CompTIA A+ is an entry-level IT certification and industry standard for launching an IT support career. It validates hands-on skills in hardware, networking, operating systems, and security—making it ideal for aspiring IT technicians, help desk professionals, and support specialists seeking to establish foundational credentials.
The A+ exam consists of two separate exams you may take in any order. Core 1 emphasizes hardware and networking through 5 domains: Hardware (25%), Mobile devices (13%), Networking (23%), Hardware and network troubleshooting (28%), and Virtualization and cloud computing (11%). Core 2 focuses on operating systems and security across 4 domains: Operating systems (28%), Security (28%), Software troubleshooting (23%), and Operational procedures (21%).
Cost varies by region and testing center. Check CompTIA's official pricing or your local Pearson VUE testing center for exact exam fees and any bundled study material options.
Each A+ exam allows 90 minutes and contains a maximum of 90 questions. Core 1 requires a passing score of 675 on a scale of 900, while Core 2 requires 700 on the same scale. Your certification is valid for three years from the certification date and can be renewed through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) without retaking the exam.
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CompTIA A+ is an entry-level IT certification and industry standard for launching an IT support career. While the exam is challenging, it is not insurmountable for candidates who prepare systematically. The difficulty stems not from obscure theory but from the breadth of practical knowledge required across hardware, networking, operating systems, and security. Most candidates who follow a structured study approach can pass both exams within a reasonable timeframe. Success requires dedication, but the path is well-charted.
CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two separate exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), which candidates may take in any order. Each A+ exam allows 90 minutes per exam and contains a maximum of 90 questions. The passing score for A+ Core 1 is 675 on a scale of 900. For Core 2, the passing score is 700 on the same scale. These thresholds require mastering specific domains rather than achieving uniform knowledge across all topics.
| Exam Metric | Core 1 (220-1201) | Core 2 (220-1202) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Questions | 90 questions | 90 questions |
| Passing Score | 675/900 | 700/900 |
| Number of Domains | 5 domains | 4 domains |
Core 1, which focuses on hardware and networking, is organized into 5 content domains, each weighted according to exam emphasis. Hardware is weighted 25% and covers motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage devices, and power supplies. This foundational knowledge applies directly to the troubleshooting domain. Hardware and network troubleshooting is weighted 28% of the exam and requires hands-on diagnostic reasoning—understanding not just how components work but how to identify failures. Networking is weighted 23% and includes OSI model concepts, TCP/IP protocols, topologies, and connectivity standards. Mobile devices is weighted 13%, covering smartphone OS fundamentals, mobile security considerations, and device management. Virtualization and cloud computing is weighted 11%, introducing hypervisors, virtual machines, and cloud service models ranging from IaaS to SaaS.
Core 2, which focuses on operating systems and security, is organized into 4 content domains. Operating systems is weighted 28% and covers Windows, macOS, and Linux installation, configuration, user management, and troubleshooting. Security is weighted 28%, making it equally prominent, and covers authentication mechanisms, encryption protocols, threat identification, and defense strategies in depth. Software troubleshooting is weighted 23% and focuses on diagnosing application crashes, performance degradation, malware infections, and OS-level issues. Operational procedures is weighted 21%, addressing professional IT practices, change management documentation, ticket systems, and regulatory compliance requirements.
An effective study approach targets domains by weight rather than by calendar weeks. Since Hardware and network troubleshooting represents 28% of Core 1 and both Security and Operating systems each represent 28% of Core 2, these domains deserve proportional study effort. Anchor knowledge in major weighted topics first, building confidence and competence before tackling lighter-weighted domains. This prioritization maximizes return on study investment.
Your study regimen should include multiple complementary activity types working together. Read official CompTIA study materials and vendor documentation to build foundational knowledge of concepts and terminology. Set up hands-on lab environments using virtual machines, physical hardware, or vendor sandboxes where you can install operating systems, configure network settings, and troubleshoot real or simulated problems. Work through practice questions repeatedly to identify weak areas, track progress over time, and build test-taking speed and confidence. When you encounter mistakes in practice tests, review not just the correct answer but the underlying concept and why other options were wrong. Simulate real-world IT support scenarios through lab work and case studies, particularly in troubleshooting and security domains where practical judgment matters most.
Readiness signals matter more than arbitrary durations. You are ready when you consistently score above the passing threshold on full-length, timed practice exams multiple times in succession. When a practice test reveals gaps in a particular domain, dedicate focused study sessions to that specific area. This adaptive approach ensures you invest time where you actually need improvement rather than following a predetermined schedule that may not match your individual learning pace.
A+ opens doors to entry-level IT roles including Help Desk Technician, Desktop Support Specialist, and Junior Systems Administrator positions. The certification is often required or preferred for government and enterprise roles, particularly in federal contractor environments. A+ holders typically advance into specialized certifications like Network+ or Security+, or pursue vendor-specific credentials like Microsoft, Cisco, or AWS. The credential is widely recognized across industries and government agencies.
CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the certification date. The renewal cycle is three years from the date the certification is earned, and the credential may be renewed by earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs), without retaking the exam. This renewal path keeps credentials current without the burden of full re-examination every cycle, making it sustainable for working IT professionals.
The primary difficulty is breadth rather than depth. A+ spans hardware troubleshooting, networking concepts, multiple operating systems, security principles, and mobile management—all tested at foundational level. No single topic is theoretically complex or mathematically difficult, but the range requires building mental models across multiple interconnected domains. Additionally, the exam tests practical application. Questions ask what you would do in a real situation, not what a textbook merely defines. Some questions present ambiguous scenarios where selecting the best answer requires judgment and field experience, not just memorization of facts.
The 90-minute time constraint adds genuine pressure. However, questions vary significantly in length. Some demand quick recall of facts while others require scenario analysis. Simulation questions (performance-based items) consume substantially more time than multiple-choice and require hands-on familiarity with OS tools, command-line interfaces, and network utilities.
Commit to systematic study and avoid the trap of cramming. Passive reading of study materials yields poor retention; instead, use active recall techniques through practice questions and flashcards. Take full-length, timed practice exams multiple times before test day to build familiarity with the format and pacing demands. Join study groups or online forums to discuss scenarios with peers and learn different perspectives. If you struggle with a particular domain, invest extra time there even if it delays progress in lighter-weighted areas. Schedule your exams with realistic expectations—complete Core 1 before scheduling Core 2, rather than attempting both in the same week.
CompTIA A+ is moderately difficult but highly achievable with consistent, structured effort. The two-exam structure with 90-minute durations and passing scores of 675 (Core 1) and 700 (Core 2) are within reach for anyone combining reading, hands-on practice, and repeated testing. The credential remains respected across government, education, and enterprise sectors as the foundational IT certification. If you are switching careers into IT support, A+ represents the gold standard entry pathway.
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Professor Messer explains how the two A+ exams are structured, what to expect on test day, and how to build an effective study plan. A practical orientation before diving into his free full course videos.
Source: Professor Messer (YouTube)
PowerCert's animated A+ certification course covering hardware, networking, and troubleshooting concepts in a single multi-hour video. The visual, animation-driven format makes dense hardware topics easy to retain.
Source: PowerCert Animated Videos (YouTube)
A full-length free training video for the A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam, walking through the objectives domain by domain. Suitable as a primary study resource for the hardware-focused half of the certification.
Source: Certification Cynergy (YouTube)
An extended bank of A+ 220-1201 practice questions presented in exam style with answers. Good for self-testing across the Core 1 objectives after finishing a study course.
Source: MyFreeAcademy (YouTube)
CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two separate exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Core 1 focuses on hardware and networking, while Core 2 focuses on operating systems and security. You may take the two exams in any order, so you can start with whichever topics you feel most prepared for and schedule the second whenever you're ready.
The two exams have different passing thresholds on the same 900-point scale. Core 1 requires 675 out of 900 to pass, while Core 2 requires the higher mark of 700 out of 900. Because the cut score for Core 2 is 25 points higher, it's worth budgeting extra study time for the operating systems and security material rather than assuming both exams demand the same level of accuracy.
Each A+ exam contains a maximum of 90 questions and allows 90 minutes per exam. That works out to roughly one minute per question, so pacing matters — flag anything that stalls you and return to it rather than sinking several minutes into a single item early on. The question count and time limit are identical for Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202).
CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the certification date, and the Continuing Education renewal cycle runs for that same three-year period from the date the certification is earned. You do not have to sit the exams again — A+ may be renewed by earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs) without retaking the exam. Planning your CEU activities across the three years is generally easier than scrambling to accumulate them right before the deadline.
The A+ is designed as an entry-level IT certification and the industry standard for launching an IT support career, so its difficulty is calibrated for people relatively new to the field rather than seasoned technicians. The workload is what surprises most candidates: CompTIA requires passing two separate exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), each with a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes. That pace — roughly a minute per question — is the real challenge, especially since performance-based items eat clock time. The concepts themselves are broad rather than deep, so the difficulty comes from coverage, not complexity.
The two exams have different cut scores: according to CompTIA, the passing score for A+ Core 1 is 675 on a scale of 900, while Core 2 requires 700 on that same 900-point scale. Because the scale is scaled rather than a raw percentage, you cannot simply count correct answers to predict a pass. Practically, Core 2 is the stricter of the two by 25 scaled points, so candidates who barely cleared Core 1 should not assume the same level of preparation will carry them through Core 2.
CompTIA does not publish an official pass rate for the A+ exams, so any specific percentage you see quoted online is an estimate rather than a verified figure. What CompTIA does publish is the standard you have to clear: 675 out of 900 on Core 1 and 700 out of 900 on Core 2. Focus on those scaled thresholds and on the domain weightings rather than on unsourced pass-rate statistics, since only the cut scores are actually under your control.
Study each exam according to its published domain weights, because they reward very different material. CompTIA reports that Core 1 is organized into 5 content domains and focuses on hardware and networking — hardware and network troubleshooting carries the largest share at 28%, followed by hardware at 25% and networking at 23%, with virtualization and cloud computing the smallest at 11%. Core 2 is organized into 4 content domains covering operating systems and security, where operating systems and security are tied at 28% each and software troubleshooting accounts for 23%. Allocate study hours in proportion to those percentages instead of spending equal time on every topic.
No — CompTIA states that candidates may take the two A+ exams in any order, so there is no enforced sequence. Most people still start with Core 1 because it focuses on hardware and networking, which builds physical-layer context before Core 2's operating systems and security material. If your background is already software- or helpdesk-heavy, taking Core 2 first is a legitimate choice. You are not certified until you have passed both.
Exam registration fees are set by CompTIA and vary by region and voucher bundle, so check current pricing directly rather than relying on quoted figures. What is fixed is the lifespan: CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the certification date, and the Continuing Education renewal cycle runs three years from the date the certification is earned. You can renew by earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs) without retaking the exam, which means the ongoing cost is CEU activity and any renewal fee rather than a second pair of 90-question sittings. Budget for that three-year cadence from the day you certify.
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