Roughly 1.4 million people hold an active CompTIA A+ certification — more than any other vendor-neutral IT credential. That number matters because employers know it too: scroll through entry-level IT support postings on any job board and you'll find "A+ preferred" or "A+ required" on the majority of them. If you're trying to break into IT or move from a retail or customer service background into tech, the A plus cert is the most direct on-ramp available. This guide covers what it actually tests, what you'll realistically earn afterward, and how to study without burning six months on the wrong material.
What the A Plus Cert Is (and What It Isn't)
The CompTIA A+ is an entry-level IT certification covering hardware, operating systems, networking basics, security fundamentals, and troubleshooting. It's vendor-neutral, meaning it isn't tied to Cisco gear or Microsoft products specifically — you're tested on broadly applicable concepts that show up in real helpdesk and desktop support work.
It is not a programming cert, a networking specialist cert, or a security cert. People sometimes confuse it with Network+ or Security+ because they're all from CompTIA. The distinction matters: A+ is the starting point. Network+ goes deeper on routing, switching, and infrastructure. Security+ focuses on cybersecurity concepts. Most people who pursue all three do it in that order.
The A plus cert also satisfies DoD 8570 IAT Level 1 requirements, which makes it a hiring requirement for certain federal contractor and government IT roles — a non-obvious reason it still has significant demand even as the IT job market has shifted.
A Plus Cert Exam Structure: Two Tests, Not One
This trips up a lot of people. Getting A+ certified requires passing two separate exams:
- Core 1 (220-1101) — Mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and hardware and network troubleshooting. 90 questions, 90 minutes.
- Core 2 (220-1102) — Operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS, mobile), security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. 90 questions, 90 minutes.
Each exam costs $246 USD as of 2025. So the full certification runs you roughly $492 in exam fees alone, before any study materials. Vouchers are sometimes available through employers or training programs at a discount.
The passing score is 675 out of 900 for Core 1 and 700 out of 900 for Core 2. Both use multiple choice plus performance-based questions (PBQs) — drag-and-drop, simulations, and scenarios that test whether you can actually do the task, not just recognize the right answer.
CompTIA recommends 9-12 months of hands-on experience before sitting, though many people with no experience pass after 3-4 months of focused self-study. "Recommended experience" is not a prerequisite — you can register and take it whenever you feel ready.
What the A Plus Cert Actually Tests You On
Core 1 Domain Breakdown
- Mobile Devices (15%) — laptops, tablets, smartphone hardware and connectivity
- Networking (20%) — TCP/IP basics, wireless protocols, ports and protocols, network types
- Hardware (25%) — CPUs, RAM, storage, motherboards, power supplies, peripherals
- Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%) — hypervisors, cloud models, resource requirements
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (29%) — the largest domain; systematic troubleshooting methodology
Core 2 Domain Breakdown
- Operating Systems (31%) — Windows (heaviest coverage), Linux command line basics, macOS, ChromeOS
- Security (25%) — threats, vulnerabilities, wireless security, data destruction, BIOS/UEFI security
- Software Troubleshooting (22%) — diagnosing OS and application issues, malware removal
- Operational Procedures (22%) — documentation, change management, disaster recovery, safety procedures
The Windows coverage in Core 2 is heavier than most candidates expect. If you've never used Command Prompt or PowerShell, spend time there early. The troubleshooting methodology CompTIA uses (identify the problem, establish a theory, test, implement, verify, document) appears across both exams in different scenarios — memorize the steps and understand why each exists.
Jobs You Can Get With the A Plus Cert
The A plus cert opens doors specifically to support and field technician roles. Here's what the job market realistically looks like:
- Help Desk Technician / IT Support Specialist — the most common entry point. Median salary around $45,000-$52,000. You'll handle password resets, software installs, printer issues, and basic network troubleshooting.
- Desktop Support Technician — similar to help desk but often more hands-on hardware work. Median around $48,000-$55,000.
- Field Service Technician — travels to client sites to install or repair equipment. Pay varies widely by region, $40,000-$60,000 common.
- IT Support Analyst — a slight step up, often requiring A+ plus 1-2 years of experience.
These aren't high-paying roles out of the gate, but they're real jobs with real upward mobility. Most people who start in helpdesk with A+ are pursuing Network+ or Security+ within 18-24 months and moving into sysadmin, network engineer, or cybersecurity analyst positions at substantially higher salaries ($70,000-$95,000 range). The cert is a starting point, not a destination.
One underrated benefit: the A plus cert on a resume signals to non-technical hiring managers that you passed an objective third-party test. That matters more than you'd think when competing against candidates who only have self-reported skills.
How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the A Plus Cert?
Honest range: 6 weeks on the short end (if you already work in IT), 4-5 months on the longer end (if you're coming in with no background). Most people land around 2-3 months studying 1-2 hours per day.
The biggest mistake is over-relying on video courses and under-practicing with actual exam questions. Professor Messer's free A+ course is the most widely used free resource and covers the material thoroughly. Paid options like CompTIA's own CertMaster and Jason Dion's Udemy courses have practice exams built in.
For labs, build a practice environment. VirtualBox is free and lets you run Windows, Linux, and other OS instances on your current machine. Actually navigating these systems beats reading about them. If you can get your hands on old hardware to disassemble and reassemble, even better — the hardware troubleshooting questions are easier when you've physically handled the components.
Study both exams roughly in parallel rather than finishing Core 1 completely before touching Core 2. The domains overlap and reinforcing one helps the other.
Top Courses for the A Plus Cert
The courses below aren't all A+-specific, but each addresses a genuine gap that shows up in A+ prep: staying focused through a long study period, managing a self-directed learning schedule, and building foundational professional habits that carry into an IT career.
Focus: Strategies for Enhanced Concentration and Performance
A+ prep requires sustained attention over weeks — this course addresses the cognitive side of studying that most candidates ignore until burnout hits. Specifically useful for people juggling work or family alongside exam prep.
Foundations of Project Management
A+ covers operational procedures including change management and documentation workflows. This course builds project and process thinking that directly maps to those exam domains and becomes more relevant once you're in an IT support role managing tickets and escalations.
Stress Free Like a Monk: 21-Days Brain Training Sci & Veda
Test anxiety is a real performance issue on timed certification exams with performance-based questions. This course targets the stress response specifically — useful in the final two weeks before sitting either Core exam.
FAQ
Is the A plus cert worth it in 2026?
Yes, for a specific audience: people with no IT experience or formal credentials trying to get their first IT job. For someone already working in IT with a year of experience, the cert carries less marginal value — employers often care more about what you've done than what you've passed. For career changers, it's still one of the most recognized signals you can put on a resume quickly.
How hard is the A plus cert?
Moderately hard for people with no IT background; relatively straightforward for people who've worked a helpdesk or support role. The performance-based questions (PBQs) are the part most people underestimate — they require you to actually configure, troubleshoot, or navigate a simulated environment, not just pick an answer. Budget at least half your study time on practice questions and simulations.
Can you get an IT job with just the A plus cert?
Yes, though competition varies by market. A+ alone is enough to get interviews for helpdesk and Tier 1 IT support roles in most mid-sized cities. In competitive markets (major metro areas), pairing it with a home lab, a GitHub repo with scripts, or a few months of volunteer IT work at a nonprofit strengthens your application significantly. The cert gets you past the automated resume filter; the interview is still on you.
How much does the A plus cert cost?
The two exams cost $246 each for a total of $492 in exam fees. Study materials add $0-$200 depending on what you use (Professor Messer's study guide and free videos are solid at the low end; paid platforms with practice exams run $30-$150). Total budget: $500-$700 is a realistic all-in estimate.
What's the difference between A+ and Network+ cert?
A+ covers hardware, operating systems, basic networking, and support fundamentals. Network+ goes deeper specifically on networking — subnetting, routing protocols, VLANs, network troubleshooting at a more advanced level. A+ is the recommended first step; Network+ builds on that foundation. They're designed to stack, not to compete.
Does the A plus cert expire?
Yes. CompTIA A+ is valid for three years. You renew through CompTIA's Continuing Education (CE) program — earning CEUs through training, higher certs, or paying a renewal fee. If you let it lapse and want to reinstate it, you retake the current version of both exams.
Bottom Line
The A plus cert is not a golden ticket. It won't land you a six-figure salary or skip you past people with experience. What it does: it proves to employers who've never met you that you can learn technical material, sit through a standardized test, and pass it. In a field full of self-reported expertise, that has real value.
If you're coming from outside IT and need a credential to get your first interview, A+ is the right call. It's achievable in under six months of part-time study, it costs under $700 all-in, and it satisfies the baseline requirement on a large percentage of entry-level job postings. Get it, get the job, then use the job to pursue Network+ or Security+ and move up.
If you're already working in IT support without a cert, the calculation is different — your experience may outweigh what the cert adds. But for career changers and first-time job seekers, the A plus cert remains one of the highest-ROI credentials available at the entry level.