What Is the Current CompTIA A+ Exam? Complete Guide to Certification, Cost & How to Pass

If you have been searching for answers about what is the current CompTIA A+ exam, you are in the right place. The current version is the CompTIA A+ Core Series, consisting of two separate exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102). Both exams must be passed to earn the full A+ certification. This series replaced the previous 220-1001 and 220-1002 exams, and it reflects the modern IT landscape including cloud computing, virtualization, and cybersecurity fundamentals that today's help desk and support technicians encounter daily on the job.

Understanding what is comptia and why the A+ credential matters is essential before you invest your time and money. CompTIA, or the Computing Technology Industry Association, is a nonprofit trade organization that has been issuing vendor-neutral IT certifications since 1993. The A+ is their flagship entry-level credential, recognized by employers including Dell, Intel, Microsoft, and the U.S. Department of Defense. It validates that a candidate possesses the foundational skills needed to troubleshoot hardware, software, networks, and operating systems across a wide variety of real-world environments and device types.

The 220-1101 exam, known as Core 1, focuses heavily on mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization, and cloud computing fundamentals. You will answer questions about installing RAM, configuring routers, troubleshooting connectivity, and understanding the differences between cloud service models such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Core 1 is widely considered the more hardware-intensive of the two exams, and many candidates find that hands-on practice with physical components significantly improves their scores compared to reading alone.

The 220-1102 exam, known as Core 2, shifts focus toward operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. Expect questions about Windows installation and configuration, Linux command-line basics, macOS features, malware removal best practices, and workplace professionalism. Core 2 leans more heavily on software knowledge and security concepts, making it the exam where candidates with IT support experience tend to perform best relative to those who come purely from a hardware background without real-world exposure.

One critical detail that many new candidates miss is that the two exams do not have to be taken on the same day or even in the same week. You can schedule Core 1, study further, and then schedule Core 2 when you feel ready. CompTIA allows up to 12 months between passing the first exam and completing the second, though most study plans recommend completing both within a focused preparation period of two to four months. Spacing them too far apart risks forgetting earlier material and can disrupt your momentum toward certification.

Many people ask how hard is the comptia a exam compared to other entry-level certifications. The honest answer is that difficulty varies significantly by background. Someone with two or three years of hands-on PC repair experience will likely find Core 1 manageable after three to four weeks of targeted review. A complete beginner with no IT experience should budget eight to twelve weeks of dedicated study per exam. The performance-based questions, which require you to actually perform tasks in simulated environments rather than just selecting multiple-choice answers, are the aspect candidates most frequently underestimate during their preparation phase.

Whether you are switching careers, seeking your first IT job, or satisfying a DoD 8570 compliance requirement, the CompTIA A+ remains one of the most recognized and valued entry points into the technology profession. This guide covers everything you need — exam format, cost breakdown, registration steps, difficulty assessment, and a proven study strategy — so you can approach both exams with confidence and a clear action plan rather than uncertainty about where to start your preparation journey.

When candidates ask how much is the comptia a exam, the answer in 2026 is $253 USD per exam voucher purchased directly through CompTIA's official store. Since the A+ requires passing two separate exams, your total exam investment is approximately $506 before any discounts. This can feel steep for someone just entering the field, but it is important to put the cost in context: the A+ certification can increase your starting salary by $10,000 to $20,000 annually, meaning the investment pays back within weeks of landing your first certified IT support role.

CompTIA regularly offers discounts through their Academic Marketplace for students and educators, through military and veteran programs, and through authorized training partners who bundle vouchers with course materials. If you are a member of CompTIA's CertMaster community or purchase through a corporate training account, additional savings may apply. Always check the official CompTIA store and authorized resellers before purchasing at full price, because promotional codes, seasonal discounts, and bundle deals appear frequently throughout the year and can save $30 to $60 per voucher.

The registration process itself is straightforward. First, create a free account on CompTIA's official website. Then purchase your exam voucher through the store. Once you have your voucher code, you visit Pearson VUE's website — CompTIA's exclusive testing partner — and schedule your exam. You can choose between an in-person Pearson VUE test center or an online proctored exam taken from your home or office. Both delivery methods present the same exam content and carry the same passing score requirements, so choose whichever environment helps you perform best.

Online proctored exams require a quiet room, a working webcam, a microphone, and a stable internet connection of at least 1 Mbps upload speed. The Pearson VUE OnVUE software will scan your room via webcam before the exam begins, and a live proctor monitors your session throughout. You cannot use notes, second monitors, or mobile devices. Many candidates underestimate these technical requirements and experience avoidable stress on exam day. Run the OnVUE system check at least 48 hours before your scheduled exam to confirm your equipment meets all requirements and to troubleshoot any issues in advance.

People also frequently ask about how much does comptia security cost when comparing certifications. The CompTIA Security+ voucher runs approximately $392 as of 2026. That is one exam, not two, but it is a higher-priced single exam compared to each individual A+ voucher. The A+ is generally the recommended starting point before Security+ because it builds foundational knowledge that makes security concepts easier to understand. If you hold an A+ and are considering your next step, check the how much does comptia security cost comparison guide for a detailed breakdown of Security+, CEH, and PenTest+ paths.

Rescheduling is allowed without penalty up to 24 hours before your scheduled exam time. If you need to cancel or reschedule inside the 24-hour window, you will forfeit your exam fee. CompTIA does not offer refunds on exam vouchers regardless of circumstances, so plan carefully before scheduling. Vouchers are typically valid for 12 months from the purchase date, giving you flexibility in timing without pressure to test immediately after buying. This validity window is especially helpful for candidates who want to purchase during a promotional period but have not yet finished studying.

If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam after 14 calendar days. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but each retake requires purchasing a new voucher at full price. CompTIA's retake policy is designed to ensure that candidates genuinely master the material rather than passing through repeated trial and error.

Most candidates who fail their first attempt by a narrow margin and add two to three additional weeks of focused practice — particularly on their weakest domain areas identified in the score report — pass on their second attempt with a comfortable margin above the 900 passing threshold.

A question that catches many first-time certification seekers by surprise is: does comptia a expire? The answer is yes — the CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the date you pass your second exam. After three years, your certification lapses unless you take steps to renew it. This is a significant difference from some vendor certifications that carry lifetime validity, and it means that earning the A+ is not a one-time achievement but rather the beginning of an ongoing professional development commitment that CompTIA calls Continuing Education (CE).

CompTIA's Continuing Education program allows you to renew the A+ without retaking either exam. You earn Continuing Education Units, or CEUs, by completing activities such as completing higher-level CompTIA certifications, attending approved training courses, teaching IT courses, publishing technical articles, or participating in CompTIA community activities. The A+ requires 20 CEUs to renew for another three-year cycle. If you earn the Network+ or Security+ before your A+ expires, those higher certifications automatically fulfill the renewal requirement for the A+ as well.

If you allow your A+ to lapse without renewing it, your certification becomes inactive and no longer appears as valid on background checks or employer verification portals. You would need to pass both Core 1 and Core 2 again — on the current exam version — to restore your active status. Given that exam content updates every few years, a lapsed candidate may find that the exam covers new technologies that were not part of the version they originally studied, requiring fresh preparation rather than a simple review of previously studied material.

The three-year validity window is intentional and actually represents one of the A+'s strengths from an employer perspective. IT technology evolves rapidly, and an employer hiring someone with a current A+ knows the candidate has either passed a recent exam or actively maintained their knowledge through CE activities. A certification earned in 2018 and never renewed does not credibly represent current technical competence, whereas a renewed or recently passed A+ signals genuine engagement with the field's evolving standards and best practices across hardware, software, and security domains.

For candidates pursuing DoD 8570 compliance, it is especially important to track your expiration date carefully. The Department of Defense requires that personnel in qualifying roles maintain active certifications, not lapsed ones. Some contractors have lost clearance-related IT positions because they missed renewal deadlines that they did not realize were approaching. Set calendar reminders 12 months before your A+ expiration date to give yourself plenty of time to accumulate CEUs or schedule exam retakes without creating gaps in your compliance status that could affect your employment.

Many IT professionals choose to renew by pursuing the next certification in the CompTIA Infrastructure pathway. Earning the Network+ (which requires a separate 220-1201 exam and no prerequisite) automatically adds 30 CEUs to your A+ CE account, more than enough to renew. Similarly, passing the Security+ generates 50 CEUs. This stacking approach means that ambitious IT professionals who continue earning certifications never need to think about renewal separately — each new certification naturally extends the validity of previous ones as a built-in benefit of the CompTIA CE program structure.

To check how to take the comptia a exam and review official renewal deadlines, visit CompTIA's certification renewal portal where you can log in with your CompTIA account to see your exact expiration date, your current CEU balance, and a list of approved activities that count toward renewal.

The portal also lets you upload proof of completed activities — such as completion certificates from LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or authorized CompTIA training partners — which are then reviewed and credited to your account within a few business days of submission. Read the how to take the comptia a exam walkthrough for step-by-step registration guidance.

Passing the CompTIA A+ opens a clear and well-documented career pathway in information technology. Most newly certified technicians start in roles such as help desk analyst, desktop support technician, field service technician, or IT support specialist.

These roles typically pay between $38,000 and $58,000 annually in the United States, with significant variation based on location, employer size, and whether the role is in the private sector, healthcare, education, or government. Major metropolitan areas like San Francisco, New York, and Washington D.C. pay at the higher end of that range, while smaller markets tend to fall toward the lower end even for equally qualified candidates.

After 12 to 24 months of experience in an A+ role, many technicians pursue the CompTIA Network+ to expand their networking knowledge and move into network technician or junior network administrator roles that carry higher salary ceilings. Others pursue the Security+ to move into cybersecurity-adjacent positions such as security analyst, SOC tier-one analyst, or compliance technician. Both paths are well-documented in the CompTIA Infrastructure and Cybersecurity career ladders, and both certifications build directly on the foundation that the A+ establishes across hardware, software, networking, and security fundamentals.

Some A+ holders choose to pursue vendor-specific certifications alongside or after CompTIA credentials. Microsoft's MD-102 (Endpoint Administrator), Apple's ACSP, or Cisco's CCNA are common companion certifications that signal specialized expertise to employers in specific technology ecosystems. These vendor certifications do not replace the A+ but rather complement it by demonstrating depth in a particular product family that the vendor-neutral A+ deliberately does not cover in detail. In environments running primarily Microsoft infrastructure, for example, adding MD-102 to an A+ can be the credential that moves a resume from the general applicant pool to the interview shortlist.

The job market for A+ certified professionals remains strong in 2026. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, computer support specialist roles — the primary category for A+ certified technicians — are projected to grow 5% through 2033, roughly on par with the overall job market average. However, the BLS also notes that candidates with current certifications consistently have stronger employment outcomes than non-certified applicants at the same experience level, particularly during economic downturns when employers become more selective about entry-level IT hiring decisions and use certifications as a reliable initial filter.

Remote IT support roles have expanded significantly since 2020, and the A+ is recognized for these positions just as it is for on-site work. Remote desktop support, cloud-based helpdesk, and managed service provider (MSP) roles frequently list the A+ as a preferred or required qualification.

MSPs in particular hire a large volume of A+ certified technicians because they support multiple clients across diverse hardware and software environments — exactly the broad, vendor-neutral competency that the A+ validates. If geographic flexibility is important to you, remote-eligible A+ roles represent an excellent early-career opportunity to build experience across a wide variety of technologies quickly.

Salary growth for A+ certified technicians tends to be fastest in the first three to five years of a career, as professionals move from helpdesk into more senior support, administration, or specialist roles. The A+ itself does not create a salary ceiling — it is the entry ticket, not the destination.

Technicians who combine A+ with Network+, Security+, and a cloud platform certification such as AWS Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft AZ-900 within their first three years consistently report reaching $70,000 to $90,000 annually without a four-year degree in markets of moderate cost of living, demonstrating the strong return on investment that the certification pathway offers for motivated, self-directed learners.

For those weighing whether to pursue higher education alongside certification, the data consistently shows that certifications accelerate early IT career entry more effectively than degrees alone. A bachelor's degree combined with active certifications produces the best salary outcomes over a full career, but for candidates who need income now, the A+ pathway to employment is measurably faster than completing a four-year program before entering the workforce. Many community colleges now offer CompTIA A+ preparation programs that simultaneously count toward associate's degrees, allowing students to earn the certification while working toward a broader academic credential in a time-efficient dual track.

Building an effective study plan for the CompTIA A+ does not require expensive bootcamps or elaborate resources. Professor Messer's free video series on YouTube covers all current 220-1101 and 220-1102 objectives in detail, organized by domain and objective number to make it easy to study systematically. His companion study notes are available for a modest fee and consolidate the video content into a reviewable format. Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 All-in-One Exam Guide books remain the most comprehensive single-volume resources and are widely available from libraries, Amazon, and used book resellers at significantly discounted prices.

Practice exams are the highest-return study tool available, and the research on this is clear: candidates who complete five or more full practice exams before their test date consistently outperform candidates who spend the equivalent time re-reading textbooks. Practice exams do two things simultaneously — they reinforce knowledge through active recall (far more effective than passive review) and they reveal weak domains where additional study will produce the greatest score improvement. Use the domain-level score breakdowns from each practice exam to direct your remaining study hours rather than reviewing content uniformly regardless of your demonstrated mastery level.

For hardware study, nothing replaces hands-on practice. If you do not have access to spare computers, check local thrift stores, recycling centers, and Facebook Marketplace for inexpensive older desktops that cost $20 to $50. Practice installing and removing RAM, hard drives, optical drives, and expansion cards until the process feels automatic. For networking labs, use Cisco Packet Tracer (free) or GNS3 to build virtual networks and practice configuring IP addresses, subnets, DHCP, and DNS. These free simulation tools provide the hands-on experience that dramatically improves performance on Core 1's networking and hardware performance-based questions.

Time management on exam day is a skill that deserves as much attention as content knowledge. The 90-minute window for 90 questions gives you exactly one minute per question on average, but performance-based questions typically require three to five minutes each, and they appear first in the exam sequence.

Experienced test-takers recommend spending no more than five minutes on any single performance-based question. If you are stuck, make your best attempt and move on — returning to flag-reviewed questions at the end with whatever time remains is preferable to running out of time before reaching the easier multiple-choice questions that follow the PBQs.

Sleep, nutrition, and physical preparation on exam day are underrated factors in certification success. Research on test performance consistently shows that candidates who sleep seven to eight hours the night before an exam score measurably higher than those who study through the night in a last-minute review session. Your brain consolidates the information you have studied during sleep, making adequate rest part of your preparation rather than lost study time. Eat a normal meal before your exam, arrive at the test center 15 minutes early, and avoid caffeine excess that could increase anxiety during a 90-minute high-stakes assessment.

After passing both exams, download your digital badge from CompTIA's Credly account portal and add it to your LinkedIn profile, resume, and email signature. Many employers specifically search LinkedIn for candidates with verified CompTIA badges, and displaying your credential visibly increases your discoverability to recruiters who are actively sourcing certified technicians. CompTIA also sends a physical certificate that can be framed and displayed — a tangible reminder of the weeks of effort you invested in earning a credential that will open doors throughout your IT career.

Finally, do not underestimate the value of community during your A+ preparation journey. Reddit's r/CompTIA community has over 200,000 members who share study strategies, post practice questions, and provide encouragement to candidates preparing for all CompTIA exams. The CompTIA subreddit's weekly study thread and exam experience posts from recent test-takers give you real, current insight into what to expect on exam day — including which domains felt heaviest in recent administrations, which performance-based scenarios appeared most frequently, and which study resources members found most helpful. Peer learning accelerates preparation and makes the process significantly less isolating than studying alone.