About This Study Plan
This 30-day study plan breaks the APLUS1 (A+ Core 1) exam preparation into 4 focused study sessions with 16 actionable tasks. The plan covers all 5 exam domains — Mobile Devices, Networking, Hardware, Virtualization and Cloud Computing, Hardware and Network Troubleshooting — ensuring complete coverage. Structured 30-day study plan for CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) with hands-on lab practice.
Prerequisites
- Basic computer use
- 2–3 hours per day
Study Schedule
- Days 1–2: Motherboard components, CPU sockets, RAM types and installation
- Days 3–4: Storage devices (HDD/SSD/NVMe), RAID configurations
- Days 5–6: Laptop hardware, mobile devices, display types
- Day 7: Power supplies, cooling solutions, and hardware quiz
- Days 8–9: OSI model, TCP/IP, common ports and protocols
- Days 10–11: Network hardware (routers, switches, firewalls, APs)
- Days 12–13: Wireless standards, cable types, and network configuration
- Day 14: Network troubleshooting tools and practice quiz
- Days 15–16: Hypervisors, VM setup, container concepts
- Days 17–18: Cloud service and deployment models
- Days 19–20: Printer types, maintenance, and troubleshooting
- Day 21: Hands-on PBQ practice for hardware/network scenarios
- Days 22–23: Hardware troubleshooting methodology and common issues
- Days 24–25: Full practice exam #1 + detailed review
- Days 26–27: Full practice exam #2 + weak area focus
- Days 28–30: Final review, flashcards, and rest
Study Tips
Build or open a PC if possible — hands-on experience cements hardware knowledge.
Create a ports/protocols flashcard deck and review daily.
PBQs often cover network configuration — practice with simulators.
Recommended CompTIA Study Resources
Supplement this study plan with the official CompTIA CertMaster labs and practice tests. Download the free exam objectives PDF from CompTIA's website and use it as a checklist — cross off each objective as you master it. Professor Messer's free video series covers every CompTIA exam objective and is widely regarded as one of the best free resources available.
Ready to Practice?
Put your study plan into action with A+ Core 1 practice questions.