- Exam Snapshot: Core 1 and Core 2 at a Glance
- Domain Breakdown for Both Exams
- Registration, Vouchers, and Fees
- Question Formats You'll Actually See
- Scoring Scale and Passing Requirements
- Certification Validity and Renewal
- Who Hires A Plus-Certified Techs
- Last-Week Review Plan by Domain
- Quick Reference Table
- FAQ
- Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) must both be passed from the same V15 series - no mixing with retired 1101/1102.
- Passing scores are 675 on Core 1 and 700 on Core 2, both on a 100-900 scale.
- Each exam allows up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, delivered only in English.
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%), Operating Systems (28%), and Security (28%) are the three heaviest domains to prioritize.
Exam Snapshot: Core 1 and Core 2 at a Glance
If you need the whole A Plus certification distilled onto one mental page before test day, this is that page. CompTIA A+ (Core 1 220-1201 / Core 2 220-1202, V15) is governed by CompTIA and delivered exclusively through Pearson VUE, either at a physical test center or through OnVUE online proctoring. The current V15 series launched March 25, 2025, and CompTIA estimates retirement around 2028, so anyone studying now is working from the newest version of the exam objectives.
Both exams are capped at 90 questions in 90 minutes, delivered in English, and use a mix of question types rather than straight multiple choice. There are no formal prerequisites - CompTIA simply recommends around 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist role before attempting the exams. For a deeper dive into eligibility, see A Plus Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Domain Breakdown for Both Exams
Core 1 and Core 2 each carry five and four domains respectively, and the weighting tells you exactly where to spend your review hours. For the full walkthrough of every objective inside each domain, bookmark A Plus Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 9 Content Areas.
Core 1 (220-1201) Domains
Five domains covering the physical and networked side of IT support.
- Domain 1: Mobile Devices - 13%
- Domain 2: Networking - 23%
- Domain 3: Hardware - 25%
- Domain 4: Virtualization and Cloud Computing - 11%
- Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting - 28%
Core 2 (220-1202) Domains
Four domains covering operating systems, security, and support operations.
- Domain 6: Operating Systems - 28%
- Domain 7: Security - 28%
- Domain 8: Software Troubleshooting - 23%
- Domain 9: Operational Procedures - 21%
Notice that Hardware and Network Troubleshooting is the single heaviest domain on Core 1 at 28%, while Operating Systems and Security are tied at the top of Core 2, also at 28% each. Interestingly, troubleshooting methodology itself is documented by CompTIA as a competency standard applied across scenarios rather than a standalone tested objective - it shows up embedded inside hardware, network, and OS questions instead of as its own checklist. That means the practical skill of diagnosing a problem systematically matters more than memorizing a troubleshooting flowchart in isolation.
Key Takeaway
Spend your heaviest review time on hardware/network troubleshooting scenarios, OS administration tasks, and security fundamentals - together these three areas represent the largest share of both exams.
Registration, Vouchers, and Fees
Each exam voucher lists at $274 USD and covers exactly one core exam. Since certification requires passing both Core 1 and Core 2, plan on two vouchers to complete the credential - academic and partner pricing may bring the per-voucher cost down below list price depending on your situation. For the complete cost breakdown including bundle options, read A Plus Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
- Delivery: Pearson VUE test centers or OnVUE online proctoring
- Voucher price: $274 per exam (list)
- Total vouchers needed: 2 (one per core exam)
- Language: English only
Question Formats You'll Actually See
Unlike exams built entirely from single-answer multiple choice, A Plus mixes four formats inside the same 90-question, 90-minute window:
- Single-response multiple choice - pick one correct answer from a list of distractors
- Multiple-response multiple choice - select every correct option, often two or three
- Drag-and-drop - match terms, cable types, or steps to the correct target
- Performance-based questions (PBQs) - simulated environments where you complete a task, such as configuring a setting or resolving a scenario
PBQs tend to appear early in the exam and take longer per item, so budgeting your 90 minutes wisely matters. If you're unsure how tough this mix actually feels in practice, How Hard Is the A Plus Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 breaks down what makes these formats challenging for first-time candidates.
Scoring Scale and Passing Requirements
A Plus doesn't use a simple percentage-correct pass/fail. Scores run on a 100-900 scale, and the passing thresholds differ between the two exams:
| Exam | Code | Passing Score | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core 1 | 220-1201 | 675 | 100-900 |
| Core 2 | 220-1202 | 700 | 100-900 |
Results are delivered immediately at the test center, so you'll know whether you passed before you leave the room. For a detailed explanation of how the scaled scoring works and what it means for your study targets, see A Plus Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass. If you want data-informed context on how candidates typically perform, A Plus Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows is a useful companion read.
Certification Validity and Renewal
Once earned, the A Plus credential is valid for three years. Renewal happens through one of three paths:
- Earning 20 CEUs through the Continuing Education program, plus a $25 annual CE fee ($75 total per three-year cycle)
- Completing CertMaster CE
- Earning a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification, which automatically renews A Plus and waives the CE fees
Exams are ANSI-accredited to ISO 17024 and map to DoD 8140 approved work roles, including technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist - a detail that matters if you're eyeing government or defense-adjacent IT positions down the road.
Who Hires A Plus-Certified Techs
A Plus is built around entry-level and early-career IT support functions, which is reflected directly in its domain structure. Mobile Devices, Networking, and Hardware on Core 1 map to desktop support and field technician work; Operating Systems and Security on Core 2 map to help desk, sysadmin-adjacent, and junior security support roles. Because it's DoD 8140-aligned to roles like technical support specialist and system administrator, it's also recognized in defense and government IT hiring pipelines. If you want a broader look at where this credential fits into job postings and career paths, check A Plus Jobs and the ROI analysis in Is the A Plus Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026. For a look at how the credential can translate into compensation, see A Plus Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis.
Last-Week Review Plan by Domain
If you're in the final stretch before test day, allocate review time proportional to domain weight rather than evenly across all topics. This isn't a generic study calendar - it's built directly around the V15 weighting.
Core 1 Heavy Hitters
- Drill Hardware (25%) - components, cabling, peripherals
- Review Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%) scenarios end-to-end
Core 1 Remaining Ground
- Networking (23%) - protocols, ports, wireless standards
- Mobile Devices (13%) and Virtualization/Cloud (11%) as lighter passes
Core 2 Top-Weighted Domains
- Operating Systems (28%) - command-line tools, OS installation, troubleshooting
- Security (28%) - malware types, authentication, mitigation techniques
Core 2 Closeout
- Software Troubleshooting (23%) practice scenarios
- Operational Procedures (21%) - documentation, safety, professionalism
For a full multi-week study plan rather than just the final week, see A Plus Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. Running timed practice sets on a-plus-exam.com against the actual 90-question, 90-minute format helps you build the pacing instinct that PBQs demand.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing body | CompTIA |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (test center or OnVUE) |
| Exams required | Core 1 (220-1201) + Core 2 (220-1202), same series |
| Questions per exam | Up to 90 |
| Time per exam | 90 minutes |
| Voucher price | $274 per exam (list) |
| Vouchers needed | 2 |
| Passing score, Core 1 | 675 of 900 |
| Passing score, Core 2 | 700 of 900 |
| Validity period | 3 years |
| Renewal cost | $25/year CE fee ($75/cycle) + 20 CEUs, or CertMaster CE, or higher CompTIA cert |
| Series launched | March 25, 2025 (V15) |
For questions specifically about scheduling windows and testing availability, see A Plus Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling. And if you're still confirming the basics of what this credential actually covers before committing your study hours, start with What Is A Plus Certification? or A Plus Certification.
FAQ
No. Core 1 and Core 2 must both come from the same version series. Since the current series is V15 (220-1201/220-1202), a passed 220-1101 or 220-1102 from the retired series cannot be combined with a V15 exam.
Each core exam has a maximum of 90 questions, so across Core 1 and Core 2 combined you could face up to 180 questions total, split across two separate 90-minute sittings.
There are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends roughly 12 months of hands-on IT support experience, but this is a recommendation, not a requirement for registration.
The certification is valid for three years. To keep it active, you need to complete the Continuing Education program (20 CEUs plus the $25 annual fee), finish CertMaster CE, or earn a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification before the three-year window closes.
No, the V15 series of Core 1 and Core 2 is delivered in English only.