IT and cloud certifications · 34 cards · sources listed below

CompTIA A+ Flashcards by Topic

This set covers the concepts and acronyms that show up again and again when you study for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) exams, which CompTIA lists as launched on March 25, 2025 (the v15 series). The exam codes, launch date and domain names come from CompTIA's Core 1 and Core 2 pages. The individual cards were written from standard course content, not copied from the objectives documents (which were not consulted). It is an independent study aid, not the full objectives list, and it does not replace the official objectives or hands-on practice.

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Server rack, cloud, terminal window, padlock and network nodes

Free CompTIA A+ flashcards: 34-card starter set

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Hardware and storage (8)

SATA SSD vs NVMe SSD: what is the practical difference?

SATA SSDs use the older SATA interface, which limits speed. NVMe drives talk over PCIe lanes and are much faster. M.2 is only a connector/form factor, so an M.2 drive can be either SATA or NVMe.

RAID 0 vs RAID 1

RAID 0 stripes data across disks for speed and has no redundancy (one failed disk loses the array). RAID 1 mirrors data on two disks, so one disk can fail without data loss.

RAID 5 vs RAID 10: minimum disks and fault tolerance

RAID 5 stripes with distributed parity, needs at least 3 disks, and survives one disk failure. RAID 10 is mirrored pairs that are striped, needs at least 4 disks, and can survive one failure per mirror pair.

What does ECC RAM do?

Error-correcting code memory detects and corrects single-bit memory errors. It is used mainly in servers and workstations and needs support from both the CPU/platform and the modules.

SODIMM vs DIMM

SODIMM is the smaller memory module used in laptops and small form factor systems. DIMM is the full-size module used in desktops and servers.

What is a UEFI/BIOS used for, and what does Secure Boot do?

Firmware that initializes hardware and starts the bootloader. Secure Boot only lets the system start software signed by trusted keys, which helps block boot-level malware.

What does a PSU's 24-pin ATX connector power?

It is the main motherboard power connector. Separate 4- or 8-pin connectors feed the CPU, and other connectors feed storage and graphics cards.

Laser printer imaging process, in order

Processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing, cleaning.

Mobile devices and networking basics (11)

What is MDM?

Mobile device management: software that lets an organization enroll devices, push policies and apps, enforce encryption and passcodes, and remotely lock or wipe them.

NFC vs Bluetooth: how do they differ?

NFC works at only a few centimeters and is used for contactless payments and quick pairing. Bluetooth works over several meters and is used for headsets, keyboards and other peripherals.

Private IPv4 address ranges

10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12 (172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255) and 192.168.0.0/16. These are not routed on the public internet.

What does APIPA mean when you see 169.254.x.x?

The device could not reach a DHCP server, so it assigned itself a link-local address (169.254.0.0/16). It can talk to local devices only, so check DHCP and the cable/Wi-Fi.

The four DHCP steps (DORA)

Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge.

DNS record types: A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT

A maps a name to an IPv4 address. AAAA maps to an IPv6 address. MX names the mail servers. CNAME makes one name an alias of another. TXT holds free text, often used for SPF/verification.

TCP vs UDP in one line each

TCP is connection-oriented and reliable (handshake, acknowledgements, retransmission). UDP is connectionless and has no delivery guarantee, but is lighter and faster, so it suits DNS queries, VoIP and streaming.

Which Wi-Fi channels in the 2.4 GHz band do not overlap (US)?

1, 6 and 11. Using them avoids interference between neighboring access points.

Maximum length of one twisted-pair Ethernet segment

100 meters (328 feet). Beyond that you need a switch, repeater or fiber.

What is PoE?

Power over Ethernet: a switch or injector supplies power to a device such as an access point, IP camera or VoIP phone over the same twisted-pair cable that carries data.

Ports to know: 22, 23, 25, 53, 80, 110, 143, 443, 3389

SSH 22, Telnet 23, SMTP 25, DNS 53, HTTP 80, POP3 110, IMAP 143, HTTPS 443, RDP 3389.

Virtualization and cloud (4)

Type 1 vs Type 2 hypervisor

A Type 1 (bare-metal) hypervisor runs directly on the hardware. A Type 2 (hosted) hypervisor runs as an application on top of a normal operating system.

IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS

IaaS rents virtual infrastructure (servers, storage, networks). PaaS provides a platform to run your code without managing the OS. SaaS is a finished application used over the internet.

Scalability vs elasticity

Scalability is the ability to handle growth by adding resources. Elasticity is adding and removing resources automatically as demand rises and falls.

Public vs private vs hybrid cloud

Public: provider-owned, shared infrastructure. Private: dedicated to one organization. Hybrid: a mix of the two that work together.

Operating systems, security and troubleshooting (11)

NTFS vs FAT32 vs exFAT

NTFS supports permissions, encryption and large files. FAT32 is widely compatible but limits files to under 4 GB. exFAT removes that limit and suits removable drives shared between systems.

Which Windows command repairs protected system files?

sfc /scannow (System File Checker) scans protected system files and replaces corrupted ones from a cached copy.

ipconfig /release, /renew and /flushdns

/release drops the current DHCP lease, /renew requests a new one, and /flushdns clears the local DNS resolver cache.

ping vs tracert vs nslookup

ping tests reachability and round-trip time. tracert shows each router hop on the path. nslookup queries DNS for name-to-address information.

Which Windows tool shows system and application log entries?

Event Viewer.

What does gpupdate /force do?

It reapplies Group Policy settings immediately instead of waiting for the next automatic refresh.

What is the principle of least privilege?

Users and programs get only the access they need for their task and nothing more.

Which wireless security standard should you choose today?

WPA3 if all devices support it, otherwise WPA2 with AES. Avoid WEP and WPA with TKIP, which are weak.

BitLocker vs EFS

BitLocker encrypts a whole volume or drive and can use a TPM. EFS encrypts individual files and folders on NTFS for a specific user.

The CompTIA troubleshooting method, in order

1 Identify the problem. 2 Establish a theory of probable cause. 3 Test the theory. 4 Establish a plan of action and implement it. 5 Verify full functionality and apply preventive measures. 6 Document findings, actions and outcomes.

First step when a user reports "the internet is down"?

Identify the problem: ask questions, find what changed, and check whether one device or many are affected, before you change anything.

What this set covers

Exams the topics map to

Core 1 (220-1201): mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud, hardware and network troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1202): operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, operational procedures.

Best used for

Learning terms, acronyms, ports and Windows tools, and for drilling the difference between look-alike technologies.

Not covered

Performance-based labs, full objective-by-objective acronym lists, vendor-specific steps, and macOS/Linux/mobile OS depth. Check the current official objectives before you rely on any list.

Independence

Written independently. Not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.

How to study this set

A+ is a breadth exam, so the work is recognizing many terms quickly and telling look-alikes apart. Short daily sessions beat long weekend cram sessions.

1
Day 1
Go through each group once. Say each acronym aloud and spell it out before flipping, for example DORA or RAID.
2
Days 2-7
Review missed cards daily. Pair look-alikes (RAID 5 vs 10, Type 1 vs Type 2) and explain the difference out loud.
3
Week 2
Mix in hands-on work: run ipconfig, ping and tracert yourself and open Event Viewer and Device Manager, then re-test the matching cards.
4
Final week
Drill only the cards you still miss, and recite the six troubleshooting steps and the port list from memory.

Spaced repetition schedules each card to come back just before you would forget it, so reviews get shorter as your recall gets stronger. Cards you miss come back sooner.

Common mistakes to avoid

Confusing form factor with interface

M.2 is a shape; SATA and NVMe are how the drive communicates. Questions often test exactly this split.

Memorizing acronyms without the problem they solve

Knowing that DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is not enough. Know what breaks (APIPA address) when it fails.

Skipping hands-on practice

Scenario questions describe symptoms. Running real commands and tools makes the right answer easier to recognize.

Jumping to a fix

Exam answers follow the troubleshooting order. Identify the problem and gather information before changing anything.

Make your own from your notes

A starter set is a head start, not your whole course. Your class notes, slides and textbook are what your teacher actually tests, so turn them into cards too.

Put the symptom or scenario on the front and the cause or fix on the back, because exam questions are scenario-based.
Make one card per acronym, with the spelled-out form on the back plus one phrase about what it does.
For commands, put the task on the front ("flush the DNS cache") and the exact command on the back.
Avoid pasting whole objective lists onto one card; split them into single facts.

Generate cards from a topic or notes Turn a PDF into flashcards

CompTIA A+ flashcards: questions

Which A+ exams do these cards match?

The topics follow the domains CompTIA lists for the 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) exams. Always download the current objectives from CompTIA, because exams are revised and examples change.

Do I have to take both Core 1 and Core 2?

CompTIA lists A+ as two exams, Core 1 and Core 2. Check CompTIA's certification page for the current requirements and rules.

Should I memorize ports for A+?

Yes, the common ones. Ports for SSH, Telnet, SMTP, DNS, HTTP, POP3, IMAP, HTTPS and RDP are a good starting point, and our network ports deck lists more.

How many cards should I study per day?

Many learners find 15 to 25 new cards plus the due reviews manageable. Reduce the number if your review pile grows faster than you clear it.

Will these cards help with performance-based questions?

They build the vocabulary and the troubleshooting order, but performance-based questions need hands-on practice with real tools or simulators.

Sources and review

These cards are an independent study aid, not official exam content, and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any exam body or publisher. They were written by hand and checked against the sources below on 2026-10-17. Always confirm details with your course materials and the current official documents.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) certification page — Exam code, launch date and domain list for Core 1 (checked).
CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) certification page — Exam code, launch date and domain list for Core 2 (checked).
IANA Service Name and Port Number Registry — Registry used to confirm the port numbers in the networking cards. The other A+ cards are general reference knowledge.

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