CompTIA A+ study plan
CompTIA A+ · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Mobile Devices
Compare laptop and mobile device form factors, and identify the RAM, storage, and expansion options available on each.
Configure mobile device email, synchronization, hotspot, and Bluetooth pairing on a real or virtual device.
Enforce mobile security by applying screen lock, biometrics, remote wipe, and MDM policy settings in a lab profile.
Explain the tradeoffs of tethering, data caps, and synchronization methods for a given user scenario.
Your checkpoint
A one-page device comparison matrix covering six mobile/laptop form factors, plus a completed 25-question Domain 1 quiz scored at or above 80 percent.
Networking
Map each TCP/IP layer to concrete media, devices, and protocols used at that layer.
Memorize the common port and protocol list and reproduce it from memory without references.
Compare 802.11 wireless standards and configure SSID, band, channel, and encryption mode on a wireless router.
Differentiate network types and core services (DNS, DHCP, VPN, VLAN) using concrete examples.
Your checkpoint
A port-and-protocol sheet written from memory with 100 percent accuracy, plus a configured wireless router (WPA3, non-overlapping channel) documented in a settings record.
Networking
Convert between binary, hexadecimal, and decimal, and subnet a small network into usable ranges.
Configure static IP, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS on a host, and verify connectivity with command-line tools.
Build a DHCP scope and add DNS records in a virtual lab environment.
Implement wireless security settings and correct common connectivity faults such as channel overlap and interference.
Your checkpoint
A small-office network plan containing a subnet scheme, DHCP range, static device list, and DNS records, plus a score of at least 80 percent on 40 mixed networking questions.
Hardware
Identify motherboard form factors, headers, and expansion slots, and match CPU socket types to compatible processors.
Compare RAM generations and form factors, then install and verify modules are recognized.
Differentiate SSD, HDD, NVMe, and SATA storage, and calculate usable capacity and fault tolerance for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10.
Assemble or virtually assemble a PC and confirm a successful POST with all components detected.
Your checkpoint
A build that reaches POST with every component recognized, plus a RAID capacity and fault-tolerance worksheet with five correct answers.
Hardware
Compare printer technologies and perform driver installation, calibration, and consumable replacement tasks.
Select an appropriate power supply and compute wattage and rail requirements for a given component list.
Choose correct cables, connectors, and adapters for specified hardware scenarios.
Identify and configure network hardware including switches, routers, access points, and patch panels.
Your checkpoint
A hardware selection packet for three given scenarios, each containing a full component list, PSU wattage math, and a written justification for every choice.
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
Apply the six-step troubleshooting methodology to at least ten written hardware and network scenarios.
Diagnose power, POST, and boot failures using beep codes, LEDs, and component swap testing.
Diagnose storage, RAID, and performance problems from symptom descriptions.
Diagnose network faults using ping, ipconfig/ifconfig, tracert, netstat, and nslookup output.
Your checkpoint
A troubleshooting log of 15 scenarios documenting symptom, hypothesis, test, and resolution, plus a score of at least 90 percent on a 30-question troubleshooting quiz.
Virtualization and Cloud Computing & Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
Compare Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors, then create a VM with a guest OS and working network access.
Match client requirements to IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS and to public, private, hybrid, or community deployment models.
Explain cloud characteristics including resource pooling, elasticity, measured service, VDI, and sandboxing, along with their security implications.
Re-run network troubleshooting drills covering wireless, DNS, and DHCP failures to confirm retention from week 6.
Your checkpoint
A running VM with verified network connectivity, plus a cloud decision table mapping eight scenarios to the correct service and deployment model with justification.
Mobile Devices & Networking & Hardware & Virtualization and Cloud Computing & Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
Complete two full-length timed practice exams under exam-day conditions.
Review every missed item to its root cause and tag it to a specific exam objective.
Re-drill the two weakest domains using targeted flashcards and hands-on repetition.
Reproduce a condensed cheat sheet of ports, speeds, RAID levels, and troubleshooting steps from memory.
Your checkpoint
Two practice exams scored at or above 85 percent, accompanied by a written remediation list of weak objectives and the action taken on each.
Milestones
Week 2: Reproduce the full port and protocol list from memory with zero errors, and explain what each protocol does in one sentence.
Week 4: Score at least 80 percent on a 50-question mixed exam covering Domains 1 and 2, and complete a PC build that reaches POST with all components detected.
Week 6: Score at least 90 percent on the 30-question troubleshooting quiz and submit the 15-scenario troubleshooting log with a defensible resolution for each entry.
Week 8: Score at least 85 percent on two full-length timed practice exams, with no single domain below 75 percent and every missed item traced to a named objective.