Advertise on podcast: CompTIA A+ V15: Core 1 (220-1201) + Core 2 (220-1202) Exam Prep
This podcast has
30 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Maren BunchExplicit
No
Date created
2026/02/03
Latest episode
2026/02/07
Average duration
-
Release period
1 days
Description
CompTIA A+ V15 Exam Prep (220-1201 & 220-1202) This podcast is a complete, exam-aligned study companion for the CompTIA A+ V15 certification, covering both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) from start to finish. Across 30 structured episodes, this series walks you through every CompTIA A+ domain using plain-English explanations, real-world troubleshooting logic, and performance-based question (P-B-Q) thinking, exactly the way CompTIA expects you to reason on exam day. Rather than memorizing isolated facts, this podcast teaches you how to identify symptoms, choose the best next step, and eliminate wrong answers, which is the core skill behind passing A+. What this podcast covers Core 1 (220-1201) • Mobile devices: laptops, smartphones, accessories, connectivity, and repairs • Networking fundamentals: devices, ports, protocols, I-P addressing, Wi-Fi, and cabling • Hardware: C-P-U, R-A-M, storage, motherboards, power, cooling, printers, and peripherals • Virtualization and cloud computing: V-Ms, hypervisors, and cloud service models • Hardware and network troubleshooting using CompTIA’s official troubleshooting methodology Core 2 (220-1202) • Operating systems: Windows, macOS, Linux installs, upgrades, tools, and recovery • Security fundamentals: access control, authentication, malware, encryption, and hardening • Software troubleshooting: application crashes, performance issues, and security symptoms • Operational procedures: ticketing, documentation, safety, backups, recovery, and change management Each episode is mapped directly to CompTIA’s official exam objectives and domain weightings, ensuring that your study time matches what is actually tested. How episodes are structured • High-yield concept explanations • Realistic troubleshooting and scenario logic • Performance-based question (P-B-Q) style reasoning • “What do you do first?” decision drills • Exam traps to avoid and least-disruptive-fix thinking This podcast is ideal for: • First-time A+ test takers • Career switchers entering I-T or help desk roles • Students who struggle with P-B-Qs and scenario questions • Anyone who wants a structured, start-to-finish A+ study plan Disclaimer This podcast is AI-read using synthesized voice technology. All content is carefully structured from CompTIA A+ V15 (220-1201 / 220-1202) exam objectives and designed for educational and exam-preparation purposes only. CompTIA® and A+® are registered trademarks of CompTIA and are not affiliated with or endorsing this podcast.
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Check latest episodes from CompTIA A+ V15: Core 1 (220-1201) + Core 2 (220-1202) Exam Prep podcast
EPISODE 22 — Operating Systems (Core 2) | OS Troubleshooting: Boot Issues, Crashes, Slowdowns
2026/02/07
When Windows fails to boot, crashes unexpectedly, or slows to a crawl, knowing what to fix first matters just as much as knowing how to fix it. In this episode, we break down CompTIA’s structured methodology for diagnosing and resolving Windows operating system failures, exactly the way it’s tested on the Core 2 exam.
You’ll learn how to think in terms of least disruption first, using an escalation ladder that prioritizes protecting user data, settings, and uptime. We walk through real-world and exam-style scenarios involving boot loops, blue screens, and system-wide performance degradation, with a clear focus on choosing the correct recovery tool at the correct time.
Key topics include using the Windows Recovery Environment for startup repairs, leveraging Safe Mode to isolate driver and software conflicts, and applying essential command-line tools like SFC and CHKDSK to address file system corruption. We also cover how to distinguish between isolated application failures and true operating system instability, a critical decision point in CompTIA performance-based questions.
This episode finishes by clarifying when a clean OS installation is truly justified and why CompTIA expects it to be a last resort, only after targeted repairs and rollbacks have failed.
Perfect for A+ Core 2 candidates who want to strengthen their troubleshooting logic, master PBQ decision-making, and avoid overcorrecting on the exam.
EPISODE 23 — Security (Core 2) | Access Control, Authentication, and Wireless Security
2026/02/07
Security questions on the CompTIA Core 2 exam are less about memorization and more about making the right decision for the situation. In this episode, we focus on the practical application of security controls and risk management, exactly how CompTIA expects you to think on test day.
You’ll learn how to distinguish between physical security controls, which protect tangible assets like hardware and facilities, and logical security controls, which safeguard digital systems using tools such as encryption, firewalls, and access controls. We clearly break down the difference between authentication and authorization, and reinforce the principle of least privilege so you know how to limit access without overcorrecting.
This episode also simplifies wireless security protocols, explaining why WPA3 is the modern standard and why outdated options like WEP should never be chosen on the exam. Throughout the lesson, we emphasize selecting proportional responses to specific threats, helping you avoid the common trap of choosing the most complex security solution when a simpler, more appropriate control is correct.
Perfect for Core 2 candidates who want to strengthen their security decision-making, master PBQ logic, and approach the Security domain with confidence.
EPISODE 24 — Security (Core 2) | Malware: Detect, Remove, Prevent (CompTIA Style)
2026/02/07
Malware questions on CompTIA exams are all about process, precision, and order of operations. In this episode, we break down the essential malware protocols you need to recognize, diagnose, and resolve security incidents the way CompTIA expects on test day.
You’ll learn how to identify major malware types, including ransomware, rootkits, worms, and more, by linking real-world symptoms to their underlying behaviors. We walk through a structured, exam-approved removal workflow that prioritizes system isolation first, followed by scanning, remediation, verification, and user education. This step-by-step approach mirrors both best practices and CompTIA’s scoring logic.
The episode also covers high-yield prevention strategies, such as consistent patching, endpoint protection, and safe browsing habits, while reinforcing the critical role of user awareness in reducing future infections. Rather than jumping straight to drastic solutions, you’ll learn how to neutralize threats methodically while preserving system integrity.
Perfect for Core 2 candidates who want to master malware scenarios, sharpen PBQ decision-making, and approach security incidents with confidence and control.
EPISODE 25 — Security (Core 2) | Hardening & Encryption Basics
2026/02/07
System hardening and encryption questions on the CompTIA Core 2 exam are all about order, intent, and proportional security decisions. In this episode, we walk through the foundational principles CompTIA expects you to apply when securing systems in real-world and exam scenarios.
You’ll learn why effective hardening starts with changing default credentials and patching known vulnerabilities before layering on additional protections like encryption. We clearly distinguish between data at rest on physical drives and data in transit across networks, explaining when to use tools such as VPNs and HTTPS to protect sensitive information.
This episode also addresses the human side of security by breaking down common social engineering tactics, including urgency and authority-based manipulation, and showing how these threats are framed in exam questions. Throughout, we reinforce the idea that strong security isn’t about adding every control available, but about reducing the attack surface, disabling unnecessary services, and consistently educating end users.
Ideal for Core 2 candidates who want to sharpen their hardening logic, master PBQ sequencing, and approach security questions with confidence and clarity.
EPISODE 26 — Security (Core 2) | Incident Response for Help Desk
2026/02/07
Incident response questions on the CompTIA Core 2 exam aren’t about being a forensic expert, they’re about showing discipline, judgment, and restraint. In this episode, we focus on how entry-level technicians are expected to respond to security incidents as first responders, not problem-solvers acting alone.
You’ll learn why the initial priority is safety and containment, including isolating affected systems to prevent threats from spreading. We emphasize the importance of preserving evidence and documenting every action taken before attempting any remediation, a critical concept that often separates correct answers from exam traps.
This episode also clarifies when and how to escalate incidents to specialized security teams, and breaks down the difference between containment, eradication, and recovery using clear, Core 2–level language. Throughout, we reinforce that effective incident response protects not only systems and data, but also the organization’s legal and compliance obligations.
Ideal for Core 2 candidates who want to master incident response workflows, avoid common overreach mistakes, and approach security scenarios with confidence and professionalism.
EPISODE 27 — Software Troubleshooting (Core 2) | Application Issues: Crashes, Freezes, Updates
2026/02/07
Software troubleshooting on the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam is all about logic, sequence, and choosing the least disruptive fix first. In this episode, we break down the troubleshooting framework CompTIA expects you to apply when applications crash, freeze, or fail to update.
You’ll learn how to categorize common software problems such as resource exhaustion, corrupted user profiles, and application conflicts, allowing you to quickly identify likely root causes. We walk through a clear fix ladder, showing when a simple restart or update is the correct move and when it’s appropriate to escalate to repairs or reinstalls.
This episode also dives into browser-specific troubleshooting, a frequent exam topic, where issues are often resolved by disabling extensions, clearing cached data, or resetting settings. Throughout the lesson, we emphasize how to distinguish between application-level failures and system-wide instability, a key decision point in performance-based questions.
Perfect for Core 2 candidates who want to sharpen their diagnostic instincts, avoid overcorrection traps, and approach software troubleshooting questions with confidence and efficiency.
EPISODE 28 — Software Troubleshooting (Core 2) | Mobile App & Performance Issues
2026/02/07
Mobile troubleshooting on the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam is as much about protecting data as it is about fixing apps. In this episode, we walk through a structured, exam-aligned approach to diagnosing mobile software failures while preserving user information at every step.
You’ll learn a progressive troubleshooting ladder that emphasizes resolving problems with the least destructive methods first, saving factory resets for true last-resort scenarios. We break down how to distinguish between application-level, device-level, and network-level issues by recognizing common symptoms such as storage limitations, failed updates, and connectivity gaps.
This episode also reinforces the critical importance of backups before major system changes, a concept CompTIA frequently tests in both multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Throughout the discussion, the focus remains on logical escalation, restraint, and smart decision-making to efficiently restore mobile device performance.
Perfect for Core 2 candidates who want to avoid data-loss traps, master mobile troubleshooting scenarios, and approach exam questions with confidence and clarity.
EPISODE 29 — Software Troubleshooting (Core 2) | Security Symptoms as “Software Problems”
2026/02/07
Not every software issue is actually a software problem. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam, many routine-looking errors are designed to test whether you can recognize the signs of a security compromise and respond correctly. In this episode, we break down how to distinguish harmless application glitches from high-risk security threats during technical troubleshooting.
You’ll learn to spot critical red flags such as unauthorized browser changes, malicious pop-ups, and suspicious credential prompts, all of which indicate potential system compromise. We walk through the correct CompTIA-aligned response protocol, emphasizing why isolating the affected workstation from the network must happen before any attempt at cleanup or repair.
This episode also reinforces the importance of preserving digital evidence and escalating incidents to appropriate teams or management rather than attempting immediate fixes that could destroy valuable clues. By following a structured triage process, you’ll understand how containment, documentation, and escalation come before remediation.
Perfect for Core 2 candidates who want to master security-focused troubleshooting scenarios, avoid exam traps, and approach compromised workstation questions with confidence and control.
EPISODE 30 — Operational Procedures (Core 2) | Tickets, Documentation, Safety, Backups & Recovery
2026/02/07
Operational Procedures on the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam test more than technical knowledge, they test whether you understand how to work professionally and responsibly in real IT environments. In this episode, we break down the standards and protocols CompTIA expects entry-level technicians to follow on the job and on the exam.
You’ll learn why effective ticketing workflows start with thorough information gathering and don’t end until the fix is verified with the user. We also cover change management fundamentals, explaining why approvals and rollback plans are required before making changes to production systems and why “quick fixes” are often the wrong answer.
This episode reinforces critical safety and disposal practices, including how to prevent electrostatic discharge and ensure the secure destruction of sensitive data when hardware is retired. Finally, we dive into backup and recovery concepts, emphasizing that backups only matter if they’re regularly tested and proven to restore successfully.
Perfect for Core 2 candidates who want to master operational discipline, avoid exam traps, and approach real-world IT responsibilities with confidence and clarity.
EPISODE 11 — Hardware (Core 1) | Motherboards, Power, Cooling: “Why Won’t It Turn On?”
2026/02/05
This episode focuses on the hardware troubleshooting skills tested on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam, helping you confidently diagnose systems that fail to power on or complete startup.
You’ll learn how to identify key motherboard components, including CPU sockets, expansion slots, and critical connectors, and why proper cable placement is essential for system operation. The episode also covers power supply fundamentals, emphasizing safe handling practices and why power supply units should be replaced rather than repaired in professional environments.
A clear distinction is made between no-power and no-POST conditions, guiding you through a logical troubleshooting hierarchy that addresses memory seating, cooling failures, and electrical issues in the correct order. Throughout the episode, you’ll gain insight into how CompTIA structures performance-based questions, reinforcing the importance of safety, least-invasive testing, and methodical diagnosis before replacing costly components.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a practical framework for maintaining system stability, managing thermal issues, and resolving startup failures both on the exam and in real-world IT scenarios.
EPISODE 12 — Hardware (Core 1) | Peripherals & Printers: The A+ Rite of Passage
2026/02/05
This episode covers the peripheral and printer troubleshooting skills tested on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam, an area that consistently appears on both multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
You’ll learn how different printer technologies work, including laser, inkjet, thermal, and impact printers, and how to recognize their most common failure modes. The episode breaks down familiar symptoms such as smearing, streaking, blank pages, and paper jams, showing you how to determine whether the root cause is a consumable component, a driver issue, or a connectivity problem.
A strong emphasis is placed on logical, cost-effective troubleshooting, reinforcing why software checks and cable verification should always come before replacing expensive hardware. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear framework for resolving common IT environment failures efficiently, exactly the mindset CompTIA expects on exam day and in real-world support roles.
EPISODE 13 — Virtualization & Cloud (Core 1) | Virtualization: VMs, Hypervisors, Use Cases
2026/02/05
This episode covers the virtualization concepts tested on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam, focusing on how virtual machines work and when virtualization is the right solution.
You’ll learn what a virtual machine is, how it shares physical resources like memory and processing power with a host system, and the role of hypervisors in managing those resources. The episode explains the difference between Type One and Type Two hypervisors, with an emphasis on why desktop and laptop users most commonly rely on Type Two platforms for tasks such as software testing and supporting legacy applications.
Key technical requirements are also discussed, including the need to enable virtualization extensions in system firmware for virtual machines to function properly. The episode compares virtualization with dual-boot configurations, highlighting why virtual environments offer better isolation and convenience, while still being limited by the host system’s hardware.
Throughout the discussion, you’ll gain practical exam insight to help you recognize resource constraints, avoid overallocation errors, and choose the most efficient virtualization solution on performance-based questions.
EPISODE 14 — Virtualization & Cloud (Core 1) | Cloud Models: IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS
2026/02/05
In this episode, we break down one of the most testable topics on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam: cloud service models. You’ll learn how cloud computing is structured into Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Software as a Service, and how each model differs based on user control, configuration responsibility, and provider management.
We walk through clear, real-world examples to help you quickly recognize each model on exam questions, from virtual machines with full operating system control to fully managed, browser-based applications. The episode also covers essential cloud characteristics like elasticity and introduces the shared responsibility model so you understand where provider security ends and customer responsibility begins.
To sharpen your test-day performance, we outline common exam keywords and a simple troubleshooting framework for diagnosing cloud access issues, including authentication problems, network failures, and service outages. The episode wraps up with memory anchors and a short classification quiz to reinforce fast, confident cloud model identification.
Whether you’re new to cloud concepts or reviewing before test day, this episode is designed to help you think like the exam and choose the correct answer with confidence.
EPISODE 15 — Troubleshooting (Core 1) | The CompTIA Troubleshooting Method (Always Tested)
2026/02/05
This episode focuses on one of the most consistently tested concepts on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam: the six-step troubleshooting methodology. You’ll learn how CompTIA expects technicians to think, act, and sequence their decisions when diagnosing hardware and network issues.
We break down each phase of the process, starting with proper information gathering and problem identification before any hands-on work begins. The episode explains how to build and test logical theories of probable cause, avoid common “fix-it-too-fast” exam traps, and select solutions that prioritize data protection, user safety, and minimal system disruption.
You’ll also learn why verification and preventive measures are required steps after a repair, and why documentation is treated as a mandatory closing action rather than an afterthought. Designed to improve both real-world troubleshooting skills and exam performance, this episode helps you recognize the best next step in scenario-based questions and apply CompTIA’s logic with confidence on test day.
EPISODE 16 — Troubleshooting (Core 1) | PC Hardware Failures: POST, Boot, Beeps, Fans
2026/02/05
This episode breaks down one of the most common sources of confusion on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam: early-startup hardware failures. You’ll learn how to clearly distinguish between systems with no power, systems that power on but fail during the POST process, and systems that pass hardware checks but cannot boot the operating system.
We explain how to interpret key diagnostic indicators such as beep codes, motherboard status lights, and fan behavior to quickly narrow down the source of a failure. The episode emphasizes efficient, exam-appropriate isolation strategies, starting with external power and connectivity checks before moving into internal component testing.
Designed with performance-based questions in mind, this lesson helps you match specific symptoms to their most likely causes and choose the correct next diagnostic step rather than jumping straight to a repair. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clear, repeatable framework for classifying and troubleshooting early-startup PC malfunctions with confidence on test day.
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