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 If a study resource still references 220-1101/1102, it is out of date.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 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist job role, 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 $274 USD ($548 for both) at CompTIA's published U.S. retail price; bundles and authorized resellers can lower the cost, and actively registered students at eligible U.S. institutions can get 35-55% off in the CompTIA Store. 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 fee for A+ is $75 for the three-year cycle, separate from CE-activity costs; CompTIA does not require it to be paid annually, but it must be paid by the expiration date when you renew with CE units. 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