Prepare for CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 with unlimited adaptive practice questions. Every question includes detailed explanations, domain tagging, and difficulty scaling that adapts to your performance level.
Smart Practice generates fresh questions every session—no two tests are the same.
Start Free Practice Test →CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard certification for launching an IT career. It validates foundational skills that every IT support professional needs, regardless of specialization. The certification is vendor-neutral, meaning it covers concepts applicable to any hardware or software environment—not just one manufacturer's products.
Career changers transitioning into IT from other fields use A+ as their entry credential. Combined with a help desk or desktop support role, A+ demonstrates you have the technical foundation employers require. Many hiring managers will not interview candidates for Tier 1 support roles without A+ or equivalent experience.
IT students pursuing degrees in information technology, computer science, or cybersecurity benefit from A+ as a practical complement to academic coursework. The hands-on troubleshooting skills tested on A+ often fill gaps left by theory-heavy university programs.
Military and government IT professionals need A+ because it meets DoD 8570/8140 requirements for certain IAT Level I positions. This makes it a prerequisite for many defense contractor and federal civilian IT roles.
| Domain | Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Devices | 15% | Laptop components, displays, accessories, connection types |
| Networking | 20% | TCP/IP, ports, protocols, wireless standards, network devices |
| Hardware | 25% | Motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage, power supplies, peripherals |
| Virtualization & Cloud | 11% | Hypervisors, IaaS/PaaS/SaaS, cloud deployment models |
| Troubleshooting | 29% | Methodology, hardware/network/mobile troubleshooting |
| Domain | Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Systems | 22% | Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS features and tools |
| Security | 24% | Malware, social engineering, wireless security, encryption |
| Software Troubleshooting | 22% | OS problems, application issues, browser troubleshooting |
| Operational Procedures | 32% | Documentation, change management, disaster recovery, scripting |
Each A+ exam (Core 1 and Core 2) contains up to 90 questions that you must complete in 90 minutes. Questions are a mix of multiple-choice (single and multiple answer) and performance-based questions (PBQs). PBQs appear at the beginning of the exam and require you to perform tasks in a simulated environment—such as configuring network settings, troubleshooting hardware, or setting up email on a mobile device.
Timing strategy: Skip PBQs on your first pass and return to them after completing multiple-choice questions. This ensures you do not run out of time on easier questions while struggling with complex simulations. Most candidates report that 90 minutes is sufficient if you do not spend more than 10 minutes on any single PBQ.
Scoring: Core 1 requires 675/900 to pass, and Core 2 requires 700/900. The scores are scaled, meaning not every question is worth the same number of points. PBQs are generally weighted more heavily than standard multiple-choice questions.
Our Smart Practice practice test engine generates unique questions for every session. Unlike static question banks where you eventually memorize answers, our system creates fresh scenarios that test the same underlying concepts in different ways. This forces genuine understanding rather than pattern recognition.
| Factor | CompTIA A+ | Google IT Support | ITIL 4 Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Hardware + software support | IT fundamentals | IT service management |
| Cost | $358 (2 exams) | $49/mo (Coursera) | $383 |
| Industry recognition | Very high (30+ years) | Growing | High (ITSM roles) |
| DoD approved | Yes (8570/8140) | No | No |
| Avg starting salary | $40K-$55K | $35K-$50K | $45K-$60K |
| Background | Study Time | Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Complete beginner | 3-4 months | 10-15 |
| Some IT experience | 6-8 weeks | 10-15 |
| IT professional | 2-4 weeks | 10-15 |
| Intensive (full-time) | 30 days | 30-40 |
CompTIA A+ consists of two exams: Core 1 and Core 2. Each exam has up to 90 questions including multiple-choice and performance-based questions, with 90 minutes allowed. You need 675+ (Core 1) and 700+ (Core 2) out of 900 to pass.
Yes, you must pass both Core 1 and Core 2 exams to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. You can take them in any order, and passed exams do not expire while you complete the other.
Core 1 covers mobile devices (15%), networking (20%), hardware (25%), virtualization and cloud computing (11%), and hardware and network troubleshooting (29%). It focuses on the technical, hands-on aspects of IT support.
Core 2 covers operating systems (22%), security (24%), software troubleshooting (22%), and operational procedures (32%). It focuses more on software, security, and professional skills.
CompTIA A+ certification is valid for 3 years. You can renew through CompTIA's Continuing Education program by earning 20 CEUs or by passing a higher-level CompTIA certification before it expires.
Aim for at least 1,000-1,500 practice questions across both exams. You should consistently score 85%+ on practice tests from multiple sources before scheduling your exam. Quality matters more than quantity—review every incorrect answer thoroughly.