Free CompTIA A+ Core 1 Practice Test 2026 (220-1201)
Most "free A+ practice tests" you find online are scraped, unexplained, or built for the retired 220-1101 exam. These aren't. Every question below was written by a certified engineer for the current Core 1 (220-1201) objectives, with a full explanation and an exam tip - and there are well over 100 of them free across this site, including a full-length practice exam with no credit card. Start with the 5 right here.
On this page
Why a free full exam matters more than scattered questions
Ten random free questions tell you almost nothing. They don't simulate the timing, they don't include the performance-based questions and "what's the FIRST step" items that trip people up on Core 1, and they don't tell you which domain is costing you points. A handful of questions feels like progress without being progress.
The questions on this page are a genuine sample - explained, exam-realistic, one per Core 1 domain. But the real value is using them to warm up, then taking the free full-length practice exam, which simulates the actual 220-1201 (every domain, PBQs included) and ends with a concept-level Exam Coach report. That's the difference between "I did some questions" and "I know exactly what to study next."
Try 5 free A+ Core 1 questions right now
One question from each of the five Core 1 (220-1201) domains, with a detailed explanation on each. No signup needed.
The five Core 1 (220-1201) domains
Core 1 is the hardware-and-networking half of A+. Here's what each domain covers and where candidates tend to lose points:
Mobile Devices
Laptop components, teardown/replacement order, and mobile connectivity and sync
Networking
Ports and protocols, Wi-Fi standards, cabling - the biggest memorization win
Hardware
RAM, storage interfaces, RAID, power, connectors, printers
Virtualization & Cloud
Cloud models (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS), cloud characteristics, hypervisor types
Hardware & Network Troubleshooting
The 6-step methodology and "first step" logic - the single biggest domain
What you get after the full exam: a personalized Exam Coach
Free questions show you a right/wrong. The free full exam goes further - when you finish, the Exam Coach analyzes your answers at the concept level:
Weak concept diagnosis
Not "45% on Networking" but "you miss the RDP/SMB ports and Wi-Fi 6 specifically."
Readiness score
A calibrated read on how close you are to a pass-confident Core 1 attempt.
Targeted study plan
Your weak concepts, ordered by impact on your score.
Follow-up chat
Ask the Coach to explain any concept you missed, in plain language.
Done with the samples? Take the full free Core 1 exam
A full-length 220-1201 practice exam, every domain and every question type including PBQs, with Explanations and Exam Tips on each item and the concept-level Exam Coach when you finish. Create an account on the next screen, the code auto-applies.
APLUS1-EXAM-FULL
Start the free full Core 1 exam
Already have an account? Log in to start · Studying Core 2 next? Free Core 2 (220-1202) practice test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this A+ Core 1 practice test really free?
Yes. The 5 questions on this page are free with no signup. The full-length Core 1 (220-1201) practice exam is also free with no credit card - you create an account and the code APLUS1-EXAM-FULL applies automatically. There are well over 100 free A+ practice questions across the site.
Is this updated for the 2026 A+ exam (220-1201)?
Yes. These questions target the current CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam, 220-1201, which replaced 220-1101. They cover all five Core 1 domains: mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, and hardware and network troubleshooting.
Does the free Core 1 exam include performance-based questions (PBQs)?
Yes. The free full-length Core 1 practice exam includes PBQ-style items - reading command output, ordering the troubleshooting method, and drag-and-drop matching - not just multiple choice. See the A+ PBQ practice guide. The PBQs are in the free version, not gated behind payment.
Do I need to pass Core 1 and Core 2 separately?
Yes. CompTIA A+ requires passing both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). They cover different domains, so prepare and test for each separately. This page is the Core 1 free practice test; there's a separate free Core 2 practice test. Not sure where you stand? Try Am I Ready for the A+?