IT Certifications
IT certifications prove to employers that you can support, network, secure or build in the cloud. This hub covers the most popular entry-level certs: CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, AZ-900, Cisco CCNA and the Google IT Support certificate, each with a free practice test, an exam guide and study tools.
IT Certification Practice Tests
Every IT certification practice test below uses original questions written to the official exam objectives, a timer scaled to the real exam and a full answer review. Pick your cert, take a first test to find your weak domains and then read the matching exam guide.
CompTIA A+ (220-1201 / 220-1202)
Entry-level IT support certification: two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), each up to 90 questions in 90 minutes.
Vendor-neutral networking certification: one exam (N10-009), up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, pass mark 720 on a 100–900 scale.
Baseline cybersecurity certification: one exam (SY0-701), up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, pass mark 750 on a 100–900 scale.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)
Foundational AWS certification: 65 questions in 90 minutes, $100, pass mark 700 on a 100–1,000 scale.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Entry-level Microsoft Azure certification: a 45-minute exam, pass mark 700 on a 1–1,000 scale; fundamentals certs do not expire.
Associate-level Cisco networking certification: one 120-minute exam (200-301 CCNA v1.1), $300 USD.
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Self-paced Google Career Certificate on Coursera: 6 courses, about 3 months at 10 hours a week; no proctored exam.
CompTIA Practice Test
CompTIA certifications are vendor-neutral, so they suit people who will support many kinds of hardware and software. Each CompTIA practice test on this site draws 30 random questions, weighted by the exam’s domains, and sets a 75% readiness benchmark because the real exams are scaled on 100–900 rather than marked as a percentage.
CompTIA A+ Practice Test
CompTIA A+ is the classic first IT certification and requires two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Each has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, and the passing scores are 675 for Core 1 and 700 for Core 2. Our CompTIA A+ practice test covers Core 1 and 2 together, from hardware and networking to operating systems, security and operational procedures.
CompTIA Network+ Practice Test
CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) is the next step for anyone heading toward network administration. It has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and a passing score of 720. The CompTIA Network+ practice test is a practice test for CompTIA Network+ across all five domains, with troubleshooting carrying the most weight.
CompTIA Security+ Practice Test
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is the baseline cybersecurity certification and the one most often named in security job postings. It has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and a passing score of 750. CompTIA has announced a new version for around November 2026, with the English SY0-701 retiring on June 11, 2027. Use the CompTIA Security+ practice test to check all five SY0-701 domains.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice Exam
AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) is the foundational Amazon Web Services certification. It has 65 questions in 90 minutes, costs $100 and needs a score of 700 on a 100–1,000 scale. The AWS Cloud Practitioner practice exam covers cloud concepts, security and compliance, AWS services, and billing and support.
AZ-900 Practice Test
AZ-900, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, is Microsoft’s entry-level cloud exam. You have 45 minutes of exam time, the passing score is 700 on a 1–1,000 scale, and the certification does not expire. The AZ-900 practice test follows the three skill areas Microsoft measures.
CCNA Practice Test
Cisco CCNA (200-301 v1.1) is an associate-level networking certification with one 120-minute exam that costs $300. Cisco does not publish its question count or passing score. The CCNA practice test covers all six domains, including subnetting, OSPF, VLANs and network automation.
Google IT Support Certificate
The Google IT Support certificate is a self-paced program of 6 courses on Coursera, which Coursera estimates at about 3 months at 10 hours a week. It ends with graded course assessments rather than a single proctored exam. Our Google IT Support certificate practice test reviews the topics from all six courses.
Tools for IT Certifications: CompTIA A+ Practice Test Flashcards
IT exams are full of acronyms, port numbers and protocols that reward short daily review. These free tools help you memorise them and plan your study time around your exam date.
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Free CompTIA A+ flashcards covering the official acronym list for Core 1 and Core 2, with spaced repetition, shuffle mode and links to A+ practice tests.
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Free study planner for exams: enter your test date and hours per week to get a day-by-day study schedule with spaced review, weekly goals and practice tests.
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Free exam countdown: enter your test date to see the days, weeks and study days left, set a countdown timer for each exam and link it to your study planner.
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Free flashcards online maker: create your own decks with no sign-up, study with spaced repetition, and use ready-made civics, road signs and CompTIA A+ decks.
The CompTIA A+ flashcards deck drills the acronyms that appear across A+, Network+ and Security+ with spaced repetition. Pair it with the study planner to spread the objectives across your remaining weeks, and set an exam countdown once you book your test.
Which IT Certifications Are for Beginners
The best IT certifications for beginners are CompTIA A+, the Google IT Support certificate, AWS Cloud Practitioner and AZ-900. None of them requires prior certification or work experience, and all four test broad fundamentals rather than deep configuration skills. CompTIA A+ is for beginners who want a hands-on support role, while AWS and Azure fundamentals suit people heading toward cloud jobs.
| Certification | Level | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | Entry-level | Two exams, up to 90 questions each |
| Google IT Support | Entry-level | 6 courses, no proctored exam |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | Foundational | 65 questions, 90 minutes |
| AZ-900 | Fundamentals | 45 minutes of exam time |
| CompTIA Network+ | Early career | Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes |
| CompTIA Security+ | Early career | Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes |
| Cisco CCNA | Associate | One 120-minute exam |
Is CompTIA Security+ for Beginners
CompTIA Security+ is possible for beginners, but it is easier with some networking knowledge first. CompTIA recommends prior IT and networking experience, and the exam includes performance-based questions that assume you understand ports, protocols and network devices. Many candidates take Network+ first or study its fundamentals before starting Security+.
Is CCNA for Beginners
CCNA is achievable for a motivated beginner, but it is a large step up from A+. The exam expects you to subnet quickly, read routing tables and configure switches and routers on Cisco IOS. Plan on lab practice with a simulator, and consider Network+ or the networking parts of A+ first if you have never worked with IP addressing.
Google IT Support Certificate Beginner Friendly
The Google IT Support certificate is designed to be beginner friendly: it assumes no prior experience or degree. The courses start with how computers and the internet work and build up to networking, system administration and security. Because it is self-paced, you can move faster through topics you already know.
Google IT Support Certificate vs CompTIA A+
Google IT Support certificate vs CompTIA A+ is mainly a choice between a training program and an industry exam. The Google certificate teaches you the material through videos, labs and graded assessments, while CompTIA A+ only tests what you know through two proctored exams. Employers often recognise A+ as the standard help desk credential, so many learners finish the Google program and then take A+.
| Google IT Support Certificate | CompTIA A+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Self-paced course series | Two proctored exams |
| Length | About 3 months at 10 hours a week | Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes per exam |
| Renewal | No renewal | Valid 3 years, renew with continuing education |
| Best for | Learning IT from scratch | Proving skills to employers |
If you must choose one, take the Google IT Support certificate or CompTIA A+ based on what you need now: structured teaching, or a credential that hiring managers search for. Jobs with the Google IT Support certificate usually start at the help desk or in technical support, the same entry points A+ targets.
Microsoft vs Google IT Support Certificate
The Microsoft vs Google IT support certificate comparison comes down to focus. Microsoft’s support training centres on Windows, Microsoft 365 and Azure environments, while Google’s program is broader and vendor-neutral, covering Windows and Linux. If you want a proctored Microsoft certification, AZ-900 is the entry point.
IBM vs Google IT Support Certificate
IBM and Google both offer self-paced IT support programs on Coursera that aim at entry-level support jobs. Choosing IBM or Google IT support certificate usually depends on teaching style and which topics you want more of, since neither replaces a proctored exam. Free alternatives to the Google IT Support certificate include auditing course material and using free practice tests to check yourself.
Choosing the Best CompTIA Security+ Practice Test and Other Cert Prep
The best CompTIA Security+ practice test matches the current exam version, weights questions by domain and explains why each wrong answer is wrong. A practice test for CompTIA Security that still uses retired objectives will mislead you, so check the exam code (SY0-701) before you start. Look for these features in any cert prep:
- Questions mapped to the official exam objectives and domain weights.
- Random question order so you cannot memorise answer positions.
- A timer that reflects the real exam’s pace.
- Explanations for every answer, including the ones you got right.
- A section breakdown that shows which domain to study next.
Best Free CCNA Practice Test
The best free CCNA practice test covers all six 200-301 v1.1 domains rather than only subnetting. Because Cisco publishes no passing score, aim for consistent results above a readiness benchmark and use the domain breakdown to find gaps. Combine practice questions with hands-on lab time, because the real exam includes configuration and troubleshooting scenarios.
Best Free AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice Exam
The best free AWS Cloud Practitioner practice exam reflects the CLF-C02 domain weights, where Cloud Technology and Services is the largest share and Security and Compliance comes second. AWS uses compensatory scoring, so you pass on your overall score, not on each domain. Retake practice tests until you score comfortably above the benchmark on several attempts in a row.
IT Certifications FAQ
Are CompTIA Practice Exams Free?
Yes, the CompTIA practice tests on this site are free, with no account or payment. Each one draws 30 original questions at random from a bank written to match the official exam objectives, scores you instantly and explains every answer. CompTIA’s own CertMaster Practice product is a paid study tool sold separately.
Are CompTIA Practice Exams Worth It?
Yes, practice exams are one of the most useful ways to prepare, because CompTIA exams are timed and weighted by domain. A good practice test shows which domains cost you points and builds the pacing you need for up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. Use them alongside study of the official objectives, not instead of it.
Is the Google IT Support Certificate Worth It?
It is worth it if you are starting from zero and want a structured, self-paced introduction to IT support. Coursera estimates about 3 months at 10 hours a week for the 6 courses. It is not a proctored exam, so many employers still look for CompTIA A+ as well; the two work well together.
What Is the AZ-900 Exam?
AZ-900 is the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, the entry-level Microsoft cloud certification. It has a 45-minute exam time and a passing score of 700 on a 1–1,000 scale, and it covers cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance. Fundamentals certifications do not expire.
What Is the CCNA Practice Test?
Our CCNA practice test is a free set of original questions written to the six domains of the Cisco 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam, from network fundamentals to automation. You get 30 random questions in 40 minutes, a section breakdown and explanations. Cisco does not publish a passing score, so we use a 75% readiness benchmark.
How Hard Is the AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam?
The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam is one of the easier cloud certifications, because it tests concepts rather than hands-on configuration. You get 65 questions in 90 minutes and need 700 on a 100–1,000 scale. The challenge is breadth: you must recognise many AWS services, pricing models and the shared responsibility model.