A Plus Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass

The Passing Scores: 675 and 700

CompTIA A+ (Core 1 220-1201 / Core 2 220-1202, V15) is not a single exam with one passing score - it's two exams, each with its own threshold on CompTIA's 100-900 scaled scoring system. To earn the certification, you must pass both:

• Core 1 (220-1201): requires a scaled score of 675 out of 900.
• Core 2 (220-1202): requires a scaled score of 700 out of 900.

Notice that Core 2's passing bar is higher than Core 1's. That's not an arbitrary number - it reflects the fact that Core 2 leans heavily on Operating Systems and Security, two domains where precision and procedural accuracy matter more than in Core 1's hardware-identification content. If you're still mapping out which exam covers what, the A Plus Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 9 Content Areas breaks down all nine domains in detail.

How the 100-900 Scale Actually Works

The 100-900 scale is a scaled score, not a raw percentage of questions answered correctly. CompTIA weights questions differently based on difficulty and domain importance, then converts your raw performance into that scaled number. This is why you can't simply calculate "how many questions I need to get right" - a question from Hardware and Network Troubleshooting doesn't necessarily carry the same weight as a Mobile Devices question.

What this means practically:

• You cannot "cram" your way to a pass by memorizing answers to a fixed percentage of questions - performance-based questions (PBQs) and multi-response items are scored differently than single-answer multiple choice.
• Missing several questions in a heavily-weighted domain like Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28% of Core 1) can hurt more than missing questions in a lighter domain like Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%).
• Because the exam is delivered at a fixed 90 questions in 90 minutes, pacing matters - spending too long on one PBQ can leave weaker answers on easier questions later in the exam.

For a deeper look at how question difficulty and format combine to make this exam feel harder than a simple percentage suggests, see How Hard Is the A Plus Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.

Core 1 (220-1201): What 675 Requires

Core 1's five domains are weighted unevenly, and that weighting should directly shape how you study for the 675 target:

Because Hardware and Network Troubleshooting sits on top of the other four domains conceptually, mastering it last - after you've built foundational knowledge - tends to produce better retention than trying to study it in isolation.

Core 2 (220-1202): Why 700 Is Higher

Core 2 has two domains tied at the top, both at 28%: Operating Systems and Security. That tie is exactly why the passing threshold sits 25 points higher than Core 1 - there's less margin built into the exam for weak spots when over half your score depends on two demanding domains.

Question Formats That Affect Your Score

Each core exam contains up to 90 questions delivered in English within a 90-minute window, mixing four formats:

• Single-response multiple choice - the most straightforward format.
• Multiple-response multiple choice - requires selecting all correct options; partial credit is not something to assume.
• Drag-and-drop - often used for matching steps, terms, or components in sequence.
• Performance-based questions (PBQs) - simulated environments where you complete a task rather than pick an answer.

PBQs tend to appear early in the exam and can consume disproportionate time if you're not prepared for the interface. Since the 90-minute clock is shared across all 90 questions, a slow start on PBQs can squeeze the time available for the multiple-choice items that make up the bulk of your scaled score. Practicing with realistic question formats - not just flashcards - is one of the most direct ways to protect your pacing and, by extension, your score.

Getting Results and What Happens If You Fail

Results are delivered immediately at the test center once you finish, whether you tested in person or through OnVUE online proctoring via Pearson VUE. You'll see your scaled score against the 675 or 700 threshold right away, which means there's no waiting period of uncertainty like some other certification exams.

If you don't hit the required score, you'll need to purchase another voucher and retake that specific exam - your passed exam (if you passed one of the two) remains valid, so you only need to retake the one you failed, as long as you complete both within the same V15 series before it's retired.

For a full walkthrough of prerequisites, experience recommendations, and retake logistics, check A Plus Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.

What a Failed Attempt Costs You

Every attempt has a real financial cost, which is exactly why understanding the passing score model matters before you book your exam. A single voucher lists at $274 USD and covers one core exam - full certification requires two vouchers, one for Core 1 and one for Core 2, before academic or partner discounts.

A failed attempt on either exam means buying another voucher at that same list price. For the complete breakdown of vouchers, discounts, renewal fees, and total cost of ownership over the certification's three-year validity period, see A Plus Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.

A Score-Focused Study Timeline

Rather than studying domains in the order they're listed, sequence your prep around scoring impact - heaviest domains first, lighter domains as reinforcement.

This sequencing isn't generic - it's built directly around the exact weightings above, front-loading the domains that decide whether you clear 675 and 700. For a full walkthrough of prep resources and first-attempt strategy, see A Plus Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. If you want additional context on how outcomes trend across candidates, A Plus Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows is worth reading alongside this one.

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