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CompTIA A+ Rapid Memorization Tricks (Ports, Acronyms & Commands)

COMPTIA A+ TIPS

Cyber Wizard

red and white floppy disk on white surface
red and white floppy disk on white surface

Preparing for the CompTIA A+ exam can feel overwhelming, but with the right study resources, you can pass with confidence. Whether you're looking for free materials or premium courses, this guide will help you find the best options to suit your learning style and budget.

Common Ports & Mnemonics

One of the most challenging areas of the A+ exam is memorizing port numbers. Use these memory tricks to recall them faster:

  • FTP (21, 20) – "FTP = File Transfer Protocol" (21 for control, 20 for data transfer)

  • SSH (22) – "Secure Shell = Safe Secure Host" (22 is encrypted remote access)

  • Telnet (23) – "23 = Too Insecure" (Old unencrypted remote access)

  • SMTP (25) – "Send Mail To People" (Outgoing email traffic)

  • DNS (53) – "53 = Domain Name Service" (Converts URLs to IPs)

  • HTTP (80) – "80 = Open Web" (Standard website traffic)

  • HTTPS (443) – "443 = Fortified Web" (Secure web browsing)

  • RDP (3389) – "3-3-8-9 = Remote Desktop Connection"

✅ Tip: Write these ports on flashcards and test yourself daily!

Essential Acronyms & Memory Aids

Acronyms are everywhere on the A+ exam. Here are some crucial ones and how to remember them:

  • POST (Power-On Self Test) – "Pre-Operational System Test" (Initial hardware check during boot)

  • BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) – "Boots Internal Operations System" (Controls startup hardware)

  • CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) – "Config Memory On System" (Stores BIOS settings)

  • IP (Internet Protocol) – "Identifies Packets" (Used for addressing network devices)

  • MAC (Media Access Control) – "Machine Address Code" (Unique hardware identifier for network devices)

  • RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) – "Reliable Array Increases Data" (Storage redundancy setup)

  • UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) – "Uninterrupted Power Source" (Backup power for devices)

✅ Tip: Make your own acronyms that relate to your daily life to remember them faster!

Command Line Essentials

You'll need to remember some key commands for troubleshooting and system management. Here are some crucial ones and what they do:

  • ipconfig – Shows network information (IP address, subnet mask, gateway)

  • ping [address] – Tests connectivity to a network device

  • tracert [address] – Traces the path packets take to a destination

  • nslookup [domain] – Retrieves DNS information for a website

  • netstat – Displays network connections

  • chkdsk – Scans and repairs file system errors

  • diskpart – Manages disk partitions

  • tasklist – Lists running processes

  • taskkill /pid [number] – Terminates a process

✅ Tip: Practice using these commands in Command Prompt or PowerShell to get comfortable before the exam!

Final Memorization Tips

Here are a few last-minute strategies to improve recall:

  • Use flashcards – Write ports, acronyms, and commands on one side and definitions on the other.

  • Teach someone else – Explaining a concept out loud strengthens retention.

  • Take short quizzes – Challenge yourself with daily practice tests.

  • Break it into chunks – Study a few items per session to avoid overload.

  • Create stories – Link numbers or concepts to memorable situations.

By using these memory tricks and study techniques, you’ll be able to retain critical CompTIA A+ exam information quickly and confidently. Good luck! 🚀

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