CompTIA A+ 220-901

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.

CompTIA AUTHORIZED MATERIALS USE POLICY
CompTIA Certifications, LLC is not affiliated with and does not authorize, endorse or condone utilizing any
content provided by unauthorized third-party training sites (aka “brain dumps”). Individuals who utilize
such materials in preparation for any CompTIA examination will have their certifications revoked and be
suspended from future testing in accordance with the CompTIA Candidate Agreement. In an effort to more
clearly communicate CompTIA’s exam policies on use of unauthorized study materials, CompTIA directs
all certification candidates to the CompTIA Certification Exam Policies. Please review all CompTIA policies
before beginning the study process for any CompTIA exam. Candidates will be required to abide by the
CompTIA Candidate Agreement. If a candidate has a question as to whether study materials are considered
unauthorized (aka “brain dumps”), he/she should contact CompTIA at [email protected] to confirm.

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 2.0 (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 2.0 (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 2.0 (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 2.0 (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 2.0 (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 2.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

1.13 Install SOHO multifunction device/printers 1.0 Hardware
and configure appropriate settings.
• Public/shared devices
• Use appropriate drivers for a - USB - Sharing local/networked device
given operating system - Serial via operating system settings
- Ethernet - TCP/Bonjour/AirPrint
- Configuration settings - Wireless - Data privacy
- Duplex - Bluetooth - User authentication on the device
- Collate - 802.11 (a/b/g/n/ac) - Hard drive caching
- Orientation - Infrastructure vs. ad hoc
- Quality - Integrated print server (hardware)
• Device sharing - Cloud printing/remote printing
- Wired

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 2.0 (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 • Twisted pair • Coaxial
- Types (single-mode vs. multi-mode) - Types: STP, UTP, CAT3, CAT5, CAT5e, - Types: RG-6, RG-59
- Speed and transmission limitations 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 2.0 (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 2.0 (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 2.0 (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 2.0 (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 - Bootrec
- Loud clicking noise (BSOD/pin wheel) - Diskpart
- Failure to boot - S.M.A.R.T. errors - Defragmentation tool
- Drive not recognized • Tools
- OS not found - Screwdriver - Distorted geometry
- RAID not found - External enclosures - Burn-in
- CHKDSK - Oversized images and icons

4.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common video,
projector and display issues.

• Common symptoms - Artifacts
- VGA mode - Color patterns incorrect
- No image on screen - Dim image
- Overheat shutdown - Flickering image
- Dead pixels - Distorted image

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (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
- Intermittent wireless - Slow performance for proper re-assembly
- Battery not charging - Unable to decrypt email - Document and label cable
- Ghost cursor/pointer drift - Extremely short battery life and screw locations
- No power - Overheating - Organize parts
- Num lock indicator lights - Frozen system - Refer to manufacturer resources
- 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 2.0 (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
CFS Central File System or Common File System or
AC Alternating Current Command File System
Computer Graphics and Applications
ACL Access Control List CGA Classless Inter-Domain Routing
CIDR Common Internet File System
ACPI Advanced Configuration Power Interface CIFS Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
CMOS Communications and Networking Riser
ACT Activity CNR Communication Port (x=Port Number)
COMx Central Processing Unit
ADSL Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line CPU Cathode Ray Tube
CRT Discretionary Access Control
AES Advanced Encryption Standard DAC Serial Communications D-Shell Connector, 25 Pins
DB-25 9 Pin D Shell Connector
AGP Accelerated Graphics Port DB-9 Direct Current
DC Distributed Denial of Service
AHCI Advanced Host Controller Interface DDoS Double Data Rate
DDR Double Data Rate Random-Access Memory
AP Access Point DDR RAM Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic
DDR SDRAM Random-Access Memory
APIPA Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing Distributed File System
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
APM Advanced Power Management DFS Dual Inline Memory Module
DHCP Deutsche Industrie Norm
ARP Address Resolution Protocol DIMM Digital Linear Tape
DIN Digital Light Processing or
ASR Automated System Recovery DLT Data Loss Prevention
DLP Direct Memory Access
ATA Advanced Technology Attachment Demilitarized Zone
DMA Domain Name Service or Domain Name Server
ATAPI Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface DMZ Denial of Service
DNS Dynamic Random Access Memory
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode DoS Digital Rights Management
DRAM Digital Subscriber Line
ATSC Advanced Television Systems Committee DRM Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc
DSL Digital Video Disc-Random-Access Memory
ATX Advanced Technology Extended DVD Digital Video Disc-Read-Only Memory
DVD-RAM
AUP Acceptable Use Policy DVD-ROM

A/V Audio Video

BD-R Blu-ray Disk Recordable

BIOS Basic Input/Output System

BNC Bayonet-Neill-Concelman or

British Naval Connector

BSOD Blue Screen of Death

BTX Balanced Technology Extended

CAD Computer Aided Design

CAPTCHA Completely Automated Public Turing Test

to tell Computers and Humans Apart

CAS Column Access Strobe

CCFL Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp

CD Compact Disc

CD-ROM Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory

CD-RW Compact Disc-Rewritable

CDFS Compact Disc File System

CERT Computer Emergency Response Team

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

ACRONYM SPELLED OUT ACRONYM SPELLED OUT

DVD-R Digital Video Disc-Recordable HAV Hardware-Assisted Virtualization

DVD-RW Digital Video Disc-Rewritable HCL Hardware Compatibility List

DVI Digital Visual Interface HDCP High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection

DVR Digital Video Recorder HDD Hard Disk Drive

ECC Error Correcting Code or HDMI High-Definition Media Interface

Error Checking and Correction HIPS Host Intrusion Prevention System

ECP Extended Capabilities Port HPFS High-Performance File System

EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable HTML Hypertext Markup Language

Read-Only Memory HTPC Home Theater PC

EFS Encrypting File System HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol

EIDE Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics HTTPS Hypertext Transfer Protocol Over

ELP Electroluminescence Panel Secure Sockets Layer

EMI Electromagnetic Interference I/O Input/Output

EMP Electromagnetic Pulse ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol

ICR Intelligent Character Recognition

EPROM Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory IDE Integrated Drive Electronics

EPP Enhanced Parallel Port IDF Intermediate Distribution Frame

ERD Emergency Repair Disk IDS Intrusion Detection System

eSATA External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

ESD Electrostatic Discharge IIS Internet Information Services

EULA End-User License Agreement IMAP Internet Mail Access Protocol

EVGA Extended Video Graphics Adapter/Array IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity

IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity

EVDO Evolution Data Optimized or Evolution Data Only IP Internet Protocol

Ext2 Second Extended File System IPCONFIG Internet Protocol Configuration

exFAT Extended File Allocation Table IPP Internet Printing Protocol

FAT File Allocation Table IPS In-Plane Switching

FAT12 12-Bit File Allocation Table IPSec Internet Protocol Security

FAT16 16-Bit File Allocation Table IR Infrared

IrDA Infrared Data Association

FAT32 32-Bit File Allocation Table IRP Incident Response Plan

FDD Floppy Disk Drive IRQ Interrupt Request

Fn Function (referring to the function key on a laptop) ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network

FPM Fast Page Mode ISO International Organization for Standardization/

FRU Field Replaceable Unit Industry Standards Organization

FSB Front Side Bus ISP Internet Service Provider

JBOD Just a Bunch Of Disks

FTP File Transfer Protocol Kb Kilobit

FQDN Fully Qualified Domain Name KB Kilobyte or Knowledge Base

Gb Gigabit KVM Kernel-based Virtual Machine

GB Gigabyte LAN Local Area Network

GDDR Graphics Double Data Rate LBA Logical Block Addressing

GDI Graphics Device Interface LC Lucent Connector

GHz Gigahertz LCD Liquid Crystal Display

LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol

GUI Graphical User Interface LED Light Emitting Diode

GPS Global Positioning System LI-ON Lithium-Ion

GPT GUID Partition Table LPD/LPR Line Printer Daemon/Line Printer Remote

GPU Graphics Processing Unit LPT Line Printer Terminal

GSM Global System for Mobile Communications LVD Low Voltage Differential

HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer MAC Media Access Control or Mandatory Access Control

MAN Metropolitan Area Network

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

ACRONYM SPELLED OUT ACRONYM SPELLED OUT

MAPI Messaging Application Programming Interface P CL P rinter Control Language

MAU M edia Access Unit or Media Attachment Unit PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card

mATX Micro Advanced Technology Extended International Association

Mb Megabit PE Preinstallation Environment

MB Megabyte PGA Pin Grid Array

MBR Master Boot Record PGA2 Pin Grid Array 2

MBSA Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer PGP Pretty Good Protection

MDM Master Data Management PII Personally Identifiable Information

MFA Multifactor Authentication PIN Personal Identification Number

MFD Multi-Function Device PKI Public Key Infrastructure

MFP Multi-Function Product PnP Plug and Play

MHz Megahertz POP3 Post Office Protocol 3

MicroDIMM Micro Dual Inline Memory Module PoS Point of Sale

MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface POST Power On Self Test

MIME Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension POTS Plain Old Telephone Service

MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output PPM Pages Per Minute

MMC Microsoft Management Console PPP Point-to-Point Protocol

MP3 Moving Picture Experts Group Layer 3 Audio PPTP Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol

MP4 Moving Picture Experts Group Layer 4 PRI Primary Rate Interface

MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group PRL Preferred Roaming List

MSCONFIG Microsoft Configuration PROM Programmable Read-Only Memory

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet PS/2 Personal System/2 Connector

MT-RJ Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network

MUI Multilingual User Interface PSU Power Supply Unit

NAC Network Access Control PVA Patterned Vertical Alignment

NAS Network Attached Storage PVC Permanent Virtual Circuit

NAT Network Address Translation PXE Preboot Execution Environment

NetBIOS Networked Basic Input/Output System QoS Quality of Service

NetBEUI Networked Basic input/output system RADIUS Remote Authentication Dial-In User Server

Extended User Interface RAID Redundant Array of Independent

NFC Near Field Communication (or Inexpensive) Discs

NFS Network File System RAM Random Access Memory

NIC Network Interface Card RAMBUS Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory

NiCd Nickel Cadmium RAS Remote Access Service

NiMH Nickel Metal Hydride RDP Remote Desktop Protocol

NLX New Low profile Extended RF Radio Frequency

NNTP Network News Transfer Protocol RFI Radio Frequency Interference

NTFS New Technology File System RGB Red Green Blue

NTLDR New Technology Loader RIP Routing Information Protocol

NTP Network Time Protocol RIS Remote Installation Service

NTSC National Transmission Standards Committee RISC Reduced Instruction Set Computer

OCR Optical Character Recognition RJ-11 Registered Jack Function 11

OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer RJ-45 Registered Jack Function 45

OLED Organic Light Emitting Diode RMA Returned Materials Authorization

OS Operating System ROM Read-Only Memory

PAL Phase Alternating Line RPO Recovery Point Objective

PAN Personal Area Network RTC Real-Time Clock

PAT Port Address Translation RTO Recovery Time Objective

PATA Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment SAN Storage Area Network

PC Personal Computer SAS Serial Attached SCSI

PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect SATA Serial Advanced Technology Attachment

PCIe Peripheral Component Interconnect express SC Subscription Channel

PCIX Peripheral Component Interconnect Extended SCP Secure Copy Protection

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (Exam Number: 220-901)

ACRONYM SPELLED OUT

SCSI Small Computer System Interface UXGA Ultra Extended Graphics Array
VA Vertical Alignment
SCSI ID Small Computer System Interface Identifier VDC Volts DC
VDI Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
SD Card Secure Digital Card VESA Video Electronics Standards Association
VFAT Virtual File Allocation Table
SDRAM Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory VGA Video Graphics Array
VM Virtual Machine
SEC Single Edge Connector VNC Virtual Network Computer
VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol
SFC System File Checker VPN Virtual Private Network
VRAM Video Random-Access Memory
SFF Small Form Factor WAN Wide Area Network
WAP Wireless Access Protocol or Wireless Access Point
SFTP Secured File Transfer Protocol WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy
WiFi Wireless Fidelity
SIMM Single In-line Memory Module WINS Windows Internet Name Service
WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
SLI Scalable Link Interface or System Level Integration WPA WiFi Protected Access
WPA2 WiFi Protected Access 2
or Scanline Interleave Mode WPS WiFi Protected Setup
WUXGA Wide Ultra Extended Graphics Array
S.M.A.R.T. Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology WWAN Wireless Wide Area Network
XGA Extended Graphics Array
SMB Server Message Block or Small To Midsize Business ZIF Zero Insertion Force
ZIP Zig-zag Inline Package
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol

SoDIMM Small outline Dual Inline Memory Module

SOHO Small Office, Home Office

SP Service Pack

SPDIF Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format

SPGA Staggered Pin Grid Array

SRAM Static Random-Access Memory

SSH Secure Shell

SSID Service Set Identifier

SSL Secure Sockets Layer

ST Straight Tip

STP Shielded Twisted Pair

SXGA Super Extended Graphics Array

TB Terabyte

TCP Transmission Control Protocol

TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

TDR Time Domain Reflectometer

TFT Thin Film Transistor

TFTP Trivial File Transfer Protocol

TKIP Temporal Key Integrity Protocol

TLS Transport Layer Security

TN Twisted Nematic

TPM Trusted Platform Module

UAC User Account Control

UDF User Defined Functions or Universal Disk Format

or Universal Data Format

UDP User Datagram Protocol

UEFI Unified Extensible Firmware Interface

UNC Universal Naming Convention

UPnP Universal Plug and Play

UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply

URL Uniform Resource Locator

USB Universal Serial Bus

USMT User State Migration Tool

UTM Unified Threat Management

UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives Version 2.0 (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
• Cases
Linux desktop • Maintenance kit
• Monitors • Mice/keyboards
• Projectors
• SOHO router/switch TOOLS
• Access point • Screw drivers
• VoIP phone • Multimeter
• Printer • Wire cutters
- Laser/inkjet • Punchdown tool
- Wireless • Crimper
• Surge suppressor • Power supply tester
• UPS • Cable stripper
• POST cards
SPARE PARTS/HARDWARE • Standard technician toolkit
• Motherboards • ESD strap
• RAM • Thermal paste
• Hard drives • Cable tester
• Power supplies  • WiFi analyzer
• Video cards • SATA to USB connectors
• Sounds cards
• Network cards SOFTWARE
• Wireless NICs • Operating system disks
• Fans/cooling devices/heat sink • Antivirus software
• CPUs • Virtualization software
• Assorted connectors/cables • Anti-malware
- USB • Driver software
- HDMI
- etc

© 2015 CompTIA Properties, LLC, used under license by CompTIA Certifications, LLC. All rights reserved. All certification programs and education related to such
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-Jan2016