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CompTIA A+ Exam Guide

A comprehensive 8-week study plan to help you prepare for both CompTIA A+ certification exams (Core 1 and Core 2).

Exam Information

90 minutes per exam

Duration

90 questions per exam (max)

Questions

675/900 (Core 1), 700/900 (Core 2)

Passing Score

$246 USD per exam

Exam Cost

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1

Mobile Devices

Core 1: Mobile Devices (15%)

10-12 hours

Laptop hardware and components
Mobile device displays and connectivity
Mobile device accessories and ports
Network connectivity and applications

Recommended Resources:

Professor Messer

CompTIA Objectives

Week 2

Networking

Core 1: Networking (20%)

14-16 hours

TCP/IP basics and ports
Network hardware (routers, switches, APs)
Wireless networking standards
Network troubleshooting

Recommended Resources:

Hands-on Labs

Documentation

Week 3

Hardware

Core 1: Hardware (25%)

16-18 hours

Motherboards, CPUs, and RAM
Storage devices (SSD, HDD, RAID)
Power supplies and cooling
Printers and multifunction devices

Recommended Resources:

PC Building Practice

Labs

Week 4

Virtualization, Cloud & Troubleshooting

Core 1: Remaining Domains (40%)

12-14 hours

Cloud computing concepts
Client-side virtualization
Hardware troubleshooting methodology
Core 1 review and practice

Recommended Resources:

Virtual Labs

Practice Exams

Week 5

Operating Systems

Core 2: Operating Systems (31%)

16-18 hours

Windows editions and features
Windows installation and upgrades
Command line tools
macOS and Linux basics

Recommended Resources:

Virtual Machines

Microsoft Docs

Week 6

Security

Core 2: Security (25%)

14-16 hours

Physical security measures
Malware types and removal
Social engineering attacks
Windows security features

Recommended Resources:

Security Labs

NIST

Week 7

Software & Operational Procedures

Core 2: Remaining Domains (44%)

12-14 hours

Software troubleshooting
Operational procedures
Documentation and professionalism
Environmental impacts

Recommended Resources:

CompTIA Materials

Practice

Week 8

Review & Practice Exams

Both Exams

20-25 hours

Performance-based question practice
Full practice exams for both cores
Weak area review
Final preparation

Recommended Resources:

Practice Exams

Labs

Exam Tips & Strategies

Two Separate Exams

Remember A+ requires passing both Core 1 and Core 2. You can take them in any order, but most take Core 1 first.

PBQs Take Time

Performance-based questions require more time. Consider flagging them and returning after completing multiple choice questions.

Hands-On Practice

Build a PC, install operating systems, and troubleshoot real hardware. Practical experience is invaluable.

Know Port Numbers

Memorize common ports: 21 (FTP), 22 (SSH), 23 (Telnet), 25 (SMTP), 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), 3389 (RDP).

Key Topics to Master

Motherboard form factors and components

CPU architecture and cooling

RAM types and compatibility

Storage technologies (SATA, NVMe, RAID)

Display technologies and connectors

Network cables and connectors

Wireless standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax)

Windows 10/11 editions and features

Command line tools (cmd, PowerShell)

Malware types and removal tools

Mobile device management

Printer technologies and troubleshooting

Cloud computing models

Basic scripting concepts

Troubleshooting methodology

For the most up-to-date exam information, visit the official exam guide.

View Official Exam Guide

Back to A+

CompTIA A+ Exam Guide

A comprehensive 8-week study plan to help you prepare for both CompTIA A+ certification exams (Core 1 and Core 2).

Exam Information

90 minutes per exam

Duration

90 questions per exam (max)

Questions

675/900 (Core 1), 700/900 (Core 2)

Passing Score

$246 USD per exam

Exam Cost

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1

Mobile Devices

Core 1: Mobile Devices (15%)

10-12 hours

Laptop hardware and components
Mobile device displays and connectivity
Mobile device accessories and ports
Network connectivity and applications

Recommended Resources:

Professor Messer

CompTIA Objectives

Week 2

Networking

Core 1: Networking (20%)

14-16 hours

TCP/IP basics and ports
Network hardware (routers, switches, APs)
Wireless networking standards
Network troubleshooting

Recommended Resources:

Hands-on Labs

Documentation

Week 3

Hardware

Core 1: Hardware (25%)

16-18 hours

Motherboards, CPUs, and RAM
Storage devices (SSD, HDD, RAID)
Power supplies and cooling
Printers and multifunction devices

Recommended Resources:

PC Building Practice

Labs

Week 4

Virtualization, Cloud & Troubleshooting

Core 1: Remaining Domains (40%)

12-14 hours

Cloud computing concepts
Client-side virtualization
Hardware troubleshooting methodology
Core 1 review and practice

Recommended Resources:

Virtual Labs

Practice Exams

Week 5

Operating Systems

Core 2: Operating Systems (31%)

16-18 hours

Windows editions and features
Windows installation and upgrades
Command line tools
macOS and Linux basics

Recommended Resources:

Virtual Machines

Microsoft Docs

Week 6

Security

Core 2: Security (25%)

14-16 hours

Physical security measures
Malware types and removal
Social engineering attacks
Windows security features

Recommended Resources:

Security Labs

NIST

Week 7

Software & Operational Procedures

Core 2: Remaining Domains (44%)

12-14 hours

Software troubleshooting
Operational procedures
Documentation and professionalism
Environmental impacts

Recommended Resources:

CompTIA Materials

Practice

Week 8

Review & Practice Exams

Both Exams

20-25 hours

Performance-based question practice
Full practice exams for both cores
Weak area review
Final preparation

Recommended Resources:

Practice Exams

Labs

Exam Tips & Strategies

Two Separate Exams

Remember A+ requires passing both Core 1 and Core 2. You can take them in any order, but most take Core 1 first.

PBQs Take Time

Performance-based questions require more time. Consider flagging them and returning after completing multiple choice questions.

Hands-On Practice

Build a PC, install operating systems, and troubleshoot real hardware. Practical experience is invaluable.

Know Port Numbers

Memorize common ports: 21 (FTP), 22 (SSH), 23 (Telnet), 25 (SMTP), 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), 3389 (RDP).

Key Topics to Master

Motherboard form factors and components

CPU architecture and cooling

RAM types and compatibility

Storage technologies (SATA, NVMe, RAID)

Display technologies and connectors

Network cables and connectors

Wireless standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax)

Windows 10/11 editions and features

Command line tools (cmd, PowerShell)

Malware types and removal tools

Mobile device management

Printer technologies and troubleshooting

Cloud computing models

Basic scripting concepts

Troubleshooting methodology

For the most up-to-date exam information, visit the official exam guide.

View Official Exam Guide