivity in Windows (Core 2) more intuitive.

Some candidates sit whichever exam they feel stronger in first to get a passing score on the board and build confidence before tackling the harder one for them.

The practical consideration: if you pass one exam but need months to pass the other, your passed exam is on record indefinitely — there's no expiry on individual exam passes. You just need to earn the second pass within the same version lifecycle (CompTIA will announce when exam versions retire).

How to Study for Both

Separate Your Study Phases

Don't try to study Core 1 and Core 2 simultaneously. Focus on one at a time. Complete Core 1 content, practise questions until you're consistently scoring above the pass threshold, then shift to Core 2.

Use Domain Weighting to Prioritise

Within each exam, allocate your study time roughly in proportion to domain weightings. In Core 1, the Hardware and Hardware/Network Troubleshooting domains together carry 54% of the exam — they deserve more than half your study time.

Practise Scenario Questions Extensively

A+ questions are scenario-heavy. "A user reports their printer produces faded output" is more representative than "what does 802.11ax stand for?". Practise recognising symptoms, mapping them to causes, and selecting the correct resolution.

Start with Core 1 practice questions to benchmark your current knowledge across all five domains. Your scores by domain will show you exactly where to focus.

Don't Skip Operational Procedures (Core 2)

Domain 4 in Core 2 (Operational Procedures, 22%) is one of the most commonly underStudied areas. The content on documentation, change management, and licensing may feel soft compared to hardware specs, but those marks count just as much.

After A+: Planning Your Next Step

A+ is the foundation of the CompTIA certification pathway. Once you've earned it, your most direct next step is Network+ (N10-009) — which builds on the networking knowledge from Core 1 and expands it significantly. From there, Security+ is the natural third step.

Each certification in the pathway opens new career options: A+ qualifies you for help desk and IT support roles; Network+ for networking and infrastructure roles; Security+ for information security, DoD IT, and cybersecurity analyst positions.

Start with Core 1, practise consistently, and build from there.