LEARNING RESOURCES / STUDY GUIDE ExamCompass CompTIA Practice Tests Turn advice into practice.
Complete guide to ExamCompass CompTIA practice tests. ExamCompass lists free practice for A+, Network+, and Security+; check its current catalog for the available topics and test counts.
ExamCompass lists free practice for A+, Network+, and Security+; check its current catalog for the available topics and test counts. Each test contains approximately 25 questions with instant scoring but no detailed explanations. Use this as editorial study guidance, not measured candidate-outcome research.
ExamCompass has been a go-to free resource for CompTIA certification candidates for over a decade. ExamCompass lists free practice for A+, Network+, and Security+; check its current catalog for the available topics and test counts.
This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what ExamCompass offers for each CompTIA certification, including quiz counts by topic, domain coverage analysis, and strategic recommendations for incorporating ExamCompass into your study plan. We'll also identify gaps in ExamCompass coverage and suggest complementary resources.
ExamCompass CompTIA Practice Tests 2026: A+, Security+, Network+ Complete Guide
Quick Answer
ExamCompass lists free practice for A+, Network+, and Security+; check its current catalog for the available topics and test counts. Each test contains 25 questions with instant scoring. While excellent for concept review, ExamCompass works best as a supplement to comprehensive study materials due to its lack of explanations and performance-based question coverage.
ExamCompass A+ Practice Tests: Complete Guide
ExamCompass lists free practice for A+, Network+, and Security+; check its current catalog for the available topics and test counts.
Core 1 Tests
Approximately practice covering:
Mobile Devices - smartphones, tablets, accessories
Networking - TCP/IP, wireless, network hardware
Hardware - motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage
Virtualization & Cloud Computing - VM concepts, cloud services
Hardware Troubleshooting - diagnostic methodology
Core 2 Tests
Approximately practice covering:
Operating Systems - Windows, macOS, Linux
Security - malware, authentication, data protection
Software Troubleshooting - OS issues, applications
Use video courses and study guides to learn concepts. Take ExamCompass quizzes to test basic understanding.
Week 3-4: Deep Practice
Combine ExamCompass with platforms offering detailed explanations. Focus on weak areas identified in practice.
Week 5-6: Exam Simulation
Take full-length practice exams with time limits. Review all missed questions thoroughly.
Final Week: Review and Polish
Focus on consistently missed topics. Use fresh practice questions to find weak topics; no practice percentage proves that you will pass the certification exam.
ExamCompass A+ Practice Tests: Complete Breakdown
Core 1 (Hardware & Networking) Quiz Distribution:
The Core 1 section focuses on hardware components, networking, and troubleshooting:
Motherboards & CPUs: practice covering chipsets, processor types, installation
ExamCompass vs. Real CompTIA Exams: Key Differences
Understanding the differences between ExamCompass and actual CompTIA exams helps set realistic expectations:
Question Format Differences:
Aspect
ExamCompass
Real CompTIA Exam
Question Types
Multiple-choice only
Multiple-choice + PBQs
Scenario Complexity
Simple, direct questions
Multi-paragraph scenarios
Answer Choices
Typically 4 options
4-8 options, some multi-select
Visual Elements
Text-based only
Diagrams, screenshots, simulations
Time Pressure
Self-paced
Strictly timed (90 minutes)
Difficulty Comparison:
ExamCompass questions generally test recognition and recall. Real CompTIA exams test application and analysis, requiring you to apply knowledge to new situations.
*Example - ExamCompass Style:*
"Which port does HTTPS use?"
A) 80 B) 443 C) 22 D) 21
*Example - Real Exam Style:*
"A user reports they cannot access the company's secure web portal. The security team confirms the server is running and accessible from the internal network. The user's browser shows a connection refused error. The user can access other external websites. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?"
A) DNS settings B) Firewall outbound rules for port 443 C) The user's proxy configuration D) SSL certificate validity
What This Means for Preparation:
ExamCompass builds foundational knowledge, but real exam success requires resources that practice applying that knowledge to complex scenarios.
How to Track Your ExamCompass Progress
Since ExamCompass doesn't require accounts and doesn't save progress, you'll need to track your own performance. Here's a recommended system:
Spreadsheet Tracking Method:
Create a spreadsheet with these columns:
1. Date
2. Certification (A+/Security+/Network+)
3. Topic/Quiz Name
4. Score (%)
5. Questions Missed (concepts)
6. Notes for Review
Sample Tracking Sheet:
Date
Cert
Topic
Score
Missed Concepts
Notes
1/15
A+
RAM Types
84%
DDR4 voltages
Review DDR specs
1/15
A+
Ports
92%
IMAP port
Memorize email ports
1/16
Sec+
Cryptography
68%
AES key sizes
Need deep study
Progress Milestones:
Track when you consistently reach these scores:
60-70%: Still learning, focus on weak topics
70-80%: Progressing, continue practice and review
Use fresh practice questions to find weak topics; no practice percentage proves that you will pass the certification exam.
90%+: Mastery level, move to next topic
Weekly Review Process:
Every Sunday, review your spreadsheet to:
1. Identify topics with consistent low scores
2. Note improvement trends
3. Adjust study plan for upcoming week
4. Move mastered topics to maintenance mode
Recommended Study Path Using ExamCompass + Other Resources
For optimal results, combine ExamCompass with complementary resources:
Primary: Video course or textbook for conceptual learning
Secondary: ExamCompass diagnostics to identify baseline knowledge
Note weak areas in your tracking spreadsheet
Week 3-4: Domain-by-Domain Study
Primary: Deep study of weak domains using explanatory resources
Practice: 3-5 ExamCompass quizzes per domain after studying
Supplement: PrepForCerts for questions with detailed explanations
Week 5-6: Integration and Volume
Primary: Mix practice across all domains
Practice: 5-10 ExamCompass quizzes daily for volume
Supplement: Resources with PBQ practice
Target: 80%+ consistently across all domains
Week 7: Exam Simulation
Primary: Full-length practice exams (3-4 ExamCompass tests back-to-back)
Timing: Practice under timed conditions
Review: Deep dive on any remaining weak areas
Target: 85%+ on simulated full exams
Week 8: Final Review
Primary: Light review of all domains
Practice: Targeted ExamCompass quizzes for confidence
Mental: Rest and prepare for exam day
Resource Recommendations by Phase:
Phase
ExamCompass Role
Complementary Resources
Baseline
Diagnostic testing
Study guide or course
Learning
Light practice
Explanatory resources
Reinforcement
Heavy practice
PrepForCerts explanations
Mastery
Volume practice
PBQ practice platforms
Pre-Exam
Confidence building
Official sample questions
Sample Question Comparison: ExamCompass vs. PrepForCerts
Understanding the difference in question quality helps you choose the right resource for each study phase:
ExamCompass A+ Question Example:
*Question: "Which cable type is used for Fast Ethernet?"*
A) Cat3
B) Cat5
C) Cat6a
D) Fiber optic
*After submission: Shows answer is B (Cat5). No explanation provided.*
PrepForCerts A+ Question Example:
*Question: "A technician is setting up a network for a new office. The network will support 100Mbps Fast Ethernet and needs to minimize electromagnetic interference from nearby industrial equipment. Which cable type should the technician select?"*
A) Cat5 UTP
B) Cat5e STP
C) Cat6 UTP
D) Cat3 STP
*Explanation provided after answer:*
"The correct answer is B) Cat5e STP. Here's why:
Cat5e is sufficient for 100Mbps Fast Ethernet (supports up to 1Gbps)
STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) provides electromagnetic interference protection, which is critical in industrial environments
Cat5 UTP would work for speed but lacks EMI protection
Cat6 UTP exceeds speed requirements but lacks shielding
Cat3 is outdated and only supports 10Mbps
Why this matters for the exam: Real A+ questions often combine multiple concepts. You need to consider both the speed requirement AND the environmental factor to choose correctly."
Key Differences:
1. PrepForCerts questions combine multiple concepts like real exams
2. PrepForCerts explains WHY each wrong answer is wrong
3. PrepForCerts connects to exam objectives
4. ExamCompass is simpler but builds basic knowledge
5. Use both: ExamCompass for volume, PrepForCerts for understanding
Build your study routine
Set Up Your Tracking System
Create a spreadsheet to manually track your ExamCompass scores by topic and date. Include columns for topics you need to review.
Use Google Sheets so you can update from any device, or the Notes app on your phone for quick entries.
Take Baseline Diagnostic Tests
Complete one ExamCompass quiz from each major domain for your target certification to establish your starting point.
Don't study before the baseline—you need an honest assessment of current knowledge.
Study Weak Areas with Explanatory Resources
Focus study time on low-scoring domains using resources that explain concepts, not just ExamCompass.
PrepForCerts provides explanations for every question—use it to understand the "why" behind correct answers.
Practice with ExamCompass for Volume
After studying each domain, take 3-5 ExamCompass quizzes to reinforce learning through repetition.
Simulate Exam Conditions
Take 3-4 ExamCompass tests back-to-back (75-100 questions) under timed conditions to build exam stamina.
Real CompTIA exams are 90 minutes—practice sitting for the full duration without breaks.
Address PBQ Gaps
Supplement ExamCompass with platforms that offer performance-based question practice.
CompTIA includes performance-based questions, but does not publish a fixed PBQ count or score share. Practise both knowledge questions and hands-on tasks.
Study tips
Take ExamCompass quizzes in 25-question blocks to match the format, but take multiple blocks back-to-back to build stamina.
When you miss a question on ExamCompass, immediately look up the concept in a study guide before continuing.
Use ExamCompass for specific topic practice (networking ports, OSI model) where repetition builds memory.
Track not just scores but specific concepts missed to identify patterns in your weak areas.
Don't take the same ExamCompass quiz twice in one week—you'll start memorizing answers.
Combine ExamCompass A+ Core 1 and Core 2 quizzes in the same session to practice switching contexts.
Mistakes to avoid
Memorizing ExamCompass answers instead of learning underlying concepts.
Not tracking progress manually, making it impossible to measure improvement.
Skipping domains that seem too hard on ExamCompass instead of addressing gaps.
Using only ExamCompass without resources that explain why answers are correct.
Expecting ExamCompass scores to predict actual exam performance directly.
Taking the same quizzes repeatedly and mistaking memorization for mastery.
Study perspective
Use fresh practice questions to find weak topics; no practice percentage proves that you will pass the certification exam. The key is using ExamCompass for what it does well—volume practice—while filling its gaps with complementary resources.
Ready for Practice Tests with Detailed Explanations?
PrepForCerts complements ExamCompass by providing detailed explanations for every question, progress tracking, and coverage of 25+ certifications including CISSP, AWS, and Azure.
Yes, ExamCompass regularly updates content to align with current CompTIA exam objectives. Their A+ tests cover the current Core 1 and Core 2 exams.
Is ExamCompass updated for the current Security+ exam?
ExamCompass updates their content for current exam versions. Check their site for the most recent update dates, and supplement with other resources if you're concerned about coverage of the latest exam changes.
How many ExamCompass tests should I take before my exam?
Use fresh practice questions to find weak topics; no practice percentage proves that you will pass the certification exam. However, ExamCompass alone is not sufficient—supplement with explanation-rich resources.
What score do I need on ExamCompass to be ready?
Use fresh practice questions to find weak topics; no practice percentage proves that you will pass the certification exam. However, ExamCompass scores don't directly predict exam scores due to differences in question format and complexity. Use ExamCompass scores as one data point among several.
Why doesn't ExamCompass have CISSP or AWS practice tests?
ExamCompass has focused exclusively on CompTIA A+, Security+, and Network+ certifications since its inception. For CISSP, AWS, and other certifications, use PrepForCerts (25+ certifications) or certification-specific providers.
Can I download ExamCompass questions for offline study?
No, ExamCompass is a web-only platform with no download or offline capability. For offline study, consider PrepForCerts iOS app or other mobile-enabled platforms.
Are ExamCompass A+ questions harder than the real exam?
ExamCompass questions are generally simpler than real A+ questions. Real exams include performance-based questions and complex scenarios that ExamCompass doesn't replicate. Consider ExamCompass a foundation, not a complete preparation.
How often is ExamCompass updated?
ExamCompass doesn't publish a specific update schedule. They typically update when CompTIA releases new exam versions. For the most current practice aligned with new exam objectives, supplement with resources that explicitly advertise current exam alignment.
Why do I keep getting the same questions on ExamCompass?
ExamCompass has a finite question bank, so repeated practice will eventually show duplicate questions. This is a limitation—when you start seeing repeats, either move to different topics or supplement with additional resources.
Should I use ExamCompass or PrepForCerts for A+ preparation?
Use both for optimal results. ExamCompass provides free volume practice for repetition and memorization. PrepForCerts provides detailed explanations to understand why answers are correct. Together, they cover both knowledge reinforcement and conceptual learning.
Check the current provider information
Choose materials for your exam version. Course contents, access terms, and prices can change. A practice score is a study signal, not an official exam result.