CompTIA's A+ certification is the industry standard for validating the foundational skills needed by today's computer support technicians and is included in the approved list of certifications to meet DoD Directive 8570.1 requirements. This international vendor-neutral certification requires that you pass two exams: CompTIA A+ Essentials Exam 220-801 and Practical Application Exam 220-802.

In this course with a particular focus on CompTIA A+ certification exam preparation, you'll gain the needed knowledge of basic computer hardware and operating systems. You will cover the essential principles of installing, building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, and preventative maintenance on desktop and laptop computers. You will also learn elements of customer service and communication skills necessary to work with clients. Instructor-led practice exams and quizzes help reinforce course concepts and exam readiness.

• Prepare for the latest A+ certification exams
• Fundamentals of computer technology
• Install and configure PC operating systems
• Configure common features for Android and Apple iOS mobile operating systems
• PC components
• Preventative maintenance
• Operating system technologies
• Communicate with customers in a professional manner
• Computer hardware and peripherals
• Network connections
• Laptop and portable computing device components
• Support printers and scanners
• Secure PCs

Individuals seeking CompTIA A+ certification (220-801/220-802)

• End-user skills with Windows-based PCs
• Basic knowledge of computing concepts

1. Motherboards and Expansion Cards

• Safety procedures
• Motherboards
• BIOS settings
• Expansion cards

2. CPUs and Power Supplies

• CPUs
• Power supplies

3. Memory and Physical Storage

• RAM types and features
• Storage devices and media

4. Connections

• Connection interfaces
• Connectors and cables

5. Peripheral Devices

• Display devices
• Other devices

6. Printers

• Imaging processes
• Printer installation
• Printer maintenance

7. Notebooks

• Notebook hardware components
• Notebook displays
• Laptop features

8. Networking Basics

• Networks
• Internet connection types
• Network devices
• Networking basics

9. The Physical Network

• Network cable and connector types
• Cable and connector properties
• Networking tools

10. Networking Protocols

• TCP/IP
• Ports and protocols

11. Wireless Networking

• Wireless networking standards
• Wireless SOHO networking

12. Professional Conduct

• Communication and professionalism
• Environmental issues
• Incident response

13. Troubleshooting Basics

• Troubleshooting methodology
• The troubleshooting toolkit

14. Client Operating Systems

• Comparing Windows editions
• Configuring Windows Explorer
• Command line utility
• Virtualization

15. Configuring the Operating System

• System configuration tools
• System information and monitoring
• Task management
• Configuration files

16. Configuring Hardware Settings

• Device and hardware settings
• Disks and partitions

17. Networking PCs

• Creating network connections
• Sharing files and printers
• Remote connections

18. Authentication and User Security

• Users and authentication
• Windows security policies
• File system security

19. Securing Systems and Data

• Identifying common threats
• Physical security
• Digital security
• Data destruction and disposal
• Malware detection and removal

20. Preventative Maintenance

• Performing backups
• Disk maintenance
• Updating software

21. Securing Networks

• Securing wired networks
• Securing wireless networks

22. Troubleshooting System Hardware

• Troubleshooting core system elements
• Troubleshooting storage devices
• Troubleshooting laptop computers

23. Display and Printer Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting display issues
• Printer troubleshooting

24. Network Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting the physical network
• Troubleshooting the logical network

25. Operating System Troubleshooting

• Startup and recovery tools
• Troubleshooting Windows and application issues

26. Mobile Devices

• Comparing tablets and laptops
• Basic features of mobile operating systems
• Mobile networks and e-mail
• Securing mobile devices
• Synchronizing data

27. Operating System Installation and Upgrades

• Preparing to install Windows
• Windows installation
• Windows upgrades and compatibility

28. CompTIA A+ Acronyms

29. Certification Exam Objectives Map