The CompTIA A+ cert is two exams, not one. That single fact catches a surprising number of first-time candidates off guard — they pass Core 1, coast for a few weeks, and then discover Core 2 is a completely different domain set. Understanding that structure upfront changes how you study and how you budget your time.
Beyond that structural quirk, A+ is genuinely one of the most useful entry-level credentials in IT. Employers recognize it, help desk job postings routinely list it as a requirement or preference, and unlike vendor-specific certs, it doesn't lock you into a single technology stack. This guide explains what the cert covers, what jobs it actually leads to, and which courses are worth your money in 2026.
What the CompTIA A+ Cert Actually Covers
CompTIA A+ is a hardware-and-operating-systems credential. It's not a networking cert (that's Network+), not a security cert (that's Security+), and not a cloud cert. It's the foundation — the stuff you need to understand before any of those specializations make sense.
The current exam series (220-1201 / 220-1202) covers:
- Mobile devices — laptops, smartphones, tablets; hardware components, display types, expansion slots
- Networking basics — TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, wireless standards, cable types, basic troubleshooting
- Hardware — CPUs, RAM, storage (HDD, SSD, NVMe), power supplies, motherboards, BIOS/UEFI
- Virtualization and cloud computing — VM types, cloud service models, hypervisors
- Hardware and network troubleshooting — systematic methodology, common failure points
- Operating systems — Windows 10/11 administration, macOS, Linux command line basics, mobile OS management
- Security — physical security, malware types, social engineering, basic hardening
- Software troubleshooting — OS errors, application failures, browser issues, malware removal
- Operational procedures — safety, documentation, change management, environmental controls
Core 1 (220-1201) leans toward hardware, networking, and mobile. Core 2 (220-1202) leans toward OS administration, security, and software troubleshooting. You need to pass both to earn the certification — and there's no required order, though most people take Core 1 first.
CompTIA A+ Cert Exam Structure
Each exam has up to 90 questions, a 90-minute time limit, and a passing score of 675 on a 100–900 scale. Questions are a mix of multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based items (PBQs). PBQs are simulated scenarios — configure a network share, identify a cable type in a diagram, troubleshoot a boot failure. They take longer and they trip up candidates who only memorized definitions.
Performance-Based Questions
PBQs appear at the start of the exam. Most test-takers flag them, skip to the multiple choice, and return at the end. That's a valid strategy — the PBQs are slow and you want to lock in the straightforward points first. Budget at least 20 minutes at the end to return to them. Running out of time on PBQs is the most common reason people fail close to the cutoff.
Exam Cost
Each voucher costs $253 USD as of 2026. You're buying two vouchers to complete the full certification — roughly $506 total before any discounts. CompTIA Academic pricing is available for students (typically 20-30% off), and voucher bundles sometimes appear during promotions. Factor this into your budget before you start studying.
Is the CompTIA A+ Cert Worth It in 2026?
For someone with no IT work experience and no degree, yes — it's probably the most cost-effective way to get past initial HR filters for help desk and IT support roles. For someone with 2+ years of hands-on IT experience, it's less clear-cut. Hiring managers in technical roles know the A+ is entry-level; it won't impress a senior sysadmin interviewer.
The cert's strongest ROI case is as a credentialing signal, not a skills signal. Most of what A+ teaches, you'll learn faster by actually working in a support role. But many employers won't give you that first role without some credential on your resume. A+ breaks that deadlock.
Salary Expectations
Help desk and IT support roles for A+ holders typically start in the $40,000–$55,000 range in the US, with coastal markets running higher. After 1-2 years of experience plus a Network+ or Security+, that ceiling moves to $65,000–$85,000 for network admin and junior security analyst roles. The A+ is not a destination — it's a first step that makes the second step possible.
DoD 8570 Compliance
If government or defense contracting is on your radar, CompTIA A+ satisfies the DoD 8570 IAT Level I requirement. This matters for contractor positions that require a security clearance and for federal IT support roles. It's a niche advantage but a real one.
Top CompTIA A+ Cert Courses
The courses below focus specifically on the current 220-1201/1202 exam objectives. Skip anything still labeled 220-1001/1002 — that exam series retired and the content gaps will hurt you on test day.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Full Course & Practice Exam
A full video course mapped directly to the 220-1201 exam objectives, with integrated practice exams. Best pick for structured learners who want a single resource that covers the lecture content and exam prep in one package rather than piecing together materials from multiple sources.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) 6 Practice Tests [2026]
Six full-length practice exams for Core 1, question-mapped to current exam domains. Use this alongside a lecture course, not instead of one — practice tests without conceptual grounding just teach you to memorize questions, and CompTIA regularly rotates question pools.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep 2026 - For Beginners
If you're planning your certification path beyond A+, this Security+ prep course is worth previewing early. A+ and Security+ share overlapping security domains (malware, social engineering, access control) and studying them in sequence means faster retention on the second cert.
CompTIA SecAI+ Fundamentals: AI Cybersecurity Basics CY0-001
CompTIA's newest certification family, added in 2025, covering AI-specific threat vectors and security controls. Relevant context for anyone going into a security track after A+ — the AI-related attack surface is showing up in Security+ and CySA+ objectives now too.
How Long Does It Take to Prepare for CompTIA A+ Cert?
Most candidates study 60–120 hours per exam before feeling ready. That's 4–8 weeks of consistent evening/weekend studying, or 2–3 weeks if you can put in full days. People with prior hands-on experience (PC building, home lab networking, any IT support work) are typically at the low end. People starting from scratch with no hardware exposure are at the high end.
A Realistic Study Sequence
- Read through the full exam objectives PDF from CompTIA's website — it's free and tells you exactly what you're being tested on
- Watch a full lecture course for Core 1 (approximately 15–20 hours of video)
- Take one practice exam cold, identify your weak domains
- Rewatch the weak domain sections, then do focused practice questions in those areas
- Take two more full practice exams; aim for consistent 80%+ before booking the real exam
- Repeat for Core 2 — don't let too much time pass between exams or Core 1 material will fade
The biggest mistake candidates make is booking the exam before they're consistently scoring above passing on practice tests. CompTIA charges full price for retakes after the first attempt. A $253 retake voucher is an expensive lesson in premature confidence.
FAQ
Do I need prior IT experience to take the CompTIA A+ cert?
No. CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of hands-on experience, but that's a recommendation, not a requirement. Plenty of people pass the exam with zero IT work history using self-study alone. What matters is whether you actually understand the material, not whether you've held a job title.
How many times can I retake the CompTIA A+ exam if I fail?
Unlimited retakes, but there are waiting period rules. If you fail the first attempt, you must wait 14 days before the second attempt. After any subsequent failure, you must wait 14 days between attempts. CompTIA also caps candidates at no more than 3 attempts per 12-month period per exam. Each retake requires a new paid voucher.
Does the CompTIA A+ cert expire?
Yes. The certification is valid for three years from the date you earn it. You renew through CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program by earning 20 CE units within the three-year window — typically through higher-level CompTIA exams, college courses, or approved training activities. Alternatively, you can retake the current version of the A+ exam to reset the clock.
What jobs can I get with just a CompTIA A+ cert?
Help desk technician, IT support specialist, desktop support analyst, field service technician, and technical support representative are the most direct. Government IT contractor positions requiring DoD 8570 IAT Level I are also a realistic target. These roles typically require A+ plus some combination of experience, not A+ as a standalone qualifier.
What's the difference between CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2?
Core 1 (220-1201) focuses on hardware, mobile devices, networking fundamentals, virtualization, and cloud computing. Core 2 (220-1202) focuses on operating systems, software troubleshooting, security procedures, and operational processes. Both exams are required to earn the A+ certification — there's no "hardware only" or "software only" version of the cert.
Should I take A+, Network+, or Security+ first?
A+ first is the standard recommendation, and it makes sense: A+ establishes the hardware and OS vocabulary that Network+ and Security+ assume you already have. Network+ before Security+ is the typical second step. That said, if your goal is specifically cybersecurity and you already have IT experience, some people skip A+ entirely and go straight to Security+. CompTIA doesn't enforce prerequisites.
Bottom Line
The CompTIA A+ cert is a genuine credential with a clear use case: it gets you past the initial screening stage for entry-level IT roles when you don't have experience to point to. It's not a ticket to a high-paying job on its own, and experienced IT professionals don't need it. But for someone starting from scratch, it's one of the most straightforward paths from "no tech background" to "first IT job" that exists.
Study the 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives directly. Use a structured video course for the lecture content and practice exams to gauge readiness — don't book either exam until you're consistently hitting 80%+ on full-length practice tests. Plan for both exams when you budget: roughly $500 in vouchers plus whatever you spend on study materials.
After you pass, don't stop. A+ alone will get you the first role; Network+ or Security+ is what gets you the raise 18 months later.