A Plus Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows

Why CompTIA Doesn't Publish an A Plus Pass Rate

If you're searching for a hard percentage - "X% of candidates pass A Plus" - you won't find one from CompTIA itself. Vendor-neutral IT certifications like A Plus rarely release pass rate data publicly, and CompTIA has not published an official pass rate for the current CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) / Core 2 (220-1202) V15 series that launched March 25, 2025. Any specific number circulating on forums or third-party blogs is either outdated, unverifiable, or borrowed from a completely different certification that happens to share a similar name.

This matters more than it sounds. A Plus is a widely recognized acronym, and several unrelated credentials use similar branding. When you read "A Plus pass rate" content elsewhere, confirm it's actually discussing CompTIA's two-exam Core 1/Core 2 structure and not a different program with different fees, scoring, or domains. This article sticks strictly to verified facts about the CompTIA A+ 220-1201/220-1202 V15 exams.

Passing Score Is the Real Number That Matters

Instead of chasing a pass rate statistic, focus on the number CompTIA actually controls and publishes: the passing score. Both core exams use a scaled score of 100 to 900.

• Core 1 (220-1201): requires a scaled score of 675 to pass.
• Core 2 (220-1202): requires a scaled score of 700 to pass.

Notice that Core 2 has a higher passing threshold than Core 1. That's a meaningful signal: CompTIA expects slightly more precision on the exam covering Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, and Operational Procedures. For a full breakdown of how the scaled scoring works and what a "good" score actually looks like, see the A Plus Passing Score 2026 guide.

Results are delivered immediately at the test center, whether you sit for the exam in person or through OnVUE online proctoring. That immediacy means you'll know your standing against the 675 or 700 threshold the moment you finish, with no waiting period that other certification programs sometimes impose.

What Actually Drives Pass or Fail Outcomes

Rather than a mysterious pass rate, three structural factors explain most pass/fail outcomes on the A Plus exams: domain weighting, question format, and time pressure.

Domain Weighting Concentrates Risk

Each core exam has a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes, but the nine domains are not weighted evenly. Some domains carry far more scoring impact than others, so a weak spot in a heavily weighted domain hurts more than a weak spot in a lightly weighted one.

Notice that Operating Systems and Security are tied at the top of Core 2, each at 28%. Combined with the 28% weight of Hardware and Network Troubleshooting on Core 1, these three domains absorb the largest share of both exam content and, realistically, the largest share of your study time. For a domain-by-domain walkthrough with specific subtopics inside each area, see the A Plus Exam Domains 2026 guide.

Question Format Adds a Second Layer of Difficulty

The exams don't only test recall. They mix single-response multiple choice, multiple-response multiple choice, drag-and-drop items, and performance-based questions (PBQs) that simulate real troubleshooting scenarios. PBQs in particular tend to separate candidates who memorized terminology from those who understand how to actually diagnose a failed NIC, resolve a boot loop, or configure a permission set. If you haven't practiced under this exact format, your first exposure to a PBQ shouldn't be on exam day - work through realistic scenario questions using a resource like our A Plus practice tests beforehand.

Core 1 vs. Core 2: Where Candidates Struggle

Because Core 1 and Core 2 test fundamentally different skill sets, candidates often feel more confident on one and shakier on the other. Understanding the structural differences helps you allocate study time correctly.

The higher passing score on Core 2 (700 vs. 675) suggests CompTIA calibrates it as marginally more demanding at the margin, even though both exams share the same 90-question, 90-minute structure. Candidates coming from a hands-on hardware background sometimes find Core 1 more intuitive, while those with help-desk or systems administration exposure often find Core 2's Operating Systems and Security content more familiar. Either way, both exams must be completed from the same version series - you cannot pass 220-1201 and then finish certification with an older 220-1102, since mixing series is not permitted.

For a broader discussion of overall exam difficulty, including how the two exams compare to each other and to expectations candidates bring in, read How Hard Is the A Plus Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.

Registration Mechanics That Affect Your Attempt

Pass/fail outcomes aren't purely academic - logistics matter too. A few registration facts directly shape how candidates approach their attempts:

• Two exams, two vouchers: Full certification requires passing both Core 1 and Core 2 separately. A single voucher (list price $274 USD) covers only one core exam, so budget for two, though academic and partner pricing can bring the cost down.
• Same series requirement: Core 1 and Core 2 must both come from the V15 series (220-1201/220-1202). You cannot combine a legacy 220-1101/1102 attempt with a current V15 exam.
• Delivery options: Exams are delivered through Pearson VUE, either at a physical test center or via OnVUE online proctoring, giving candidates flexibility in how and where they sit for each exam.
• No formal prerequisites: There's no gatekeeping requirement to register, though CompTIA recommends roughly 12 months of hands-on IT support experience before attempting the exams.

Because there's no prerequisite check, some candidates register before they're truly ready, which is one of the more avoidable reasons for a failed attempt. If you're unsure whether you meet the recommended experience level or want a full eligibility rundown, check the A Plus Requirements 2026 guide. For a complete cost breakdown including vouchers, retakes, and renewal fees, see the A Plus Certification Cost 2026 guide.

A Study Timeline Built Around the Heaviest Domains

Rather than a generic week-by-week template, an effective study plan for A Plus should mirror the actual domain weighting. Domains worth 28% deserve proportionally more study time than domains worth 11-13%.

This isn't a rigid calendar - adjust pacing based on your existing experience - but the principle holds: spend the most hours on the 28% domains, since those questions carry the most weight toward hitting 675 or 700. For a more detailed study methodology including retention techniques, see the A Plus Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt.

Who's Testing for A Plus and Why It Matters

Understanding who takes this exam and why helps explain the stakes behind passing. A Plus is ANSI-accredited to ISO 17024 and maps to DoD 8140 approved work roles, including technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist. That DoD 8140 alignment means the certification isn't just an entry-level résumé line - it's formally recognized for specific government and contractor cybersecurity-adjacent roles.

Employers hiring for help desk, desktop support, field service, and junior systems administration roles commonly list A Plus as a preferred or required credential. If you're evaluating whether this certification aligns with your career goals, or want a sense of what roles it typically opens up, the A Plus Jobs overview and the A Plus Salary Guide 2026 go deeper into that side of the equation. And if you're still deciding whether the investment is justified relative to the two exam vouchers and study time required, the Is the A Plus Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 article walks through that calculation.

Renewal and Long-Term Certification Value

Passing both exams isn't the finish line - the certification is valid for three years. Renewal happens through CompTIA's Continuing Education program by earning 20 CEUs plus a $25 annual CE fee ($75 per full cycle), by completing CertMaster CE, or automatically by earning a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification, which also waives the CE fees. Factoring renewal into your planning matters because it affects the total cost of maintaining the credential over time, not just the upfront $274-per-exam voucher cost.

If you're mapping out testing windows, retake policies, or want to know how the current V15 series (launched March 25, 2025, with retirement estimated around 2028) affects your timeline, the A Plus Exam Dates 2026 guide covers scheduling considerations in detail. For a condensed, single-page reference of the must-know facts covered across this article, bookmark the A Plus Cheat Sheet 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions