The CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam gives you 90 questions and 90 minutes. That sounds manageable until you hit a performance-based simulation — drag-and-drop cable configurations, virtual network troubleshooting — and realize you've burned 12 minutes on question three. Most online CompTIA courses cover the material. Fewer prepare you for that format.
This guide covers what's actually on the current 220-1101 and 220-1102 exams, what to look for when evaluating online CompTIA A+ courses, and which study approaches have a track record of working.
What the Current CompTIA A+ Exams Actually Test
The current A+ series — 220-1101 (Core 1) and 220-1102 (Core 2) — has been active since April 2022. Both exams are required for the certification; passing one without the other earns you nothing. Any online CompTIA course still referencing 220-1001 or 220-1002 objectives is preparing you for an exam you can't sit.
Core 1 (220-1101): Hardware and Connectivity
Core 1 covers five domains:
- Mobile Devices (15%) — laptop components, mobile OS configuration, accessories
- Networking (20%) — TCP/IP, wireless protocols, network hardware, connectivity troubleshooting
- Hardware (25%) — motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage types, power supplies, printers
- Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%) — cloud service models, client-side virtualization basics
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (29%) — the heaviest domain by weighting
That last domain — troubleshooting — is weighted highest deliberately. Entry-level IT support is troubleshooting, almost entirely. A course that spends 60% of its time on hardware specs and 10% on diagnostic methodology has its priorities backwards relative to the exam and the job.
Core 2 (220-1102): Software, Security, and Procedures
Core 2 breaks into four domains:
- Operating Systems (31%) — Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android configuration and command-line troubleshooting
- Security (25%) — physical security, malware types, Windows hardening, workstation best practices
- Software Troubleshooting (22%) — Windows application issues, mobile device problems
- Operational Procedures (22%) — documentation, change management, disaster recovery, basic scripting
Core 2 is more memorization-heavy than Core 1. OS-specific commands, malware classifications, security protocol differences — these reward active recall and spaced repetition over passive video watching. Flashcard systems like Anki work unusually well for Core 2 prep.
What Separates Good Online CompTIA A+ Courses from Mediocre Ones
There's no shortage of options — Udemy alone lists dozens of A+ courses, and platforms like Professor Messer offer free alternatives. The quality variance is significant. Here's what actually matters when evaluating online CompTIA courses:
Updated Exam Objectives
Check the course description for explicit mention of 220-1101 and 220-1102. Plenty of courses haven't been updated and still sell on name recognition. If the course page mentions the 1001/1002 series without also covering the 1101/1102 updates, move on.
Performance-Based Question Practice
CompTIA embeds performance-based questions (PBQs) — simulations where you configure a firewall, set up a SOHO network, or diagnose a virtual machine — at the start of the exam. They're time-intensive and carry real weight. Courses that only offer multiple-choice practice leave a gap here. Look for courses that include PBQ walkthroughs or simulation exercises, not just text descriptions of what PBQs look like.
Practice Exam Quality
A usable practice exam is harder than most people expect and includes detailed explanations for why wrong answers are wrong — not just restatements of the correct answer. If a practice exam feels easy, it's not giving you accurate signal. The real exam is designed to distinguish people who've memorized definitions from people who can apply them under time pressure.
Lab Access vs. Video-Only
For Core 2 software topics — OS commands, network configuration, security settings — hands-on virtual environments produce better retention than watching screen recordings. Some platforms include browser-based lab access; others integrate with tools like TryHackMe or link to free VM setups. Core 1 hardware content has inherent limits for virtualization (you can't virtually install RAM), but virtual hardware labs can still simulate POST errors, storage configurations, and network adapter troubleshooting.
How to Structure Your Online CompTIA A+ Study
CompTIA's stated guideline is 9-12 months of hands-on IT experience as background for the exam — that's who the cert is designed for, not a study timeline. Most self-studiers with no prior IT background complete serious preparation in three to six months using online courses.
Sequential vs. Simultaneous Study
Most candidates study Core 1 and Core 2 sequentially. Some Core 2 content (particularly networking security) builds on Core 1 networking concepts, so sequential study has logic to it. Both exams are independent and can be taken in either order. Take whichever you feel more prepared for first — failing one doesn't affect your eligibility for the other.
Realistic Hour Estimates
- Candidates with IT background: 80–120 hours total across both exams
- No IT background: 150–200+ hours
These estimates assume active study — practice questions, labs, review — not passive video watching. Sitting through 40 hours of video at 1.5x speed while multitasking is not 40 hours of preparation.
Use Practice Exams as a Diagnostic, Not Just a Finish Line
Take a practice exam before you start studying, not only at the end. Your baseline score shows where your actual gaps are — which may not match your assumptions. Spending 30 hours reviewing material you would have passed anyway doesn't improve your score.
Top Online CompTIA Courses Worth Considering
The following courses cover skills directly applicable to IT support careers — the job outcomes CompTIA A+ is built to support.
Microsoft Excel Advanced Training
IT support roles increasingly involve inventory tracking, ticket reporting, and data management — nearly all in Excel. This advanced course covers pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and formula automation that show up in real help desk operations and stand out on entry-level IT resumes.
Develop Customer Loyalty Online
Help desk work is as much about communication as technical skill. This Coursera course (rated 9.7) covers service recovery and customer-handling frameworks that translate directly to managing frustrated end users — a dimension of the job that hiring managers consistently flag as separating good candidates from great ones.
Learning to Teach Online
IT professionals who can document processes and onboard non-technical users have a consistent career edge. This course covers instructional design and online delivery methods that are directly applicable if your IT path includes training coordination, knowledge base management, or user onboarding responsibilities.
What Comes After CompTIA A+
A+ sits at the base of CompTIA's certification stack. Where you go next depends on your direction:
- Networking: CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) — enterprise infrastructure, deeper networking architecture
- Security: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) — DoD-approved, often required for federal IT roles, the most marketable next step for most A+ holders
- Cloud and systems: Microsoft AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) or CompTIA Cloud+
- Vendor-specific tracks: Cisco (CCNA) or Microsoft (MD-102) for roles at organizations running those environments
Most IT support roles that list A+ as a requirement also specify a next certification for advancement. Security+ is the most commonly cited follow-on, particularly for roles at government contractors or organizations with compliance requirements.
FAQ: Online CompTIA A+ Courses
How much do online CompTIA A+ courses cost?
Range is wide. Professor Messer's video series covers the full exam objectives free on YouTube. Paid Udemy courses run $15–$30 on sale (which is most of the time) and up to $200 at list price. Platform subscriptions like ACI Learning (formerly ITProTV) or CBT Nuggets run $50–$100/month and include labs and structured curricula. A cost-effective baseline: Professor Messer's free videos plus a paid practice exam set from a reputable source on Udemy.
Can I pass CompTIA A+ using only free resources?
Yes, and people do it regularly. The main gap with free resources is practice exam quality — free questions online are often outdated or too easy. Spending $15–20 on a well-reviewed practice exam set while using free video content is a proven approach. The free content covers the knowledge; the practice exams test whether you can apply it under exam conditions.
How long does it take to complete an online CompTIA A+ course?
Video content typically runs 30–50 hours per exam. Completion time and pass-readiness aren't the same thing. Most candidates spend 2–4x the video hours in total study time when you include practice exams, labs, and targeted review of weak areas. Finishing the videos is a starting point, not a finish line.
Are online CompTIA courses enough, or do I need physical hardware?
For Core 2 software content, online courses and virtual environments are sufficient for most candidates. For Core 1 hardware topics — identifying components, understanding physical installation, interpreting POST errors — hands-on time with actual hardware helps. An old desktop you can disassemble is worth more than it sounds. You don't need expensive equipment; a non-functional tower from a thrift store covers most of what you need.
Which online CompTIA A+ course works best for beginners?
Mike Meyers (Total Seminars) and Professor Messer are the two names that appear most consistently in accounts from first-time certification candidates. Meyers uses a concept-building, story-driven approach; Messer is more objective-focused and structured. Both are updated for the current exam series. Try both free resources before committing to a paid course — your preferred learning style determines which lands better.
Do employers care which online CompTIA course I used?
No. The certification is what's verified; the prep method isn't visible to employers. Your exam score may appear on official transcripts, but hiring decisions are based on pass/fail status. What matters practically is how much you retained — because your interview performance and first 90 days on the job depend on actual knowledge, not which platform you used to get there.
Bottom Line
The online CompTIA A+ course market has real variance in quality, and the cheapest or most popular option isn't always the best fit. For most candidates, the combination that works is a structured video course explicitly covering the 220-1101 and 220-1102 objectives, paired with a high-quality practice exam set that includes detailed explanations, and supplemented by hands-on lab time — virtual for software topics, physical hardware where you can manage it.
The exam tests whether you can troubleshoot under time pressure, not whether you've consumed the most content. Structure your study to practice that skill, and the specific course platform you choose matters considerably less than how you use it.
On the job market side: A+ consistently appears in postings for help desk, desktop support, and IT support specialist roles in the $40,000–$55,000 starting range. It's a recognized signal of foundational competence, not a guarantee of employment — but it's one of the more efficient credentials to earn for breaking into IT support without a four-year degree.