You can earn the CompTIA A+ certification by passing two separate exams. There’s no single way to ensure you pass, but there’s common sense advice that can increase your chances to pass your exams and achieve your CompTIA A+ certification.
In their very basic nature, the two exams that lead to CompTIA A+ certification are not that much different from any other written test. Both exams use various question types to verify your knowledge in specific areas of information technology, such as computer hardware and software as they relate to IT support. Being well prepared remains your best bet to score a positive exam outcome of passing the tests and being awarded the CompTIA A+ certification.
Earning the CompTIA A+ certification is one of the best ways to break into the IT field. The A+ credential proves you have the essential IT skills and knowledge needed for an entry-level IT job.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know to get CompTIA A+ certified, including:
- What the A+ certification covers
- Why the A+ is valuable for your career
- Exam details and requirements
- Study tips and preparation resources
- Jobs you can get with A+
- How to maintain your certification
Let’s get started!
What is the CompTIA A+ Certification?
The CompTIA A+ certification is an internationally recognized credential that validates foundation-level IT skills and knowledge.
It covers core IT areas like
- Hardware
- Networking
- Mobile devices
- Operating systems
- IT operations
- Security
- Troubleshooting
CompTIA A+ is trusted by major companies and government organizations globally as the baseline certification for IT professionals It proves you have the expertise to configure, support, and troubleshoot devices, software, and operating systems
Over 1 million IT professionals worldwide hold the A+ certification. It’s often the first credential aspiring techs obtain to jumpstart their IT career.
Why Get CompTIA A+ Certified?
There are many great reasons to earn your A+ certification:
1. It validates your skills – The A+ demonstrates you have the essential IT knowledge and hands-on abilities employers are looking for.
2. It boosts your hiring potential – The A+ is a prerequisite for many IT jobs. Having it on your resume will make you a more attractive candidate.
3. It increases your earning potential – Certified professionals with A+ make an average of $30,000 more per year than those without it.
4. It expands your career opportunities – The skills covered in A+ apply to nearly every IT career path, opening doors to many possibilities.
5. It demonstrates your commitment – Earning the A+ shows employers you’re serious about an IT career and advancing your skills.
Simply put, the CompTIA A+ certification provides the core foundation you need for a successful and lucrative tech career. It’s the essential first step on the IT certification roadmap.
Exam Details and Requirements
To get CompTIA A+ certified, you must pass two exams:
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220-1001 covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing.
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220-1002 covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
The exams consist of maximum of 90 multiple choice and performance-based questions. Each exam is 90 minutes long.
The passing score is:
- 220-1001: 675 (out of 900)
- 220-1002: 700 (out of 900)
The A+ exams are available in English globally. Other localized language options may be available at international testing centers.
While there are no required prerequisites, CompTIA recommends candidates have at least 9-12 months of hands-on IT experience. Familiarity with the exam’s content greatly helps in being prepared for the A+ exams.
The A+ certification exams are administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. You can also take them online proctored from your own computer.
Each exam costs $239 USD. Retakes cost the exam fee too. I recommend purchasing a bundle with retake vouchers included to save money in case you need to take an exam twice.
Now let’s explore how to get prepared!
How to Study for the CompTIA A+ Exams
Proper preparation is key to pass the A+ exams. I recommend giving yourself 3-6 months to study if you are new to IT.
Here are some best practices when prepping for the CompTIA A+:
1. Review the exam objectives
Download the exam objectives for 220-1001 and 220-1002. Familiarize yourself with the topics covered. Pay extra attention to concepts you have little experience with.
2. Use a variety of study resources
Use CompTIA’sOfficial A+ Cert Guide textbooks. Watch video courses, practice labs, and online training from CompTIA and partners. Gain hands-on experience through IT volunteering or part-time jobs.
3. Take practice tests
Take practice exams from CompTIA CertMaster and other sources. Identify weak areas to focus your remaining study time.
4. Remember real-world concepts
Master the technical concepts, but also know how to apply them to real-world issues. The exams will test your troubleshooting skills with job-related scenarios.
5. Join online IT communities
Participate in Reddit, Quora, LinkedIn, and Discord groups to gain knowledge from other IT professionals.
6. Get a study buddy
Find a friend to study with for support and motivation. You can quiz each other on concepts.
7. Take study notes
Review frequently and take notes on things you get stuck on. Condense what you learn into quick reference sheets.
8. Avoid cram sessions
Space out your studying over several weeks. Cramming won’t help you retain the knowledge long-term.
Pro Tip: Many people try taking A+ Practice Exam 1 after finishing their 220-1001 prep. This helps assess readiness before registering for the live exam.
Jobs You Can Get with the A+ Certification
Many IT careers benefit from starting with the CompTIA A+. Here are some of the top jobs the A+ credential can help qualify you for:
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IT support/help desk technician – Provide technical support to computer users. Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve software, hardware, and other tech issues.
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Desktop support technician – Set up workstations, install software, upgrade components, and assist end users with PCs and devices.
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IT specialist – Broad IT role that provides support across networks, software, cloud, security, hardware, and troubleshooting.
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Technical support specialist – Help customers of a business or organization with their IT systems, networks, or devices.
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Field service technician – Work onsite providing computer support, maintenance, and repair services for an organization.
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PC technician – Build, configure, upgrade, and repair desktop and laptop computers.
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Associate network engineer – Assist with network operations, infrastructure, and troubleshooting.
Maintaining Your CompTIA A+ Certification
After achieving your A+, you must renew it every 3 years to keep it active. This ensures your skills stay current in the fast-changing IT industry.
To renew, you must complete 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within your 3-year certification period. CEUs can be earned through:
- Additional CompTIA certifications like Network+ or Security+
- Higher IT education
- Approved seminars and training courses
- CompTIA CertMaster CE course
- Authorship of books, courses, or articles
It’s easy to renew through the CompTIA Certification Portal. I recommend getting CEUs as you gain new skills to make renewal smooth.
Some organizations may also cover the cost of renewal as an employee benefit. Renewing also satisfies requirements like DoD 8140 if applicable to your job role.
Maintaining your credentials keeps you competitive for promotions and salary increases too.
Start Your IT Journey with CompTIA A+
As you can see, the CompTIA A+ certification provides core, vendor-neutral skills that apply to nearly any IT career path.
While the exams are challenging, thousands of professionals pass each year with proper preparation. The rewards are well worth the effort for this crucial career stepping stone.
Use the resources in this guide to help study for success. With commitment and focus, you can become CompTIA A+ certified sooner than you think.
The IT job market is booming now. Get started today on launching and advancing your technology career with this foundational and valuable credential. The opportunities are endless, and your future is bright.
Preparing for Your CompTIA A+ Exams
While individual preferences for how to prepare for a certification exam may differ in detail, there’s a simple strategy that can get you started and that may make it easier to keep yourself organized during your exam preparation process.
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Understand What’s Expected of You
Not knowing what’s on the exam, what questions you will have to answer and what types of questions you will see is like driving blind into a snow storm. A better approach is to spend some time reading about CompTIA A+ and what it takes to pass the exams. The more details you know about the questions you will have to answer, the better you will be able to judge what you already know and what you still need to learn.
To get a general understanding of what’s on the exam:
- Review the CompTIA A+ product page.
- Download the CompTIA A+ exam objectives.
- Download the table of contents of the Official Study Guide for CompTIA A+ to get a better idea of what knowledge is being taught to prepare students for the CompTIA A+ exams.
- Read about the experiences of CompTIA A+ certification holders. Social media sites such as LinkedIn and Reddit are a treasure trove of information and advice with experiences of others that can help you along the way toward your certification.
Want to learn more about studying for your exam? Here are 7 ways to prepare for your exam.
CompTIA CertMaster is an online training companion for CompTIA A+ and other CompTIA certifications you may need in the future. With products designed for various stages of the certification journey, CompTIA CertMaster meets learners where they are:
- CompTIA CertMaster Learn: This comprehensive, self-paced eLearning platform uses videos, assessments and performance-based questions to learn the topics covered by CompTIA A+.
- CompTIA CertMaster Labs: Get the hands-on experience you need to answer performance-based questions with CompTIA CertMaster Labs, a virtual lab environment where you can test your skills on live servers hosted in a data center.
- CompTIA CertMaster Practice: Once you’ve gained the knowledge covered by CompTIA A+, use CompTIA CertMaster Practice to prepare for your exam so you can test with confidence.
- CompTIA CertMaster CE: Keep your certification up to date with CompTIA CertMaster CE, a self-paced eLearning and renewal tool that helps you build upon the skills you demonstrated by earning CompTIA A+ while integrating the newest topics from the latest exam.
Comptia A+ Certified in 2 days! | Tips, how I did it.
How do I get an a+ certification?
To get an A+ certification, consider following these steps: 1. Prepare for the exams CompTIA offers a variety of training materials to help you prepare for the exams, including: Many of these courses and training are self-paced, so you can study while attending school or working.
How do I get a CompTIA A+ certification?
When you’re interested in taking the A+ certification, you’ll need to create an account with CompTIA in order to purchase the vouchers needed to schedule your exams. You can take both exams online or at an in-person testing center. Keep in mind that online exams are only available in English, whereas testing centers offer other language options.
How much does a CompTIA A+ certification cost?
Issued by IT association CompTIA, the A+ certification is widely accepted as an industry standard certification often used to kickstart a career in IT. Here’s a quick look at the basics: The CompTIA A+ is composed of two exams in the Core Series—the 220-1101 and 220-1102. Each exam costs $246USD as of November 2022, with a total cost of $492USD.
What is the difference between certmaster learn for a+ and CompTIA labs?
CertMaster Learn for A+ includes a customizable eLearning plan and performance-based test questions that take you on a path of consistent learning toward your certification exam. CompTIA Labs for A+ provides hands-on skills that reinforce the practical aspects of the A+ certification exam objectives.
