CompTIA A+
CompTIA
Complete guide to passing the CompTIA A+ exam on your first attempt.
$246 per exam (2 exams)
~75%
3 years
Global
CompTIA
$45k-$65k
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Complete Overview
CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral entry-level IT support certification earned by passing two separate exams, Core 1 and Core 2, and it is aimed at people moving into help desk, technical support and desktop support work. The current series is V15: Core 1 is exam code 220-1201 and Core 2 is exam code 220-1202, both launched on 25 March 2025, and CompTIA's own blog put the retail price at $253 USD per exam as of 1 February 2024 for the preceding 220-1101 and 220-1102 series, so two vouchers are needed to certify. CompTIA states that Core 1 and Core 2 must be taken from the same version, with no mixing between V14 and V15, and the previous V14 series retired on 25 September 2025.
Each exam runs for 90 minutes and carries a maximum of 90 questions, mixing single-response and multiple-response multiple choice, drag and drop, and performance-based questions that put the candidate into a simulated interface. The passing scores differ: Core 1 needs 675 and Core 2 needs 700, both on a 900-point scale. CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist job role before sitting either exam, and its own guidance suggests allowing at least 120 hours of study plus additional hands-on practice for a candidate with no experience. Both exams are available in English, German and Japanese.
The two exams split the syllabus cleanly. Core 1 covers hardware at 25 percent, hardware and network troubleshooting at 28 percent, networking at 23 percent, mobile devices at 13 percent and virtualization and cloud computing at 11 percent. Core 2 covers operating systems at 28 percent, security at 28 percent, software troubleshooting at 23 percent and operational procedures at 21 percent. That layout matters for planning: on Core 1 more than half the marks sit in hardware plus hardware and network troubleshooting, and on Core 2 the operating systems and security domains together account for 56 percent.
CompTIA does not publish pass rates for any of its certifications. Its Exam Development policy states plainly that its exams are criterion-referenced against a cut score rather than norm-referenced, that results data is classified as highly confidential, and that it is CompTIA policy not to disclose pass rates to any external third party. Any percentage quoted elsewhere for A+ comes from somewhere other than the certifying body. A+ is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board under ISO 17024, and CompTIA estimates that 5,000 subject matter expert hours go into developing a single exam.
The certification is valid for three years and is enrolled automatically in CompTIA's Continuing Education programme. Renewal takes 20 continuing education units across the three-year cycle plus a total CE fee of $75, or it happens for free when the holder earns a higher-level CompTIA certification such as Network+ or Security+. CompTIA lists A+ against three DoD 8140 approved work roles: technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist. Exams are delivered at Pearson VUE test centres or online through OnVUE remote proctoring, and the score appears on screen at the end of the session.
Why Get CompTIA A+ Certified?
Two exams cover nine domains between them, giving a defined syllabus rather than open-ended study: five domains on Core 1 and four on Core 2, each with a published percentage weight.
CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist role, which is far below the entry bar of most degree-gated IT jobs, and no formal prerequisite blocks a candidate from booking.
A+ appears against three DoD 8140 approved work roles, technical support specialist, system administrator and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist, which matters for US federal and contractor hiring.
The credential is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board under ISO 17024, one of eight CompTIA certifications CompTIA lists as holding that accreditation.
Renewal is the cheapest in the CompTIA range at 20 continuing education units and a $75 total CE fee over three years, against 30 units and $150 for Network+ and 50 units and $150 for Security+.
Passing Network+, Security+, CySA+, PenTest+, SecurityX, Cloud+ or Linux+ later renews A+ automatically without paying the A+ CE fee, since CompTIA renews lower certifications when a higher one is earned.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts employment in computer support specialist roles at 882,300 in 2024, with a median annual wage of $61,550 in May 2024, so the target job pool is large even though BLS projects a 3 percent decline to 2034.
Exam Format & Structure
Duration
90 minutes per exam. Two exams are required, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), so 180 minutes of testing in total across two separate appointments. CompTIA structures its exams as a single session with no scheduled breaks.
Questions
A maximum of 90 questions per exam. CompTIA publishes a ceiling rather than a fixed count and does not disclose how many questions are required to pass or how many a candidate answered incorrectly.
Passing Score
Core 1 (220-1201): 675 on a 900-point scale. Core 2 (220-1202): 700 on a 900-point scale. CompTIA sets passing scores by statistical analysis and states they are subject to change.
Question Types
- Multiple choice, single response
- Multiple choice, multiple response
- Drag and drop
- Performance-based questions delivered in a simulated interface
Delivery Method
Computer-based at a Pearson VUE test centre, or online through Pearson VUE OnVUE remote proctoring. CompTIA makes online testing available for all its certifications but not in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, South Korea, Slovenia, Sudan or Syria. Test centre candidates are photographed before testing and cannot sit the exam if they decline; OnVUE candidates are recorded through their webcam throughout.
How scoring works
Score scale
A 900-point scaled range, reported per exam. CompTIA's Network+ and Security+ pages describe the same scale as running from 100 to 900, and the A+ V15 pages state 675 out of 900 for Core 1 and 700 out of 900 for Core 2.
Score needed to pass
675 for Core 1 (220-1201) and 700 for Core 2 (220-1202). CompTIA states that passing scores are set using statistical analysis and are subject to change.
When results arrive
The score appears on screen immediately after the exam. Test centre candidates receive a printed score report carrying their photograph; online candidates find the report in their Pearson VUE account within 24 hours. The exam record appears in the CompTIA certification account within five business days, and passing triggers a CompTIA Certmetrics email. The report lists the exam objectives attached to questions answered incorrectly, but not the questions themselves or how many were missed.
How the scale is built
CompTIA describes using a mathematical algorithm to calculate a scaled score derived from what would otherwise be a percentage score, with cut scores set by statistical analysis. The model is criterion-referenced: a candidate's score is compared to an established cut score for minimal competency in the job role, never to other candidates, so there is no curve and no norm-referencing. Scoring is compensatory within an exam, because a weak domain can be offset by a strong one, but conjunctive across the certification, since both cores must be passed. CompTIA does not disclose the number of questions required to pass, the number answered incorrectly, or the raw-to-scale conversion, and it publishes no negative-marking rule for A+.
Pacing and time budget
90 questions in 90 minutes gives you 1 minute exactly, since each exam allows a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes. Performance-based questions consume several minutes each, so every simulation left running costs multiple multiple-choice questions. per question.
5
Every performance-based question located and flagged, with none attempted yet, and 3 to 5 multiple-choice questions cleared
25
About 30 multiple-choice and drag-and-drop questions, running slightly ahead of the one-minute average to bank time for the simulations
50
About 60 questions, with every remaining unflagged item being one you can answer in under 45 seconds
65
All multiple-choice, multiple-response and drag-and-drop questions answered, leaving only flagged performance-based items
85
All performance-based questions attempted and every flagged multiple-choice question revisited, with 5 minutes reserved for a final sweep of unanswered items
| At this point | You should have answered |
|---|---|
| 5 | Every performance-based question located and flagged, with none attempted yet, and 3 to 5 multiple-choice questions cleared |
| 25 | About 30 multiple-choice and drag-and-drop questions, running slightly ahead of the one-minute average to bank time for the simulations |
| 50 | About 60 questions, with every remaining unflagged item being one you can answer in under 45 seconds |
| 65 | All multiple-choice, multiple-response and drag-and-drop questions answered, leaving only flagged performance-based items |
| 85 | All performance-based questions attempted and every flagged multiple-choice question revisited, with 5 minutes reserved for a final sweep of unanswered items |
- The exam is a single session with no scheduled breaks at a test centre or through OnVUE, so plan hydration and food before check-in rather than mid-exam.
- The 28 minutes CompTIA allows for the Candidate Agreement review sit outside the 90-minute exam clock, so reading it does not eat into your time.
- Performance-based questions are simulations, not multiple choice, and cannot be resolved by elimination. Leaving them until the multiple-choice items are banked converts them from a time risk into a bonus.
- Multiple-response questions state how many answers to select. Counting before choosing costs three seconds and prevents losing a question you actually knew.
- Under OnVUE all scratch work goes on the built-in digital whiteboard, which is slower than paper. Practise subnetting and port recall mentally rather than assuming you can write it out.
- Core 2 needs 700 against Core 1's 675 on the same 900-point scale, so the pacing margin is thinner on Core 2 even though it has one fewer domain.
Where the marks are
Hardware and network troubleshooting (Core 1)
28%
The largest Core 1 domain. Questions present a symptom and ask for the next step or the right diagnostic tool, so recognising failure patterns beats memorising component specifications.
Operating systems (Core 2)
28%
Tests which built-in tool solves which problem across Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile, including Task Manager, Command Prompt utilities and Disk Management, plus file systems and upgrade paths.
Security (Core 2)
28%
Covers encryption, access controls and wireless security protocols alongside malware detection, removal and prevention. The removal sequence is tested as an ordered procedure, not as isolated facts.
Hardware (Core 1)
25%
The most recall-heavy domain on either exam: installing RAM, CPUs and storage, identifying HDMI, Ethernet and USB cables and connectors, and configuring motherboards, power supplies and cooling.
Networking (Core 1)
23%
Protocol and port pairs, wireless standards, SOHO setup including IP addressing and VPNs, and matching a networking tool such as a crimper, cable tester or Wi-Fi analyser to a specific fault.
Software troubleshooting (Core 2)
23%
Scenario-led diagnosis of operating system and application faults, mobile connectivity, app and performance issues, and the signs of unauthorised access or malware on a user device.
Operational procedures (Core 2)
21%
Documentation, change management, safety, professional communication and backup and recovery. Ordered-sequence questions are common, which makes this the cheapest domain to secure by rote.
Mobile devices (Core 1)
13%
Installing batteries, cameras and Wi-Fi antennas, configuring USB, Bluetooth, NFC and docking stations, and troubleshooting Wi-Fi, cellular data and synchronisation on phones, tablets and laptops.
| Topic | Weight | Why it scores |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware and network troubleshooting (Core 1) | 28% | The largest Core 1 domain. Questions present a symptom and ask for the next step or the right diagnostic tool, so recognising failure patterns beats memorising component specifications. |
| Operating systems (Core 2) | 28% | Tests which built-in tool solves which problem across Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile, including Task Manager, Command Prompt utilities and Disk Management, plus file systems and upgrade paths. |
| Security (Core 2) | 28% | Covers encryption, access controls and wireless security protocols alongside malware detection, removal and prevention. The removal sequence is tested as an ordered procedure, not as isolated facts. |
| Hardware (Core 1) | 25% | The most recall-heavy domain on either exam: installing RAM, CPUs and storage, identifying HDMI, Ethernet and USB cables and connectors, and configuring motherboards, power supplies and cooling. |
| Networking (Core 1) | 23% | Protocol and port pairs, wireless standards, SOHO setup including IP addressing and VPNs, and matching a networking tool such as a crimper, cable tester or Wi-Fi analyser to a specific fault. |
| Software troubleshooting (Core 2) | 23% | Scenario-led diagnosis of operating system and application faults, mobile connectivity, app and performance issues, and the signs of unauthorised access or malware on a user device. |
| Operational procedures (Core 2) | 21% | Documentation, change management, safety, professional communication and backup and recovery. Ordered-sequence questions are common, which makes this the cheapest domain to secure by rote. |
| Mobile devices (Core 1) | 13% | Installing batteries, cameras and Wi-Fi antennas, configuring USB, Bluetooth, NFC and docking stations, and troubleshooting Wi-Fi, cellular data and synchronisation on phones, tablets and laptops. |
The numbers
675 on a 900-point scale
Core 1 (220-1201) passing score
Source: CompTIA, A+ Core 1 Certification V15 exam details
700 on a 900-point scale
Core 2 (220-1202) passing score
Source: CompTIA, A+ Core 2 Certification V15 exam details
$253 USD as of 1 February 2024, with two exams required
Retail price per exam, 220-1101 and 220-1102 series
Source: CompTIA blog, The New CompTIA A+: Your Questions Answered
At least 120 hours, plus additional hands-on practice
Recommended study time for a candidate with no IT experience
Source: CompTIA blog, The New CompTIA A+: Your Questions Answered
20 continuing education units plus a $75 total CE fee
Renewal requirement over the three-year cycle
Source: CompTIA, Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Education Renewal Fees
$60,340, against $73,340 for computer network support specialists
Median annual wage, computer user support specialists, May 2024
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Support Specialists
If you fail
Wait before retaking
No waiting period between the first and second attempt at either core exam. Before a third attempt, and before any subsequent attempt, CompTIA requires a wait of at least 14 calendar days from the date of the last attempt. Client-proctored exams follow the same rule, and CompTIA states these requirements cannot be waived under any circumstances.
Attempt limit
CompTIA publishes no cap on the number of attempts, provided the 14-day interval is observed from the third attempt onward. Beta examinations may be taken only once. A candidate who has already passed and certified cannot retake the same exam code without prior consent from CompTIA, and must wait until CompTIA releases the next A+ exam series.
Retake fee
The full exam price for every attempt. CompTIA states that candidates must pay the exam price each time they attempt the exam and that it does not offer any free re-tests or discounts on retakes. The only sanctioned exception is a Retake Assurance voucher bought as part of a CompTIA bundle, which activates only after you take and fail the exam, and CompTIA also offers a free retake where it classifies a score as indeterminate.
Passing one core is permanent within its version, so failing Core 2 does not put Core 1 at risk, but both must come from the same version. A voucher is consumed by the attempt whether you pass or fail, and vouchers expire 12 months after issue with no extensions. Violating the retake policy invalidates the test and can trigger a suspension, and CompTIA states that repeat violators are permanently banned from the certification programme. Score reports name the objectives attached to the questions you missed, which is the most useful input for planning a second attempt.
Exam Domains & Topics
The largest domain on Core 1. Diagnosing and resolving hardware, network and connectivity problems, and choosing the right diagnostic tool for a given symptom.
Key Topics to Master:
- Identifying and fixing hardware faults
- Diagnosing network and connectivity problems
- Using multimeters to test power and continuity
- Using cable testers to isolate cabling faults
- Using loopback plugs to test ports
- Working through a symptom to a root cause under a scenario prompt
Installing, configuring and managing Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile operating systems, and knowing which built-in tool solves which problem.
Key Topics to Master:
- Operating system installation across Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile platforms
- Task Manager for process and performance work
- Command Prompt utilities and their switches
- Disk Management for volumes, partitions and drive letters
- File systems and their differences
- Updates and in-place operating system upgrades
Applying security measures to protect systems and mitigate threats, tied equally with operating systems as the largest Core 2 domain.
Key Topics to Master:
- Encryption at rest and in transit
- Access controls and permission models
- Wireless security protocols
- Detecting malware on an end-user device
- Removing malware and preventing reinfection
- Physical and logical protections on workstations
Installing and configuring physical components, cables, connectors and peripherals. The second largest Core 1 domain and the most memorisation-heavy.
Key Topics to Master:
- Installing RAM, CPUs and storage devices
- HDMI, Ethernet and USB cables and connectors
- Installing and maintaining printers, scanners and other peripherals
- Motherboard form factors and configuration
- Power supplies and their ratings
- Cooling solutions and thermal management
Networking protocols, ports and wireless technologies, plus building and troubleshooting a small office or home office network.
Key Topics to Master:
- Networking protocols and their port numbers
- Wireless standards and frequency bands
- Setting up SOHO networks including IP addressing
- VPN configuration on client devices
- Crimpers, cable testers and Wi-Fi analysers
- Matching a networking tool to a diagnostic task
Diagnosing and resolving problems in operating systems, applications and mobile devices, including security-related failures.
Key Topics to Master:
- Operating system and application fault diagnosis
- Mobile connectivity problems
- Mobile application and performance issues
- Signs of unauthorised access
- Malware symptoms and remediation steps
- Deciding when to repair, reimage or escalate
Documentation, change management, safety, communication and backup practice. The domain candidates most often skip and the one that is closest to pure procedure recall.
Key Topics to Master:
- Documentation best practice for system changes
- Change management process steps
- Safety protocols in a workshop and on site
- Professional communication with end users
- Workstation backup configuration
- Recovery processes and their order
Installing, configuring and troubleshooting laptops, smartphones and tablets, including their accessories and network settings.
Key Topics to Master:
- Installing batteries, cameras and Wi-Fi antennas
- Configuring USB, Bluetooth, NFC and docking stations
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular data configuration
- Synchronisation settings and accounts
- Mobile hardware fault identification
- Mobile connectivity troubleshooting
The smallest domain on either exam. Client-side virtualization concepts plus cloud service and deployment models.
Key Topics to Master:
- Virtual machines and their resource requirements
- Hypervisor types and where each is used
- Desktop virtualization scenarios
- Infrastructure as a service
- Platform as a service
- Software as a service
Recommended Study Plan
- 1Download the official 220-1201 and 220-1202 exam objectives from CompTIA and print the domain weight table
- 2Confirm you are studying V15, since V14 (220-1101 and 220-1102) retired on 25 September 2025 and the two cores cannot be mixed across versions
- 3Watch Professor Messer's free 220-1201 hardware modules and take notes against the objective numbers, not the video titles
- 4Open a desktop or laptop and identify the motherboard, CPU socket, RAM slots, storage interface and power connectors by sight
- 5Build a cable and connector table covering HDMI, DisplayPort, USB types, Ethernet categories and legacy connectors
- 6Sit a 20-question hardware quiz and log every objective you missed
- 1Cover power supplies, wattage calculation, rails and cooling solutions
- 2Learn the printer types in the objectives and the failure modes each one produces
- 3Install RAM and a storage device physically, or in a virtual lab if no hardware is available
- 4Learn RAID levels and what each one survives
- 5Build a one-page motherboard form factor comparison
- 6Re-test the objectives you missed in week 1 and confirm they are closed
- 1Memorise protocol-to-port pairs cold, since these are quick marks and appear across scenario questions
- 2Learn wireless standards, their frequency bands and their practical throughput
- 3Configure a SOHO router: SSID, channel, encryption, DHCP scope and port forwarding
- 4Practise IPv4 addressing, private ranges and APIPA behaviour
- 5Match each networking tool to its diagnostic use: crimper, cable tester, Wi-Fi analyser, toner probe
- 6Set up a VPN client connection and record each configuration field
- 1Work through hardware fault scenarios symptom by symptom rather than component by component
- 2Practise network connectivity troubleshooting from the physical layer upward
- 3Use a multimeter on a power supply and record the readings you expect on each rail
- 4Use a cable tester and a loopback plug and note what each one proves and what it does not
- 5Drill display, projector and printer fault scenarios, which recur across the objectives
- 6Write your own three-line answer to twenty scenario prompts before looking at options
- 1Cover laptop component replacement including batteries, cameras and Wi-Fi antennas
- 2Configure USB, Bluetooth, NFC and docking station accessories on a real device
- 3Work through mobile network configuration: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular data and synchronisation
- 4Learn the three cloud service models and place real products against each one
- 5Install a hypervisor and build one virtual machine, recording the CPU, memory and storage requirements
- 6Take one full 90-question, 90-minute Core 1 practice exam and record the domain breakdown
- 1Practise performance-based questions in CompTIA CertMaster Labs or an equivalent browser-based lab
- 2Rehearse a full 90-minute run where you flag every performance-based item, clear the multiple choice, and return
- 3Rework every question missed in the week 5 practice exam, objective by objective
- 4Re-drill the ports table and the cable and connector table under a five-minute timer
- 5Sit a second full-length Core 1 practice exam and compare domain scores
- 6Book the Core 1 appointment once practice scores are stable, and confirm the voucher expiry, since a CompTIA voucher is valid for 12 months from the date it is received and cannot be extended
- 1Sit 220-1201; the score appears on screen at the end of the session
- 2Read the score report objective list, which names the objectives attached to questions you answered incorrectly
- 3Begin Windows: installation methods, editions, and upgrade versus clean install decisions
- 4Learn Task Manager tab by tab and what each one diagnoses
- 5Build a Command Prompt reference of the utilities in the objectives with their common switches
- 6Practise Disk Management: initialise, partition, format, extend and assign drive letters
- 1Cover macOS features and tools and where they differ from the Windows equivalents
- 2Learn the Linux commands in the objectives and run each one in a live virtual machine
- 3Compare file systems and their limits, and know which platform uses which
- 4Practise operating system updates and in-place upgrades in a virtual machine
- 5Cover mobile operating system configuration on iOS and Android
- 6Sit a 45-question operating systems drill and close the gaps it exposes
- 1Cover encryption for data at rest and in transit, and know which tool applies where
- 2Learn access control models and NTFS versus share permission interaction
- 3Learn wireless security protocols in order of strength and know which are deprecated
- 4Work through malware categories and the specific symptoms each produces
- 5Learn CompTIA's malware removal sequence in order, because order is what gets tested
- 6Cover social engineering techniques and the countermeasure for each
- 1Drill operating system fault scenarios: boot failures, slow performance, service failures and profile problems
- 2Practise application troubleshooting including compatibility and permission causes
- 3Cover mobile connectivity, application and battery performance issues
- 4Work through browser problems: extensions, certificates, redirects and pop-ups
- 5Practise deciding between repair, reimage and escalate on the same scenario
- 6Sit a 45-question troubleshooting drill and log every wrong answer against an objective
- 1Learn the change management steps in order, since sequence questions are common here
- 2Cover documentation types and what belongs in each
- 3Learn electrical and environmental safety procedures and the correct disposal route for each material type
- 4Practise professional communication scenarios, which are scored on the correct response rather than technical accuracy
- 5Cover workstation backup schemes and recovery order
- 6Sit a 30-question operational procedures drill; this domain is 21 percent of Core 2 and is the cheapest to secure
- 1Sit a full 90-question, 90-minute Core 2 practice exam under exam conditions
- 2Practise performance-based questions in a lab environment, focusing on Windows tools and permission configuration
- 3Rework every missed question and map it back to a numbered objective
- 4Re-drill the malware removal sequence and the change management sequence
- 5Sit a second full-length Core 2 practice exam and compare against the first
- 6Remember that Core 2 needs 700 against Core 1's 675, so the margin is thinner
- 1Rank all nine domains by your practice scores and give the bottom three the whole week
- 2Re-sit the drills for those three domains only
- 3Rebuild any reference table you cannot reproduce from memory in five minutes
- 4Run one mixed 45-question set drawn from both cores to check nothing from Core 1 has decayed
- 5Rehearse the OnVUE or test centre process end to end so exam day holds no surprises
- 6Confirm your two forms of ID meet the CompTIA Candidate ID Policy and that the names match your registration exactly
- 1Book Core 2 at a time of day when you are sharpest, since there are no scheduled breaks in a CompTIA exam
- 2Allow 28 minutes for the Candidate Agreement review that CompTIA requires before the exam begins
- 3Check in 30 minutes ahead if testing through OnVUE, as CompTIA recommends
- 4Sit 220-1202 and read the on-screen score before closing the session
- 5Expect the score report in your Pearson VUE account within 24 hours and the exam record in your CompTIA certification account within five business days
- 6Set a calendar reminder three years out for the 20 continuing education units and $75 CE fee, or plan Network+ instead, which renews A+ for free
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Best Study Resources
CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 exam objectives
Official objectivesThe 220-1201 and 220-1202 objective documents from CompTIA, listing every examinable item under its numbered objective along with the published domain percentages. These are the only definitive statement of scope, and CompTIA's score report reports your misses against these same objective numbers.
Free
Professor Messer's free A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202 training course
Video courseA complete free video course structured against the current objective list, published at professormesser.com with monthly live study groups. Professor Messer also publishes a written comparison of what changed between the 220-1101 and 220-1201 objective lists.
Free
CompTIA CertMaster Learn for A+
Official coursewareCompTIA's own eLearning product, which the vendor describes as 40 or more hours of content across 10 lessons with interactive performance-based questions, a personalised dashboard and a countdown calendar. CompTIA estimates 25 to 40 hours to work through CertMaster Learn.
Paid, sold in the CompTIA Store
CompTIA CertMaster Labs for A+
Virtual labsBrowser-based virtual labs built on workplace scenarios such as configuring operating systems, troubleshooting networks and managing users, workstations and shared resources. CompTIA estimates 15 to 25 hours. Labs are the closest available rehearsal for performance-based questions.
Paid, sold in the CompTIA Store
CompTIA CertMaster Practice for A+
Practice examsAn adaptive assessment tool that identifies what you have mastered and what still needs work, with timed practice exams, objective quizzes and objective-level mastery scores. CompTIA estimates 10 to 20 hours.
Paid, sold in the CompTIA Store
CompTIA A+ product bundles with Retake Assurance
BundleCompTIA sells Practice and Exam, Learn and Exam, and Complete bundles that pair CertMaster products with a voucher plus a retake voucher. Since CompTIA charges the full exam price for every attempt and offers no retake discounts, a bundled retake voucher is the only sanctioned way to reduce the cost of a second attempt.
Paid, sold in the CompTIA Store
The Official CompTIA A+ Study Guides
BookCompTIA's own study guides for Core 1 and Core 2, sold through the CompTIA Store in print and digital form and written to cover the published objectives.
Paid, print and digital
CompTIA A+ free practice questions
Sample questionsCompTIA publishes downloadable sets of practice questions for its certifications. The vendor is explicit that these are not questions from the live exam and that the real exam contains additional question types.
Free
Pearson VUE OnVUE system test
Exam-day toolRun this on the same device and network you will use on exam day. Pearson VUE warns that failing to meet the minimum requirements on exam day can result in immediate exam cancellation and forfeiture of the exam fee, so the system test is not optional preparation.
Free
CompTIA Certification Retake Policy and Candidate Agreement
PolicyThe two documents that govern what happens when you fail, what you may bring, and what counts as misconduct. The Candidate Agreement is the document you must review in the 28 minutes CompTIA allows before the exam starts, and it now explicitly prohibits using any artificial intelligence software during the exam.
Free
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Studying V14 material for a V15 exam
The 220-1101 and 220-1102 series retired on 25 September 2025 and the domain weights changed with V15. Core 1 networking moved from 20 percent to 23 percent, mobile devices dropped from 15 percent to 13 percent, and on Core 2 operating systems moved from 31 percent to 28 percent while security rose from 25 percent to 28 percent and operational procedures fell from 22 percent to 21 percent. Check the exam code on every resource you buy.
Mixing exam versions across the two cores
CompTIA states that Core 1 and Core 2 must be taken from the same version, with no mixing allowed. Passing 220-1101 and then 220-1202 does not certify you. If you passed a V14 core before retirement, confirm your position with CompTIA before booking the second exam.
Assuming Core 2 is the easier exam because it has fewer domains
Core 2 has four domains against Core 1's five, but it needs 700 to pass against Core 1's 675. Two domains, operating systems and security, carry 28 percent each, so 56 percent of Core 2 sits in two subject areas. Fewer domains means less margin, not less work.
Ignoring operational procedures because it looks like common sense
Operational procedures is 21 percent of Core 2, roughly one question in five. It tests change management steps in order, documentation types, safety and disposal routes and scripted communication responses. It is pure recall, which makes it the cheapest domain to secure and the most expensive to leave to instinct.
Never touching a performance-based question before exam day
Performance-based questions are a published question type on both cores and they put you in a simulated interface rather than in front of four options. Rehearse them in CertMaster Labs or an equivalent browser-based lab. Under OnVUE you cannot use paper, a pen or an erasable whiteboard, only the built-in digital whiteboard, so practise scratch work that way too.
Chasing a published pass rate to calibrate difficulty
CompTIA states as policy that it does not disclose pass rates to any external third party, because its exams are criterion-referenced against a cut score rather than norm-referenced, and because a single data point invites misinterpretation. Calibrate against your own domain scores on full-length practice exams instead.
Booking a retake immediately after a second failure
CompTIA requires no waiting period between the first and second attempts, but before the third attempt and any subsequent attempt you must wait at least 14 calendar days from your last attempt. A test taken in violation of the retake policy is invalidated and the candidate may be suspended.
Letting the voucher expire while studying
A CompTIA exam voucher is valid for 12 months from the date it is received and CompTIA states the expiration date cannot be extended under any circumstances. Buy the voucher when your practice scores are within reach of the cut score, not at the start of a 14-week plan.
Turning up to OnVUE on an unprepared machine or network
OnVUE needs Windows 10 or macOS 14 or higher, a working webcam, microphone and speaker with no headphones, exactly one display, and at least 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Virtual machines, VPNs, corporate networks and public networks are all prohibited. Pearson VUE warns that failing these checks on the day can cancel the exam and forfeit the fee.
Presenting ID that does not match the registration name
CompTIA requires two original, unexpired IDs and states that the first and last name used to register must match exactly on both. IDs must be issued by the country you are testing in, or an international travel passport plus a secondary ID. US military IDs cannot be used for OnVUE under any circumstance, so serving candidates testing online need a different primary ID.
Exam Day Tips
- 1
Allow time for the CompTIA Candidate Agreement before the clock starts. Pearson VUE states the candidate is given 28 minutes to review it, and it is separate from the 90 minutes of exam time.
- 2
Bring two original, unexpired IDs. The primary must be government-issued with your name and a recent recognisable photo; the secondary needs at least your name and signature or your name and a recognisable photo. Both must carry the exact first and last name you registered with.
- 3
At a test centre, expect to be photographed before testing. CompTIA states that candidates who do not wish to have their picture taken will not be allowed to take the exam, and the photo appears on the printed score report.
- 4
If testing online, check in about 30 minutes before your appointment as CompTIA recommends, then expect a room scan, photographs of your workspace, and a webcam recording that runs for the whole session.
- 5
Clear the desk completely for OnVUE. No books, no paper, no pen, pencil or marker, no erasable whiteboard, no second monitor, no phone within reach once the exam begins. Use the built-in digital whiteboard for scratch work instead.
- 6
Plan for no breaks. CompTIA structures its exams, at test centres and through OnVUE alike, as a single session with no scheduled breaks, so 90 minutes is continuous.
- 7
Flag performance-based questions and come back to them. They consume disproportionate time, and at a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes every minute spent on one simulation is a multiple-choice question left unanswered.
- 8
Count the required answers on multiple-response questions. CompTIA lists single-response and multiple-response multiple choice as separate question types, and selecting the wrong number of options wastes a question you knew.
- 9
If English is not your first language and you are testing in a non-English-speaking country where no localised version exists, the ESL accommodation gives a 30-minute extension and Pearson VUE grants it automatically at registration in eligible countries. It is not available in English-speaking countries because all CompTIA exams are offered in English.
- 10
Read the on-screen score before you close the session. Your score report also lands in your Pearson VUE account within 24 hours, and the exam record appears in your CompTIA certification account within five business days.
- 11
Reschedule at least 24 hours ahead for a test centre appointment. Rescheduling inside 24 hours, or failing to appear, forfeits the exam fee. Online proctored appointments can be rescheduled or cancelled up until the scheduled start time.
Career Paths & Salary Ranges
Computer user support specialist (help desk or IT support specialist)
The role CompTIA names as the recommended experience background for A+. First-line support for end users on hardware, operating system and connectivity problems. BLS counted 729,500 of these jobs in 2024 and projects a 4 percent decline to 2034.
US median $60,340; lowest 10 percent under $38,780, highest 10 percent over $98,010 (BLS, May 2024)
Computer network support specialist
Analysing, testing and evaluating network systems rather than end-user devices. BLS counted 152,700 of these jobs in 2024 and projects 2 percent growth to 2034, the only growing branch of computer support. A+ plus Network+ is the usual credential pair.
US median $73,340; lowest 10 percent under $46,010, highest 10 percent over $124,470 (BLS, May 2024)
Technical support in telecommunications
The highest-paying industry for network support specialists, ahead of finance and insurance at $78,630 and government at $74,060. CompTIA lists technical support specialist as a DoD 8140 approved work role for A+.
US median $78,710 for computer network support specialists in telecommunications (BLS, May 2024)
IT support in federal government
The highest-paying industry for user support specialists, well above computer systems design at $58,900 and educational services at $56,240. A+ appears against three DoD 8140 approved work roles, which is why it recurs in federal and contractor job postings.
US median $73,950 for computer user support specialists in government, excluding state and local education and hospitals (BLS, May 2024)
Network and computer systems administrator
The usual next step out of support. BLS counted 331,500 of these jobs in 2024, projects a 4 percent decline to 2034, and still expects about 14,300 openings a year from workers leaving the occupation. CompTIA lists system administrator as a DoD 8140 approved work role for A+.
US median $96,800 (BLS, May 2024)
Information security analyst
The furthest common destination from an A+ start, normally reached via Network+ and Security+. BLS counted 182,800 of these jobs in 2024 and projects 29 percent growth to 2034, adding 52,100 positions, the fastest growth of any occupation in this list.
US median $124,910 (BLS, May 2024)
Prerequisites & Requirements
- There are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA does not require any prior certification, degree or work history to register for 220-1201 or 220-1202.
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist job role before sitting either core exam.
- CompTIA's own guidance suggests allowing at least 120 hours of study plus additional hands-on practice for a candidate with no IT experience.
- Both exams must be taken from the same version. Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) are both V15, and CompTIA states that mixing versions is not allowed.
- A valid exam voucher is required for each attempt, and CompTIA states that candidates must pay the exam price each time they attempt the exam.
- Two original, valid, unexpired forms of identification are required, with the first and last name matching the registration exactly.
- Candidates must register using an address in the country where they reside at the time of testing, and must test in that same country, unless CompTIA approves an exception in advance by email.
- Candidates under 18 taking an online exam may present a valid student ID, and a guardian must present a valid ID and give verbal consent during check-in. From 23 June 2026, all minors need parental consent recorded in CompTIA Central before registering for an exam.
- OnVUE candidates must use a personal computer and a personal internet or local network connection, on Windows 10 or macOS 14 or higher, with a single display and no virtual machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many exams do I need to pass for A+?
Two: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). CompTIA lets you take them in either order but requires that both come from the same version, so a V14 core cannot be combined with a V15 core. Both are separate appointments, separate vouchers and separate 90-minute sessions.
What are the passing scores?
Core 1 requires 675 and Core 2 requires 700, both on a 900-point scale. CompTIA sets these cut scores through statistical analysis and states that passing scores are subject to change. The two figures are different, which is why the same level of preparation can pass one core and fail the other.
What is the A+ pass rate?
CompTIA does not publish one. Its Exam Development policy states that it is CompTIA policy not to disclose pass rates to any external third party, that its exam content, results data and analyses are classified as highly confidential, and that its exams are criterion-referenced against a cut score rather than norm-referenced. Any percentage you see quoted for A+ did not come from CompTIA.
How much does A+ cost?
CompTIA's own blog states that the retail price for CompTIA A+ was $253 USD per exam as of 1 February 2024 for the 220-1101 and 220-1102 series, and that two exams are needed. CompTIA sells vouchers through its own store, prices differ by region and market, and it does not publish a single static list price for the V15 series, so check the store for your country before budgeting.
Are there discounts on the exam fee?
Yes, and CompTIA publishes them. Actively registered students at four-year institutions in the United States, and some two-year institutions, can get 35 to 55 percent off all products in the CompTIA Store after verifying through SheerID. CompTIA also lists bundles, employer reimbursement, training and college courses that include the certification cost, and limited-time flash sales. CompTIA notes that no additional discount can be stacked on top of a verified SheerID student discount.
How long is an exam voucher valid?
Twelve months from the date you received it. CompTIA states that a voucher expiration date cannot be extended under any circumstances, and that you must register and take the exam before it expires. A purchased voucher can be used for any version of that certification exam as long as it is used before expiry.
What happens if I fail?
You receive a score report listing the exam objectives attached to the questions you answered incorrectly, though not which specific questions or how many. You then buy another voucher and rebook. CompTIA states that candidates must pay the exam price each time they attempt the exam and that it offers no free re-tests or discounts on retakes. Failing one core does not affect a core you have already passed.
How long must I wait before a retake?
Nothing between the first and second attempt. Before a third attempt, and before any subsequent attempt, you must wait at least 14 calendar days from the date of your last attempt. A test found to be in violation of the retake policy is invalidated, and the candidate may be suspended; repeat violators are permanently banned from the certification programme.
Can I retake an exam I passed?
Not with the same exam code without prior consent from CompTIA. Once you have passed and achieved the certification, you must wait until a new series becomes available, for example moving from V14 to V15, before attempting to recertify by examination. For client-proctored exams, CompTIA sets that wait at 12 calendar months unless a new exam series code has been released.
Does A+ expire, and how do I renew it?
A+ is valid for three years from the date you earn it and is enrolled in CompTIA's Continuing Education programme automatically. Renewing by continuing education takes 20 CEUs across the three-year cycle plus a total CE fee of $75, payable by the expiration date. CEUs must be earned during the cycle, and at least 50 percent of an activity's content must relate to the exam objectives for the certification being renewed.
Can I renew A+ without paying the CE fee?
Yes, by earning a higher-level CompTIA certification. CompTIA's hierarchy runs SecurityX, then CySA+ and PenTest+, then Security+, then Network+, then A+, and renewing a higher certification automatically renews the lower ones without additional CE fees. Cloud+ renews A+, Network+ and Linux+; Linux+ renews A+ only. Project+, Server+, Data+, DataSys+ and DataAI do not renew A+.
What identification do I need on exam day?
Two original, valid, unexpired IDs, with the first and last name matching your registration exactly on both. The primary must be government-issued with your name and a recent recognisable photo, such as a passport, driving licence or national identity card. The secondary needs at least name and signature or name and a recognisable photo. IDs must be issued by the country you are testing in, unless you use an international travel passport plus a secondary ID.
Can I use a military ID for an online exam?
No. CompTIA states that because certain IDs must not by law be photocopied, digitised or captured on camera, Pearson VUE cannot accept restricted IDs for online testing, and that US military-issued IDs cannot be used for identity verification with OnVUE under any circumstance. Military IDs are accepted at a physical test centre, including spouse and dependant IDs.
What are the rules for online proctored testing?
You must use your own computer and your own internet or local network connection, running Windows 10 or macOS 14 or higher, with a working webcam, microphone and speaker and no headphones, and exactly one display. Minimum bandwidth is 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Virtual machines, beta operating systems, phones, tablets, watches, smart glasses, second monitors, VPNs, corporate networks and shared or public networks are all prohibited. You must be alone in a walled room with a closed door and pass a room scan.
Are calculators or reference material allowed?
No. CompTIA's Candidate Agreement prohibits possession in the testing area of books, notes, paper, documents and writing materials, along with phones, handheld computers, laptops, smart glasses, watches and other electronic devices, and nothing is supplied as an in-exam reference. Online candidates cannot use scratch paper, erasable whiteboards or any physical writing object and must use the built-in digital whiteboard instead; at a test centre, notes may only be made on the writing materials the centre provides, and removing them is a Candidate Agreement violation. The agreement also expressly prohibits using any artificial intelligence software, program or application during the examination.
What accommodations are available?
Accommodation requests are handled through Pearson VUE rather than CompTIA directly, and CompTIA states it is committed to complying with applicable laws for individuals with disabilities. ADA accommodations may be available for online proctored exams on a case-by-case basis. Separately, the English as a Second Language accommodation gives a 30-minute time extension for English-delivered exams in non-English-speaking countries where no localised version exists, and Pearson VUE grants it automatically at registration in eligible countries. Exams scheduled with certain accommodations can take up to three days to reschedule.
How does the score scale work?
CompTIA reports a scaled score on a 900-point range, calculated by a mathematical algorithm from what would otherwise be a percentage score, with cut scores set by statistical analysis. CompTIA does not disclose the number of questions required to pass or the number answered incorrectly. That is why a 675 on Core 1 does not translate to a fixed percentage of correct answers.
When do results arrive?
Your score appears on screen immediately after you complete the exam. At a test centre the score report is printed and includes your photograph. Online, the score report is available in your Pearson VUE account within 24 hours. Your exam information appears in your CompTIA certification account within five business days, and passing triggers a congratulatory email from CompTIA Certmetrics with instructions for accessing your record.
Can I challenge a score?
You can request a manual rescore through the CompTIA Help Center. An Exam Services staff member compares your responses to the official answer key and documents whether any scoring error was found. CompTIA does not release specific exam questions, answers, scoring keys or detailed scoring information. Separately, if CompTIA classifies a score as indeterminate because of unexplained discrepancies, it allows the candidate to retake the exam at no cost, and the indeterminate score is not valid for certification.
Should I take A+ or Network+ first?
A+ first in almost every case. CompTIA lists A+ certification with 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience as the recommended background for Network+, and A+ sits below Network+ in CompTIA's own certification hierarchy. A+ is also the cheaper credential to maintain, at 20 CEUs and a $75 CE fee over three years against Network+ at 30 CEUs and $150. Going the other way is possible, since neither exam has a hard prerequisite, but passing Network+ later renews A+ for free, which the reverse order does not.
Success Stories
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“A+ met DoD 8570 requirements and got me a government IT job. The security content in Core 2 was especially relevant. Well worth the three months of studying.”
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IT Specialist, Government
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