CompTIA A+ Certification: Complete Guide to Exams, Cost, Training, and Care

CompTIA A+ Certification is an entry-level IT credential covering hardware, operating systems, networking, troubleshooting, security, and technical support. The current certification requires two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). It is designed for people starting or advancing in IT support roles and is especially useful for help desk, desktop support, field service, and technical support careers. Candidates should prepare against the current exam objectives rather than older 220-1101/220-1102 materials.

What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?

CompTIA A+ Certification is a vendor-neutral IT credential focused on practical technical support skills. Instead of training you for one manufacturer's technology, the certification covers a broad range of hardware, software, networking, troubleshooting, operating systems, security, and operational concepts. For beginners, that breadth is one of its biggest advantages. A person studying for CompTIA A+ learns how computers and common IT environments work before specializing in areas such as cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, or systems administration. The certification is particularly relevant to roles such as help desk technician, IT support specialist, desktop support technician, field service technician, and technical support specialist.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 vs. Core 2

The current CompTIA A+ certification uses two separate exams. Candidates need to pass both rather than treating Core 1 as a standalone certification.

Area

CompTIA A+ Core 1

CompTIA A+ Core 2

Exam

220-1201

220-1202

Main emphasis

Hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization and cloud

Operating systems, security, software troubleshooting and operational procedures

Purpose

Technical foundation

Support, troubleshooting and security application

Certification requirement

Pass Core 1 and Core 2

Pass Core 1 and Core 2

This two-exam structure matters when planning your CompTIA A+ certification training. Studying for both exams simultaneously can create unnecessary confusion. A better strategy is to build your foundation with Core 1 and then move into Core 2.

What Is CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)?

CompTIA A+ Core 1, identified as 220-1201, concentrates heavily on the physical and infrastructure side of IT support. The CompTIA A+ 220-1201 objectives include areas involving mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud concepts, and hardware and network troubleshooting. For example, a technician may need to understand why a computer fails to boot, how a storage device should be replaced, why wireless connectivity is unreliable, or which hardware component is appropriate for a particular requirement. A strong Core 1 preparation strategy therefore involves more than reading definitions. Candidates should understand what components do, how they interact, and how symptoms can be used to narrow down a technical problem.

What Is CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)?

Core 2, or 220-1202, moves further into operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. Candidates should understand common operating-system environments, security fundamentals, troubleshooting methodology, and professional IT practices. This part of the CompTIA A+ certification exam is particularly relevant to help desk and desktop-support scenarios because technicians frequently troubleshoot user accounts, software problems, permissions, malware-related issues, configuration problems, and operating-system failures. The important distinction is that Core 2 is not simply "the security exam." Security is one component of a broader technical-support curriculum.

CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives: What Should You Study?

The current CompTIA A+ exam objectives should be your primary checklist when building a study plan.

Use the objectives to create a gap analysis:

1. Download or obtain the current official objectives.

2. Mark topics you already understand.

3. Identify unfamiliar terminology.

4. Separate knowledge gaps from hands-on skill gaps.

5. Practice the weak areas.

6. Re-test yourself without looking at the answers.

7. Review the objectives again before scheduling the exam.

This is more efficient than studying an enormous collection of unrelated CompTIA A+ study material. One important rule: verify the exam version before purchasing a study guide or practice exam. Older 1100-series resources may not accurately reflect the current 1200-series objectives.

CompTIA A+ Certification Training: What Actually Helps?

A good CompTIA A+ certification training course should teach you how to troubleshoot rather than simply memorize terminology. Look for training that combines explanations with practical exercises. For example, when studying memory, don't stop at learning what RAM is. Understand how insufficient memory can affect performance, how to identify compatible modules, and how a technician would diagnose a suspected memory problem. The same principle applies to networking. Learn what an IP address, DNS, DHCP, gateway, switch, router, and wireless access point do, then practice diagnosing connectivity symptoms. A quality CompTIA A+ training program should help you connect individual concepts into a troubleshooting process.

How to Use a CompTIA A+ Study Guide

A CompTIA A+ certification study guide works best as a structured reference rather than something you read from beginning to end without testing yourself. After each major topic, close the book and explain the concept from memory. Then answer practice questions and investigate every incorrect response. Your CompTIA A+ study materials should ideally include current exam objectives, technical explanations, hands-on exercises, practice questions, and revision notes. Avoid building your entire preparation around "questions that appeared on the exam." The objective is to understand the subject well enough to solve unfamiliar scenarios.

CompTIA A+ Practice Test Strategy

A CompTIA A+ practice test becomes useful when you analyze your mistakes.

Use this cycle:

Practice test → Identify weak domain → Study the concept → Repeat questions → Take another timed test

Don't judge readiness from one impressive score. Look for consistent performance across different practice sets. A mock CompTIA A+ exam should also be taken under realistic conditions. Avoid checking answers immediately after each question. Complete the test first, record your score, and then review your mistakes.

How Hard Is the CompTIA A+ Exam?

The difficulty of the CompTIA A+ exam depends heavily on your existing experience. Someone who regularly builds computers, troubleshoots operating systems, configures networks, and works with users may find many concepts familiar. A complete beginner will need more time because the certification introduces a wide vocabulary and several technical domains. The challenging part isn't necessarily one exceptionally advanced topic. It is the breadth of knowledge combined with scenario-based troubleshooting. That is why hands-on experience can significantly improve preparation.

How Long Does It Take to Study for CompTIA A+?

There is no universal study period. A beginner studying consistently may need several months, while someone already working in IT support may require considerably less preparation. A practical approach is to study Core 1 first, take practice assessments, and use your results to determine whether you are ready to schedule the exam. Rather than asking only how long to study for CompTIA A+, ask whether you can consistently explain and apply the major objectives without depending on memorized answers.

CompTIA A+ Cost and Exam Voucher

The CompTIA A+ cost depends on the current exam pricing, location, taxes, promotions, training packages, and whether you purchase one exam voucher or a bundle. Because pricing can change, candidates should check the current official CompTIA pricing before budgeting for the certification. Your total CompTIA A+ certification cost can include more than the examination itself. Consider study guides, training, practice tests, equipment for hands-on practice, and potentially a retake if you do not pass an exam. A CompTIA A+ exam voucher can be useful when purchased through an authorized source, but candidates should compare the total package price rather than choosing a voucher based solely on its advertised discount.

Is CompTIA A+ Worth It?

For people entering IT, CompTIA A+ can be worth it because it establishes a broad technical foundation without tying the learner to one technology vendor. Its value is strongest when combined with practical experience. For example, someone pursuing a help desk position can use A+ knowledge alongside a home lab, troubleshooting projects, customer-service experience, and networking fundamentals. The certification should be viewed as a starting point rather than an endpoint. After building foundational knowledge, candidates can progress toward networking, cybersecurity, cloud, Linux, or other technical specialties.

Does CompTIA A+ Expire?

Yes. CompTIA certifications operate under a renewal system, so candidates should check the current certification renewal requirements and validity period rather than assuming the credential remains permanently current. This matters when planning a long-term certification path. Keep track of your certification status and applicable continuing-education or renewal requirements.

How to Get CompTIA A+ Certification

The basic process is straightforward:

1. Review the current A+ requirements and exam objectives.

2. Choose a CompTIA A+ course or self-study approach.

3. Study Core 1 (220-1201).

4. Use practice exams to measure readiness.

5. Schedule and pass Core 1.

6. Prepare for Core 2 (220-1202).

7. Pass Core 2.

8. Maintain your certification according to the current renewal requirements.

Candidates should always verify current policies, pricing, exam availability, and testing procedures before booking.

What About CompTIA A+ 1101 vs. 1201?

The comparison between CompTIA A+ 1101 vs. 1201 is mainly relevant to candidates who have found older study resources online.

220-1101 and 220-1102 belong to the previous A+ exam series, while 220-1201 and 220-1202 are the newer 1200-series exams.

Do not assume an older CompTIA A+ study guide is suitable simply because its title says "A+." Check the exact exam code and publication date. For a candidate preparing now, using resources aligned specifically with the current exam objectives is the safer approach.

Final Takeaway: Build Skills, Then Prove Them

CompTIA A+ Certification makes the most sense when you use it to build a genuine IT foundation rather than treating it as a memorization exercise. Start with the current 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives, choose study materials that match those objectives, practice troubleshooting, and use mock exams to identify gaps. If you're a beginner, prioritize understanding how systems work. If you're already working in IT, use your real troubleshooting experience to reinforce the exam concepts. The best next step is simple: check the current A+ objectives first, identify your weakest domains, and build your study plan around those gaps rather than around a random collection of practice questions.