CompTIA charges $239–$480 per exam attempt, and most candidates don't pass on the first try. Before you register, you should know exactly which CompTIA exam fits your current skill level, what score you need to pass, and whether the cert actually moves the needle for the job you want. This guide covers every active CompTIA exam—not just A+—with the specifics that matter.
The Full List of CompTIA Exams (Active Certifications)
CompTIA maintains a tiered exam structure. The tiers are loosely labeled Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Data/Developer—though CompTIA has quietly reorganized these labels over the years. What matters practically is sequencing: some exams assume prior knowledge, and some roles require specific certs.
Core / Foundational Exams
- IT Fundamentals (FC0-U61) — Pre-career intro, no experience assumed. Not required for any job I've seen, but useful as a confidence-builder or corporate onboarding tool.
- A+ Core 1 (220-1201) + Core 2 (220-1202) — Two-exam cert. The entry point for IT support roles. Pass score: 675/900 (Core 1), 700/900 (Core 2). Cost: ~$246 each in the US.
Infrastructure Exams
- Network+ (N10-009) — Single exam. Pass score: 720/900. Covers OSI model, TCP/IP, wireless, routing, VLANs. Required for DoD 8140 roles.
- Server+ (SK0-005) — Single exam. Less common in job postings than Network+ but valued in data center and on-prem server administration roles.
Cybersecurity Exams
- Security+ (SY0-701) — Single exam. Pass score: 750/900. Cost: ~$392. The most job-posting-cited CompTIA exam. DoD 8140 baseline for IAT Level II.
- CySA+ (CS0-003) — Security analyst focused. Pass score: 750/900. Hands-on threat detection, SIEM, vulnerability management.
- PenTest+ (PT0-003) — Offensive security, but less recognized by employers than OSCP in penetration testing job postings.
- SecurityX / CASP+ (CAS-005) — Expert-level, no minimum score (pass/fail performance-based). Security architecture and advanced enterprise security.
- SecAI+ (CY0-001) — Brand new in 2025. AI-focused cybersecurity. Covers AI threats, prompt injection, securing ML systems. First new CompTIA cert in years.
Data and Developer Exams
- Cloud+ (CV0-004) — Cloud infrastructure and deployment models. Vendor-neutral alternative to AWS/Azure certs for generalists.
- Data+ (DA0-001) — Data literacy, analysis, and reporting for non-engineers. Single exam.
- DataSys+ (DS0-001) — Database administration, SQL, and data governance. Newer cert, not yet widely cited in job postings.
- Linux+ (XK0-005) — Linux system administration. Pass score: 720/900. Respectable cert for Linux admin and DevOps support roles.
CompTIA Exam Costs and Voucher Options
Retail price through Pearson VUE or Certiport varies by exam. As of 2026:
- A+ (per exam): ~$246
- Network+: ~$338
- Security+: ~$392
- CySA+: ~$392
- SecurityX/CASP+: ~$480
- SecAI+: ~$338 (introductory pricing, subject to change)
You can reduce cost by buying a voucher bundle from an authorized reseller, or using CompTIA's CertMaster Learn + exam voucher packages. Academic pricing is available if you're enrolled in a qualifying program. Some employers will reimburse the full voucher cost after a passing score—if that's an option for you, take it before self-funding.
One practical note: exam vouchers typically expire 12 months from purchase. Don't buy before you have a realistic study timeline.
Which CompTIA Exam to Take First
The right starting point depends on where you are now, not where CompTIA's marketing says you should start.
If you have zero IT experience
Start with A+. The two exams (Core 1 and Core 2) cover hardware, operating systems, networking basics, security fundamentals, and troubleshooting methodology. Most entry-level help desk and desktop support job postings list it. It's also the only cert that gives you a solid base for every other CompTIA exam.
If you already have a year or more of IT support experience
Skip A+ and go directly to Network+ or Security+. Both exams benefit from having handled real tickets. Hiring managers at the mid-level don't care whether you have A+—they want Security+ and one year of hands-on experience.
If your goal is a cybersecurity role
Security+ is the benchmark. Most SOC analyst and security admin postings treat it as baseline. After Security+, CySA+ is the logical next step for analyst work; SecurityX/CASP+ for senior architecture roles.
If you're targeting government or DoD work
Check the DoD 8140 matrix directly. Different roles require different approved certs. Security+ covers IAT Level II, which is what most baseline government IT roles need. CySA+ and CASP+ cover higher tiers.
Top Courses for CompTIA Exams
Study material quality varies enormously. These are the courses with consistently high ratings and content that maps closely to current exam objectives:
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Full Course & Practice Exam
Covers the updated 220-1201 objectives with video lessons and a full practice exam built to the 675/900 pass threshold. A solid first-time study option if you're starting from scratch on hardware and networking fundamentals.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) 6 Practice Tests [2026]
Six full-length practice exams mapped to current exam objectives—useful once you've completed a video course and need to identify weak spots before exam day. Practice test volume matters more than most candidates expect for A+.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep 2026 - For Beginners
Updated for the SY0-701 revision, this course builds from basic security concepts through cryptography, identity management, and network security. Appropriate if you're coming from a general IT background without prior security coursework.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) 1,000+ Practice Questions 2026
Over a thousand questions aligned to the SY0-701 domains—useful for the performance-based questions that most candidates find hardest. One of the highest-rated Security+ practice question banks available.
CompTIA SecAI+ Fundamentals: AI Cybersecurity Basics CY0-001
Focused specifically on the new CY0-001 exam objectives—AI threat modeling, securing machine learning pipelines, and prompt injection attacks. If you're targeting the SecAI+ certification, this is currently one of the only purpose-built courses for it.
CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005) 6 Practice Exams
Six full practice exams for the expert-level SecurityX cert. CASP+ / SecurityX is pass/fail (no numeric score published), so high-volume practice against realistic scenarios is the main prep strategy that works at this level.
FAQ: CompTIA Exams
How many CompTIA exams are there?
CompTIA currently offers around 15 active certification exams across its portfolio. Some certs (A+, CASP+ renamed to SecurityX) require a single exam or two exams to earn. The exact count shifts as CompTIA retires older versions—always check their official exam catalog before studying, since objectives change on a 3-year refresh cycle.
What is the passing score for CompTIA exams?
Most CompTIA exams use a scaled score of 100–900, with pass scores ranging from 675 (A+ Core 1) to 750 (Security+, CySA+). SecurityX/CASP+ is an exception—it's scored pass/fail without a numeric score. Scores are reported immediately at the test center on most exams.
How hard are CompTIA exams compared to each other?
Difficulty scales roughly with the cert level. A+ Core 1 and Core 2 are primarily multiple-choice and performance-based scenarios testing hands-on troubleshooting. Security+ introduces more abstract concepts (cryptographic protocols, attack categories, compliance frameworks). SecurityX/CASP+ requires you to architect solutions, not just identify problems—it's a substantial step up. Most candidates report CySA+ as easier than Security+ for those with hands-on analyst experience, and harder for those without it.
Can I take CompTIA exams online at home?
Yes. CompTIA offers online proctored exams through OnVUE for most certs. You need a webcam, a quiet room, and a reliable internet connection. In-person testing at a Pearson VUE center is still available if you prefer it or if your employer requires it for compliance documentation.
Do CompTIA certifications expire?
Yes—most CompTIA certs are valid for three years. You can renew by passing the current version of the exam, passing a higher-level CompTIA exam, or earning enough Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through training, conferences, or related certifications. Security+ renewal can also be triggered by earning CySA+ or SecurityX.
Is CompTIA A+ worth it in 2026?
For someone with no prior IT experience targeting help desk or desktop support, yes—it demonstrates baseline competency in a way employers can verify. For someone with 2+ years of IT work experience, the time is better spent on Security+ or a cloud certification that aligns more directly with mid-level job postings. The cert's value is clearest at the career entry point.
Bottom Line
CompTIA exams span a wider range than most candidates realize when they first encounter them. A+ is the entry point, Security+ is the benchmark for cybersecurity hiring, and SecAI+ is the newest cert targeting a real and growing demand for practitioners who understand AI-specific attack surfaces.
The mistake most people make is over-studying a single cert while ignoring what job postings in their target role actually ask for. Pull up 20 current postings for the role you want, note which CompTIA exams appear, and study those—in that order. The coursework and practice exams linked above are the highest-rated options available for each exam tier.
If you're unsure where to start: A+ for zero-experience IT support, Security+ for anyone targeting cybersecurity, CySA+ after Security+ for analyst work, SecurityX for senior architecture roles. The exam costs are real, so sequence deliberately rather than collecting certs you don't need.