The CompTIA Network+ exam contains up to 90 questions to be completed in 90 minutes, with a passing score of 720 out of 900 (approximately 80%). As the industry's leading vendor-neutral networking certification, Network+ validates your ability to design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless network devices. According to PrepForCerts analysis, Network+ is required or preferred in over 65% of network administrator job postings.
Understanding the exam format is critical because the 720/900 passing threshold leaves minimal margin for error — you can only afford to miss approximately 18 questions out of 90. This guide provides a complete breakdown of the exam structure, domain weightings, question types, time management strategies, and how Network+ compares to alternative certifications like CCNA.
| Domain | % of Exam | ~Questions | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Networking Fundamentals | 24% | ~22 | OSI model, TCP/IP, ports, protocols, network topologies, cable types |
| Network Implementations | 19% | ~17 | Routing, switching, wireless standards, WAN technologies |
| Network Operations | 16% | ~14 | Monitoring, documentation, high availability, disaster recovery |
| Network Security | 19% | ~17 | Security concepts, attack types, mitigation, authentication |
| Network Troubleshooting | 22% | ~20 | Methodology, tools, wired/wireless/network service issues |
Standard questions with four options (single-answer) or explicit multi-select ("Choose TWO" or "Choose THREE"). No partial credit for multi-select — you must get all selections correct.
Typically 3-5 PBQs appear at the beginning, testing hands-on networking skills:
Match network devices to functions, order troubleshooting steps, or classify protocols by OSI layer.
With 1 minute per question and PBQs requiring 5-10 minutes each, use the two-pass strategy:
| Port | Protocol | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 20/21 | FTP | File Transfer (data/control) |
| 22 | SSH/SFTP | Secure Shell, Secure File Transfer |
| 23 | Telnet | Remote terminal (insecure) |
| 25 | SMTP | Email sending |
| 53 | DNS | Domain Name System |
| 67/68 | DHCP | Dynamic Host Configuration |
| 80 | HTTP | Web traffic (unencrypted) |
| 110 | POP3 | Email retrieval |
| 143 | IMAP | Email retrieval (sync) |
| 443 | HTTPS | Web traffic (encrypted) |
| 389/636 | LDAP/LDAPS | Directory services |
| 3389 | RDP | Remote Desktop |
| Certification | Questions | Time | Score | Cost | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network+ | Up to 90 | 90 min | 720/900 | $358 | Vendor-neutral networking |
| Cisco CCNA | 100-120 | 120 min | ~825/1000 | $330 | Cisco routing/switching |
| CompTIA A+ | 90 x2 | 90 min x2 | 675-700 | $716 | Hardware + OS + networking |
| CompTIA Security+ | Up to 90 | 90 min | 750/900 | $392 | Cybersecurity fundamentals |
Network+ vs. CCNA: Network+ is vendor-neutral and broader. CCNA goes deeper into Cisco-specific technologies. For general IT careers, Network+ is more versatile. For dedicated network engineering in Cisco environments, CCNA provides stronger depth.
Successful candidates typically study 6-10 weeks at 1-2 hours daily:
Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes including multiple-choice, multiple-select, drag-and-drop, and PBQs.
720 out of 900 (approximately 80%). Higher than A+ but lower than Security+.
Yes, 3-5 PBQs testing hands-on networking skills like configuring devices and troubleshooting connectivity.
Network+ is vendor-neutral and broader at a foundational level. CCNA goes deeper into Cisco-specific technologies.
Yes. DoD 8570 approved, vendor-neutral, recognized globally for network administrator roles.
6-10 weeks with A+ experience. 10-14 weeks for complete beginners.
Networking Fundamentals (24%) and Network Troubleshooting (22%) together cover 46% of the exam.
Recommended path is A+ → Network+ → Security+. Network+ covers concepts Security+ builds upon.
Test your networking knowledge with adaptive practice questions covering all five Network+ domains.
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