How to Pass CompTIA A+ (220-1101 and 220-1102)

Quick answer: To pass CompTIA A+ you must clear two separate exams, Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102), each up to 90 questions blending multiple-choice with hands-on performance-based questions (PBQs). Budget six to twelve weeks of structured study per exam, drill the objectives domain by domain, and practise PBQs and troubleshooting scenarios until they feel routine. Note that CompTIA has released a V15 refresh (220-1201/220-1202), so confirm which version you are booking on the official CompTIA page before you register.

What CompTIA A+ actually tests

CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral, entry-level credential aimed at people heading into help-desk, desktop-support, and field-technician roles. Unlike single-exam certifications, A+ requires you to pass two exams to earn the badge. The classic pairing is 220-1101 (Core 1) and 220-1102 (Core 2). CompTIA typically refreshes A+ on a roughly three-year cycle and has introduced the V15 series (220-1201 and 220-1202); the older 220-1101/1102 versions are scheduled for retirement, and both versions cannot be mixed, so you must pass two exams from the same generation. Always verify the live exam codes, retirement dates, price, and current passing score on CompTIA’s official site, because those details change.

Each Core exam contains up to 90 questions and runs about 90 minutes. Question formats include standard multiple-choice, multiple-response, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions that drop you into a simulated interface or scenario. PBQs usually appear at the start of the exam and carry more weight per item, so many candidates flag them and return after clearing the faster multiple-choice questions.

Core 1 (220-1101) domains and weightings

Core 1 leans toward hardware, mobile devices, networking basics, virtualization, and troubleshooting. The approximate domain weightings are shown below; treat these as a study-budget guide and confirm exact percentages against the current objectives PDF.

Notice that troubleshooting is the single largest slice. A+ rewards a methodical mindset: CompTIA expects you to know its six-step troubleshooting methodology (identify the problem, establish a theory, test the theory, establish a plan, verify functionality, document findings) and to apply it to real symptoms rather than memorising trivia.

Core 2 (220-1102) domains and weightings

Core 2 shifts to operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures such as safety, documentation, and communication. If you want a security-focused career, Core 2 is where A+ starts pointing you toward next steps like CompTIA Security+.

Operating Systems is heavily Windows-centric but also covers macOS, Linux basics, and command-line tools. Expect commands such as ipconfig, ping, chkdsk, and sfc /scannow, plus questions on user account control, file systems, and OS installation methods.

A realistic study plan

Most candidates who start with little hands-on experience need roughly six to twelve weeks per Core exam studying a few hours a week; people already working in IT often move faster. A dependable sequence:

1. Weeks 1-2: Read or watch the full objectives once for Core 1. Do not aim for mastery yet; build a map of the territory.
2. Weeks 3-5: Study one domain at a time, taking notes and labbing where possible. Take short topic quizzes after each domain.
3. Weeks 6-7: Full-length timed practice exams. Review every wrong answer until you understand why the correct option wins.
4. Week 8: Book and sit Core 1, then repeat the cycle for Core 2.

Use a CompTIA A+ practice test to gauge readiness. A common rule of thumb is to consistently score comfortably above the passing threshold on fresh practice sets before booking, but remember that dumped questions are against CompTIA policy and rarely match the live pool.

How to master performance-based questions

PBQs are where under-prepared candidates lose points. They simulate tasks such as configuring a SOHO router, matching connectors to ports, setting up a mobile email profile, or ordering troubleshooting steps. To prepare:

• Build or borrow real hardware. Open a desktop, identify RAM types, expansion slots, and storage connectors by sight.
• Practise in a virtual machine. Install Windows in VirtualBox or Hyper-V so OS installation and settings become muscle memory.
• Learn ports and protocols cold. Common port numbers (80, 443, 22, 3389, 53) appear repeatedly and anchor many PBQs.
• Rehearse the troubleshooting methodology so ordering-type PBQs are automatic.

Test-day tactics

You can take A+ at a Pearson VUE test centre or via online proctoring. Whichever you choose, the same tactics apply: flag PBQs and answer the multiple-choice questions first to lock in fast points, watch the clock, and never leave an item blank because there is no penalty for guessing. Read each question fully; A+ loves “BEST” and “MOST likely” phrasing that hinges on one qualifier.

If you fail, CompTIA lets you retake, though waiting periods and fees apply for later attempts, so check the current retake policy. Use the score report’s domain breakdown to target your weak areas rather than restudying everything.

Topics beginners consistently underestimate

Certain areas quietly sink candidates who focus only on hardware. Give these extra attention:

• Cable and connector identification. Core 1 expects you to recognise cable types and connectors on sight and to know their use cases, from twisted-pair categories to fibre and common peripheral connectors. Flashcards with images work well here.
• Networking fundamentals. Even though deep networking belongs to Network+, A+ still tests IP addressing basics, common ports and protocols, and small-office/home-office router configuration. Do not treat this domain as optional.
• Operational procedures. Core 2 devotes real weight to safety, environmental controls, documentation, change management, communication, and professionalism. These “soft” objectives are easy points if you read them and easy to lose if you skip them.
• Security basics. Malware types, social-engineering attacks, and basic workstation hardening appear across Core 2 and set you up for later security certifications.

Balancing your study across these areas, rather than over-investing in the hardware you already enjoy, is often the difference between a comfortable pass and a narrow miss.

Study resources that actually work

You do not need to buy everything on the market. A focused stack usually beats a pile of half-finished courses. Most successful candidates combine three ingredients: a structured course or textbook aligned to the current objectives, a question bank for repetition, and hands-on time with real or virtual hardware. Free video training exists and is genuinely good, so budget is rarely the barrier. The key is to study against the official objectives document rather than a random syllabus, because CompTIA writes every question from that list.

• An objectives-aligned course or book. Pick one primary resource and finish it rather than sampling five. Cross-check its table of contents against CompTIA’s objectives PDF so nothing is missed.
• A question bank for spaced repetition. Answering questions is how you convert passive reading into recall. Review explanations, not just scores.
• Hands-on tinkering. Old hardware, a friend’s PC, or a virtual machine turns abstract facts into memory you can retrieve under pressure.

Avoid so-called brain dumps of real exam questions. They violate CompTIA’s exam policy, risk your certification, and rarely reflect the live question pool, which is large and rotated. Legitimate practice questions written to the objectives are a far better use of your time. A good rhythm is to alternate: study a domain, take a short quiz on it, then revisit whatever the quiz exposed as weak before moving to the next domain. This tight feedback loop is more effective than reading everything once and hoping it sticks, and it keeps your motivation high because you can see steady, measurable progress toward being exam-ready.

Booking, cost, and renewal

You register each Core exam separately through CompTIA, then schedule it with Pearson VUE at a physical test centre or via online proctoring from home. Online proctoring requires a quiet, private room, a working webcam, and a clean desk; the proctor will scan your environment before you begin. Because each Core exam is priced individually, earning A+ means paying for two exams, and vouchers or bundles can reduce the cost. Confirm current pricing and any bundle options on CompTIA’s official page rather than trusting third-party figures.

A+ is not a one-and-done credential. It is valid for three years, and you keep it active either by earning continuing education units (CEUs) through approved activities or by passing a higher-level CompTIA certification, which renews A+ automatically. Planning your next certification early therefore does double duty: it advances your career and keeps A+ current. Many people let A+ renew naturally by going on to earn Network+ or Security+.

Where A+ fits in your career

A+ is widely treated as the on-ramp to IT support. It pairs naturally with Network+ for infrastructure roles and with Security+ for a security track. If you are weighing whether the effort is justified, our guide on whether CompTIA A+ is worth it walks through the trade-offs, and if you are still choosing a first cert, see our roundup of the best IT certifications for beginners. For a concrete progression from a support desk into security, our help desk to cybersecurity career path shows how A+ can be step one.

Bottom line: A+ is passable for beginners who respect the two-exam structure, weight their study toward troubleshooting, and treat PBQs as the main event. Verify the live exam version on CompTIA’s site, study by domain, drill hands-on tasks, and you will walk in prepared.