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Hands-On Labs — CompTIA Certified A+ Training (Core 1 and Core 2)

Course code: TGS-2024048317 · Version v7.1 · 19 August 2026
Register: https://www.tertiarycourses.com.sg/wsq-comptia-certified-a-training-core-1-and-core-2.html

54 hands-on labs across the nine CompTIA A+ exam domains. Each lab has its own folder containing the full procedure (README.md) and a fill-in worksheet (worksheet.md).

Every lab runs on training hardware provided in class or in your web browser — see tools.md for the toolkit. There is nothing to install and nothing to license.

How to use these labs

  1. Read the objective and the goal first, so you know what the lab is proving.
  2. Work the steps in order — later steps depend on earlier ones.
  3. Complete the Test it verification before moving on. It is what the Practical Performance assessment mirrors.
  4. Fill in worksheet.md as you go and keep it as your evidence record.
  5. Answer the review questions from memory — if you cannot, revisit the concept in the Learner Guide.

Core 1 (220-1101)

Topic 01 — Mobile Devices (13% of Core 1)

Laptop hardware · display components · accessories and ports · cellular and wireless · MDM and synchronisation

Lab Title Print Exam objective
01 Laptop Teardown and Field-Replaceable Unit Identification lab PDF · worksheet PDF Identify and safely replace laptop field-replaceable units — battery, RAM, storage, keyboard and wireless card — with correct ESD precautions (Core 1 objective 1.1).
02 Mobile Display Technology and Digitizer Fault Diagnosis lab PDF · worksheet PDF Compare LCD, IPS, VA and OLED panel technologies and correctly distinguish a display panel fault from a backlight, inverter or digitizer fault (Core 1 objective 1.2).
03 Mobile Connectivity — Bluetooth, NFC, Hotspot and Cellular Configuration lab PDF · worksheet PDF Configure and troubleshoot mobile connection methods including Bluetooth pairing, NFC, hotspot tethering and cellular data settings (Core 1 objectives 1.3 and 1.4).
04 MDM Policy Design and Mobile Synchronisation lab PDF · worksheet PDF Design a mobile device management policy and configure account synchronisation for corporate email, calendar and contacts, accounting for data caps (Core 1 objective 1.4).

Topic 02 — Networking (23% of Core 1)

Protocols and ports · network devices · wireless standards · SOHO networks · IP addressing · networking tools

Lab Title Print Exam objective
05 Protocols and Ports — Building the A+ Port Reference lab PDF · worksheet PDF Identify the TCP/UDP ports, transport protocol and secure replacement for every protocol on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 objective 2.1 list.
06 IPv4 Subnetting and Address Planning with IP Calculator lab PDF · worksheet PDF Calculate subnet masks, network and broadcast addresses, usable host ranges and CIDR notation, and design an address plan for a SOHO network (Core 1 objective 2.5).
07 Network Devices and Traffic Behaviour Analysis lab PDF · worksheet PDF Distinguish hub, switch, router, firewall and access point by the layer they operate at and the traffic behaviour each produces (Core 1 objectives 2.2 and 2.3).
08 Wireless Standards, Channel Planning and Interference lab PDF · worksheet PDF Compare 802.11 standards and frequency bands, and design a channel plan that avoids co-channel and adjacent-channel interference (Core 1 objective 2.3).
09 SOHO Network Configuration — DHCP, DNS, NAT and Port Forwarding lab PDF · worksheet PDF Configure a SOHO router including DHCP scope, DNS, NAT, DHCP reservations and port forwarding, and verify each service from a client (Core 1 objective 2.5).
10 Network Cabling — Termination, Testing and Tool Selection lab PDF · worksheet PDF Terminate twisted-pair cable to T568B, test it end to end, and select the correct tool for each cabling task (Core 1 objectives 2.3 and 3.1).
11 Packet Capture Analysis — Reading Real Network Traffic lab PDF · worksheet PDF Analyse a packet capture to identify protocols, conversations and anomalies, and use the evidence to support a network diagnosis (Core 1 objectives 2.1 and 5.7).

Topic 03 — Hardware (25% of Core 1)

Cables and connectors · RAM · storage and RAID · motherboards · CPUs and cooling · power supplies · printers

Lab Title Print Exam objective
12 Cables and Connectors — Identification and Selection lab PDF · worksheet PDF Identify every cable and connector on the A+ objective list by sight and select the correct one for a stated requirement (Core 1 objectives 3.1 and 3.2).
13 RAM Identification, Installation and Channel Configuration lab PDF · worksheet PDF Identify RAM types and form factors, install modules correctly and configure dual-channel operation, verifying the result in firmware and the OS (Core 1 objective 3.3).
14 Storage Devices and RAID Level Selection lab PDF · worksheet PDF Compare HDD, SSD, NVMe and hybrid storage, and select the correct RAID level for a stated capacity, performance and redundancy requirement (Core 1 objectives 3.3 and 3.4).
15 Motherboard, BIOS/UEFI and CMOS Configuration lab PDF · worksheet PDF Identify motherboard form factors, expansion slots and headers, and configure BIOS/UEFI settings including boot order, virtualization support, Secure Boot and TPM (Core 1 objectives 3.4 and 3.5).
16 CPU Architecture, Sockets and Cooling Solutions lab PDF · worksheet PDF Compare CPU architectures, socket types and cooling solutions, and diagnose thermal problems from observed behaviour (Core 1 objectives 3.4 and 5.2).
17 Power Supply Sizing, Connectors and Safety lab PDF · worksheet PDF Select a power supply by wattage, form factor, efficiency and connector complement, and apply electrical safety rules when working with power (Core 1 objectives 3.5 and 4.5).
18 Printer Installation, Configuration and the Laser Imaging Process lab PDF · worksheet PDF Install and share a printer, configure its settings and security, and map each stage of the laser imaging process to the print defect its failure produces (Core 1 objectives 3.6 and 3.7).

Topic 04 — Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11% of Core 1)

Hypervisors · virtual machines · resource requirements · cloud models · shared resources and metered use

Lab Title Print Exam objective
19 Hypervisor Types and Virtual Machine Resource Planning lab PDF · worksheet PDF Distinguish Type 1 from Type 2 hypervisors, plan virtual machine resource allocation and identify the firmware prerequisite for virtualization (Core 1 objective 4.2).
20 Building and Configuring a Linux Virtual Machine lab PDF · worksheet PDF Provision, configure and verify a Linux virtual machine, and perform the post-installation tasks a technician must complete on any new guest (Core 1 objective 4.2).
21 Cloud Service and Deployment Model Selection lab PDF · worksheet PDF Compare IaaS, PaaS and SaaS and the public, private, community and hybrid deployment models, and select the correct combination for a stated business requirement (Core 1 objective 4.1).

Topic 05 — Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28% of Core 1)

The CompTIA troubleshooting methodology · POST and boot faults · storage and RAID · display faults · printer and network symptoms

Lab Title Print Exam objective
22 Applying the CompTIA Six-Step Troubleshooting Methodology lab PDF · worksheet PDF Apply the CompTIA six-step troubleshooting methodology in order to a real fault, documenting each step (Core 1 objective 5.1).
23 POST, Boot and Power Fault Diagnosis lab PDF · worksheet PDF Diagnose no-power, no-POST and no-boot faults using beep codes, diagnostic LEDs and a systematic elimination sequence (Core 1 objective 5.2).
24 Storage and RAID Fault Diagnosis with S.M.A.R.T. lab PDF · worksheet PDF Diagnose storage faults using S.M.A.R.T. data, symptom analysis and RAID status, and choose the correct recovery action for each RAID level (Core 1 objective 5.3).
25 Display and Projector Fault Diagnosis lab PDF · worksheet PDF Diagnose display and projector faults by isolating source, cable, panel, backlight and settings as distinct failure points (Core 1 objective 5.4).
26 Mobile Device Hardware Fault Diagnosis lab PDF · worksheet PDF Diagnose mobile device hardware faults including battery, charging, screen, digitizer, port and overheating problems, applying the correct safety response (Core 1 objective 5.5).
27 Printer Fault Diagnosis from Print Defects lab PDF · worksheet PDF Diagnose printer faults by reading the physical defect on the page and mapping it to the failed component in the print process (Core 1 objective 5.6).
28 Network Fault Diagnosis — Command Line to Packet Level lab PDF · worksheet PDF Diagnose network faults by working the layers in order, from physical connectivity through addressing and DNS to application behaviour (Core 1 objective 5.7).

Core 2 (220-1102)

Topic 06 — Operating Systems (28% of Core 2)

Windows editions and installation · command line · Windows tools and MMC · file systems · macOS and Linux

Lab Title Print Exam objective
29 Windows Editions, Installation Types and Partitioning lab PDF · worksheet PDF Select the correct Windows edition and installation type for a requirement, and plan MBR or GPT partitioning to match the firmware mode (Core 2 objectives 1.1 and 1.9).
30 Windows Command Line — Navigation, Files and Copy Operations lab PDF · worksheet PDF Use the Windows command line for navigation, file management and resilient copy operations, choosing correctly between copy, xcopy and robocopy (Core 2 objective 1.2).
31 Windows Networking and Repair Commands lab PDF · worksheet PDF Use Windows networking and repair commands to diagnose connectivity and repair system file corruption (Core 2 objective 1.2).
32 Windows Management Tools — Task Manager, MMC and Snap-ins lab PDF · worksheet PDF Use Task Manager, the Microsoft Management Console and its snap-ins to diagnose performance, inspect logs and manage devices, disks, users and tasks (Core 2 objectives 1.3 and 1.4).
33 File Systems, Permissions and Share Configuration lab PDF · worksheet PDF Compare NTFS, FAT32 and exFAT, and configure NTFS and share permissions correctly, applying the most-restrictive rule (Core 2 objectives 1.9 and 2.5).
34 Linux Command Line Essentials on Killercoda lab PDF · worksheet PDF Use the Linux commands named in Core 2 objective 1.11 for navigation, file management, searching, process control and package management (Core 2 objective 1.11).
35 Linux Permissions, Ownership and User Management lab PDF · worksheet PDF Apply the Linux permission model to users, groups and others using symbolic and numeric notation, and manage users and sudo rights (Core 2 objective 1.11).
36 macOS Tools and Cross-Platform File System Compatibility lab PDF · worksheet PDF Identify macOS features and utilities and resolve cross-platform file system compatibility between Windows, macOS and Linux (Core 2 objectives 1.10 and 1.9).

Topic 07 — Security (28% of Core 2)

Physical and logical security · authentication and MFA · wireless security · malware · social engineering · workstation and mobile hardening

Lab Title Print Exam objective
37 Physical and Logical Security Control Design lab PDF · worksheet PDF Select and justify physical and logical security controls for a site, applying the principle of least privilege and defence in depth (Core 2 objectives 2.1 and 2.2).
38 Password Strength Analysis and Authentication Policy lab PDF · worksheet PDF Analyse password strength quantitatively and write an authentication policy grounded in entropy and crack-time evidence (Core 2 objectives 2.2 and 2.6).
39 Phishing Recognition and Social Engineering Defence lab PDF · worksheet PDF Identify phishing indicators and social engineering tactics, and design the user awareness training that defends against them (Core 2 objectives 2.4 and 2.7).
40 Malware Types, Symptoms and the Seven-Step Removal Procedure lab PDF · worksheet PDF Identify malware types by behaviour and apply the CompTIA seven-step malware removal procedure in order (Core 2 objectives 2.3 and 3.3).
41 Network Attack Recognition — Injection, XSS and Data Leakage lab PDF · worksheet PDF Recognise common application and network attacks including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, on-path attacks and denial of service, and state the defence for each (Core 2 objective 2.4).
42 Wireless Security and SOHO Router Hardening lab PDF · worksheet PDF Configure wireless encryption and harden a SOHO router against the attacks the default configuration invites (Core 2 objectives 2.9 and 2.10).
43 Windows Security Configuration and BitLocker Encryption lab PDF · worksheet PDF Configure Windows security settings including Defender, the firewall, UAC, account policy and BitLocker encryption (Core 2 objectives 2.5 and 2.6).
44 Data Destruction, Disposal and Regulated Data Handling lab PDF · worksheet PDF Select the correct data destruction method for a stated sensitivity and retention requirement, and handle regulated data according to its legal obligations (Core 2 objectives 2.8 and 4.6).

Topic 08 — Software Troubleshooting (23% of Core 2)

Windows OS symptoms · recovery tools · malware removal · browser problems · mobile OS and application faults

Lab Title Print Exam objective
45 Windows OS Symptom Diagnosis and Recovery Tools lab PDF · worksheet PDF Diagnose common Windows symptoms and select the correct recovery tool, escalating from least to most destructive (Core 2 objectives 3.1 and 3.2).
46 Log Analysis with Regular Expressions lab PDF · worksheet PDF Filter and parse system logs with regular expressions to isolate the events that matter during troubleshooting (Core 2 objectives 3.1 and 4.8).
47 Malware Symptom Response and Browser Problem Resolution lab PDF · worksheet PDF Recognise malware and browser symptoms, apply the containment sequence and resolve browser-specific problems (Core 2 objectives 3.2 and 3.3).
48 Mobile OS and Application Troubleshooting lab PDF · worksheet PDF Diagnose and resolve mobile operating system and application faults including crashes, connectivity, battery and performance problems (Core 2 objectives 3.4 and 3.5).
49 System Restore, Backup Verification and Recovery Testing lab PDF · worksheet PDF Configure System Restore and Windows backup, then verify recovery by performing an actual restore (Core 2 objectives 3.1 and 4.3).

Topic 09 — Operational Procedures (21% of Core 2)

Documentation and ticketing · asset management · change management · backup and recovery · safety and environment · professionalism · scripting and remote access

Lab Title Print Exam objective
50 Ticketing, Documentation and Knowledge Base Authoring lab PDF · worksheet PDF Write support tickets and documentation to professional standard, and author a knowledge base article from a resolved incident (Core 2 objective 4.1).
51 Change Management and Asset Management lab PDF · worksheet PDF Prepare a change request with risk analysis, rollback plan and approval path, and maintain an asset register through the procurement life cycle (Core 2 objectives 4.2 and 4.1).
52 Backup Strategy Design and the 3-2-1 Rule lab PDF · worksheet PDF Design a backup strategy specifying types, rotation, retention and off-site copy, and justify it against a stated recovery objective (Core 2 objective 4.3).
53 Safety Procedures, ESD Control and Environmental Compliance lab PDF · worksheet PDF Apply ESD, electrical and personal safety procedures, and comply with environmental requirements for disposal and equipment protection (Core 2 objectives 4.4 and 4.5).
54 Professional Communication, Scripting and Remote Access lab PDF · worksheet PDF Apply professional communication standards including handling difficult customers, and select appropriate scripting and remote access methods for support tasks (Core 2 objectives 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9).

Lab folder structure

labs/
  lab-01-laptop-teardown-and-field-replaceable-unit-identification/
    README.md      the full lab procedure
    worksheet.md   fill-in evidence record
  lab-02-mobile-display-technology-and-digitizer-fault-diagnosis/
    README.md      the full lab procedure
    worksheet.md   fill-in evidence record
  lab-03-mobile-connectivity-bluetooth-nfc-hotspot-and-cellular-configuration/
    README.md      the full lab procedure
    worksheet.md   fill-in evidence record
  ...
  (54 lab folders in total)
  README.md          this index
  tools.md           the lab toolkit reference