- Core 1 requires 675/900 and Core 2 requires 700/900 - different passing scores on the same scale.
- Hardware and Network Troubleshooting is the single heaviest domain at 28% of Core 1.
- Operating Systems and Security tie as the heaviest domains on Core 2, each at 28%.
- You need two vouchers - $274 each - and both exams must be from the same V15 series.
What You're Actually Studying For
CompTIA A+ (Core 1 220-1201 / Core 2 220-1202, V15) is not a single test - it's two exams that together certify a baseline of IT support competency recognized under DoD 8140 for work roles like technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist. If you're reading this in 2026, you're studying for the V15 series, which launched March 25, 2025 and replaced the older 220-1101/220-1102 exams. That matters more than most candidates realize: you cannot mix a 1101 score with a 1202 exam. Both of your passes must come from the same version series.
This guide is built specifically around the current 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives, not generic "IT certification" advice. For a full walkthrough of every objective inside all nine domains, pair this with our complete guide to all 9 content areas. If you're still deciding whether this certification is the right investment of your time, our ROI analysis covers that decision in depth.
Exam Format and Question Types
Each core exam - 220-1201 and 220-1202 - is delivered in English through Pearson VUE, either at a physical test center or via OnVUE online proctoring. Both exams share the same structural limits:
- Maximum of 90 questions
- 90-minute time limit
- Question types: single-response multiple choice, multiple-response multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and performance-based questions (PBQs)
- Results delivered immediately at the test center
The PBQs are the part most self-study candidates underestimate. Instead of picking an answer from a list, you're simulating a task - configuring a network setting, sorting cable types, walking through a troubleshooting sequence. If your prep has only ever shown you flashcards, you'll be caught off guard by the interactive format. Practicing against realistic question formats before test day is one of the highest-leverage things you can do; our practice test platform is built around that exact exam experience rather than static Q&A.
Key Takeaway
Don't just memorize facts - rehearse the click-and-drag, scenario-based question style. PBQs test whether you can execute a process, not just recall a definition.
Core 1 (220-1201) Domain Breakdown
Core 1 covers five domains. Here's how the weighting should shape your study hours:
Domain 1: Mobile Devices (13%)
Covers laptop hardware, mobile device connectivity, and configuration of mobile OS features.
- Laptop component replacement and display types
- Mobile connection methods (cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC)
- Mobile device synchronization and accessories
Domain 2: Networking (23%)
The second-largest Core 1 domain - expect deep coverage of protocols, hardware, and configuration.
- TCP/IP addressing, subnetting basics, and common ports/protocols
- Network hardware: switches, routers, access points, patch panels
- Wireless standards and small office/home office (SOHO) network setup
Domain 3: Hardware (25%)
The physical building blocks of every device you'll support.
- Motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage drives (SSD, HDD, NVMe)
- Power supplies and peripheral connection types
- Printers and multifunction device maintenance
Domain 4: Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)
The smallest domain by weight but increasingly relevant to real support roles.
- Client-side virtualization concepts and use cases
- Cloud service models and shared cloud resource concepts
Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%)
The heaviest single domain across both exams. This is applied troubleshooting methodology layered on top of everything you learned in domains 1 through 4.
- Structured troubleshooting steps applied to hardware failures
- Diagnosing connectivity and performance issues on networks
- Interpreting symptoms to isolate root cause quickly
Notice that Domain 5 isn't really "new" content - it's a stress test of whether you can apply Domains 1-4 under scenario pressure. This is documented as a competency standard rather than a narrow list of testable facts, which is exactly why it carries the most weight and why memorization alone won't get you through it.
Core 2 (220-1202) Domain Breakdown
Core 2 shifts from physical hardware to operating systems, security, and process. Two domains tie for the top spot.
Domain 6: Operating Systems (28%)
Tied for the heaviest Core 2 domain. Expect deep command-line and GUI-based OS administration content.
- Windows administration: installation, updates, command-line tools
- macOS, Linux, and mobile OS features and management
- File system types, permissions, and disk management
Domain 7: Security (28%)
Tied for the heaviest Core 2 domain. Baseline security concepts appear throughout real support work, not just this section.
- Malware types, attack vectors, and social engineering
- Physical and logical security controls
- Wireless and workstation security best practices
Domain 8: Software Troubleshooting (23%)
The applied-skills counterpart to Domain 6, similar to how Domain 5 applies to Core 1's earlier domains.
- Diagnosing OS boot and performance problems
- Resolving application and security-related symptoms
- Mobile OS troubleshooting scenarios
Domain 9: Operational Procedures (21%)
Documentation, safety, and professional practices that support desks run on daily.
- Change management and documentation procedures
- Safety procedures and environmental controls
- Communication techniques and professionalism in support roles
| Exam | Code | Max Questions | Time Limit | Passing Score | Heaviest Domain(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core 1 | 220-1201 | 90 | 90 minutes | 675 / 900 | Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%) |
| Core 2 | 220-1202 | 90 | 90 minutes | 700 / 900 | Operating Systems (28%) / Security (28%) |
Notice Core 2 requires a higher raw passing score than Core 1 on the same 100-900 scale. For a full breakdown of exactly what that means for how many questions you can miss, see our passing score guide. If you want the difficulty picture in plain terms - how these domains compare in practice - our difficulty guide goes deeper into that.
Registration, Vouchers, and Fees
Both exams are scheduled and delivered through Pearson VUE, either in person at a test center or remotely through OnVUE online proctoring. A few mechanics to plan around before you book anything:
- Each exam requires a separate voucher priced at $274 USD list; certification requires two vouchers total (one per core exam)
- Academic and partner pricing is available below list price for eligible candidates
- There are no formal prerequisites - anyone can register and sit either exam
- CompTIA recommends roughly 12 months of hands-on IT support experience before attempting the exams, though this is guidance, not a requirement
- Both exams must be from the same version series - Core 1 220-1201 pairs only with Core 2 220-1202
For the full cost picture including training materials and renewal fees, see our complete pricing breakdown. If you're unsure whether you meet the recommended experience level or want more detail on eligibility, our requirements guide walks through what CompTIA actually expects versus what's optional.
A 2026 Study Timeline That Matches the Weighting
Generic study advice tells you to "study a little every day." That's true but useless without mapping it to A+ domain weights. Here's a timeline built around the actual percentage breakdown of both exams, front-loading the heaviest domains.
Core 1: Hardware and Networking
- Build fluency in Domain 3 (Hardware, 25%) and Domain 2 (Networking, 23%) since these feed directly into troubleshooting scenarios later
- Practice identifying components and ports by sight, not just by name
Core 1: Mobile Devices, Virtualization, and Troubleshooting
- Cover Domain 1 (13%) and Domain 4 (11%) quickly - they're lighter weight
- Spend the remaining time on Domain 5 (Hardware and Network Troubleshooting, 28%) using scenario-based practice questions
Core 2: Operating Systems and Security
- These two domains are tied at 28% each - treat them as equal priority, not sequential afterthoughts
- Drill command-line syntax for Windows, macOS, and Linux alongside security control terminology
Core 2: Software Troubleshooting, Operational Procedures, and Full Review
- Cover Domain 8 (23%) and Domain 9 (21%)
- Run full-length timed practice exams to simulate the 90-question, 90-minute format on both cores
Eight weeks is a reasonable target for most candidates studying part-time, but adjust based on how much hands-on IT experience you already carry - someone close to that 12-month recommended baseline may compress this considerably. For a broader look at building a study plan from scratch, see our full study guide, and use practice exams throughout, not just in the final week, so PBQ-style questions stop feeling unfamiliar by test day.
Mistakes That Sink First Attempts
Most failed first attempts on 220-1201 or 220-1202 trace back to a handful of avoidable patterns:
- Treating Core 1 and Core 2 as equally difficult to pass. Core 2 requires 700/900 versus Core 1's 675/900 - a higher bar on the same scale, so don't under-prepare for the second exam just because you passed the first.
- Skipping performance-based question practice. Multiple-choice review alone doesn't prepare you for drag-and-drop or simulation-style items.
- Underweighting Domain 5, 6, or 7. These three domains (28% each) carry more test-day weight than any other single domain - under-preparing here has an outsized effect on your score.
- Mixing version series by accident. Make sure any study material, practice test, or older exam voucher you're using targets 220-1201/220-1202, not the retired 1101/1102 series.
- Ignoring Operational Procedures. At 21% of Core 2, this domain is easy to deprioritize but still represents a meaningful chunk of the exam.
If you want a deeper look at how these failure points show up in outcome data, our pass rate analysis discusses what's known about candidate performance patterns.
After You Pass: Renewal and What It Opens Up
Passing both 220-1201 and 220-1202 earns a certification valid for three years. Renewal happens through CompTIA's Continuing Education program - 20 CEUs plus a $25 annual CE fee ($75 across the full three-year cycle) - or by completing CertMaster CE. Earning a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification also renews it automatically and waives the CE fees.
Because the certification maps to DoD 8140 approved work roles including technical support specialist, system administrator, and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist, it's recognized by employers hiring for help desk, desktop support, field service, and junior sysadmin positions. If you're weighing career impact, our earnings analysis and job role overview go into what roles typically expect this credential. For candidates who are still asking foundational questions - what the letters stand for, how it differs from vendor-specific IT credentials, or general background - our explainer pieces on what A Plus is and what it means cover that ground, and our training resources overview can help you pick study materials beyond this guide.
FAQ
No. Both exams go through Pearson VUE, but you can take one at a physical test center and the other via OnVUE online proctoring, or any combination, as long as both come from the 220-1201/220-1202 version series.
No. Mixing 1101/1102 with 1201/1202 is not permitted. Both exams must come from the same version series to count toward certification.
There are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends roughly 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support specialist role, but this is guidance rather than a requirement to sit the exams.
Both exams use the same 100-900 scale, but Core 1 requires 675 while Core 2 requires 700. The scores reflect separate scaled calculations for each exam's content and difficulty, not a simple percentage.
Three years. You can renew through the Continuing Education program (20 CEUs plus a $25 annual fee), by completing CertMaster CE, or automatically by earning a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification.