Prep
What this CompTIA A+ study guide covers
This CompTIA A+ study guide is built around the current V15 exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), both launched on March 25, 2025. You need to pass both to earn A+, and CompTIA says you can take them in any order.
Below you will find the exam facts, a 12-week study plan mapped to the official domain weights, an honest look at how hard A+ is, and whether it is worth the money. Every number comes from CompTIA's exam pages unless we say otherwise.
One warning before you start: the older 220-1101 and 220-1102 exams are retired. Many free notes, videos and practice questions online still follow those objectives. Check that anything you use says 220-1201 or 220-1202.
| Exam | Domain | Official weight | Planned weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core 1 | Mobile devices | 13% | 1 |
| Core 1 | Networking | 23% | 1 |
| Core 1 | Hardware | 25% | 1.5 |
| Core 1 | Virtualization and cloud computing | 11% | 0.5 |
| Core 1 | Hardware and network troubleshooting | 28% | 1 + review week |
| Core 2 | Operating systems | 28% | 2 |
| Core 2 | Security | 28% | 1.5 |
| Core 2 | Software troubleshooting | 23% | 0.5 + review week |
| Core 2 | Operational procedures | 21% | 1 |
A+ exam facts at a glance
| Core 1 (220-1201) | Core 2 (220-1202) | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | Maximum of 90 | Maximum of 90 |
| Time | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 675 (scale of 900) | 700 (scale of 900) |
| Question types | Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, performance-based | Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, performance-based |
| Languages | English, German, Japanese | English, German, Japanese |
| Main topics | Hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization and cloud, troubleshooting | Operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, operational procedures |
Both cores must come from the same exam version; CompTIA does not allow mixing V15 with an older series. CompTIA does not require any prerequisite. It recommends 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist role. You can pass without that experience, but you will need to replace it with lab work.
CompTIA's store loads prices dynamically, so we could not read the price on an official page. According to CompTIA partner Total Seminars, the US list price rose to US$274 per exam in mid-2026, which is US$548 for both cores. Prices vary by country, so check the CompTIA store before you buy.
How hard is CompTIA A+?
A+ is an entry-level certification, but it is not a quick one. The difficulty comes from three things:
- Breadth. Two exams cover nine domains, from laser printer parts to Linux permissions and malware removal. Few people already know all of it.
- Performance-based questions. You may have to configure settings, order troubleshooting steps or match components in a simulated environment. Reading alone does not prepare you for these.
- The clock. Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes leaves about a minute per question. Performance-based items take longer, so you need to move quickly on the multiple-choice ones.
Core 2 has the higher passing mark (700 versus 675). People who already work on a help desk often find Core 2 familiar, because it is about Windows, security and procedures. People who like hardware often find Core 1 easier. CompTIA does not publish pass rates, so we cannot give you one.
The 12-week A+ study plan, mapped to the official domains
This plan assumes about 8 to 10 hours of study per week and no professional IT experience. We give each domain time roughly in line with its official weight. Take Core 1 at the end of week 6 and Core 2 at the end of week 12, or swap the halves if Core 2 suits your background better.
Core 1 (220-1201): weeks 1 to 6
| Week | Domain (weight) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobile devices (13%) | Installing mobile components such as batteries, cameras and Wi-Fi antennas; USB, Bluetooth, NFC and docking accessories; Wi-Fi, cellular and sync settings. Download both official objective lists this week. |
| 2 | Networking (23%) | Protocols, ports and wireless technologies; setting up SOHO networks, including IP addressing and VPNs; tools such as crimpers, cable testers and Wi-Fi analyzers. |
| 3 | Hardware (25%) | Installing RAM, CPUs and storage; motherboards, power supplies and cooling; HDMI, Ethernet and USB cables. Take apart and rebuild an old PC if you can. |
| 4 | Hardware (25%) and Virtualization and cloud computing (11%) | Installing and maintaining printers, scanners and other peripherals, then virtual machines, hypervisors, desktop virtualization and the IaaS, PaaS and SaaS cloud models. Install a hypervisor and create a VM. |
| 5 | Hardware and network troubleshooting (28%) | CompTIA's troubleshooting methodology, then diagnosing hardware, network and connectivity problems with tools such as multimeters, cable testers and loopback plugs. |
| 6 | Review and test | Two or three timed practice sets of up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. Fix weak objectives, then sit Core 1. |
Core 2 (220-1202): weeks 7 to 12
| Week | Domain (weight) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Operating systems (28%) | Installing Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile operating systems; managing Windows with Task Manager, Command Prompt and Disk Management. |
| 8 | Operating systems (28%) | File systems, updates and OS upgrades, plus hands-on time in Windows and Linux virtual machines. |
| 9 | Security (28%) | Encryption, access controls and wireless security protocols; detecting, removing and preventing malware. |
| 10 | Security (28%) and Software troubleshooting (23%) | Finish security, then diagnose operating system and application problems, mobile connectivity, app and performance issues, and unauthorized access and malware problems. |
| 11 | Operational procedures (21%) | Documentation and change best practices, safety protocols, professional communication, and workstation backup and recovery. |
| 12 | Review and test | Timed practice sets, a final pass through the objectives, then sit Core 2. |
If you have less time, stretch the plan to 16 or 20 weeks rather than skipping domains. If you already work in IT support, you may be able to compress each core to three or four weeks. The order of topics matters less than covering every objective.
What to study with
You do not need expensive material to prepare well. We recommend this mix:
- The official exam objectives. Free from CompTIA. They are your checklist: if a topic is not on them, it will not be on the exam.
- One complete study guide or video course written for 220-1201 and 220-1202. Use one main source, not five.
- Hands-on practice. An old desktop, a spare router and a virtual machine running Windows and Linux cover most of the practical skills.
- Practice questions. Start with our free CompTIA A+ practice test, then add full-length timed sets closer to exam day.
When you review a wrong answer, find the matching objective and reread it. That habit closes gaps faster than doing more questions.
Is CompTIA A+ worth it?
For most people aiming at a first IT support job, yes. CompTIA says A+ appears in more tech support job listings than any other IT credential. It gives employers a known baseline: you understand hardware, operating systems, networking basics and security hygiene.
It is less useful if you already have several years of IT experience. In that case your experience usually says more than A+ does, and you may get more value from going straight to Network+ or Security+. Our CompTIA certification path guide shows where A+ fits.
Weigh the cost honestly. Two exams at about US$274 each, plus study material, is a real expense. It pays off when A+ helps you get interviews you would not get otherwise, which is most likely if you have no IT job history yet.
A+ is also the first step on a security path for many people. If that is your goal, see our cybersecurity certification roadmap.
Exam day and after you pass
- Read each performance-based question carefully. If one is taking too long, flag it and come back.
- Use the troubleshooting methodology on scenario questions: identify the problem, form a theory, test it, then fix and verify.
- Watch for words like first, best and most likely. Several answers can be true; only one fits the question.
A+ is valid for three years from the date you certify. You can renew by earning 20 CEUs and paying the US$75 CE fee, by passing a newer exam version, by earning a qualifying higher-level certification such as Network+ or Security+, or through CertMaster CE.