About 40% of people who register for the CompTIA A+ certification exam don't pass on their first attempt — not because the material is impossible, but because they studied the wrong things. If you're researching the A plus certification, this guide covers the actual exam structure, realistic prep timelines, job outcomes, and where free or low-cost study resources are worth your time.
What the A Plus Certification Actually Is
The CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral, entry-level IT certification that validates foundational skills in hardware, operating systems, networking, and troubleshooting. It's been around since 1993 and is one of the most widely recognized credentials in IT support and help desk roles.
It's not a specialized certification — you won't come out of it as a network engineer or security analyst. What it does is establish that you can support end users, configure devices, diagnose problems, and handle the daily grind of IT operations. For employers hiring for Tier 1 support and field technician roles, it's often a baseline requirement or strong preference.
The certification is maintained by CompTIA and requires passing two separate exams to earn the credential. It also carries a DoD 8570 approval, which matters if you're considering federal IT work.
The Two A Plus Exams: Core 1 and Core 2
The A plus certification is split across two exams. You need to pass both to earn the certification — passing only one doesn't grant you anything.
Core 1 (220-1101)
Core 1 covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization, cloud computing, and hardware troubleshooting. The passing score is 675 out of 900. You'll encounter a mix of multiple-choice questions and performance-based items (PBQs), which simulate real tasks like setting up a SOHO network or interpreting a network diagram.
Core 2 (220-1102)
Core 2 focuses on operating systems (primarily Windows, with coverage of macOS, Linux, and mobile OS), security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. The passing score is 700 out of 900. Security is weighted more heavily in this exam than most candidates expect — roughly 25% of the content.
Exam Costs and Logistics
Each exam costs approximately $246 USD as of 2026, making the total path to certification around $492. Voucher discounts are occasionally available through training partners. Exams can be taken at Pearson VUE testing centers or via online proctoring.
The A+ certification is valid for three years. You can renew it by earning continuing education credits or by passing a higher-level CompTIA exam.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Pursue A Plus Certification
The A+ is well-suited for a specific profile. It fits people who are breaking into IT from a non-technical background and need a credential that signals basic competence to hiring managers. It also makes sense for career changers who have picked up some IT knowledge informally and want to formalize it.
CompTIA recommends about nine to twelve months of hands-on experience before sitting for the exams. That's not a hard requirement — you can self-study from zero — but it's an honest benchmark. People who try to cram for two weeks with no practical exposure tend to be in the 40% who don't pass.
The A+ is probably not worth pursuing if:
- You already have a few years of IT support experience and are targeting a mid-level role — hiring managers at that level look for Security+, Network+, or role-specific certifications.
- You're moving into development, data, or cloud engineering — those tracks have their own certification paths (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.).
- You're only after the certification for resume padding without any intention of doing IT support work.
What the A Plus Certification Opens Up Career-Wise
The job titles that list A+ as preferred or required are consistent: help desk technician, IT support specialist, desktop support analyst, field service technician, and systems administrator at junior levels. Some government contractor roles specifically require it due to the DoD 8570 mandate.
Entry-level salary ranges for A+ holders vary significantly by location and industry. In the US, help desk and IT support roles for A+-certified candidates typically start between $42,000 and $58,000 annually. Government and defense contractor positions often pay more due to clearance requirements and cost-of-living adjustments.
The certification alone doesn't determine your ceiling — experience, soft skills, and additional certifications do. Most practitioners treat A+ as a stepping stone toward Network+ or Security+, not a terminal credential.
How to Study for the A Plus Certification Without Overspending
Study materials for the A plus certification range from free YouTube playlists to $400+ boot camps. The free options have improved substantially, and for most self-motivated learners, paid materials beyond a solid practice exam suite are optional.
The study approach that consistently works:
- Get the official CompTIA exam objectives document (free on their site) and use it as your study checklist.
- Use a structured video course to build conceptual understanding.
- Take notes by domain — don't just watch passively.
- Do performance-based question practice separately from multiple-choice — they require different thinking.
- Take timed, full-length practice exams in the final two to three weeks.
One underrated factor: concentration and study retention. Candidates who struggle often aren't failing on knowledge — they're failing on exam execution under time pressure. Building a structured study habit before you start the technical material pays off.
Top Courses to Support Your A Plus Certification Prep
The courses below are available through major platforms and cover skills that directly or indirectly support your A+ exam prep and broader IT career foundation.
Focus: Strategies for Enhanced Concentration and Performance
Certification prep is as much about studying effectively as it is about knowing the material. This course addresses the cognitive side — focus, retention, and reducing the exam-day mental fatigue that tanks otherwise prepared candidates.
Foundations of Project Management Course
IT support roles increasingly involve ticket management, change control, and working within project workflows. This Coursera course builds the organizational and communication skills that make the jump from technician to coordinator or IT lead much smoother.
Lead Management & Sales Stages: A Step-by-Step System
If you're considering managed service provider (MSP) work or any client-facing IT role, understanding how businesses track and manage client relationships directly applies — many MSPs use CRM logic to manage service accounts and upsells.
Make Passive Income Business: Reselling Digital Portrait
A number of A+ candidates are also building freelance or side business skills alongside their certification. This course covers digital product resale, which is one low-overhead way to generate income while you're in a study or job search period.
Stress Free Like a Monk: 21-Days Brain Training Sci & Veda
IT support roles have above-average burnout rates, and managing that starts before you're on the job. This course applies both neuroscience and traditional practices to stress regulation — practical for the exam prep grind and for sustaining a help desk career long-term.
FAQ
How long does it take to prepare for the A plus certification?
Most candidates spend between three and six months preparing, assuming they're studying part-time (one to two hours per day). Candidates with prior IT experience often move faster — some pass in six to eight weeks. Starting with no technical background and studying from scratch typically takes closer to six months if you want retention that holds up in an actual job, not just on the exam.
Is the A plus certification worth it in 2026?
It depends on where you're starting. For someone with no IT credentials trying to get into a help desk or support role, yes — it's still widely recognized and removes an objection that hiring managers have about entry-level candidates. For someone already working in IT with two or more years of experience, the return on study time is lower; Security+ or a cloud certification usually opens more doors at that stage.
Can I get A plus certified for free?
You can study for free — there are solid free resources on YouTube and through library programs. The exams themselves are not free; each costs around $246. Some employers reimburse exam fees for employees pursuing certifications. If cost is a barrier, look for CompTIA voucher promotions or check whether your state's workforce development programs cover IT certification costs.
What's the difference between A plus Core 1 and Core 2?
Core 1 focuses on hardware, networking fundamentals, mobile devices, and cloud/virtualization basics. Core 2 covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and IT operational procedures. Most candidates find Core 2 harder due to the breadth of the security domain and the depth of Windows OS knowledge required. Plan more study time for Core 2 if you don't have a Windows administration background.
Do I need to take the A plus exams in order?
No. CompTIA doesn't require you to take Core 1 before Core 2. Some candidates take Core 2 first if they have stronger OS and security knowledge. However, the credential isn't awarded until both exams are passed, so you'll need both regardless of order.
How often do the A plus exam objectives change?
CompTIA typically updates the A+ exam objectives every three years. The current version (220-1101 and 220-1102) launched in 2022. If you're purchasing study materials, confirm they align with the current objectives — older prep books from previous versions (like 220-1001/1002) have some outdated content, particularly around cloud and newer OS versions.
Bottom Line
The A plus certification is a legitimate credential for entry-level IT roles, not a piece of paper that inflates resumes. It tests real skills, the pass rate keeps employers honest about who actually has the foundational knowledge, and the DoD 8570 requirement means government and federal contractor markets treat it as a hard requirement — not just a nice-to-have.
If you're targeting help desk, IT support, or field technician work, get the certification. If you're already past the entry-level phase, your time is probably better spent on the next tier: Network+, Security+, or a cloud provider cert aligned with what your employer is actually running.
Study the official objectives, do hands-on practice alongside the reading, and don't underestimate Core 2's security weight. That's what separates the candidates who pass from the 40% who have to reschedule.