A Plus Certification

What Is CompTIA A+ Certification (V15)?

CompTIA A+ is the entry-level IT certification governed by CompTIA and delivered through Pearson VUE, either at a physical test center or via OnVUE online proctoring. The current version, V15, launched March 25, 2025, and replaced the older 220-1101/220-1102 series. V15 consists of two exams - Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) - and CompTIA estimates this series will remain active until roughly 2028.

Unlike single-exam credentials, A+ requires you to pass both core exams, and both must come from the same version series. You cannot mix an old 220-1101 pass with a new 220-1202 attempt - CompTIA does not allow cross-series combinations. If you're still deciding whether this two-exam structure fits your timeline and budget, the A Plus Requirements 2026 guide walks through eligibility in more detail, and there are no formal prerequisites to sit either exam - CompTIA simply recommends around 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support role before attempting them.

How the Exams Work: Format, Scoring, Registration

Both Core 1 and Core 2 share the same structural rules, even though their content differs. Each exam:

• Contains a maximum of 90 questions
• Runs on a 90-minute timer
• Mixes single-response multiple choice, multiple-response multiple choice, drag-and-drop items, and performance-based questions (PBQs)
• Is delivered in English
• Is scored on a 100-900 scale, with results shown immediately at the test center

The passing thresholds differ slightly between the two exams: Core 1 requires a scaled score of 675, while Core 2 requires 700. Because PBQs simulate real troubleshooting or configuration tasks rather than simply asking you to recall a fact, they tend to be the section candidates underestimate most. For a full breakdown of how the scoring scale translates into practical study targets, see A Plus Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.

Core 1 (220-1201) Domain Breakdown

Core 1 focuses on the physical and networked components of IT support. Its five domains are weighted as follows:

Core 2 (220-1202) Domain Breakdown

Core 2 shifts focus toward operating systems, security, and the operational side of IT support.

Because Operating Systems and Security are tied at the top of Core 2, and Hardware and Network Troubleshooting dominates Core 1, these three domains collectively deserve the largest share of your review time. For a domain-by-domain study sequence with sub-objectives, the A Plus Exam Domains 2026 guide goes deeper than the summary here, and the A Plus Study Guide 2026 pairs each domain with recommended practice activities.

Who Hires A+ Certified Technicians

Because A+ maps to DoD 8140 approved work roles, it's recognized well beyond typical help-desk postings. Roles associated with the certification include technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist. Employers use it as a baseline credential confirming a technician can support hardware, networking, operating systems, and security fundamentals without additional hand-holding.

If you're weighing whether this certification actually opens doors in your market, A Plus Jobs looks at the kinds of roles that list it as a requirement or preference, and Is the A Plus Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 examines the broader value question qualitatively.

Cost, Vouchers, and Registration Mechanics

Exam vouchers are sold at a list price of $274 USD each, and since certification requires passing two separate exams, you'll need two vouchers total to complete Core 1 and Core 2. Academic and partner pricing may bring the cost below list for eligible candidates. Vouchers are redeemed through Pearson VUE, where you also choose between an in-person test center or OnVUE online proctoring.

Registration itself has no prerequisites to satisfy - you can schedule Core 1 and Core 2 in either order - but they must both come from the V15 series to count toward certification. For scheduling windows and how far in advance to book, check A Plus Exam Dates 2026.

Keeping the Certification Current

Once earned, A+ certification is valid for three years. Renewal happens through one of three paths:

• Earning 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through the Continuing Education program, plus a $25 annual CE fee ($75 across a full three-year cycle)
• Completing CertMaster CE
• Earning a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification, which renews A+ automatically and waives the CE fees

Planning renewal early matters if you intend to stack A+ with a higher-level credential later - it can eliminate the CE fee entirely rather than paying it every cycle.

A Domain-Weighted Study Timeline

A generic weekly template isn't useful on its own, but mapped against A+'s actual domain weights, a phased approach makes sense: front-load the highest-weight domains, then use later weeks for troubleshooting integration and PBQ practice.

This isn't the only sequence that works, but it reflects where CompTIA has concentrated exam content. For a more granular week-by-week plan with practice question targets, see the A Plus Study Guide 2026, and if you want an honest assessment of where most candidates struggle before committing to a timeline, read How Hard Is the A Plus Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026. Running timed practice questions on our A+ practice test platform before each milestone helps confirm whether you're actually ready to move to the next domain block.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a condensed, single-page reference of these facts while you're deep in study mode, bookmark the A Plus Cheat Sheet 2026, and when you're ready to test your recall under timed conditions, start a practice exam that mirrors the Core 1 and Core 2 question formats.