About the CompTIA A+ Certification

What Is CompTIA A+?

CompTIA A+ is the gold-standard entry-level IT certification published by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). It validates the foundational knowledge a technician needs to support end users: installing and troubleshooting hardware, configuring operating systems, securing devices, supporting networks, and following operational procedures such as ticketing, change management, and safety.

Unlike vendor-specific credentials from Microsoft, Cisco, or Apple, A+ is vendor-neutral. The objectives test concepts that apply across Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, and Android, and across hardware from any manufacturer. A technician who passes A+ should be able to walk up to an unfamiliar Dell laptop or a Lenovo desktop and apply the same systematic methodology.

Which Version Are You Studying?

This matters: CompTIA refreshes A+ roughly every three years. The current version is V15, made up of Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202), which launched March 25, 2025. The previous version (220-1101 / 220-1102) retired September 25, 2025 for English-language testers. If a study resource still references 220-1101/1102, it is out of date.

Trap: Many free practice banks online still serve 220-1102 questions. Verify the exam code on every resource. V15 adds depth on cloud, scripting, security frameworks, and ARM/Apple-silicon devices.

Why CompTIA A+ Matters

Who Should Get Certified?

A+ targets help desk technicians, desktop support specialists, field service technicians, IT support specialists, and junior systems administrators. CompTIA recommends 9-12 months of hands-on experience (about 120 study hours for those with no IT background), but there are no formal prerequisites - anyone can register and sit either exam in any order.

The Two-Exam Structure & Logistics

A+ is unusual in requiring two exams. You must pass both 220-1201 and 220-1202 to be certified; passing only one earns nothing.

The score scale runs 100-900, and it is scaled, not a raw percentage - you cannot simply divide. Each exam costs $265 USD (about $530 for both) at CompTIA's published U.S. retail price; authorized resellers, academic (.edu) stores, and bundles often discount 10-50%. Exams are delivered at Pearson VUE test centers or via online proctoring.

Worked Example: Reading the Score Report

Suppose you finish Core 1 and the report shows 690. Because the scale is 100-900 and 675 is passing, you passed Core 1 - but the same 690 on Core 2 would fail, because Core 2 requires 700. This is the single most common scoring confusion: the two exams have different cut scores even though both use the 900-point scale. A near-miss like 670 on Core 1 means a retake. CompTIA imposes no waiting period before your first retake (the second attempt) - you may rebook immediately - but you must wait 14 calendar days before the third and any subsequent attempt of the same exam.

Certification Renewal

A+ is valid for three years from the date you pass your second exam. Maintain it by earning 20 CE units in that window:

• Pass a higher CompTIA cert (Network+, Security+) - auto-renews A+
• Complete CompTIA-approved training or industry courses
• Attend qualifying conferences, webinars, or CompTIA CertMaster activities
• Publish IT articles, white papers, or teach/mentor
• Earn certain non-CompTIA industry certifications mapped in the CE program

The CE maintenance fee is $25/year ($75 over the three-year cycle for A+), separate from CE-activity costs. Let it lapse and the certification moves to expired status, requiring you to retake both current exams from scratch - so track CE units in the CompTIA portal from day one.

Common Misconceptions