CompTIA Certification Guides

CompTIA remains the broadest early-career vendor section on the site. These guides are written around the choices CompTIA exams actually score: the safest next troubleshooting step, the right control for the constraint, the correct document or register to update, and the difference between recognizing a term and applying it under pressure.

Published exam roots currently include A+ Core 1, A+ Core 2, Network+, Security+, and Project+. Start with the exam that matches your target path, then use the cheat sheet for fast recall, the FAQ for scenario traps and format questions, and the resources page when you need the current official exam details or a lab-safe primary source.

In this section

• CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
  Blueprint-first A+ Core 1 guide covering the current 220-1201 domains, practical support lessons, and review appendices.
  • CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Study Plan
    Use a practical 220-1201 study sequence built around the current Core 1 domains, hands-on drills, and mixed review.
  • Study Mobile Devices for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
    Build the mobile-device support baseline A+ Core 1 expects for laptops, accessories, wireless settings, and handheld troubleshooting.
    • Study Laptop and Mobile Hardware for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Learn the replaceable laptop and handheld components, common form factors, and support-first hardware decisions that A+ Core 1 expects.
    • Study Mobile Ports, Accessories and Docking for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Match USB-C, Lightning, Bluetooth, NFC, docking, stylus, and mobile accessories to the real support need on A+ Core 1.
    • Study Mobile Connectivity and Sync Settings for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Learn the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, hotspot, tethering, and sync settings that drive many A+ Core 1 mobile support questions.
    • Study Mobile Device Troubleshooting for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Diagnose the common battery, overheating, app, display, radio, and sync failures that A+ Core 1 tests on phones and tablets.
  • Study Networking for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
    Build the ports, addressing, Wi-Fi, SOHO, and basic tooling baseline that A+ Core 1 uses in deployment and troubleshooting questions.
    • Study Ports, Protocols and Common Services for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Learn the high-value network protocols, ports, and service behaviors that A+ Core 1 expects for support and SOHO troubleshooting.
    • Study Addressing, TCP/IP and SOHO Foundations for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Use IPv4 settings, DHCP, DNS, gateways, NAT, and small-office router behavior the way A+ Core 1 expects.
    • Study Wireless Standards, Encryption and SOHO Connectivity for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Learn the Wi-Fi generations, frequency bands, encryption choices, and small-office connectivity decisions that A+ Core 1 tests.
    • Study Network Tools, Cabling and Basic Evidence for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Use the common network tools, cable types, and first-line support evidence that A+ Core 1 expects in SOHO troubleshooting.
  • Study Hardware for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
    Build the component, connector, storage, power, and printer foundation that drives many A+ Core 1 questions.
    • Study Motherboards, Firmware, CPUs and Memory for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Learn the board, socket, RAM, chipset, and firmware decisions that drive compatibility and startup behavior on A+ Core 1.
    • Study Power, Cooling, Form Factors and Build Compatibility for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Use PSU, airflow, connector, and case-fit reasoning correctly on A+ Core 1 hardware installation and upgrade questions.
    • Study Storage Devices, Interfaces and RAID Basics for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Separate drive types, form factors, interfaces, file systems, and RAID trade-offs the way A+ Core 1 expects.
    • Study Cables, Connectors, Ports and Expansion Hardware for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Match display, storage, USB, network, and expansion connectors to the real requirement on A+ Core 1.
    • Study Printers, Scanners and Peripheral Support for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Learn the printer technologies, laser process, maintenance parts, and support patterns that A+ Core 1 repeatedly tests.
  • Study Virtualization and Cloud Computing for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
    Learn the compact virtualization and cloud support concepts that appear on A+ Core 1 without turning the domain into a deep cloud-cert detour.
    • Study Virtualization, Hypervisors and Client-Side Labs for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Understand Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors, virtual machine basics, and the support-side use of client virtualization on A+ Core 1.
    • Study Cloud Models, Thin Clients and VDI Basics for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Sort IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, public and private cloud, thin clients, and VDI at the support depth A+ Core 1 expects.
  • Study Hardware and Network Troubleshooting for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
    Use Core 1 troubleshooting logic across PC hardware, mobile devices, printers, wired networks, and Wi-Fi fault patterns.
    • Study the Core Troubleshooting Method and Safety for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Use CompTIA's six-step troubleshooting process, safety habits, and least-intrusive support logic on A+ Core 1.
    • Study PC Power, Boot, Storage and Display Issues for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Diagnose common desktop and laptop symptoms involving no power, boot failures, storage detection, and display problems on A+ Core 1.
    • Study Mobile Device Fault Patterns for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Diagnose battery, heat, pairing, app, and mobile-connectivity failures with the symptom-first logic A+ Core 1 expects.
    • Study Printer and Peripheral Fault Patterns for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Diagnose the repeatable printer, scanner, and external-device symptoms that A+ Core 1 uses in troubleshooting questions.
    • Study Wired, Wireless and Internet Connectivity Issues for A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
      Diagnose DHCP, DNS, APIPA, gateway, Wi-Fi, cabling, and SOHO internet failures with the applied logic A+ Core 1 expects.
  • CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Cheat Sheet
    Use a high-yield A+ Core 1 review sheet for ports, Wi-Fi, storage, printers, mobile basics, and support-side troubleshooting logic.
  • CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Glossary
    Review the A+ Core 1 terms, abbreviations, and high-confusion pairs that show up across hardware, networking, mobile, and troubleshooting questions.
  • CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) FAQ
    Get current A+ Core 1 answers on exam format, PBQs, study strategy, hardware emphasis, and the difference between Core 1 and Core 2.
• CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)
  Free exam-focused coverage of operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures for CompTIA A+ Core 2.
  • CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) Cheat Sheet
    High-yield review of operating systems, endpoint security, permissions, recovery tools, scripting, and operational procedures for CompTIA A+ Core 2.
  • CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) FAQ
    Exam-focused answers on A+ Core 2 operating systems, security, permissions, malware response, recovery tools, and study strategy.
• CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)
  Blueprint-first N10-009 guide covering CompTIA's five Network+ domains, objective-group lessons, and review appendices.
  • CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Study Plan
    Use a practical N10-009 study sequence built around the five official Network+ domains, labs, and mixed review.
  • Study Networking Concepts for Network+ (N10-009)
    Build the addressing, protocol, media, topology, and virtual-networking baseline that Network+ uses everywhere else.
    • Study OSI Model, TCP/IP & Encapsulation for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use the OSI and TCP/IP stacks to place protocols, frames, packets, and troubleshooting clues where Network+ expects them.
    • Study Appliances, Functions & Wireless Devices for Network+ (N10-009)
      Sort routers, switches, firewalls, proxies, load balancers, IDS/IPS, NAS, SAN, and wireless devices by role instead of by brand name.
    • Study Cloud Concepts, VPCs & Service Models for Network+ (N10-009)
      Connect virtualization, NFV, VPCs, cloud gateways, and public/private/hybrid models to modern networking questions.
    • Study Ports, Protocols, Services & Application Flows for Network+ (N10-009)
      Study the common ports, protocols, and service behaviors that Network+ expects you to recognize in deployment and troubleshooting questions.
    • Study Traffic Types & Communication Patterns for Network+ (N10-009)
      Learn when unicast, multicast, anycast, and broadcast behavior matters for design, troubleshooting, and service delivery.
    • Study Transmission Media, Wireless Standards & Link Types for Network+ (N10-009)
      Relate wireless, fiber, coaxial, copper, DAC, cellular, and satellite links to distance, speed, interference, and deployment constraints.
    • Study Transceivers, Connectors & Physical Interfaces for Network+ (N10-009)
      Recognize the connector and transceiver family that fits the media, device, and speed requirement in the question.
    • Study Topologies, Architectures & Network Design for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use mesh, star, hub-and-spoke, spine-and-leaf, three-tier, and collapsed-core language correctly in design and growth questions.
    • Study IPv4, IPv6, CIDR & Subnetting for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use public and private ranges, special addresses, CIDR, VLSM, and IPv6 addressing logic in design and support questions.
  • Study Network Implementation for Network+ (N10-009)
    Work through routing, switching, wireless deployment, and physical installation choices for the current Network+ implementation domain.
    • Study Routing Technologies, NAT & Route Selection for Network+ (N10-009)
      Understand static routing, dynamic routing, NAT, PAT, FHRP, VIPs, and route preference in branch and enterprise scenarios.
    • Study Switching Technologies, VLANs & Layer 2 Design for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use VLANs, trunks, interface settings, spanning tree, MTU, and jumbo-frame concepts correctly in switching scenarios.
    • Study Wireless Devices, Channels & WLAN Design for Network+ (N10-009)
      Connect SSIDs, channels, authentication, guest design, antennas, roaming, and access-point placement to real wireless deployment choices.
    • Study Physical Installations, Power & Environment for Network+ (N10-009)
      Work through installation implications, power choices, and environmental conditions that affect real network builds.
  • Study Network Operations for Network+ (N10-009)
    Cover documentation, monitoring, network services, management access, and resilience for the operational side of Network+.
    • Study Documentation, Diagrams & IPAM for Network+ (N10-009)
      Know which diagram, inventory, survey, or IPAM source should answer the operational question in front of you.
    • Study Life-Cycle Management & Decommissioning for Network+ (N10-009)
      Track how devices move from deployment to support, update, replacement, and retirement without creating security or support gaps.
    • Study Change Management for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use change requests, maintenance windows, approvals, testing, and rollback logic to reduce avoidable outages.
    • Study Configuration Management & Backups for Network+ (N10-009)
      Separate production, baseline, and backup configurations so you can restore or audit device state safely.
    • Study Monitoring, Flow Data & Visibility for Network+ (N10-009)
      Connect SNMP, flow records, packet capture, baselines, log aggregation, API integration, and port mirroring to real support workflows.
    • Study Disaster Recovery, RTO/RPO & Testing for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use MTTR, MTBF, RTO, RPO, site models, active-passive or active-active design, and testing to frame resilience decisions.
    • Study Core Network Services for Network+ (N10-009)
      Work through DHCP, SLAAC, DNS, NTP, PTP, and NTS as the operational services that keep modern networks usable.
    • Study Access, Remote Management & Management Planes for Network+ (N10-009)
      Compare VPNs, SSH, GUI, API, and console access so you know which management path the question is describing.
  • Study Network Security for Network+ (N10-009)
    Cover identity controls, compliance, segmentation, attacks, hardening, and defensive technologies in the Network+ security domain.
    • Study Logical Security, AAA & Identity Controls for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use IAM, MFA, SSO, RADIUS, LDAP, SAML, TACACS+, and least-privilege language correctly in network-access scenarios.
    • Study Physical Security Controls for Network+ (N10-009)
      Connect locks, cameras, badging, and facility controls to the network assets they are trying to protect.
    • Study Deception Technologies for Network+ (N10-009)
      Learn when honeypots and honeynets make sense and what they are meant to observe or divert.
    • Study Risk, Vulnerability, Exploit & CIA for Network+ (N10-009)
      Keep security terminology straight so scenario questions do not collapse into vague security language.
    • Study Audits, Compliance & Data Locality for Network+ (N10-009)
      Connect PCI DSS, GDPR, locality requirements, and audit expectations to network design and operations choices.
    • Study Network Segmentation for Guest, BYOD, IoT & OT for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use network segmentation to separate trust zones and limit blast radius across guest, user-owned, and operational technology environments.
    • Study Network Attacks & Adversary Techniques for Network+ (N10-009)
      Recognize common network attacks, spoofing behaviors, rogue services, wireless attacks, and social-engineering paths that appear in Network+ scenarios.
    • Study Hardening, NAC, ACLs & Defensive Controls for Network+ (N10-009)
      Apply device hardening, NAC, key management, ACLs, trust zones, filtering, and screened-subnet logic to network-defense questions.
  • Study Network Troubleshooting for Network+ (N10-009)
    Practice the troubleshooting method, symptom classification, tool choice, and performance analysis that drive the heaviest Network+ domain.
    • Study Troubleshooting Methodology for Network+ (N10-009)
      Follow a disciplined troubleshooting flow so you identify, test, fix, verify, and document without making the outage worse.
    • Study Cabling, Interface & Hardware Issues for Network+ (N10-009)
      Recognize what bad cable type, poor termination, transceiver mismatch, low signal strength, or failing hardware looks like on the wire.
    • Study Network Services, Routing & Switching Issues for Network+ (N10-009)
      Work through VLAN, STP, ACL, routing-table, gateway, DHCP, DNS, and addressing failures using the right evidence path.
    • Study Congestion, Latency, Packet Loss & Wireless Performance for Network+ (N10-009)
      Use symptom patterns and measurements to distinguish congestion, delay, packet loss, and interference-driven wireless issues.
    • Study Tools, Protocols & Evidence Collection for Network+ (N10-009)
      Match protocol analyzers, command-line tools, cable testers, Wi-Fi analyzers, and other troubleshooting aids to the evidence you need.
  • CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Cheat Sheet
    Use a compressed N10-009 review sheet for high-confusion terms, protocol distinctions, and troubleshooting shortcuts.
  • CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Glossary
    Keep the core N10-009 networking vocabulary straight with a compact glossary of high-confusion terms.
  • CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) FAQ
    Use this FAQ for current Network+ N10-009 logistics, study sequencing, and practical prep questions.
• CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005)
  Free exam-focused coverage of project management concepts, change control, scheduling, risk, and communication for CompTIA Project+.
  • CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005) Cheat Sheet
    High-yield review of lifecycle flow, project documents, change control, risk, scheduling, communication, and exam traps for CompTIA Project+.
  • CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005) FAQ
    Exam-focused answers on Project+ format, lifecycle decisions, risk versus issue handling, change control, documents, and study strategy.
• CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
  Exam-focused SY0-701 guide covering CompTIA's five Security+ domains, objective-group lessons, and review appendices.
  • CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Study Plan
    Use a realistic SY0-701 study sequence built around CompTIA's five Security+ domains, quizzes, labs, and mixed review.
  • Study General Security Concepts for Security+ (SY0-701)
    Work through control types, security principles, change management, and core cryptography for the opening Security+ domain.
    • Compare Security Controls for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Learn how Security+ classifies technical, managerial, operational, physical, preventive, detective, corrective, compensating, deterrent, and directive controls.
    • Explain Security Principles and Zero Trust for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand CIA, AAA, non-repudiation, zero trust, and deception technology well enough to apply them correctly in Security+ scenarios.
    • Use Change Management Safely for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand approval, testing, rollback, documentation, and version-control decisions for the Security+ change-management objectives.
    • Use Cryptographic Solutions for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand PKI, encryption, hashing, digital signatures, obfuscation, and certificate workflows for the cryptography objectives on Security+.
  • Study Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations for Security+ (SY0-701)
    Map attacker motives, attack paths, vulnerabilities, malicious activity, and defensive responses for the heaviest early Security+ scenario set.
    • Compare Threat Actors and Motivations for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand how Security+ distinguishes insider, criminal, hacktivist, nation-state, shadow IT, and other actor motives in scenario questions.
    • Analyze Threat Vectors and Attack Surfaces for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Recognize phishing, social engineering, exposed services, unsecure networks, supply-chain paths, and other attack surfaces on Security+.
    • Identify Vulnerabilities for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand application, hardware, mobile, virtualization, operating system, cloud, web, and supply-chain vulnerabilities for Security+.
    • Analyze Malicious Activity for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Recognize malware, password, application, physical, network, and cryptographic attacks well enough to separate them in Security+ scenarios.
    • Choose Mitigation Techniques for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Use segmentation, access control, hardening, isolation, patching, and related defensive choices correctly in Security+ scenarios.
  • Study Security Architecture for Security+ (SY0-701)
    Learn how Security+ frames architecture models, enterprise infrastructure, data protection, and resilience as connected design decisions.
    • Compare Architecture Models for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand on-premises, cloud, virtualization, IoT, ICS, and infrastructure-as-code models through the lens Security+ uses.
    • Apply Enterprise Infrastructure Security for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Learn how Security+ frames segmentation, secure access, communication paths, and control selection for enterprise infrastructure.
    • Protect and Classify Data for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand data types, classification, lifecycle handling, and protection methods such as encryption, tokenization, masking, and DLP for Security+.
    • Design Resilience and Recovery for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand high availability, backup strategy, site models, testing, power protection, and continuity decisions for Security+.
  • Study Security Operations for Security+ (SY0-701)
    Work through baselines, asset handling, vulnerability workflows, monitoring, IAM operations, automation, and incident response for the largest Security+ domain.
    • Apply Secure Baselines and Hardening for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand secure baselines, host and mobile hardening, wireless protection, application security, sandboxing, and operational monitoring for Security+.
    • Manage Assets for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand hardware, software, and data asset acquisition, assignment, disposal, tagging, monitoring, and ownership for Security+.
    • Run Vulnerability Management for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand how Security+ treats identification, analysis, prioritization, remediation, validation, and reporting in vulnerability management.
    • Use Alerting, Monitoring, and Telemetry for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand logs, metrics, alerts, SIEM, UEBA, and monitoring workflows for Security+ operational scenarios.
    • Operate Enterprise Security Controls for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Learn how Security+ frames firewall changes, IDS/IPS, DNS filtering, DLP, NAC, and EDR/XDR tuning in operations scenarios.
    • Run Identity and Access Operations for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand provisioning, SSO, MFA, privileged access, and operational IAM decisions for Security+.
    • Use Automation and Orchestration for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Learn when Security+ expects automation, scripting, and orchestration to reduce error and speed repeatable security operations safely.
    • Run Incident Response and Forensics for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand incident phases, training, testing, root cause analysis, threat hunting, and evidence handling for Security+.
    • Use Data Sources in Investigations for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Learn which log, network, identity, and endpoint data sources support Security+ investigations and why source quality matters.
  • Study Security Program Management and Oversight for Security+ (SY0-701)
    Cover governance, risk, third-party oversight, compliance, audits, and awareness training for the Security+ program-management domain.
    • Explain Security Governance for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand policies, standards, procedures, roles, governance structures, and oversight responsibilities for Security+.
    • Manage Risk for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand risk identification, registers, appetite, tolerance, treatment, and business impact analysis for Security+.
    • Manage Third-Party Risk for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand vendor assessment, selection, agreements, monitoring, and rules of engagement for the third-party-risk objectives on Security+.
    • Handle Security Compliance and Privacy for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand compliance reporting, non-compliance consequences, monitoring, privacy, and regulated-data obligations for Security+.
    • Understand Audits and Assessments for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Learn how Security+ distinguishes internal and external audits, attestation, assessments, and penetration testing.
    • Run Security Awareness and Training for Security+ (SY0-701)
      Understand phishing training, user guidance, anomaly reporting, and awareness-program design for Security+.
  • CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Cheat Sheet
    High-yield SY0-701 review sheet for control selection, zero trust, attack patterns, architecture choices, operations workflows, and GRC anchors.
  • CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Glossary
    Security+ glossary for high-confusion SY0-701 terms across IAM, crypto, resilience, incident response, risk, and control categories.
  • CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) FAQ
    Current SY0-701 Security+ FAQ covering exam format, PBQs, study strategy, zero trust, IAM, crypto, incident response, and GRC.