PrepCompTIA Network+
CompTIA Network+ is a vendor-neutral certification for people who set up, run and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. It sits between A+ and Security+ in CompTIA's core path and covers networking concepts, implementation, operations, security and troubleshooting. The current exam is N10-009, launched June 2024, with retirement expected in 2027.
Who it is for
- Help desk and desktop support staff moving into network administration
- Junior network or system administrators who want a recognised baseline credential
- People preparing for Security+ who want a solid networking foundation first
- Career changers and students with some IT background, ideally A+ level
The exam at a glance
| N10-009 | |
|---|---|
| Exam | CompTIA Network+ V9 (current; launched June 20, 2024; CompTIA estimates retirement in 2027, usually three years after launch, with no exact date announced yet) |
| Questions | Maximum of 90 |
| Time | 90 min |
| Format | Multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Offered in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish. |
| Passing | 720 on a scale of 100-900. |
| Price | US$399 per exam voucher (reported list price since the mid-2026 CompTIA increase; regional pricing varies). Not shown on CompTIA's certification page, see unverified. |
| Prerequisites | None required. CompTIA recommends A+ certification and 9-12 months of hands-on experience as a junior network administrator or network support technician. |
| Validity | Valid for three years. Renew through the CompTIA Continuing Education program: earn 30 CEUs during the cycle and pay the CE fee (US$150 for the three-year period), or renew with CertMaster CE, a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification or approved non-CompTIA certifications and training. |
Checked against the official CompTIA pages on 2026-11-07: www.comptia.org, www.comptia.org, www.comptia.org, totalsem.com. Exam details change; confirm on the issuer's site before you book. Some details could only be confirmed from secondary sources and are marked for re-checking.
Exam domains
N10-009
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Networking concepts | 23% |
| Network implementation | 20% |
| Network operations | 19% |
| Network security | 14% |
| Network troubleshooting | 24% |
How to prepare
- Download the official N10-009 exam objectives and use them as your checklist
- Learn subnetting until you can work out masks and host ranges quickly by hand
- Build a lab with a few virtual routers and switches (or a packet simulator) and practise VLANs, trunking, routing and wireless settings, since performance-based questions are hands-on
- Spend the most time on troubleshooting (24%) and networking concepts (23%), the two largest domains
- Practise the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology and common command-line tools such as ping, traceroute, nslookup/dig and ipconfig/ip
- Take timed practice sets of up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and review every wrong answer against the objectives before booking
Network+ guides
FAQ
How hard is Network+?
It is an entry-to-intermediate exam. Candidates who already work in IT support usually find it manageable; subnetting, the troubleshooting scenarios and the performance-based questions are where most people lose points. You need 720 on a 100-900 scale.
Do I need A+ before Network+?
No. There are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends A+ and 9-12 months of networking experience, but you can book the exam without them.
How do I renew Network+?
The certification is valid for three years. Earn 30 CEUs and pay the US$150 CE fee during the cycle, complete CertMaster CE, or earn a qualifying higher-level certification.
How much does Network+ cost?
CompTIA partners report a list price of US$399 per attempt since mid-2026, with regional variation. Check the CompTIA store for the price in your country before buying.