CompTIA A+ Guide [2026]: Complete Exam Prep

Q: Is CompTIA A+ still worth it in 2026?

Yes, CompTIA A+ is worth it as an entry point into IT careers. It's the most recognized entry-level IT certification and is required or preferred in many help desk, IT support, and desktop support roles. The Department of Defense requires A+ for certain IT positions (DoD 8570/8140 compliance). Average salaries for A+ certified professionals are $45,000-$65,000 for entry-level IT support. It's not the destination — it's the starting point. Use it to get your first IT job, then stack Network+ or Security+ within 12 months.

Q: What are the two CompTIA A+ exams?

CompTIA A+ requires passing two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) covers mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization/cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting — weighted heavily toward hardware knowledge. Core 2 (220-1102) covers operating systems (Windows/Mac/Linux), security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. Both exams are 90 minutes, up to 90 questions, multiple choice and performance-based (drag-and-drop, simulations). Passing score is 675/900 for Core 1 and 700/900 for Core 2.

Q: How long does it take to study for CompTIA A+?

Most people pass in 2-4 months studying part-time (8-10 hours/week). If you have hands-on IT experience (built PCs, troubleshot Windows, done any help desk), 6-8 weeks of focused study may be sufficient. No prior experience? Budget 3-4 months. The key: hands-on practice matters. Set up a Windows 10/11 VM, explore Group Policy, use command line tools (ipconfig, netstat, diskpart, sfc), and physically handle PC components if you can. Professor Messer's free course (YouTube) plus Professor Messer practice exams is the most popular study path.

Key Takeaways

A+ requires two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) for hardware/networking, Core 2 (220-1102) for OS/security/troubleshooting
Professor Messer's free YouTube course is the most popular study path — used by thousands of people who pass
Performance-based questions (PBQs) are the hardest — practice with simulations, not just flashcards
A+ is your foot in the door — plan to stack Network+ or Security+ within 12 months
DoD requires A+ for baseline IT positions — strong demand in federal and defense IT

CompTIA A+ Is the Standard Entry-Level IT Certification

CompTIA A+ is the most widely recognized entry-level IT certification. It validates that you can support and troubleshoot hardware, operating systems, networking, security, and help desk work. Unlike vendor-specific certifications (Cisco, Microsoft), A+ is vendor-neutral.

Two exams to earn the certification:

Exam	Code	Focus	Passing Score	Cost
Core 1	220-1101	Hardware, networking, mobile, cloud, virtualization	675/900	~$246
Core 2	220-1102	Windows/Mac/Linux, security, troubleshooting, procedures	700/900	~$246

DoD 8570/8140 Compliance
The Department of Defense requires IT workers supporting DoD systems to hold baseline certifications. CompTIA A+ satisfies the IAT Level I requirement — making it a mandatory credential for many federal contractor and government IT support roles. If you're targeting federal IT work, A+ is a must-have.

Core 1 (220-1101): Hardware and Networking

Core 1 is the more hardware-intensive exam. Domain weights:

Mobile Devices (15%) — Laptops, tablets, smartphones. Display types, battery types, upgrade paths, cellular technology, synchronization.
Networking (20%) — TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, ports/protocols (know your port numbers!), wireless standards, network hardware (switch, router, AP, firewall).
Hardware (25%) — CPU, RAM (DDR types), storage (HDD vs SSD vs NVMe), power supplies (form factors, wattage), motherboards, expansion cards, cooling.
Virtualization and Cloud (11%) — VM concepts, hypervisors, cloud models (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS), cloud characteristics.
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (29%) — The largest domain. Systematic troubleshooting methodology, cable issues, connectivity problems, performance problems.

Port numbers you must memorize for Core 1:

20/21  FTP (data/control)
22     SSH
23     Telnet (insecure, legacy)
25     SMTP (outgoing email)
53     DNS
67/68  DHCP (server/client)
80     HTTP
110    POP3 (incoming email)
143    IMAP (incoming email, modern)
443    HTTPS
3389   RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)

Core 2 (220-1102): OS, Security, and Procedures

Core 2 focuses on software, security, and operational knowledge:

Operating Systems (31%) — Windows 10/11 (most of this), macOS, Linux. Command line tools, registry, task manager, disk management, user accounts.
Security (25%) — Malware types, social engineering attacks, physical security, password policies, encryption basics, firewalls, anti-malware.
Software Troubleshooting (22%) — Windows problems, browser issues, application crashes, email configuration, mobile OS troubleshooting.
Operational Procedures (22%) — Documentation, change management, disaster recovery, environmental controls, incident response, professionalism.

Windows command line tools you must know for Core 2:

ipconfig /all          # show network configuration
ipconfig /release      # release DHCP lease
ipconfig /renew        # request new DHCP lease
ping 8.8.8.8           # test connectivity
tracert google.com     # trace route
netstat -an            # show connections and ports
nslookup google.com    # DNS lookup
sfc /scannow           # system file checker (run as admin)
chkdsk C: /f           # check and fix disk errors
diskpart               # disk partition tool
tasklist               # list running processes
taskkill /PID 1234     # kill process by PID

Best Study Resources for A+

Professor Messer (Free) — The gold standard. Complete A+ video courses on YouTube and professormesser.com. Clear, organized, updated to current exam objectives. Pair with his study notes (free download). Buy his practice exams ($15-30) when ready to test yourself.

Mike Meyers on Udemy — Comprehensive, entertaining instructor. Frequently discounted to $15-20. Good alternative or supplement to Messer.

Jason Dion on Udemy — Practice exams focus. Dion's practice tests are a go-to for exam simulation.

CompTIA's CertMaster — Official practice platform. Expensive ($110+) but official. Worth it if your employer reimburses.

Anki Flashcards — Port numbers, acronyms, connector types — all the memorization-heavy content. Download a community A+ deck or make your own.

8-Week Study Plan

Week	Focus	Activities
1-2	Core 1: Hardware + Mobile	Watch Messer videos, Anki port numbers, handle real hardware if possible
3	Core 1: Networking + Cloud	Networking videos, memorize ports, set up a VM (VirtualBox or VMware)
4	Core 1: Troubleshooting	Troubleshooting methodology, practice scenarios, take Core 1 practice exam
5-6	Core 2: OS + Security	Windows commands, malware types, user accounts, Group Policy basics
7	Core 2: Software Troubleshooting	Windows troubleshooting scenarios, practice in VMs
8	Full review + both exams	Practice exams daily, schedule exams, test Core 1 first, Core 2 same week

Exam Day Tips

Do PBQs last on Core 1. Performance-based questions (simulations) take 5-10 minutes each. Flag them, answer all multiple choice first, then return with remaining time.

Know the troubleshooting methodology cold: 1) Identify the problem, 2) Establish a theory, 3) Test the theory, 4) Establish an action plan, 5) Implement, 6) Verify, 7) Document. CompTIA expects this exact 7-step process.

Read carefully. A+ questions often include "which is the BEST" or "which is the FIRST step" — not just what's correct, but what's most correct or what order.

What to Do After A+

A+ opens doors. Here's where to go next:

Network+ — Natural next step if you want to go deeper in networking. Leads to CCNA.
Security+ — If cybersecurity interests you. Satisfies DoD IAT Level II. Big salary bump — security roles pay more than general IT support.
Cloud+ — CompTIA's cloud certification. Good stepping stone toward AWS/Azure certs.
AWS Cloud Practitioner — Free study materials, fast to earn, directly relevant to cloud IT roles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is CompTIA A+ still worth it in 2026?

Yes — it's the most recognized entry-level IT cert, required for many help desk roles, and mandatory for DoD IT positions. Use it as a starting point, then stack Network+ or Security+.

What are the two CompTIA A+ exams?

Core 1 (220-1101): hardware, networking, mobile, cloud. Core 2 (220-1102): operating systems, security, software troubleshooting. Both 90 minutes, ~90 questions, passing scores 675 and 700 out of 900.

How long does it take to study for CompTIA A+?

2-4 months part-time for most people. With IT experience, 6-8 weeks may be enough. Professor Messer's free course plus practice exams is the most popular and effective approach.

Bo Peng

Founder of Precision AI Academy. Software engineer and tech educator helping professionals break into IT and advance their careers through practical skills and certifications.