A+ · Core 1 (220-1201) & Core 2 (220-1202)
CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard entry credential for IT support, help desk, and field technician roles — and the certification recruiters most often list as a hard requirement before they'll even read a junior résumé. It's the only A-series cert that demands you pass two separate exams, Core 1 and Core 2, so a single weak section can stall a job offer for months. This page breaks down exactly what each exam tests, how it's delivered through Pearson VUE, and how to get both passed without losing a hiring cycle.
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How CompTIA A+ is built — two exams, at a glance
2
You must pass both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) to earn the credential. They can be taken in any order, on different days.
90
Each exam has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes: multiple-choice (single and multiple answer), drag-and-drop, and hands-on performance-based simulations.
V15
The 220-1201 / 220-1202 (V15) series launched 25 March 2025 and replaced the older 220-1101 / 220-1102 objectives.
Core 1 (220-1201) is the hardware-heavy half — mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization & cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1202) is the software-and-security half — operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. The credential is only awarded once both are passed.
Each exam is reported on a scaled 100–900 range, not a raw percentage. Core 1 requires a 675 to pass; Core 2 requires a 700. Performance-based simulations usually appear first and carry significant weight, so leaving them unfinished is a common way strong candidates still fall short. There is no penalty for guessing — every item should be answered.
Official domain weights for each exam — bars show each domain's share of that exam
Diagnosing failing components, displays, printers, and network connectivity using a structured troubleshooting methodology.
Cables, connectors, RAM, storage, motherboards, CPUs, power, and peripherals — installing and configuring physical components.
Ports and protocols, network hardware, wireless standards, IP addressing, and small-office network setup.
Laptops, tablets, and phone hardware, display components, accessories, and mobile network/connectivity configuration.
Cloud models and characteristics, client-side virtualization, and the basics of virtual machines support technicians touch.
Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile OS install, configuration, command-line tools, and management.
Malware, social engineering, authentication, device hardening, and securing workstations and mobile devices.
Resolving OS, application, and malware-related problems and mobile-device software issues.
Documentation, safety, environmental controls, change management, backups, and professional communication.
Because the credential needs both exams, your weakest domain across either Core defines your timeline. Many candidates breeze through hardware but stall on Core 2's near-even split between Operating Systems and Security — exactly where most performance-based questions live.
Two ways to sit each exam — and what to expect on test day
You sit each exam in a quiet, monitored room at a Pearson VUE center. Staff verify your government-issued ID, store your belongings, and watch the room on camera. No outside materials are permitted; an erasable noteboard is provided for the performance-based tasks.
You take each exam from a private room at home, monitored by a remote proctor through OnVUE. You'll run a system test, do a webcam room scan, and pass an ID check before the exam unlocks. No physical scratch paper is allowed — an on-screen whiteboard is provided instead.
A valid, unexpired government photo ID with a name matching your Pearson VUE profile exactly. The proctor captures a photo before the exam unlocks.
A clear desk, no second monitor, no phone within reach, and a 360° webcam scan of the room. No one else may enter while the exam is in progress.
Stay in frame and on-camera the whole time. No breaks are scheduled in OnVUE sessions. Talking aloud, leaving the seat, or losing connection can flag or void the session.
A+ is the standard first cert for IT support careers
No hard prerequisites — but two exams raise the bar
Difficulty: A+ isn't conceptually advanced, but its breadth is the trap — hundreds of discrete facts across two exams, plus performance-based simulations that punish memorization without hands-on familiarity. Most candidates invest 80–120 hours across both Cores, which is exactly the pressure point our help is designed to remove.
CompTIA A+ is two high-stakes, time-boxed exams sitting between you and your first IT role. Exam Assist pairs you with a vetted A+ specialist and works on a pay-after-you-pass model — so the risk sits with us, not you. No upfront fee, guaranteed results: Exam Assist handles the sitting end to end, and you settle only after the verified result.
Tell us which Cores you still need (one or both), your delivery method (center or OnVUE), your test dates, and your deadline. Takes a couple of minutes over WhatsApp, Telegram, or Discord.
We review your timeline and target and tell you plainly whether it's realistic — before any money is discussed. If it isn't a fit, we say so.
Exam Assist handles the sitting end to end. You're matched with an A+ specialist who maps the work around both Cores, the performance-based simulations, and the Pearson VUE OnVUE environment — discreetly and confidentially.
You only pay once your passing score is confirmed on your official CompTIA result. No verified result, nothing owed.
See the full pay-after-you-pass CompTIA A+ service, how matching works, and the honest pricing model.
Straight answers about CompTIA A+
Service, booking, and sibling CompTIA exams
Pair with a vetted A+ specialist on a results-first arrangement. No upfront fee — settle only after a verified passing score on both Cores.
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Start now GuidePlanning your CompTIA path beyond A+? This study guide shows how to prep efficiently for the next cert in the stack.
Read the guide Network+The natural next step after A+ — networking concepts, infrastructure, and troubleshooting for the next rung of IT roles.
View exam Security+The most-requested entry-level cybersecurity cert — a common third certification after A+ and Network+.
View exam Cloud+For technicians moving into cloud and virtualization roles — deployment, security, and operations across cloud platforms.
View examGet expert CompTIA A+ help with no upfront fee — you settle only after your verified passing score on both Cores. Honest feasibility answer first, results-first arrangement always.