PrepHow much does the CompTIA A+ exam cost?
CompTIA partners report a US list price of US$274 per exam since mid-2026, so about US$548 for both Core 1 and Core 2. CompTIA's own certification pages load prices dynamically and did not show an amount when we checked, and prices vary by country. Check the CompTIA store for your region before you buy, and only buy vouchers from CompTIA or a listed partner.
How do I get CompTIA A+ certified?
You get CompTIA A+ by passing two exams, Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), in either order. There are no formal prerequisites, although CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support role. Each exam has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes. Buy a voucher for each exam from CompTIA or a listed partner, book the exam, and you are certified once both cores are passed. Our A+ study guide sets out a plan for both.
What is the CompTIA A+ certification?
CompTIA A+ is the standard entry-level certification for IT support work, issued by the vendor-neutral industry body CompTIA. It proves you can handle hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization and cloud basics, operating systems, security and troubleshooting. The current version, V15, launched on March 25, 2025 and is made up of two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). It is aimed at help desk, desktop support and field service roles.
How do I schedule a CompTIA A+ exam, and can I take it online?
You schedule a CompTIA A+ exam by buying an exam voucher from CompTIA or an authorized partner and then booking a date with CompTIA's testing provider, Pearson VUE. CompTIA exams can be taken at a Pearson VUE test center or online with a remote proctor, so check which options are offered in your country when you book. Book Core 1 and Core 2 separately; you need a voucher for each.
Is CompTIA A+ worth it?
CompTIA A+ is worth it if you are aiming for a first job in IT support, help desk or desktop support, because it is the standard credential for those roles. It is less useful if you already have years of IT experience or are aiming straight at networking or security, where Network+, Security+ or CCNA carry more weight. Weigh it against the cost of two exams. Our A+ study guide covers who benefits most.
CompTIA A+ study guide: a 12-week plan for Core 1 and Core 2
How long is a CompTIA A+ certification good for?
CompTIA A+ is valid for three years from the date you certify. To renew it through CompTIA Continuing Education, you earn continuing education units (CompTIA's renewal page lists 20 CEUs for A+) and pay the US$75 CE fee for the three-year period. You can also renew by passing the latest exam version, earning a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification such as Network+ or Security+, or completing CertMaster CE.
How long does it take to study for CompTIA A+ with no experience?
With no IT experience, plan on roughly three months of part-time study for both exams, about six weeks per core. That is an estimate, not a CompTIA figure: people with hands-on support experience often need less. Spend extra time on hands-on practice, because both exams include performance-based questions. Our A+ study guide has a week-by-week plan.
CompTIA A+ study guide: a 12-week plan for Core 1 and Core 2
Is CompTIA A+ enough to get a job, and what does it pay?
CompTIA A+ can help you get an entry-level IT support job, but employers also look at hands-on skills, customer service and any experience you have. A+ jobs usually fall under computer support specialists, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $62,890 for that occupation in May 2025 ($61,860 for computer user support specialists). Pay depends on location, employer and experience, not on the certificate alone.
Can I study for CompTIA A+ for free?
Yes, you can prepare for A+ largely for free, but the exams themselves are paid. Download the official exam objectives for 220-1201 and 220-1202 from CompTIA, practise on an old PC and a home router, and test yourself with our free A+ practice test. Make sure any material you use covers the current V15 exams, not the retired 220-1101 and 220-1102.
Is CompTIA A+ hard?
CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certification, but it is not trivial, because it spans two exams and a wide range of topics. Hands-on experience matters most for the performance-based questions. You need 675 on Core 1 and 700 on Core 2, both on a 900-point scale. The largest areas are hardware and network troubleshooting (28% of Core 1) and operating systems and security (28% each of Core 2).
CompTIA A+ study guide: a 12-week plan for Core 1 and Core 2
What score do you need to pass CompTIA A+?
You need 675 to pass Core 1 (220-1201) and 700 to pass Core 2 (220-1202), each on CompTIA's 900-point scale. The scores are scaled, so they do not translate directly into a percentage of correct answers. You must pass both exams to earn A+. Our free A+ practice test shows how close you are.
How many questions are on the A+ exams, and how long are they?
Each A+ exam has a maximum of 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit. Questions are multiple choice (single and multiple response), drag-and-drop and performance-based tasks. Core 1 and Core 2 are separate exams with separate appointments, and both are offered in English, German and Japanese.
Which should I take first, A+ or Network+?
Most beginners take A+ first, because Network+ assumes the IT basics that A+ covers, and CompTIA recommends A+ before Network+. Neither has a formal prerequisite, so you can start with Network+ if you already work in IT. See our CompTIA certification path and the Network+ FAQ.
CompTIA certification path: core, infrastructure, cybersecurity and data