CompTIA Certifications

CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT

Overview

CompTIA A+ certified professionals are proven problem solvers. They support today’s core technologies from security to networking to virtualization and more. CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for launching IT careers into today’s digital world.

CompTIA A+ is the only industry recognized credential with performance testing to prove professionals can think on their feet to perform critical IT support tasks. It is trusted by employers around the world to identify the go-to person in end point management & technical support roles. CompTIA A+ appears in more tech support job listings than any other IT credential.

The CompTIA A+ Core Series requires candidates to pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) covering the following new content, emphasizing the technologies and skills IT pros need to support a hybrid workforce.

Learn more about this certification at the new https://comptia.org.

Exam Domains

A+ Core 1 (220-1201)
% of Exam
Mobile Devices
13%
Networking
23%
Hardware
25%
Virtualization and Cloud Computing
11%
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
28%
Total
100%
A+ Core 2 (220-1202)
% of Exam
Operating Systems
28%
Security
28%
Software Troubleshooting
23%
Operational Procedures
21%
Total
100%

What’s New with the A+ 1200 Series

The new CompTIA A+ emphasizes the technologies and skills IT pros need to support a hybrid workforce.

The major areas of emphasis include:

  • Increased emphasis on networking, virtualization, and the cloud.
  • Additional focus on troubleshooting and how to remotely diagnose and correct common software, hardware or connectivity problems.
  • Focus on changing core technologies like artificial intelligence considerations and cloud-based productivity tools.
  • Coverage for multiple major operating systems, their use cases, and how to keep them running properly, reflective of what technicians encounter on the job in today's world. 
  • Updates that reflect the changing nature of the job role, where many tasks are sent to specialized providers. Certified personnel are able to assess whether it’s best to fix something on site, or to save time and money by sending proprietary technologies directly to vendors.
  • New courseware aligned with the A+ certification

Exam Details

Exam Codes CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1) and 220-1102 (Core 2) CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2)
Launch Date April 2022 March 2025
Exam Description CompTIA A+ 220-1101 covers mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing and network troubleshooting.

CompTIA A+ 220-1102 covers installing and configuring operating systems, expanded security, software troubleshooting and operational procedures.
CompTIA A+ 220-1201 covers mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing and network troubleshooting.

CompTIA A+ 220-1202 covers installing and configuring operating systems, expanded security, software troubleshooting and operational procedures.
Number of Questions Maximum of 90 questions per exam
Type of Questions Multiple choice questions (single and multiple response), drag and drops and performance-based
Length of Test 90 Minutes per exam
Passing Score 220-1001: 675 (on a scale of 100-900)
220-1002: 700 (on a scale of 100-900)
220-1001: 675 (on a scale of 100-900)
220-1002: 700 (on a scale of 100-900)
Recommended Experience 9 to 12 months hands-on experience in the lab or field
Languages English at launch. German, Japanese, Portuguese, Thai and Spanish English, German, and Japanese
Retirement September 25, 2025 (English)
December 18, 2025 (all other languages)
TBD - Usually three years after launch
Testing Provider

Pearson VUE

Popular Job Roles

  • Help Desk Tech
  • Desktop Support Specialist
  • Field Service Technician
  • Help Desk Technician
  • Associate Network Engineer
  • System Support Technician
  • Junior Systems Administrator

Organizations that Recommend or Teach A+

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Dell
  • HP
  • Intel
  • Nissan
  • Ricoh