Certified - The CompTIA A+ Audio Course

This opening episode introduces the A Plus PrepCast and sets the foundation for your journey toward CompTIA A Plus certification. You’ll discover how this prepcast is structured to deliver exam-focused content through audio, giving you a flexible way to study whether you’re commuting, walking, or multitasking. The episode outlines the types of topics you’ll encounter across Core 1 and Core 2 and how the audio format helps reinforce exam concepts with clarity and repetition.Listeners will also learn how to get the most from each episode, including how to pace their listening, when to revisit difficult topics, and how the glossary episodes and deep dives fit into a larger study plan. With a clear understanding of how this series is designed, you’ll be ready to move forward confidently into the certification journey. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode takes a step back to explain what the CompTIA A Plus certification actually is and why it’s such a foundational credential in the IT industry. You’ll hear about its global recognition, vendor-neutral status, and why employers use it to identify skilled entry-level technicians. Whether you're targeting a help desk role, field technician position, or general IT support job, A Plus is often the first milestone in building your technical career.We also explore how the certification fits into the larger CompTIA certification pathway, setting you up for future advancement into Security Plus, Network Plus, and beyond. You’ll walk away with a strong understanding of why this certification holds weight and how it demonstrates your ability to handle core IT functions. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Understanding how the A Plus certification is split into two exams—Core 1 and Core 2—is critical to passing on the first try. This episode walks you through the structural format of each exam, including the number of questions, time limits, and passing scores. You’ll also learn about the mix of question types you'll face, from multiple-choice to performance-based scenarios that simulate real-world troubleshooting.We explain how CompTIA organizes the domains for each exam and how each domain contributes to the total score. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a practical sense of what to expect on exam day, including how to approach different question formats and manage your time effectively across both tests. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode is your detailed walkthrough of the official exam objective documents that CompTIA provides for both Core 1 and Core 2. We break down how these documents are structured, how to interpret the nested bullet points, and how to use them to guide your study. Rather than guessing what might be covered, the objectives give you a map of what’s actually testable.You’ll also learn techniques for aligning your study materials directly to the listed objectives so nothing important is left out. With this approach, you’re not just studying harder—you’re studying smarter by staying tightly aligned with what CompTIA expects you to know. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Effective exam prep is about more than just memorizing facts—it’s about building a strategy that suits your learning style. This episode offers guidance on different approaches to studying, from daily review schedules to active recall methods like flashcards, self-quizzing, and spaced repetition. You’ll also hear how to use practice exams to assess readiness and identify weak spots for targeted review.We dive into creating a personalized study plan, how long to prepare before scheduling your test, and when it might be better to take Core 1 and Core 2 separately or together. The goal is to help you develop a sustainable routine that keeps you engaged and progressing without burnout. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

The resources you choose can make or break your preparation, so this episode focuses on how to evaluate and select high-quality study materials. You’ll learn what to look for in books, video courses, practice tests, and mobile apps, with a focus on aligning each to the current version of the exam. We’ll also cover how to spot outdated resources and why using up-to-date material is critical.Beyond just recommending specific formats, this episode teaches you how to build a blended approach—combining visual, auditory, and hands-on tools for a well-rounded study experience. We also touch on using community forums and online groups to enhance understanding and keep your motivation high. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode helps you clearly understand the key differences between the two exams that make up the A Plus certification. Core 1 focuses primarily on hardware, networking, mobile devices, and virtualization, while Core 2 deals with operating systems, security, and software troubleshooting. Knowing this divide early on helps you target your study efforts efficiently.We also discuss strategies for sequencing your exam attempts—whether to take Core 1 first and then Core 2, or to prepare for both simultaneously. Understanding how the content areas are separated ensures you don’t get overwhelmed and helps you mentally organize your learning around the correct domains. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this first installment of our glossary deep dives, we focus on essential terms related to Core 1’s mobile and networking topics. Covering acronyms and definitions from A to D, you’ll hear clear, audio-friendly explanations of terms like A P I P A, BIOS, Bluetooth, and DHCP. These terms frequently appear in exam questions and are critical to understanding networking functions and device behavior.Each term is broken down for clarity, with an emphasis on pronunciation, context, and exam relevance. If you’ve ever stumbled over a confusing acronym or struggled to understand what a term really means in practice, this glossary episode will help solidify your foundational knowledge. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Continuing our glossary series, this episode dives into terms from E through M, focusing on hardware components, interface types, and basic virtualization concepts. You’ll gain audio-guided clarity on terms like EEPROM, HDMI, IDE, and M.2, which are critical to the hardware and storage domains of Core 1. Each explanation is designed to be easy to follow while reinforcing vocabulary that may appear in performance-based questions.We also touch on how these terms function within broader exam topics, so you don’t just memorize definitions but actually understand how each concept fits into real troubleshooting or installation tasks. Whether you’re a beginner or brushing up, this glossary episode strengthens your hardware fluency. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This final part of the glossary deep dive series focuses on terms from N to Z found in Core 2 exam content, especially in areas related to security, operating systems, and troubleshooting workflows. You’ll hear in-depth explanations of concepts like NTFS, U A C, SSO, VPN, and more—each presented with attention to how they might appear on the actual exam. These terms often appear in command-line examples, security policy questions, or Windows configuration scenarios.By reinforcing the meanings and contexts of these acronyms through focused audio narration, this episode helps solidify terminology that could otherwise cause confusion on test day. Consider this your rapid-fire refresher for some of the trickiest Core 2 language. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This foundational episode lays out the full landscape of the Core 1 exam, offering a detailed walkthrough of each of its five official domains. You’ll get a clear breakdown of what’s covered under hardware topics such as motherboards, storage devices, and memory, as well as networking concepts ranging from IP addressing to port numbers. We also introduce mobile devices like laptops and smartphones, virtualization platforms used for desktop environments, and the essential troubleshooting techniques that tie these domains together. By providing a complete structural map of the Core 1 exam, this episode helps you form a mental framework to organize and sequence your studies.You’ll also learn how each domain connects to real-world tech responsibilities and why CompTIA structures the exam this way. The episode explains how to approach studying the Core 1 topics methodically and identifies areas that are especially dense or prone to confusion for new learners. Understanding this structure from the outset makes it easier to track your progress and ensure you’re covering every testable concept. Whether you’re self-studying or following a course, this overview gives you the clarity needed to proceed with purpose and direction. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode introduces the first domain of the Core 1 exam: Mobile Devices. We explain why this domain has become increasingly important in modern IT support roles, given the prevalence of laptops, smartphones, and tablets in today’s business and personal environments. You’ll learn about the scope of this domain, which includes not only device components but also installation procedures, configuration techniques, and mobile-specific troubleshooting steps. Each topic is introduced in a way that sets the stage for the deeper episodes that follow in this domain.The episode also emphasizes what CompTIA wants you to know about mobile platforms specifically from a support perspective—such as replacing memory modules in laptops, identifying proprietary connectors, or managing wireless configurations on tablets. Whether you’re already familiar with these devices or encountering them for the first time in a technical context, this overview explains how to focus your efforts and avoid wasting time on non-testable content. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we focus on internal laptop components, beginning with one of the most commonly serviced parts—batteries. We explain the various types of laptop batteries, how to identify compatibility, and what to expect when replacing or servicing them under warranty or in a field environment. Then we dive into laptop keyboards and touchpads, breaking down how these integrated input devices are removed, replaced, and tested. Lastly, we explore RAM installation in laptops, including how S O D I M M modules differ from desktop memory and how to properly upgrade RAM in tight form factors.This episode helps you develop a practical mindset for mobile device servicing and makes it easier to visualize how laptop internals are laid out. These topics often appear in exam questions that combine hardware identification with troubleshooting scenarios, so we place strong emphasis on terminology and configuration standards. Whether you’re reviewing or encountering these for the first time, the clear structure of this lesson helps reinforce retention and improves your readiness for performance-based items. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Upgrading storage in a mobile device is a common support task and a key part of the Core 1 exam. This episode explains the different interface types and form factors used in laptop storage, such as 2.5-inch SATA drives and M dot 2 S S D options. We detail the physical process of removing, installing, and securing a drive in various laptop configurations. You’ll also hear about best practices for handling static-sensitive components and recognizing the differences in speed and power efficiency between hard disk drives and solid-state drives.Beyond installation, the episode also dives into migration procedures—how to clone an existing operating system to a new drive using disk imaging or migration software. We walk through the tools and terminology you’ll need to know for the exam, such as sector-by-sector copying, alignment, and boot configuration after installation. These are frequent areas of misunderstanding for test takers, so we emphasize clear language and repeatable steps to help you lock in the knowledge. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we take a close look at wireless communication hardware inside laptops, focusing on how to identify, remove, and replace mini PCI Express or M dot 2 wireless cards. You’ll learn about antenna connections, slot types, screw mounts, and compatibility considerations when dealing with dual-band and Wi-Fi 6 modules. We explain the difference between onboard and removable wireless cards and why it’s important to follow manufacturer instructions for static safety and device reassembly.Wireless hardware often appears in exam questions that describe partial functionality, such as missing wireless connectivity or dropped connections after a repair. Understanding how wireless cards work inside mobile devices helps you troubleshoot not only hardware failures but also misconfigurations at the firmware or driver level. This episode also clarifies which terminology—such as WWAN, WLAN, and Bluetooth—you need to recognize for the Core 1 test. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Mobile devices increasingly rely on physical security features to prevent unauthorized access, and this episode explores those mechanisms in depth. We discuss biometric authentication options such as fingerprint readers and facial recognition systems, including where they are integrated into devices and how they are managed through software settings or group policy. You’ll also hear about token-based and proximity-based systems that utilize technologies like Near Field Communication to enforce access control.This topic is important not only because it appears in multiple Core 1 objectives, but also because it overlaps with security discussions in Core 2. The episode explains how to distinguish between security hardware versus software and how CompTIA might frame exam questions using terms like multi-factor authentication or physical token presence. A strong understanding of these technologies gives you an edge when dealing with hybrid scenarios on the test. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode explores the different display technologies used in mobile and laptop screens, focusing on exam-relevant differences among L C D, O L E D, I P S, T N, and V A panels. We explain each display type’s core attributes—such as color depth, power usage, refresh rates, and viewing angles—and how those traits influence performance and usability. You’ll also learn how these display types impact battery life and how to identify screen issues like ghosting or burn-in that may be associated with specific technologies.Understanding display differences is not just academic—it’s practical knowledge that could show up in both hardware identification questions and troubleshooting scenarios. We provide comparisons in plain language to help you recall key features quickly, even under test pressure. This clarity will help you distinguish between screen technologies during repair, upgrade, or compatibility questions on the exam. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Inside every laptop display is a set of components that enable backlighting, touch input, and video capture—and this episode dives deep into each one. We start with inverters, which are used in older L C D screens to convert DC to AC for powering backlights. You’ll also learn about integrated webcams, microphones, and how these devices interact with motherboard connections and driver settings. Lastly, we cover digitizers and touch-enabled screens, discussing how they function and how failures manifest during use.This episode is critical for understanding the behind-the-scenes technology of mobile displays, especially when troubleshooting screen issues or planning repairs. Many questions on the A Plus exam will use vague symptoms like “flickering screen” or “unresponsive touch” to test your knowledge of these internal components. By the end of this segment, you’ll be well-prepared to analyze these situations logically and select the best course of action on the test. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Connectivity is a major part of mobile device functionality, and this episode covers the ports and wireless interfaces you’ll need to recognize for the A Plus exam. We explain the key differences between USB C, Micro USB, and proprietary connectors like Apple Lightning, including their roles in data transfer and charging. You’ll also learn about wireless protocols such as Bluetooth, their operational ranges, pairing procedures, and common configuration steps.Each connector and interface type is explored in the context of the Core 1 objectives, with attention given to signal types, voltages, and troubleshooting scenarios. This knowledge is vital when working with docking stations, adapters, or diagnosing failed charging ports on mobile hardware. With clear explanations and examples, this episode makes these technologies easier to remember and apply in both the exam and real-world tech roles. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Peripheral setup plays a larger role in IT support than many learners expect, and this episode focuses on the devices most commonly connected to laptops and tablets. We cover the installation and configuration of headsets, digital pens, Bluetooth speakers, USB webcams, and other external accessories. Listeners will learn which peripherals require driver installation, how to manage compatibility issues, and what settings must be adjusted within operating systems.These topics often appear in troubleshooting questions or configuration-based exam items, especially when a device doesn’t respond or produces degraded performance. Understanding how peripherals interact with both software and hardware gives you the insight needed to respond correctly on the exam. This episode helps you solidify your knowledge of these common accessories and their operational requirements. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.