Watched Professor Messer's A+ Videos? Here's How to Find Out If You're Actually Ready
Professor Messer's free CompTIA A+ course is, hands down, one of the best ways to learn the material - and it's free, which is why nearly everyone uses it. But watching all of Core 1 and Core 2 isn't the same as being ready to sit two timed exams. FigigExams gives you a free, full A+ practice exam for both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) that pairs with the videos - it shows you, concept by concept, whether the material stuck and what to review before you book. No credit card.
Did the videos stick? Test both cores.
Full A+ practice exams that pair with Messer's videos, with Explanations and Exam Tips on every item and a personalized Exam Coach when you finish. Create an account on the next screen, the code auto-applies.
APLUS1-EXAM-FULL
Free Core 1 (220-1201)
APLUS2-EXAM-FULL
Free Core 2 (220-1202)
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In This Guide
The gap a free video course leaves
Messer is brilliant at explaining concepts in short, clear videos. What videos can't do is simulate sitting a timed exam with performance-based questions (PBQs) and multiple-choice items that test recognition, not just recall. You can nod along to every video and still freeze when a question asks you to apply the concept - "given these symptoms, what's the first troubleshooting step?" - under the clock.
That's the normal division of labor: videos teach, practice exams pressure-test. The trap is finishing the playlist, feeling confident, and walking into the testing center without a single full, timed run. A+ is two exams, so that's two chances to be caught out.
Two exams, two different banks
A+ certification requires passing both, and they test genuinely different things. Treat them as two separate readiness checks:
| Exam | Domains | Free practice code |
|---|---|---|
| Core 1 (220-1201) | Mobile Devices · Networking · Hardware · Virtualization & Cloud · Hardware/Network Troubleshooting | APLUS1-EXAM-FULL |
| Core 2 (220-1202) | Operating Systems · Security · Software Troubleshooting · Operational Procedures | APLUS2-EXAM-FULL |
Most candidates find Core 2 deceptively harder - the Security and Operational Procedures domains have a lot of "best practice" judgment questions that are easy to half-know. Test both before you book either.
What you get back: a concept-level breakdown
Here's a static preview of the Exam Coach report for a candidate who scored about 50% on a Core 1 attempt after the videos:
Ports and wireless standards are pure memorization the videos can't drill into you. See the mobile & networking guide and build a port table.
CompTIA loves "what's the FIRST step" questions. Memorize the 6-step troubleshooting methodology in order - identify, theory, test, plan, verify, document.
Strong domain. Only firm up RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 10) and what each trades off. See hardware troubleshooting.
Every exam produces a report tailored to your answers and a study plan ordered by impact. Take a free A+ exam to see your own breakdown →
Question types and the Exam Tips on every item
A+ mixes multiple-choice with performance-based questions and a lot of "best first step" judgment items. Every FigigExams A+ exam is built to mirror that, so the practice trains the exact application skill the videos can't.
Exam Tips on every single question
Every item ships two blocks: the Explanation that teaches the question, and an Exam Tips block - the memorize-this table or rule for the concept. It's the part candidates pull up the night before, and it's in the free version too.
Q: A user reports their computer is "running slow." You suspect malware. According to CompTIA's troubleshooting methodology, what should you do FIRST?
"FIRST" maps to step 1 of CompTIA's methodology: identify the problem. Running a scan is acting on a theory before you've confirmed the symptoms - that's a later step. CompTIA tests whether you follow the process in order, not whether you know the eventual fix.
CompTIA 6-step troubleshooting methodology (memorize in order): 1) Identify the problem 2) Establish a theory of probable cause 3) Test the theory 4) Establish a plan of action 5) Verify full functionality 6) Document findings. Trap: "FIRST step" answers are almost always step 1 (identify), never the fix. For malware specifically, there's a separate 7-step remediation process - don't confuse the two.
Test both cores free
Take a full A+ practice exam free and read your concept-level report. The code auto-applies after sign-up.
Test your A+ readiness after Messer's videos - free
Full Core 1 and Core 2 practice exams with a concept-level breakdown. No credit card.
Start Free A+ Practice ExamA free try of the practice exam, no credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Professor Messer's videos enough to pass CompTIA A+?
They're one of the best ways to learn the material and many people pass after them. The step they leave to you is full, timed practice exams for both cores - pairing the videos with practice exams plus a concept-level breakdown is the proven combination.
Is the A+ practice exam free?
Yes - full practice exams for Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), free, no credit card. The codes apply automatically after sign-up. Additional exam versions are $18 each.
Do I need to pass both A+ exams?
Yes. A+ requires passing both Core 1 and Core 2. They cover different domains, so prepare and test for each separately.