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CompTIA A+ (Core 1 & Core 2)

The foundational IT certification that's launched countless tech careers. A+ validates hardware, software, networking, and troubleshooting skills—everything a help desk technician needs to support end users and systems.

✓ Best for: Career changers entering IT, people with no formal tech background, anyone targeting help desk, desktop support, or field technician roles

Who Is A+ For?

✓ This certification is a good fit if you…

  • Have no IT experience and want to break into tech support roles
  • Are changing careers and need a credential employers recognize
  • Want to work in help desk, desktop support, or field technician positions
  • Need a foundation before pursuing Network+, Security+, or other certs
  • Are self-taught and want to validate your knowledge formally
  • Are targeting government or contractor jobs that list A+ in requirements

✗ You might consider alternatives if you…

  • Already work in IT support—experience may be enough; consider Network+ or Security+ instead
  • Want to skip help desk—cloud certs (AWS, Azure) or development skills might be faster paths
  • Are targeting software development—A+ won't help; learn programming instead
  • Already have significant hands-on experience—A+ may be too basic
  • Are in a hurry—two exams mean double the study and scheduling

Prerequisites (In Plain English)

Official requirement: None. A+ is designed for complete beginners with no prior IT experience.

What actually helps:

  • Basic computer use: You should be comfortable using Windows, browsing files, installing software
  • Curiosity about how things work: The exam covers hardware components, so interest in "what's inside the computer" helps
  • Willingness to memorize: A+ requires learning port numbers, cable types, troubleshooting steps—rote memorization is part of it

Helpful but not required: Any experience building PCs, setting up home networks, or helping friends/family with tech issues gives you a head start.

If you can Google a tech problem and follow instructions to fix it, you have enough baseline to start studying for A+.

What You'll Learn

A+ requires passing TWO exams:

Core 1 (220-1101): Hardware & Networking

  • Mobile Devices (15%): Laptops, smartphones, tablets, accessories
  • Networking (20%): TCP/IP, ports, protocols, network hardware, wireless
  • Hardware (25%): CPUs, RAM, storage, motherboards, power supplies, peripherals
  • Virtualization & Cloud (11%): VMs, cloud concepts, cloud service types
  • Hardware Troubleshooting (29%): Diagnosing hardware, network, and mobile issues

Core 2 (220-1102): Software & Operations

  • Operating Systems (31%): Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS basics
  • Security (25%): Malware, physical security, authentication, encryption basics
  • Software Troubleshooting (22%): OS issues, malware removal, application problems
  • Operational Procedures (22%): Documentation, change management, safety, professionalism

Current version: 220-1101 and 220-1102 (launched April 2022). Make sure study materials match this version.

Exam Format & Scoring

You must pass BOTH exams to earn A+ certification.

Question format: Up to 90 questions per exam. Mix of multiple choice and performance-based questions (PBQs). PBQs simulate real tasks like configuring settings or identifying components.

Time limit: 90 minutes per exam.

Passing scores:

  • Core 1 (220-1101): 675 out of 900
  • Core 2 (220-1102): 700 out of 900

Testing options: Pearson VUE testing centers or online proctored from home.

Exam order: You can take them in either order, but most people take Core 1 first (hardware/networking) then Core 2 (software/OS). Some concepts overlap.

Cost breakdown:

  • Each exam: $239
  • Total for both: $478
  • Retake: $239 per exam
  • CompTIA sometimes offers bundles with slight discounts

Recommended Study Plan

Complete Beginner Track

3–4 months

For those with no IT background:

  1. Weeks 1–6 (Core 1): Work through a video course covering 220-1101. Take notes on hardware components, cable types, and port numbers. Do hands-on if possible—open a computer, identify parts.
  2. Weeks 7–8: Practice questions for Core 1. Use Professor Messer's practice exams or Dion Training. Score 85%+ before scheduling.
  3. Week 9: Take Core 1 exam.
  4. Weeks 10–14 (Core 2): Study 220-1102 material. Focus on Windows troubleshooting, security concepts, and command line tools.
  5. Weeks 15–16: Practice exams for Core 2. Score 85%+ before scheduling.
  6. Week 17: Take Core 2 exam. Celebrate. 🎉

Accelerated Track

6–8 weeks

For those with some tech familiarity:

  1. Weeks 1–2: Watch Core 1 videos at 1.5x speed. Focus on unfamiliar topics. Take notes on things you don't know.
  2. Week 3: Heavy practice questions for Core 1. Identify gaps and review.
  3. Week 4: Take Core 1 exam.
  4. Weeks 5–6: Study Core 2. Command line and troubleshooting procedures often need the most attention.
  5. Week 7: Practice exams for Core 2.
  6. Week 8: Take Core 2 exam.

Prep Resources

Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Best Free Resource

Professor Messer's A+ Course (YouTube)

Free video series covering all exam objectives for both Core 1 and Core 2. High quality, regularly updated. The go-to free resource for A+ prep.

Free

Watch Free
Best Value Course

Mike Meyers' A+ Course (Udemy)

Comprehensive, entertaining video course. Meyers is a legendary instructor. Includes both Core 1 and Core 2. Frequently on sale.

~$15–25 on sale

View on Udemy (affiliate)

Jason Dion's A+ Practice Exams

Realistic practice tests with detailed explanations. Simulates actual exam experience. Essential for final prep.

~$15 on sale

View on Udemy (affiliate)

CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide (Mike Meyers)

The definitive A+ book. Over 1,500 pages covering everything. Good reference alongside video courses.

~$40–50

View on Amazon (affiliate)

Hands-On Practice

A+ tests practical knowledge. Get hands-on if possible:

  • Build a PC: Even building a cheap system teaches hardware better than any video
  • Virtual machines: Install Windows, Linux in VirtualBox to practice OS installation and configuration
  • Command line practice: Use Windows CMD and PowerShell regularly; practice Linux commands

Official Information

Always verify current pricing, exam objectives, and policies with CompTIA:

Visit CompTIA Official Page →

External link to comptia.org. We have no affiliate relationship with CompTIA exam registration.

Alternative Paths to Consider

🎓

Google IT Support Certificate

Beginner-friendly alternative. Cheaper and includes soft skills. Less hardware focus than A+. Good stepping stone.
🌐

CompTIA Network+

If you already have basic IT skills. Skip A+ and go straight to networking if you have hands-on experience.
🛡️

CompTIA Security+

If your goal is security. Some skip directly to Security+ with self-study networking knowledge. A+ isn't strictly required.
☁️

AWS Cloud Practitioner

If you want to skip help desk and go straight to cloud. Different path but potentially faster to higher-paying roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A+ still worth it in 2025?

For breaking into IT support with no experience, yes. A+ remains the most recognized entry-level IT cert. Many help desk and desktop support job postings list it as required or preferred. However, if you already have IT experience, you might skip to Network+ or Security+ instead.

How hard is CompTIA A+?

Manageable with proper study, even for complete beginners. The challenge is breadth—you need to learn hardware components, networking basics, multiple operating systems, and troubleshooting procedures. It's not conceptually difficult but requires memorization and familiarity with many topics.

Why are there two exams?

CompTIA split A+ into Core 1 (hardware/networking) and Core 2 (software/security) to cover more ground without making a single exam too long. You must pass both to earn the certification. Some people take them weeks apart; others schedule them back-to-back.

What jobs can I get with just A+?

Help desk technician, desktop support specialist, IT support specialist, field service technician, technical support representative. Entry-level IT support roles typically pay $35,000–$55,000 depending on location. A+ opens doors; experience and additional certs increase earning potential.

Should I get A+ or Google IT Support Certificate?

A+ is more hardware-focused and widely recognized by traditional employers. Google's cert is more accessible, cheaper, and includes professional skills. If targeting corporate IT support, A+ has more weight. If you're completely new and want an easier start, Google's cert is a valid stepping stone.

Do I need to take the exams in order?

No, you can take Core 2 before Core 1 if you want. However, most people start with Core 1 because hardware knowledge helps understand some Core 2 concepts. There's no wrong order—pick based on your existing knowledge.

How do I renew A+?

A+ is valid for 3 years. Renew by earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs), passing a higher-level CompTIA cert (like Network+ or Security+), or retaking the exam. Many people just pursue the next cert in their career path, which automatically renews A+.

Can I study for both exams simultaneously?

You can, but most people find it easier to focus on one at a time. The exams cover different material (Core 1 = hardware, Core 2 = software), so studying both simultaneously means juggling more topics. Sequential study with a short break between exams is the most common approach.