A+ Certification/Exam Objectives

The full list of exam objectives is freely available from CompTIA.org, and is copyright material. The information provided here is a general breakdown intended to help navigate the book and meet the objectives

220-801 edit

Life as a Tech edit

Hardware edit

Basics
Putting it Together
- Types of Hardware Configurations
- Selecting the Right Part
- PC Assembly and Disassembly

Networking edit

Hardware
- Cabling
- Devices
Networks
- Ethernet - IEEE 802.3 protocol that controls how data is transmitted over a LAN and most widely used local area network technology.
- Bluetooth - A wireless personal area network that uses radio communication technology to enable low-power, short distance wireless networking between phones, computers and other network devices.
- Cellular
Networking Protocols
- TCP/IP
  - Common TCP/IP Ports and Services
Types of Networks
- LAN - Local Area Network.
- WAN - Wide Area Network.
- WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network.
- MAN - Metropolitan Area Network.
- SAN - Storage Area Network, System Area Network, Server Area Network, or sometimes Small Area Network
Internet
Networking Devices
- Hub
- Switch
- Modem
- Router
- Bridge
- Repeater
Tools
Putting it together

Mobile Devices edit

Laptops
- Differences Between a PC and a Laptop
- Laptop-Specific Hardware
- Laptop Disassembly and Reassembly
Smartphones
- Differences Between a Smartphone and a Feature Phone
- OS Differences
- Basic Smartphone Hardware

Printers edit

Basic Printer Information
Impact Printers
Inkjet Printers
Laser Printers
Thermal Printers
Drivers and the OS
Printer Sharing

220-802 edit

Operating Systems edit

DOS
Windows
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
- Windows 10
- Windows Upgrades
Unix and Unix-like
- Unix
- Linux
- Mac OS
- Other Operating Systems

Installing Operating Systems edit

Before you start
- Installation Media
- OS Deployment
- Drive partitioning and strategies
- Formatting a partition with a File System
- Third-party drivers
Post-Install tasks
- Network settings
- Time and Language settings
- Additional Drivers
- Windows Update
- Recovery disks and partitions

Working in Windows edit

Windows Desktop
- Sidebars and Gadgets
- The Start Menu
Windows Explorer
Control Panel
- Action Center
  - Vista Problem Reports and Solutions
- Administrative Tools
- AutoPlay
- Backup and Restore
- Biometric Devices
- Color Management
- Credential Manager
- Date and Time
- Default Programs
- Desktop Gadgets
- Device Manager
- Devices and Printers
  - XP Printers and Faxes
  - Vista Printers
- Display
- Ease of Access Center
- Folder Options
- Fonts
- Getting Started
- HomeGroup
- Indexing Options
- Internet Options
- Keyboard
- Locations and Other Sensors
- Mail
- Mouse
- Networking and Sharing Center
  - XP Network Connections
  - XP Network Setup Wizard
- Notification Area Icons
- Performance Information and Tools
- Personalization
- Phone and Modem
- Power Options
- Programs and Features
  - XP Add/remove programs
- Recovery
- Region and Language
- RemoteApp and Desktop Connections
- Sound
- Speech Recognition
- Sync Center
  - Vista Offline Files
- System
- Taskbar and Start Menu
- Troubleshooting
- User Accounts
- Windows CardSpace
- Windows Defender
- Windows Firewall
- Windows Mobility Center
- Windows Update
  - XP Automatic Updates
- Vista Pen and Input Devices
- Vista Tablet PC Settings
Task Manager
User and Data migration tools
Windows Configuration
- Network Configuraiton
  - Network cards
  - TCP/IP settings
  - Firewall
  - Proxy
- Network shares
  - File/print sharing
  - Homegroups
  - Workgroups and Domains
  - Network settings
- Networking Tools
  - Network connections
  - Remote Desktop
  - Other Networking Tools
Windows Command Line
- OS
- Networking
- Recovery
- Utilities

Windows Maintenance, security, and recovery edit

Managing Windows
- Backups
- OS and disk health
- Updates and Maintenance
- Antivirus
- Third party driver and software updates
Windows Security Settings
- Users and Groups
  - User Authentication and SSO
- NTFS and network Share permissions
- System Files and Folders
- Shared Files and Folders

Mobile Devices edit

Mobile Operating Systems
Open Source and licensing
Installing Apps
Screen calibration and orientation
Wireless signals
- Cellular
- GPS
- Bluetooth
Email
Security
Phones, Tablets, and laptops
Data Synchronization

Security edit

Common Security Threats
Implementing Security
- Principle of Least Privilege
- Physical Security
  - Controlling physical access
  - Biometrics and access tokens
  - Privacy at the desk
- Digital Security
  - Password security
  - Active Directory
  - Firewalls
  - Anti-Malware
- SOHO Security
  - Wireless SOHO Security
Educating Users
Data Destruction

Troubleshooting edit

Troubleshooting
Motherboard, RAM, processor, and power supply Issues
Hard drive Issues
Video Issues
Network Issues
OS Issues
Security Issues
Laptop Issues
Printer Issues

220-901 edit

Hardware edit

Configure settings and use BIOS/UEFI tools on a PC
- Firmware upgrades
- BIOS Components
  - RAM
  - Hard Drive Disks
  - Optical Drives
  - CPU
- BIOS Configuration
  - Boot Sequence
  - Enabling and Disabling Devices
  - Date and Time
  - Clock Speeds
  - Virtualization Support
  - BIOS Security
- Built-in Diagnostics
- Monitoring
  - Temperature Monitoring
  - Fan Speeds
  - Intrusion Detection and Notification
  - Voltage
  - Clock
  - Bus Speed
Explain motherboard components, their purpose and properties
- Form Factors
  - ATX
  - Mini-ATX
  - ITX
  - Mini-ITX
- Expansion Slots
  - PCI
  - PCI-X
  - PCIe
  - miniPCI
- RAM Slots
- CPU Sockets
  - LGA
  - PGA
- Chipsets
  - Northbridge
  - Southbridge
- CMOS Battery
- Power Connections and Types
- Fan Connectors
- Front and Top Panel Connectors
  - USB
  - Audio
  - Power
  - Lights
  - Reset Button
- Bus Speeds

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