CompTIA A+
CompTIA A+ is the entry-level IT support certification that proves you can set up, secure and troubleshoot hardware, networks and operating systems. You earn it by passing two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). This guide covers the format, scoring, registration and a study plan.
CompTIA A+ at a Glance
Verified October 15, 2026| Official body | CompTIA |
|---|---|
| Exam fee | $274 per exam (US retail voucher); two exams needed A+ Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), United States · comptia.org, October 2026 · US list price of the A+ Voucher in the CompTIA Store; one voucher per exam, so $548 for both. Student discounts and retake bundles are available. |
| Duration | 90 minutes per exam Each of 220-1201 and 220-1202 · comptia.org, March 2025 |
| Format | Two exams (Core 1 220-1201 and Core 2 220-1202, V15); multiple-choice, drag-and-drop and performance-based questions CompTIA A+ V15, launched March 25, 2025 · comptia.org, March 2025 · Core 1 and Core 2 must be taken from the same version. |
| Sections | Core 1: 5 domains; Core 2: 4 domains CompTIA A+ V15 exam objectives · comptia.org, March 2025 |
| Questions | Maximum of 90 questions per exam Each of 220-1201 and 220-1202 · comptia.org, March 2025 |
| Score range | 100–900 (scaled) CompTIA A+ V15 exams · comptia.org, March 2025 |
| Pass mark | Core 1: 675; Core 2: 700 (on a 100–900 scale) 220-1201 and 220-1202 · comptia.org, March 2025 |
| Validity | 3 years from the date you pass; renew through CompTIA Continuing Education CompTIA A+ certification · comptia.org, October 2026 |
| Registration | Register with CompTIA |
Primary source: CompTIA (comptia.org) Source date: October 2026 Last verified:
What Is the CompTIA A+
CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral certification for entry-level IT support roles such as help desk technician, desktop support specialist and field service technician. It shows employers that you can install and configure devices, connect them to a network, keep them secure and fix them when they break.
The certification has two exams that you must pass from the same version: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). The current V15 series launched on March 25, 2025. Once earned, A+ is valid for three years, and you renew it through CompTIA’s Continuing Education program.
A+ is often the first step on the CompTIA pathway, followed by CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+. It sits alongside other entry points on our IT certifications hub.
Is CompTIA A+ for Beginners
Yes, CompTIA A+ is designed for beginners and has no formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist role, but many candidates pass after self-study, a course or a home lab. If you have ever built a PC, reinstalled Windows or fixed a home router, you already know part of the material.
The challenge for beginners is breadth. The two exams cover hardware, mobile devices, networking, cloud, four operating systems, security and professional procedures, so a structured plan matters more than prior job experience.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 and 2 Exam Format
Each CompTIA A+ exam has a maximum of 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit. Questions are multiple choice (single and multiple answer), drag-and-drop and performance-based. You can take Core 1 and Core 2 in either order, but both must come from the V15 series.
| Core 1 (220-1201) | Core 2 (220-1202) | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | Up to 90 | Up to 90 |
| Time | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Score range | 100–900 | 100–900 |
| Passing score | 675 | 700 |
| Domains | 5 | 4 |
When people search for a CompTIA A+ practice test for Core 1 and 2, they need material that covers both exams, because a strong Core 1 score does not carry over to Core 2.
Core 1 (220-1201) Domains
Core 1 focuses on hardware and connectivity. Its five domains and weightings are:
- Mobile Devices (13%): laptop hardware, mobile device accessories, connectivity and synchronization.
- Networking (23%): TCP and UDP ports and protocols, wireless standards, SOHO network setup and IP addressing.
- Hardware (25%): RAM, CPUs, storage, motherboards, power supplies, cables, connectors, peripherals and printers.
- Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%): virtual machines, hypervisors and IaaS, PaaS and SaaS models.
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%): diagnosing and fixing device, storage, display, printer and network problems.
Troubleshooting is the largest Core 1 domain, so CompTIA A+ practice questions for Core 1 should include plenty of “what should the technician do next” scenarios.
Core 2 (220-1202) Domains
Core 2 focuses on software, security and the way a technician works. Its four domains are:
- Operating Systems (28%): installing, configuring and using Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile operating systems, including command-line tools.
- Security (28%): security measures, malware removal, wireless and endpoint security and data protection.
- Software Troubleshooting (23%): resolving operating system, application, mobile and security-related software issues.
- Operational Procedures (21%): documentation, change management, backups, safety, professionalism and basic scripting.
Many candidates find Core 2 harder because it needs a higher passing score and tests Windows settings and commands in detail.
CompTIA A+ Performance-Based Questions
Performance-based questions (PBQs) ask you to complete a task rather than pick an answer. Typical examples include matching ports to protocols, configuring a SOHO router, choosing the right Windows tool for a problem or ordering the steps of CompTIA’s troubleshooting methodology.
PBQs often appear near the start of the exam and take longer than other questions. A common strategy is to flag a PBQ that stalls you, answer the multiple-choice questions and return with the time you have left.
CompTIA A+ Scoring
CompTIA A+ uses a scaled score from 100 to 900. You need 675 to pass Core 1 and 700 to pass Core 2, and you must pass both exams to be certified. Because the score is scaled, there is no fixed percentage of questions you must get right.
You receive a pass or fail result at the test center or online session, along with a score report that shows the domains where you lost points. Use that report to target study if you need to retake an exam. Our practice test uses a 75% readiness benchmark instead of a scaled score, which is a deliberately safe margin.
CompTIA A+ Registration and Fees
You register for CompTIA A+ by buying an exam voucher and booking each exam with Pearson VUE, CompTIA’s testing partner. You need one voucher per exam, so the certification requires two. CompTIA sets the voucher price, which differs by country.
- Create a CompTIA account and a Pearson VUE profile with the name on your ID.
- Buy a voucher for Core 1 or Core 2 from the CompTIA Store or an approved partner.
- Book a date and choose a test center or online delivery.
- Repeat for the second core once you are ready.
Official details live on the CompTIA A+ certification page.
How Much Does the CompTIA A+ Exam Cost?
A CompTIA A+ exam voucher costs $274 in the US, according to the CompTIA Store, and you need two, one for Core 1 and one for Core 2, so the certification costs $548 at list price. CompTIA also sells bundles with a retake, and students can get discounted vouchers, so compare the options before you buy.
Can You Take the CompTIA A+ Exam Online
Yes, you can take the CompTIA A+ exam online through Pearson VUE’s remote proctoring service. You test from home on your own computer while a proctor watches through your webcam. You need a private, quiet room, a clear desk, a reliable internet connection and a system check completed before exam day.
A test center is the better choice if your internet is unstable or you cannot guarantee an uninterrupted room. Both options deliver the same exam and the same score.
How to Prepare With a CompTIA A+ Practice Test
The most effective way to prepare is to study one domain at a time, check it with a CompTIA A+ practice test, and fix the weak spots before moving on. A six-week plan per core works for most beginners studying 8 to 10 hours a week:
| Week | Core 1 focus | Core 2 focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baseline practice test, mobile devices | Baseline practice test, Windows editions and installation |
| 2 | Hardware: RAM, storage, motherboards, power | Windows tools, settings and command line |
| 3 | Networking: ports, protocols, Wi-Fi, SOHO | macOS, Linux and mobile operating systems |
| 4 | Virtualization, cloud and printers | Security and malware removal |
| 5 | Hardware and network troubleshooting | Software troubleshooting, operational procedures |
| 6 | Timed full-length practice and review | Timed full-length practice and review |
Turn this into a dated schedule with the study planner, and keep your booking in view with the exam countdown.
Free CompTIA A+ Practice Test
Our free CompTIA A+ practice test draws original questions from all nine Core 1 and Core 2 domains. It works as a CompTIA A+ practice test with answers: each question shows the correct option, an explanation and a note on why the other options are wrong. Use timed mode to rehearse pacing and study mode to learn as you go.
CompTIA A+ Practice Test Flashcards
Acronyms are a large part of A+, from DHCP and NTFS to UEFI and MDM. Our CompTIA A+ flashcards use spaced repetition so you see the terms you miss more often. Ten minutes a day over a few weeks is more effective than one long session before the exam.
Are CompTIA Practice Exams Worth It
Yes, practice exams are worth it when you use them to diagnose gaps rather than to memorize answers. They show which domain is costing you points and get you used to reading scenario questions under time pressure. A score that stays above our 75% benchmark across several random sets is a good sign you are ready to book.
Be careful with older material. A CompTIA A+ 220-901 and 1001 practice test, or any set written for earlier series, follows objectives that no longer match V15. Check that your practice questions with answers target 220-1201 and 220-1202. Our test taking strategies guide covers pacing, flagging and elimination techniques that apply to every CompTIA exam.
CompTIA A+ Test Day Checklist
Use this checklist before each A+ exam:
- Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a name that exactly matches your Pearson VUE profile.
- Arrive at the test center early, or start online check-in early enough to complete the room scan.
- For online testing, clear your desk, close other applications and silence your phone outside reach.
- Flag long PBQs and return to them after the multiple-choice questions.
- Answer every question, since a blank answer earns no points.
- Watch the clock: 90 questions in 90 minutes is roughly one minute each.
- Note your weak domains on the score report, whatever the result.
Google IT Support Certificate vs CompTIA A+
The Google IT Support Certificate is a self-paced online course series, while CompTIA A+ is a proctored certification exam. Both target entry-level IT support, but they prove different things to an employer.
| CompTIA A+ | Google IT Support Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| What you earn | Industry certification | Professional certificate |
| Assessment | Two proctored exams | Graded course assessments, no proctored exam |
| Recognition | Widely listed in help desk job ads | Strong for learning, less often required |
CompTIA A+ vs Google IT Support Certificate for Beginners
For complete beginners, the Google IT Support Certificate is a gentler start because it teaches the material step by step. CompTIA A+ is the stronger credential for job applications, because it is proctored and frequently named in help desk job postings.
Google IT Support Certificate and A+ Together
Choosing the Google IT Support Certificate or CompTIA A+ does not have to be either-or. Many learners use the Google course to build foundations, then study for A+ to earn the certification employers ask for. The topics overlap heavily, so time spent on one shortens preparation for the other.
CompTIA A+ FAQ
How Many Questions Are on the CompTIA A+ Exam?
Each CompTIA A+ exam has a maximum of 90 questions, and you get 90 minutes per exam. Because the certification needs two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), you answer up to 180 questions in total across two sittings. The exact count varies slightly from one exam form to another.
Is the A+ Exam Hard?
The A+ exam is moderately hard for beginners because it covers a wide range of topics rather than very deep ones. Most people find the breadth, the troubleshooting scenarios and the performance-based questions harder than the facts themselves. Candidates who combine hands-on practice with regular timed practice tests usually pass both cores without needing a retake.
What Kind of Questions Are on the CompTIA A+?
The CompTIA A+ exams use multiple-choice questions with one or several correct answers, drag-and-drop questions and performance-based questions. Performance-based questions ask you to complete a task in a simulated environment, such as configuring a setting or putting troubleshooting steps in order. Many multiple-choice questions are short scenarios that ask for the best next step.
Are CompTIA Practice Exams Free?
Some are free and some are paid. CompTIA sells official practice products through its CertMaster line, while independent sites, including ours, offer free practice questions. Our CompTIA A+ practice test is free with no account, covers all nine domains of Core 1 and Core 2 and explains every answer, which makes it a good first check before you buy anything.