Get expert answers to the most common CompTIA A+ certification questions. Whether you're wondering about exam costs, study strategies, or career opportunities, this comprehensive FAQ covers everything you need to know about earning your A+ certification in 2026.
The CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two separate exams:
CompTIA offers significant discounts: students can save up to 50% through academic programs, military personnel receive discounts through the CompTIA Career Pathways program, and bulk voucher purchases through employers often reduce costs by 10-20%. Many companies reimburse the full cost upon passing.
CompTIA's retake policy is straightforward:
After failing, review your score report carefully—it shows your performance in each domain. Focus your additional study time on weak areas. According to PrepForCerts analysis, candidates who wait 2-3 weeks and study their weak domains have an 85% pass rate on retakes.
You have 3 years from the date you pass your first exam to pass the second exam. Most candidates complete both exams within 1-3 months of each other while the material is fresh. However, there's no penalty for taking longer—just be aware that if exam objectives change during your window, you may need to study updated material for the second exam.
Difficulty depends heavily on your background:
The overall pass rate is approximately 75%. The most challenging aspects are performance-based questions (PBQs) that require hands-on troubleshooting skills, and the breadth of topics covered. Core 2 is generally considered slightly harder due to its focus on security and software troubleshooting.
Based on PrepForCerts analysis of successful candidates:
| Experience Level | Time Required | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Beginner | 3-4 months | 200-250 hours |
| Some IT Exposure | 2-3 months | 120-160 hours |
| IT Professional | 4-6 weeks | 60-80 hours |
Most successful candidates study 1-2 hours daily and complete at least 500-1,000 practice questions across both exams before testing.
CompTIA uses a scaled scoring system from 100-900:
These are scaled scores, not simple percentages. The scaling accounts for question difficulty variations between exam versions. Aim for 85%+ on practice tests before scheduling your exam.
CompTIA A+ certification is valid for 3 years from the date you pass Core 2. After that, you must renew through the Continuing Education (CE) program or by passing the current exam version. CompTIA designed this to ensure certified professionals stay current with evolving technology.
A+ requires 40 CEUs over 3 years. Ways to earn CEUs include:
The annual CE program fee is $75. Many professionals find it easier to earn a higher certification (which renews all lower ones) rather than tracking individual CEUs.
Absolutely. A+ qualifies you for numerous entry-level IT positions:
According to PrepForCerts analysis of job postings, over 25,000 IT positions mention A+ certification as a requirement or preference. Government contractors and DoD positions often specifically require it.
Yes, for several compelling reasons:
The $492 investment typically pays for itself within the first few months through higher starting salaries.
CompTIA recommends A+ first, and here's why:
Exception: If you already have 6+ months of IT experience or a networking background, you can skip directly to Network+. The traditional path is A+ → Network+ → Security+.
Take Core 1 first. It covers hardware, networking, and mobile devices—foundational knowledge that helps with Core 2's software troubleshooting topics. Core 2 assumes you understand the hardware concepts tested in Core 1. Additionally, studying Core 1 first gives you hands-on experience with the exam format before tackling Core 2's more challenging questions.
Top resources recommended by successful candidates:
The winning combination is video content + practice tests + hands-on experience. Don't rely on just one resource type.
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