CompTIA A+ (220-1201/1202) TotalSims Simulation Labs

Product Overview

Reading about a task is not the same as doing it. Prepare for the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 exams with 296 TotalSims online simulation elements. Each one teaches a concept with a short video, then puts you in a guided lab.

Challenges then drop the training wheels. They simulate the performance-based questions that catch candidates out on exam day. As a result, you practise the skill and assess your knowledge in the same place.

Get certified the best way, the TotalSims way.

• Includes 296 hands-on simulation elements across 192 lab topics
• Covers 30 chapters mapped to both A+ exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202)
• Four learning tools: Show!, Click!, Type!, and Challenge!
• Single-user one-year license for TotalSims interactive simulations
• Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux (iOS and Android not supported)

Certification Alignment

CompTIA A+ requires you to pass two separate exams. These simulations map to the official domains of both.

Core 1 (220-1201)

• Mobile Devices (13%) — hardware, accessories, connectivity, and mobile device management
• Networking (23%) — ports and protocols, wireless standards, hardware, and SOHO configuration
• Hardware (25%) — cables, RAM, storage, motherboards, CPUs, power, and printers
• Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%) — hypervisors, virtual machines, and cloud models
• Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%) — diagnosing hardware, display, mobile, network, and printer faults

Core 2 (220-1202)

• Operating Systems (28%) — Windows, macOS, Linux, command line, and installation
• Security (28%) — malware, social engineering, authentication, and workstation hardening
• Software Troubleshooting (23%) — operating system, application, and malware removal scenarios
• Operational Procedures (21%) — safety, documentation, change management, and professionalism

Troubleshooting carries the heaviest weight in Core 1, and both exams reward hands-on familiarity. So simulation practice targets exactly where the marks are.

Career Impact

Employers hire IT support staff who can actually do the work. Therefore, practical lab experience matters as much as the certificate itself.

• Prepares you for roles such as Help Desk Technician, Desktop Support Analyst, and Field Service Technician
• Also suits IT Support Specialists who want to prove hands-on competence
• Builds direct practice for the performance-based questions on both A+ exams
• Gives career changers real task experience before their first support job

Learning Outcomes

By the end of these labs, you can do the following.

• Install and configure core hardware, including CPUs, RAM, motherboards, power supplies, and storage.
• Navigate and administer Windows, macOS, and Linux, including the command-line interface.
• Create and manage users, groups, and NTFS permissions.
• Configure networking settings, troubleshoot connectivity, and set up SOHO networks.
• Set up and secure mobile devices, printers, and multifunction devices.
• Apply endpoint security practices and follow standard operational procedures.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and display issues using structured methodologies.

Prerequisites

Basic familiarity with computers helps, but no prior CompTIA A+ experience is required. Each simulation opens with a short guided walkthrough before it challenges you to apply the skill.

TotalSims works well as a hands-on companion to a full course such as TotalVideo, or alongside a study guide. Equally, you can use it for focused practice on specific exam topics. You do need a Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux computer, because iOS and Android are not supported.

TotalSims Features

TotalSims for the CompTIA A+ certification exams is presented through four learning tools. Together they prepare you for CompTIA’s performance-based exam questions.

• Show! — operating system and application training demonstrations
• Click! — interactive graphical Windows and macOS exercises
• Type! — interactive command-line exercises
• Challenge! — interactive configuration and identification exercises that mimic performance-based exam questions

Try a sample A+ TotalSim live on the Training Hub

Course Outline

These simulations run 30 chapters and 192 lab topics, holding 296 individual simulation elements. Together, they cover the official domains of both A+ exams. The chapters below appear in nine groups.

Getting Started, Safety, and Computer Basics

First, a short guide to getting the most from TotalSims. Then you practise workplace safety and work through computers and operating systems.

Getting Started: How to Make the Most of the A+ TotalSims — 1 lab topic

• Introduction to the CompTIA A+ TotalSims

Chapter 1: Safety and Professionalism — 3 lab topics

• Traits of a Tech
• Documentation
• Fire Extinguishers!

Chapter 2: Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems — 10 lab topics

• The Windows 10 Interface
• The Windows 11 Interface
• The Mac OS Interface
• Windows Explorer Options
• Windows Important Folders
• Mac OS Finder
• The Linux Interface
• Windows Tech Utility Launch Points
• Mac OS Tech Utility Launch Points
• Window Settings at a Glance

Inside the PC: CPUs, RAM, Firmware, and Power

Next, you work inside the case. These labs cover processors, memory, BIOS and UEFI, motherboards, and power supplies.

Chapter 3: CPUs — 3 lab topics

• Install a CPU, Part 1
• Install a CPU, Part 2
• What is CPU-Z?

Chapter 4: RAM — 3 lab topics

• Check RAM Amount
• RAM Speed
• CPU-Z and RAM

Chapter 5: Firmware: BIOS and UEFI — 1 lab topic

• Touring the UEFI BIOS

Chapter 6: Motherboards — 8 lab topics

• Label Motherboard – Compendium
• Label Motherboard Connections
• Label Motherboard Part 1
• Label Motherboard Part 2
• Label Motherboard Part 3
• Label Motherboard Part 4
• Load Drivers Manually
• Load Drivers with Installer

Chapter 7: Power Supplies — 3 lab topics

• Your Power Source
• HWMonitor and the PSU
• Identify Power Supply Connectors

Storage and Essential Peripherals

After that, you handle drives and the devices users touch daily. You practise mass storage technologies, implementing them, and essential peripherals.

Chapter 8: Mass Storage Technologies — 3 lab topics

• SATA Speeds
• RAID Arrays
• Storage Solution

Chapter 9: Implementing Mass Storage — 10 lab topics

• Initialize a Disk
• Resizing a Partition
• Create Simple Volume
• Volumes
• Disk Defragmentation
• Create a Mount Point
• The chkdsk Utility
• Error Checking
• Dynamic Disks
• Creating RAID volumes

Chapter 10: Essential Peripherals — 3 lab topics

• Identify USB Connectors
• Recognize Flash Media
• USB Speeds

Installing and Working with Operating Systems

Software is half of A+. So these labs install and upgrade operating systems, then manage users, groups, and permissions.

Chapter 11: Installing and Upgrading Operating Systems — 4 lab topics

• Windows Versions
• Windows Clean Installation
• Locating Windows Setup Log Files
• Mac OS Versions

Chapter 12: Working with Operating Systems — 9 lab topics

• Registry File Location and Exploring the registry
• Exploring Task Manager
• Stop a Service
• tasklist and taskkill
• Performance Monitor
• System Root
• Task Manager Troubleshooting
• Using the Microsoft Management Console
• Mac OS Preferences

Chapter 13: Users, Groups, and Permissions — 6 lab topics

• Create Local Users
• Create Groups
• NTFS Security
• Securing Passwords
• Sharing and Securing Folders
• User Account Control

Maintenance, Command Line, and Troubleshooting

Next, you keep systems healthy. These labs cover maintenance and optimization, the command-line interface, and structured system troubleshooting.

Chapter 14: Maintaining and Optimizing Operating Systems — 9 lab topics

• Configuring Windows Update
• Task Scheduler
• Disk Cleanup
• Managing Windows Applications
• Manage Tasks with Task Manager
• Managing Mac OS Applications
• Researching an Applications for Installation
• Backup Types
• Time Machine

Chapter 15: Working with the Command-Line Interface — 18 lab topics

• CLI Fundamentals
• Terminal Fundamentals
• The dir Command
• The cd Command
• The md and rd Commands
• Commands Check
• File Attributes
• Copy and Move Files
• Advanced CLI Commands
• System File Checker
• Linux Commands, Part 1
• Linux Commands, Part 2
• Linux Commands, Part 3
• Linux Commands, Part 4
• Linux Commands, Part 5
• Language Extensions
• Scripting Files
• Free-form Command Prompt Lab

Chapter 16: Troubleshooting Systems — 7 lab topics

• Create a Restore Point
• Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
• Advanced Startup Options
• Troubleshooting Drivers
• Troubleshooting
• Troubleshooting II
• Troubleshoot Motherboards, CPUs, RAM , & Power

Displays and Network Fundamentals

Then you move outward from the box. You practise display technologies, networking essentials, and TCP/IP basics.

Chapter 17: Display Technologies — 5 lab topics

• Display Connectors
• Display and Personalization Settings
• The DxDiag Utility
• Managing Video Drivers
• Troubleshoot Video, Projector, and Display Issues

Chapter 18: Essentials of Networking — 6 lab topics

• Tech Tools
• MAC Frame
• 568B Wiring
• Network Connections
• Physical Topologies
• Physical Network Appliances

Chapter 19: TCP/IP Basics — 15 lab topics

• Networking Components
• IP Address Class
• IP Host
• Find IP Address Information
• Configure IP in Windows
• Configure IPv6
• DNS Names
• Top Level Domains
• DNS Records
• DNS and Hop Count
• Protocols and Port Numbers
• Set Up Remote Desktop
• Access Remote Desktop
• Test Network Connections
• Internet Connections

Networking in Practice

Next comes the networking a technician actually configures. These labs cover OS networking and troubleshooting, wireless, and internet and SOHO setups.

Chapter 20: Operating System Networking and Network Troubleshooting — 10 lab topics

• Workgroup Settings
• Workgroup Logon
• Launch Command Prompt
• Find Default Gateway
• Find Subnet Mask
• Find Default DNS Server
• Connect to a VPN
• Troubleshoot Internet Connections
• Troubleshoot Network Issue
• Troubleshooting Operational Issues

Chapter 21: Wireless Networking — 4 lab topics

• Wireless Technologies
• Wireless Standards
• Configuring a WAP
• Securing Your Wireless Network

Chapter 22: Internet and SOHO Networking — 5 lab topics

• Internet Options in Windows
• Clear Browser Data
• Verify a Secure Connection
• Remote Access Technologies
• DNS Cache

Virtualization, Cloud, AI, and Mobile Devices

Support work reaches well beyond the desktop. Therefore these labs cover virtualization, cloud, artificial intelligence, portable computers, and mobile devices.

Chapter 23: Virtualization, Cloud Computing, and AI — 8 lab topics

• Virtualization
• Virtualization II
• Virtualization III
• Virtualization Components
• Virtual Hardware and Machines
• Cloud Ownership
• Cloud Computing
• Cloud Service Models

Chapter 24: Portable Computers — 1 lab topic

• Laptop Power Options

Chapter 25: Mobile Devices — 8 lab topics

• Mobile Devices
• Touring the iOS
• Touring the Android OS
• Wi-Fi and E-mail in iOS
• Wi-Fi and E-mail in Android
• Setup a HotSpot on a Mobile Phone
• Mobile Device Accessories
• Apple Store vs. Google Play

Chapter 26: Maintaining and Securing Mobile Devices — 5 lab topics

• Mobile Device Connectivity
• Managing Apps on Your Mobile Device
• Manage Battery Life
• Lock Your Phone!
• Mobile Device Troubleshooting

Printers, Security, and Operational Procedures

Finally, you finish with printers and multifunction devices. The labs close with security practices, endpoint hardening, and operational procedures.

Chapter 27: Printers and Multifunction Devices — 7 lab topics

• Printer Parts
• Laser Printer Components
• Printer Languages
• Printing Preferences
• Sharing Printers
• Print to a PDF
• Troubleshoot Printer Issues

Chapter 28: Essential Security Practices — 4 lab topics

• Threats
• Identify a Phishing E-mail
• Scan Your Computer
• Malware Types

Chapter 29: Securing Endpoint Systems — 7 lab topics

• Allow an Application Through the Firewall
• Remove Viruses – Recognize
• Remove Viruses – Quarantine
• Remove Viruses – Search and Destroy
• Remove Viruses – Remediate
• Remove Viruses – Educate
• Remove Viruses – Compendium

Chapter 30: Operational Procedures — 6 lab topics

• Support Systems
• Change Management I
• Change Management II
• Backup and Recovery Methods
• Data Privacy and Incident Response
• Licensing and Policy Concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the CompTIA A+ TotalSims product?

This product includes 296 hands-on simulation elements across 192 lab topics, aligned to the CompTIA A+ (220-1201/1202) exam objectives. Each topic combines a guided demonstration with interactive practice. All content lives in the Total Seminars Training Hub.

How long do I have access?

You have one year of access from the date of purchase.

What devices can I use?

Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux (iOS and Android not supported). So you need a laptop or desktop rather than a phone or tablet.

Is this aligned to the latest CompTIA A+ exam version?

Yes. These simulations align to the current 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives. They also include labs on virtualization, cloud, and artificial intelligence.

How do TotalSims help with performance-based questions?

Challenge! exercises mimic the format directly. Rather than recalling an answer, you configure or identify something in a simulated environment, just as the exam requires.

Do I need a video course or book as well?

No, though they work well together. TotalSims teaches each concept with a short demonstration first, so you can also use it as standalone practice on weak topics.

Can I use this for classroom or multi-user training?

Single-user licenses cover individual use only. Therefore, they are not valid for classroom instruction. For volume licensing, call 877-687-2768 for discounted multi-user pricing.

What happens after I purchase?

You’ll receive an order confirmation email immediately. A second email then arrives with your Total Seminars Training Hub login. Most customers get access within minutes. If nothing arrives within 30 minutes, check your spam folder or contact support@totalsem.com.

Educators

Please call 877-687-2768 for discounted multi-user pricing. Single-user licenses are not valid for classroom use.

Order Process

After completing your purchase, you will receive:

• E-mail message confirming the order
• A second email with your login credentials for the Total Seminars Training Hub. You have one year of access from the date of purchase. Log in at hub.totalsem.com on any supported computer. If nothing arrives within 30 minutes, check your spam folder or contact support@totalsem.com.